To say civil rights are taking a Bush whacking would be a gross understatement. The United States of mendacity is teetering on fascism thanks to the Bush Administration's "War on the home front."

Excuse me for pointing out the obvious, buy it seems hypocritical, if not downright nefarious the United States is fighting a war in the name of freedom while systematically undermining the rights of citizens to free speech, peaceful assembly, and the ability to petition the Government for a redress of grievance.

The first amendment of the US Constitution is under attack. Not that should come as a surprise to anyone. All you have to do is turn on the television, pick up a newspaper, or search the Google for evidence that US Style democracy has taken an ugly turn for the worse. It's all there in Black and white, with no shades of gray.

The week of September 16th, 2007 was a harbinger of things to come. In Los Angeles, screen legend Sally Field was censored by the Fox Network trying to voice opposition to war during the Emmy Awards. Comedian Kathy Griffin was censored for trash talking Jesus during her acceptance speech Jesus. In Florida, college student Andrew Meyer was tazered for asking a politically charged question of Senator John Kerry.

San Diego was on the front line as the free speech trail of Environmental activist Rob Coronado was ended in a mistrial, with the majority voting for acquittal. A prominent speaker on the environmental lecture circuit, Rod was arrested on February 22, 2006 in Tuscon for answering a question at a public forum in San Diego on August 1, 2003.

Score another one for the good guys.

I am of the opinion that Free speech is a non-negotiable, without it, liberty is impossible. The Bush Administration and their Republican sycophants are doing more harm to California and Californians than all the bogey men they use for fear mongering. Al Qaeda is not a threat to the people of San Diego County, the U.S. Federal government is. Osama bin laden does not want to drill for oil along San Diego's coastline, the Bush Administration does.

The current crackdown on public dissent in the U.S. of A, demonstrates how morally and ethically corrupt the current system is. Shutting down opposing viewpoint is directly related to the level of criminality being protected by the status quo.

Looking to the wisdom of my elders for guidance, I consulted Henry David Thoreau who asked the question, "Is it not possible that an individual may be right and a government wrong? Are laws to be enforced simply because they were made? Or declared by any number of men to be good, if they are NOT good?"

My answers? Yes, no, and no.

Now is the time to speak out. Now is the time to march, protest, demonstrate, and resist. Now is the time to be heard.

Free speech is a non-negotiable.