Response to “Cheers, Jeers for Bush”

Public Forum Letters – Response to Cheers, Jeers for Bush 08/31/06:

The Republican Party has become a quasi-government organization under the Bush Administration. The evidence of this continues to mount starting with overthrowing the 2000 presidential elections by conspiring to make mass challenges to opposition voters. Other examples include taking control of mass media ownership. The Republican Party has become an extra-Constitutional institution with the ability to subvert national elections and manage war propaganda.

The Utah Republican Party confirmed my worst suspicions at their “Pro-Bush” rally on August 30th. The contrasts between the, “Rock-Against-Rumsfeld” at Pioneer Park and the “Pro-Bush” rally at Washington Square were striking. At Pioneer Park the crowd was surrounded by 50 or more Salt Lake Police with riot gear and squad cars parked around the perimeter. When I arrived at the “Pro-Bush” rally I saw three police officers in uniform standing on the sidelines chatting. Orrin Hatch was speaking when I arrived there. I shouted out to him as loud as I could from the crowd. I exclaimed, “[Hatch] refused to
see the peace delegation at your office to hear our grievances.” At this point I was grabbed from behind kicked and kneed hard in the back. A man grabbed my arm and doubled his fist to punch me (See Cheers, Jeers for Bush, Salt Lake Tribune August 31st). The police at the event did not intervene. I can’t help but feel this is deliberate cooperation between the Republican Party and law enforcement agencies to squash dissent and intimidate critics of an out of control President.

Nate Smith
c/o Free Speech Zone
2144 S Highland Dr Suite 130
Salt Lake City UT 84106