SocraticGadfly: Judge doesn’t understand either free speech or taxpayer rights

November 09, 2008

Judge doesn’t understand either free speech or taxpayer rights

A federal district judge in Denver has upheld BushCo booting three protestors from a taxpayer-funded appearance and speech by Bush.

District Court Chief Judge Wiley Daniel ruled the protestors had no right to be at an invitation-only event, despite it being taxpayer-funded and despite them getting tix from a GOP congressman. He said that previous courts had allowed a restriction of speech at presidential events.

At the same time, Wiley conflated speech rights and free assembly rights with this gem:
"President Bush had the right, at his own speech, to ensure that only his message was conveyed," Daniel wrote. "When the president speaks, he may choose his own words.”

Uhh, judge? A bumper sticker did nothing to interfere with Bush’s speech.

To quote Ronald Reagan, “Mr. Bush, We the People paid for that microphone.”

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