You are one brave man

You Are One Brave Man

by Jon Alvarez - 09/01/04

This past Sunday I drove to New York City in order to show my support for both my fellow Republicans and President Bush at the start of the Republican Convention. At the same time, I was witness to some of the most vile and sickening anti-social behavior put on display by the so-called "peace" activists who were assembling to tell the Republicans they had no right to meet in the Big Apple, despite what the Constitution says. While I was not surprised at the behavior of the protesters, I certainly hope their week-long presence during the RNC Convention opens some eyes in Middle America.

These radical liberals, many of whom displayed their support for John Kerry with buttons and signs, profess to be both peaceful and tolerant. They happen to be neither. While peacefully exercising MY right as an American citizen to free speech by holding a pro-Bush sign during one of their protest marches, I was told repeatedly that I was not welcome in NYC, called every profane name imagineable, and had objects thrown at me.

I happened to be not ten feet from where a large paper float was set afire by these miscreants, causing panic amongst the crowd. Fortunately, due to the swift reaction of the large and very professional police force, no one was injured. It has since been reported that a police officer has been beaten and that Republican delegates, private citizens engaged in lawful politicking, have been threatened and harrassed continuously by these same people.

Several reporters I spoke with told me they thought I was a brave soul for my display of support for President Bush. I thought that was quite telling, that they somehow knew I was subject to physical harm simply for speaking my mind. Ironic, isn't it? In an American city, who'd have thought so many police would be needed to protect innocent and law-abiding citizens, exercising their Constitutionally-protected rights, from supposedly tolerant "PEACE PROTESTERS".