Obama Protesters = Patriots with Guns, Bush Protesters = Criminals with T-Shirts

With all the talk about double standards between this administration and the last, I think it's important to be thorough and look at the whole picture.

There are many stories about Bush protesters being arrested for wearing shirts with anti-Bush and anti-war messages on them. These are just a few of the many stories of innocent people exercising their First Amendment rights:

West Virginia
Maine
Woman arrested for Unlawful Conduct (anti-war t-shirt)
Women arrested and strip searched for anti-war sign

Even McCain protesters were arrested:

Woman arrested for McCain=Bush sign

But show up at an Obama protest packing a loaded automatic rifle and you get respect and even your 15 minutes of fame. No arrests, no hassle, no disrespect or stepping on the Second Amendment by Obama or his Secret Service.

That's the kind of change I like!

[edit on 19-8-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]

Neither should be arrested.

Like I said in another thread, people who are no match for the police get tazed, tackled, pepper sprayed and otherwise abused all the time.

Folks who walk around with guns on their hip or rifles in their hands dressed in full camo ala the Black Panthers never get harassed.

Who do the bullies pick on and why? Simple schoolyard math.

I just hope they aren't being too lenient and some crazy right-winger doesn't attack/shoot Obama. Because if that happens I will be so angry. And I think more people would want to harm Obama than wanted to harm Bush.

It just makes me nervous. The type of people who take rifles to Obama rallies are the bad crazy type, IMO.

PLenty have been arrested at Obama rallies. Here is just one example it took me 5 secs to find. If the OP would put forth more effort b4 you post more BS propaganda.

39 Arrested at Obama Rally

Yeah I have noticed that and then those on the right try to compare the two as if they were the same and they are not.

Like it or not just because someone is a right wing conservative doesn't automatically make their behavior patriotic anymore than being a left wing liberal makes their behavior unpatriotic...

It is one of the more idiotic analogies to come from the right in years yet they love it.

I said on another thread that a society that thinks it needs to be armed to the teeth all the time is unhealthy and at least one called me stalinist for saying that but think about it...what is more healthy...

A society that is armed to the teeth and paranoid about everyone and everything

Or a society that is secure and comfortable enough about its place in the world that they don't feel the need to be so heavily armed?

I give you Canada...New Zeeland...Iceland...Norway and Sweden...Japan etc.

Whereas the United States has become a muddled armed paranoid mess.

How about the people that protest both parties?
Where do they fit in with the devisive premise of your thread?

reply to post by thebeet


Let's take a peek at that linky, shall we?
content.usatoday.net...

He got heckled. Air Force One flew into airspace where hours earlier a plane had trailed a banner showing an aborted fetus. But President Barack Obama appeared unruffled Sunday as he urged graduates of the University of Notre Dame to listen to those who disagree with them and work to right the wrongs in the world.

Obama's appearance at Sunday's commencement capped weeks of protests that have seen Notre Dame become the center of an abortion debate that threatened to overshadow the commencement ceremony. Protesters have criticized the university's decision to invite Obama, who supports abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.

Victor Saenz, a philosophy graduate from Mexicali, Mexico, said he did not attend the ceremony because he believes Obama's invitation violated a 2004 statement adopted by U.S. bishops saying Catholic institutions should not honor those who don't adhere to church teachings.

Although student organizers urged those attending the rally not to bring signs on to campus, many did, with signs declaring "Shame on Notre Dame" and "Stop Abortion Now." Many wore anti-abortion T-shirts; one depicted a leprechaun dressed in green throwing a baby into a trash can and the words "May 17, 2009, The day the dome was forever tarnished," referring to the school's famed golden dome.
Police said at least 39 people were arrested on trespassing charges, including Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as "Roe" in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, was among those arrested. She now opposes abortion.

So. If you were protesting against a speech where someone was supporting Gay Marriage, and you wore a shirt with some backdoor intercourse images on it, I would hope you'd get arrested. That's kind of the same thing.

He's the President. He does politics. If the religion of the college prevents them from opening their ears to different views on political issues, that's just weird.

It's a school. Not a church. These guys probably support burning down abortion clinics.

[edit on 8/19/2009 by ravenshadow13]

I highly recommend that everyone read this thread and watch the video:

A sample of what could happen - based on real events
www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by ravenshadow13


How do you know what they probably support?

It's a catholic school, you are going to hear from anti-abortion people, duhhh.

I'm sure the entire catholic religion is proud to hear that you consider them terrorists.

Are you really that naive?

[edit on 19-8-2009 by hotrodturbo7]

reply to post by ravenshadow13

I just hope they aren't being too lenient and some crazy right-winger doesn't attack/shoot Obama. Because if that happens I will be so angry. And I think more people would want to harm Obama than wanted to harm Bush.

These weapons are NO WHERE NEAR the president. They are there prior to his arrival, but they are not near him at any time. I have a friend that does EOD for the Secret Service. Every orifice of those buildings has been searched and scanned and metered. Every window, rooftop, and manhole has been swept, secured, welded, bolted, or guarded. Every person has been scanned, searched, researched, interviewed, etc.

I met Bush Sr during an election year at my college, and it was quite overwhelming to look around at Secret Service on rooftops and in manholes. Somebody I knew was locked up 48 hours prior to his visit because of a joke at a poker game!

This is all for show, for good TV, for divisive politics, and for ushering in the next wave of oppression.

BUSH = OBAMA = REAGAN = NIXON = CORPORATE AMERICA = NWO = MONEY = WE WERE SCREWED FROM THE START!

reply to post by getreadyalready

I was working in a hotel in Portland Maine during the 1988 election cycle and Bush senior had a fund raiser or two there. The SS were everywhere and each of us cooks had a goon looking over our shoulders...I couldn't have scratched my ass without them knowing. And they examined everything we were working with and cooking. I wouldn't have been surprised if there wasn't an official taster in the group.

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic


These people will fade, ala Darwin, and leave room for those that want to have an honest debate. There are extremists on both sides of the aisle. To pay attention to them distracts from the real issues.

Then again, that's what this administration wants.

ie Birthers, deathers, domestic terrorists, what ever you want to call the opposition, it distracts from the blatant issues that Obama is trying to ram down our throats. Watch the side issues when cap and trade come to fore.

Or any type of gun legislation. Or when Obama doesn't renew Bush's tax cuts and all of a sudden we are ALL paying more.

00.03 because I can afford it

that these people are bringing firearms to presidential speeches is seen as in anyway 'okay' is idiotic.

i don't care if GOD gave us the right to bear arms, bearing them to an event held by the president is just wrong.

guns are not political props they are tools that are mainly used for killing things, ie food and bad people.

that anyone feels the need to bring one to a presidential speech is a sign of mental illness and obsession.

i have to say this highlights one KEY difference between bush and obama. if you didn't agree with bush you couldn't get close to him speaking, if you disagree with obama you can bring your guns.

i am sick and tired of the bull-cheese.

Originally posted by ravenshadow13
I just hope they aren't being too lenient and some crazy right-winger doesn't attack/shoot Obama. Because if that happens I will be so angry. And I think more people would want to harm Obama than wanted to harm Bush.

It just makes me nervous. The type of people who take rifles to Obama rallies are the bad crazy type, IMO.

1st of all: Do you believe Obama gets anywhere near citizens with weapons?

2nd: Do you believe people exercising their Constitutional rights are crazy? Can you provide proof these people are crazy or are they just concerned citizens?

3rd: I beg you to do some research on the utter hate that was displayed towards Bush in the past 8 years. There was a movie about the assassination of Bush.

reply to post by Benevolent Heretic

Cops don't like messing with armed people. People that have an AR slung over their shoulder are much less likely to get tazed.

So maybe anti-war protesters can learn something here. If you back up your first amendment rights with your second amendment rights, maybe you are a little more secure in your 4th amendment rights.

You go girl

I laughed my hart out when I read this thread, this so funny, but hey you are right.

I asked my husband if he will carry his concealed weapon to a place where the president was nearby, he said he would because it was his right, but he is not stupid and he knows that he will stay far away as possible from the actual place where security is stronger.

Actually I see the show of Guns on this issue with Obama as many things

First is those that are trying to prove a point that they have the right to carry arms legally and no president in power will be allowed to stop that.

Second is the show offs the ones that are just trying to create a reaction with the presidents security forces.

Third the ones that you never know how their react because is not just patriotism what drive them but hate.

Dangerous time in our nations this days.

Sorry, but this thread is intentionally divisive, misleading and grossly misinformed! Under NO circumstances are armed citizens permitted anywhere in the vacinity of the President - PERIOD! I have witnessed on several occassions Presidential events and can tell you first-hand - ain't NO WAY anyone with a gun is getting anywhere near the venue!

Those of you partisans who are hanging your hat on such an issue are the people primarily responsible for the direction this country is headed - namaly into the gutter. Why not wake up and realize that you are being played and start paying closer attention to the game and the players - quit being a pawn!!!

reply to post by Anjin

2nd: Do you believe people exercising their Constitutional rights are crazy? Can you provide proof these people are crazy or are they just concerned citizens?

Yes. I think that even for a concerned citizen, bringing an armed weapon into a public place like a rally PERIOD is crazy.

But I'm just a socialist nazi NWO type and I think that weapons which kill people are unnecessary in those circumstances.

reply to post by ravenshadow13


I agree whole heartedly.

Look how crazy the right got when those us on the left showed up at bush minor rallies with those dangerous tee shirts on...we were dubbed traitors.

Now they show up with their harmless assault rifles and are offended by our outrage after all they are just decent citizens excerising their 2nd amendment rights.

ROTFLMAO!!!

Yeah right.

It is nothing more than a not so veiled threat and in essence bullying.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere
Neither should be arrested.

I agree completely!

Originally posted by ravenshadow13
The type of people who take rifles to Obama rallies are the bad crazy type, IMO.

I know you said it's your opinion, but if they were bad crazies, then it seems more would have happened. Perhaps their judgment wasn't the best or most logical (wearing a gun to a health care rally?) but nothing about any of these citizens has indicated that they are bad or crazy.

reply to post by downtown436


Excellent point!

Originally posted by marg6043
I asked my husband if he will carry his concealed weapon to a place where the president was nearby, he said he would because it was his right, but he is not stupid and he knows that he will stay far away as possible from the actual place where security is stronger.

Exactly. I think it's stupid to brandish a firearm at a political rally, but I support the right for these people to make their statement, however stupid and however illogical it may be.

Originally posted by kozmo
Under NO circumstances are armed citizens permitted anywhere in the vacinity of the President - PERIOD!

I made no such claim. I'm sure you'll be happy to tell me what exactly is "misinformed" about my post.

My point isn't to argue whether or not it was "right" to carry arms at a political rally. Obviously, these people are within their rights and I support them. I've just heard so many one-sided arguments lately about the double standards used in dealing with Obama and Bush that I thought I'd point out one glaring one that no one has yet to mention...