It was a replay of Norman Rockwell’s famous illustration "Freedom of Speech". President Bush traveled yesterday to the cradle of right-wing evangelicalism, Charlotte, North Carolina , where he could count on a sympathetic crowd to hear his umpteenth speech on how great the Iraq War is going. And during the question and answer session following the speech several of the Christo-Fascists in attendance performed as scripted, tearfully telling the president how they were praying for him and praying for war. But then something extraordinary happened: Bush called on Harry Taylor, 61, who was sitting in the front row of the balcony. The Washington Post reports on what Citizen Harry had to say to the president:
"While I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges," said a man who later identified himself as Harry Taylor, a 61-year-old commercial real estate broker.
"What I wanted to say to you is that I — in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency, by the Senate."
"I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself."
Citizen Harry was booed by the right-wing evangelical audience at Charlotte, but he was speaking for millions and millions of his fellow citizens. We dream of having the opportunity to address the president face to face, but not many of us could be as calm and articulate as Harry Taylor. Thanks Mr. Taylor, you are a true patriot.
UPDATE: Leave your own message of thanks to Harry Taylor:
Bush Freedom of Speech Redefreiheit Dissent
