Perhaps these free speech zones keep the media focused on the convention. Both extremes of the Left and Right can be quite creative and entertaining. If I had the choice of listening to Bush or Kerry, verses say an advocate for the right to fornicate with whales, or some maniac making a spectacle of himself with the notion of putting illegal immigrants in camps, I would choose the latter over the two career politicians.

On the other hand, I have never quite figured out how being born on one small piece of the planet automatically entitles anyone to do whatever they want to do, when they want to do it. The epitome of arrogance is assuming one's birthright is a guarantee to having it all on demand. I would suggest this dynamic is what generates 3rd world hatred for America, and other Western nations too. This general theme was addressed in the book "The Ugly American", which did prompt the Government to at least take a look at some of our behaviors abroad. It is difficult to be introspective and it doesn't happen often until we are faced with something we don't like, such as being restricted to free speech zones.

However, I wonder what some Iranians, for instance, think about this complaining over being restricted to certain areas in which to exercise freedom of speech? A number of Editors and students have gone missing after expressing dissent over autocratic rule there. One should take this bit of current Social reality, being restricted to free speech zones, with a large grain of salt called Kent State.

The right to freedom of assembly and freedom of speech on this small part of the planet is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. It is that freedom that (supposedly) our troops are fighting and dying for. It is why many have sought asylum in the US.

I do think there is a sense of privilege and ownership that is part of US cultural ideology, and I do think it does not do us well. But the right to assemble, and to free speech, are a different issue.

The lessons of Gandhi go unheeded. Those on the streets in Boston, if truly upset over their restricted rights, would take action rather than having their cause taken up in passive forums like this.

In street parlance, they got the talk but not the walk. The call should go out to 'shut the mother-fu**er down' by lying in intersections all over the city - but then an afternoon in jail, a small fine, a suspended jail sentence and a day of missed work or internet time apparently is not worth it. Is there a connection between arrogance and commitment (cowardice?), or do the various agendas touted by those whose rights are being abridged simply lack substance? If this is the best play and coverage the oppressed protestors in Boston can obtain, visa-via a Public Sociology on the internet, then said abridged rights probably never really existed in the first place. We have a social reality without substance, because I would bet that some of the oppressed are hob-nobbing with some of the 'others' in the convention after hours and are certainly helping to sustain the local economy. My how they inadvertently sustain their oppressors!

I think somebody needs to bring this issue to court....perhaps the ACLU, this is definately a blantant violation of our rights !

Hope things get better for you and yours Rowan, if you need any help my entire family is in the medical coummunity, if you have insurance or other questions please don't hesitate to email, anything we can do to help.....my experience with hospitals, doctors, and insurance companies, not to mention on the job injuries has been less than positive. Hope all is well !

Major Metamorphosis:
From baby-killer to political savior, or, the 'morhphing of John Kerry by the Liberal Establishment. My my! has it really been that long since American troops were raping and pillaging and killing civilians and bayoneting orphans and plundering and burning hooches, as Imperialist forces of the US Military Industrial Complex in the Republic of South Viet Nam!?? Has it been that long since 'nam vets' were vilified and cursed and regarded as deranged killers? The condemnation of US involvement in Viet Nam has now become valiant fighting for the folks back home, making the world safe for democracy, defending the homeland against tyranny - or so that is the message coming out of the DNC - gallant warrior returns home, wounded, having kept mom and pop safe from the viet cong and now seeks US Presidency. I wonder if some of the older Liberals kept any of their anti-war protest signs, or if they remember spitting on any returning 'nam vets ?? Well, if it weren't for John Kerry, we would all be eating rice and wearing those conical straw hats worn over there, that much is clear, by god! NVA troops might well be roaming our streets slapping people around if their conical straw hats weren't being worn in an appropriate manner. And our children might be forced to learn Vietnamese. Thanks, Johnny!!!

fair is fair:
We know George Bush kept the dirty commies' at bay when he was in the National Guard. Once every 4-5 months he would drive by the jet he was assigned to and that was enough to scare the hell out of them. There were milllions of Reds on the Mexican border waiting to surge across and ravage our women, but our man George stood tall against them.

Yeh, right - so much for the military record of both candidates being a significant factor in the election. JFK was the last President to have been in combat.