TIM SAYS: I watched in horror during the presidential campaign as the Bush administration excluded everyone but avowed supporters from his speeches.

Now, Bush has kicked it up a notch — His minions are circulating blacklists of people who are to be excluded BY NAME apparently for their political beliefs (not because they are likely to cause a security issue).

Blacklists are frightening when based on politics. Do we really want to tolerate this kind of behavior by the Republicans (or the Democrats)?

I do not respect the Republican’ Party’s seeming disdain toward enlightened debate. They seem to encourage an attitude of intolerance for dissent, for if you are not “with us” you are “against us” and must be exiled and silenced.

If you think my attitude is overblown, listen critically to the right wing media machine, and hear how they challenged the patriotism and integrity, and make fun of, anyone who disagrees with the Party or President.

You can bet your last dollar that George Bush approves of this attitude of intolerance for disagreement and reasoned debate. If he disapproved, he would make that known for the good of the country. He would criticize the right wing media machine and tone it down. He would welcome debate, rather than encourage the demonization of those whose ideas differ from his.

END

Some Barred From Bush’s North Dakota Speech (washingtonpost.com)
The Fargo Forum reported that a city commissioner, a liberal radio producer, a deputy Democratic campaign manager and a number of university professors were among more than 40 area residents who were barred from attending the Bush event. Their names were on a list supplied to workers at two ticket distribution sites.

The “Bush blacklist” is “frightening,” Tom Athans, chief executive of Democracy Radio, said after learning that a producer for the liberal “Ed Schultz Show” was among those barred. “To blacklist a local citizen because he produces a radio program at odds with the political agenda of the White House is dangerous for democracy.”