in my town, handing out copies of the Constitution is considered too . . .

[OneBlueSky]

"political" . . . by the local VFW chapter, no less . . .

Stony Point Memorial Day parade leaves some constitutional issues

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/NEWS03/606020341/1244/NEWS0305

STONY POINT — For George Potanovic, passing out copies of the U.S. Constitution and carrying signs at Monday's Memorial Day parade seemed like a patriotic thing to do. But town officials and veterans said Potanovic and his group, the Stony Point Action Committee for the Environment, were inappropriately politicizing an event that was meant to honor the sacrifices of the town's service members.

SPACE members handed out about 150 copies of the Constitution at the town-sponsored parade while carrying signs with slogans such as "Freedom of Speech" and "Protect Our Constitution." SPACE now is accused of being disruptive, said Potanovic, president of the 16-year-old organization that often chides elected officials on development and other issues.

"By passing out the Constitution, we're trying to bring some meaning to what the holiday is about," said Potanovic, who added that soldiers fought to protect freedoms granted in the Constitution.

Donald Branson, commander of the Charles R. Lewis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8997, who was also parade commander, said members of his organization were disturbed by SPACE's presence. "It was not a time for a political outcry," he said. "Memorial Day is to honor fallen veterans. It's not a time to hand out Constitutions."

- more . . .

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/NEWS03/606020341/1244/NEWS0305

I intend to compose a LTTE this weekend to point out that distributing copies of the Constitution -- the very foundation of our democracy -- is NEVER a "political" action . . . what IS political is the very deliberate trashing of the document by those in power . . .

[acmejack]

1. Ahh, Amerika!

Don't be passing out no Constitutions here, pinko!

[oneighty]

2. VFW

events in our village have become the hub of political activity.

It is a reason many of us (vets) no longer participate.

180

[liberal N proud]

3. That is screwed up!

So an organization who claim to support veterans does not support the Constitution?

A Veterans organization not supporting the document they "fought" to protect?

[intheflow]

4. "Freedom from domestic spying." was the offensive sign because

there's nothing about that in the constitution? Obviously, the doofus who said that has never read the constitution--or rather, if he's read it, he didn't understand it.

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Domestic spying intends to quell both freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Domestic spying is a form of unreasonable search.

K&R'd.

[Catch22Dem]

5. I, Catch22Dem, do solemnly swear...support & defend the Constitutuion

of the United States...

I've taken that pledge a couple of times. I served for 8 years. How can you pledge to support and defend it, AND object to people handing out copies of it. It just doesn't compute.

[tanyev]

6. It's only good for toilet paper now.

[intheflow]

7. Oh, tanyev!

:cry:

[Xenotime]

8. The constitution needs to be rewritten soon...

before * destroys it.

[niyad]

9. I called the local VFW post to express my dismay over this article, and

the quartermaster suggested that I send a copy to them--and to national in kansas. Perhaps others could do the same with their local chapters, along with copies to national? He was very surprised, said the actions and comments of that VFW post were "ludicrous".