Honoring a Patriot at Monticello

Today, at Monticello, the home of the man who wrote our list of grievances against King George and justified our declaration of independence from the British Empire, the man who famously declared that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants," the current tyrant King George the Imbecile presided over a new citizen swearing-in ceremony.

No spinning was heard from Mr. Jefferson's grave.  There was, however, a small disturbance of which Mr. J would have approved, I feel sure.

David Swanson stood up during the president's remarks and shouted "Impeach Bush!" repeatedly, calling the president a "fascist."  Several others apparently agreed with Mr. Swanson's sentiments and were, like Mr. Swanson, removed from the ceremony.

On this, the day we celebrate our audacious declaration of freedom and universal rights, I can think of no more fitting tribute to Mr. Jefferson and the other brave Founders than Mr. Swanson's unflinching protest of the current chief executive.

Thank you, Mr. Swanson.  May many follow your example wherever Mr. Bush goes.

Story and pix at AfterDowningStreet.org

•  Never let that bastard speak unchallenged.

  

  by Crashing Vor on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:40:55 AM PDT

•  with a righteous indignation like swanson...

  ...it's got to be good!!!!

  by drainflake77 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:49:21 AM PDT

•  I got an email earlier in the week...

  ...ironically, it was from Democrats.com (a group that I have since unsubscribed from - I wrote about it in yesterday's diary).  The protests were definitely organized:

  To get in you must pick up free tickets at 7 a.m. on Wednesday at the Monticello Visitors Center.  Bring as many people as you can, and each request the maximum of four tickets.  Go early!  

  To protest outside meet at 8 a.m. on Friday at Quarry Park. Please bring posters, signs, costumes, banners, props.

  Here's a map that includes Monticello, the visitors center, and Quarry Park:
  http://afterdowningstreet.org/...

  Here's a new flyer:
  http://afterdowningstreet.org/...

  Keep phoning Monticello! The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, a private nonprofit, owns and operates Monticello with a professed mission of preservation and education. Call Monticello right now and ask them to uninvite Bush: [phone]. Then let the Daily Progress newspaper in Charlottesville know that you've done that: [e-mail]

  The Unitary Executive is scheduled to disgrace the grounds of Thomas Jefferson's house, Monticello, in Charlottesville, Va. During a July 4 naturalization ceremony, immigrants will swear to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic" at an event besmirched by the presence of the Constitution's leading domestic enemy. Jefferson's Declaration of Independence from King George faulted him for harassment by his troops, elevating the military above civilian power, denying people a fair trial by jury by transporting them overseas to be tried on false accusations, and other abuses that have been matched by our current King George. He has claimed the power to ignore laws, to rewrite laws, to adhere to secret laws, to discard habeas corpus, to spy without warrant, to detain without charge, to torture, to murder, and to lie the nation into wars of conquest. All citizens, old and new, have a duty to support and
  defend the Constitution, a document that requires the impeachment of a president as criminal and abusive as the current one.

  Learn more about impeaching Bush: http://afterdowningstreet.org/...

  Have to give them props for the whole thing, I think.

  by RenaRF on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:51:11 AM PDT

  •  I was a (tiny) bit surprised that the foundation

    allowed Mr. Bush to do his little grandstanding.  Just glad that Mr. Swanson and others were there to counter the catapulted propaganda.

    by Crashing Vor on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:54:57 AM PDT

    •  I watched the video via your link.

      It was - fabulous!!  I was watching the comments live this morning as I tried to get rolling and I could hear all of the shouting.  I found it really odd that the cameras didn't even cut to the protests - they just stayed on Bush and he pressed on with all the shouts in the background.

      Weird!

      by RenaRF on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:58:53 AM PDT

      •  AP camera man being led away

        The picture of the AP camera man being led away and prevented from taking pictures is major news by itself

        by forgore on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:02:35 AM PDT

        •  It really is.

          Did they get the name of the AP guy?  I'd love to hear what he had to say on the subject.

          by RenaRF on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:10:50 AM PDT

          •  don't know

            but David will provide on going coverage and details at the link

            by forgore on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:21:44 AM PDT

        •  Is that what

          was said, or did I miss something?

          From Mr. Swansons' article:

          Photo by AP of our photographer whose work is below:

          by TracieLynn on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:29:09 AM PDT

      •  Heard it on the AM,

        CBS News radio.  Harley Carnes spent the first minute on Bush's blather and the second on the protest.  You could clearly hear, "This man is a fascist!"  Bravo!

        by Crashing Vor on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:11:24 AM PDT

        •  I also clearly heard

          "Fuck You!!"  :D

          by RenaRF on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 10:14:49 AM PDT

•  Bush is a MORON

  Bush does not care....When I look at him I see a man who has no conscience and who sleeps without any remorse to the lives taken, the jobs lost, and the bleak future. Patriotism...please do not talk about it....Republicans better not bring it up..BO wants what is best for this country for all of us not for one group versus another. Now Bush is working to elect Mc CInsane so he can continue his failed politices.

  Elect Barack Obama

  by Auspicious8 on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:51:58 AM PDT

•  an historic patriotic act today

  an historic patriotic act took place this July 4th

  "Why I Interrupted Bush at Monticello" at the link in the diary is truly inspiring. This is history.

  The picture of the AP camera man being led away and prevented from taking pictures is major news by itself

  Thank you so much for this diary, please, please rec this up. This needs to news this July 4th

  by forgore on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 09:55:04 AM PDT

  •  video

    http://www.youtube.com/...

    by forgore on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 01:44:37 PM PDT

•  "... seek redress of grievances..." n/t

  by Neon Mama on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 12:55:20 PM PDT

•  I would have loved to see Jefferson

  or, well.. a full body apparition of Jefferson... materialize right behind GW, say "Get out!" Gawd, the thought of that asswipe standing in the very place where Jefferson walked and thought just sticks in my craw.

  by Purple Priestess on Fri Jul 04, 2008 at 04:57:15 PM PDT