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John
Nichols, associate editor of the Wisconsin newspaper, The
Capitol Times, reports that on Tuesday, October 25, 2004, the
Bush campaign rented the Richland Center High School in
southwestern Wisconsin where Bush gave a campaign stump
speech. This was the biggest event in the school's
history. Naturally, students were very excited to have the
President of the United States show up at their high
school. But while students were encouraged to attend,
they were told that there would be a dress code: They
could wear either a 'Bush for President' T-shirt or neutral
clothing. Anyone showing up wearing clothing in support
of his opponent would not be allowed to attend but would be
removed from the premises. Nichol's
points out that this is not the first time the Bill of Rights
was torn up in Wisconsin at Bush's behest. Click
this link to read the full article: http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/index.php?ntid=14873&ntpid=1
Herbert Spencer once defined tragedy as
"dedication killed by a fact." Every
President, whether he wants to be or not, becomes an education
President. And so I imagine that for many Richland
parents, Democrats and Republicans alike, the fact that the
President of the United States would blatantly desecrate our
First Amendment right in front of their children was an
unexpected and terrible tragedy. I believe the Bush
entourage
conducted itself in a similar fashion all across the
country. I can't imagine he did himself a
favor. Surely any candidate who
would invite or encourage American high school children to
participate in an event that purposely desecrates one of our
most cherished values should never be elected to public
office in the United States of America.
Mark A. Goldman
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