Woman from my town cited for Bushit sticker-going to court in Dekalb,Co GA

[CottonBear]

Bumper sticker a ticket to free speech fight
Athens woman pulled over


Denise Grier, a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital, was ticketed by a DeKalb County police officer for a political bumper sticker the officer deemed lewd.
Monira Al-Haroun Silk/Staff

By Joe Johnson | | Story updated at 11:48 PM on Thursday, March 23, 2006

Is BUSHIT lewd? Is it even a word?

Whatever it is, BUSHIT was a bumper sticker message that got an Athens woman cited in DeKalb County for violating a state law prohibiting lewd or profane stickers and decals on vehicles.

In full, the sticker that got 47-year-old Denise Grier pulled over reads, "I'm Tired Of All The BUSHIT" - referring to President Bush's policies.

Grier, a registered nurse at Emory University Hospital, said the sticker is a political statement.

The DeKalb police officer who stopped her thought it was lewd.

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml
*****************************************************************************************************
I cannot believe this is happening. This story is above the fold, full color, front page news in today's Athens Banner-Herald. :grr: :grr: :grr:

Ms. Grier was pulled over in DeKalb County (metro Atlanta area) which is a "blue" county. Apparently, the policeman doesn't know that "the Georgia Supreme Court ruled more than a decade ago that the law against lewd bumper stickers is unconstitutional, according to the American Civil Liberties Union."

I am making an "I'm Tired Of All The BUSHIT" sign for my truck. It will be taped to the back window when I leave work today. :grr:

[benddem]

1. my god

welcome to 1984

[CottonBear]

23. Isn't this crazy? I've never heard of this happening in the Atlanta area.

:( Maybe in the red Atlanta suburbs, but not in DeKalb or Fulton Counties. :(

[RebelOne]

82. Read my post below. I live in Cherokee County.

It's just as bad if not worse.

[LiberalinNC]

2. What a bunch of bullshit!

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Or bushit! Jesus! What crap!

:argh:

[CottonBear]

24. It is a huge load of Bushit.

:grr:

[CottonBear]

25. It's just freaking insane. Like he didn't need to ticket bad drivers or

track down criminals or something. :grr:

[TomInTib]

3. Good for you, CottonBear!

I hope a couple thousand more of you Georgians do the same thing.

[CottonBear]

7. I live in the great blue town of Athens, GA (as does Ms. Grier.)

No police here would ever pull anyone over for such a sticker. The courts would be overloaded! Hundreds of people have the F the President sticker and thousands have other anti-Bush stickers. :)

[MadMaddie]

4. The cop will lose this in court....

He doesn't have enough to do...like tracking real criminals?

I wonder if she does a record check...I wonder how many stickers that are anti-abortion, anti-liberal, anti-women etc...how many tickets have the cops given out to conservative stickers?

Sickening....

[CottonBear]

16. Ms. Grier had two other anti-Bush, pro-Democrat stickers on her car

"In addition to the offending bumper sticker, Grier's white Chrysler's rear window sports two other political statements: A crossed-out W and "Hillary 2008."

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

I'm afraid we DUers will have to agree to disagree with Ms. Grier about Hillary in 2008. :(

[John Q. Citizen]

96. There's no accounting for taste....

:9

[MADem]

17. Why??? Because the dumb fucker can't SPELL!!!!!!!!

How can a word that does not exist be "lewd?" This idiotic cop is a real stereotype in action!!!

[CottonBear]

28. Good point.

The freepers who've posted comments on the paper's website think that the "F the President" stickers are lewd even though "Fuck: isn't spelled out. :eyes:

Here's the female freeper posting:
I agree with Regular Citizen! The black "F" the president sticker is the other one that infuriates me. Feel free to voice your opinion but don't impose profanity on the rest of us while you are doing it. Would you give your Mother or Grandmother one of those stickers to put on her car? Not me.
I agree with Regular Citizen! The black "F" the president sticker is the other one that infuriates me. Feel free to voice your opinion but don't impose profanity on the rest of us while you are doing it. Would you give your Mother or Grandmother one of those stickers to put on her car? Not me.
Mother of Two | 03.24.06 - 1:33 pm | # | 03.24.06 - 1:33 pm | #
******************************************************************************************************
:grr: What idiots. Of course a Republican wouldn't give their freeper parents an anti-Bush sticker.

My message to freeper woman:
Hey Mother of Two: YOU imposed Bush on the rest of us. Now that's an obscene act. :grr:

[RubyDuby in GA]

91. Would you give your Mother or Grandmother one of those stickers to put on

her car?"


Um........my mom has one already :)
If my grandmother drove, she'd have one too. She's still got her Dean stickers on her walker.

[Talismom]

104. Wow! Good for Grandma! Your must be proud of your family. n/t

[CottonBear]

106. Grandmother RubyDuby rocks! Dean stickers on her walker! Cool! n/t

[LuckyLib]

113. My mom (age 83) would proudly post one. She says she's seen

everything, and feels like she's living in the Twilight Zone.

[Scout1071]

36. Kind of like the "Terri was murdered" bumper stickers?

I've seen several of those in the last year. Absolutely despicable.

[CottonBear]

39. Yikes! I've never seen one of those here in GA. n/t

[calmblueocean]

6. Woman tired of Bushit receives even more Bushit

It's like a story in the Onion.

[CottonBear]

27. Sadly, Onion stories & real stories seem to be more and more the same. nt

[anarch]

54. no kidding

This one is pretty chilling, really....

[Minnesota Libra]

8. Anyone doubt we are living "1984" now?? nt

[KT2000]

9. Amazing and

good for you.
To the Supreme Court if need be.

[CottonBear]

13. GA Supreme Court ruled that anti-lewd sticker law is unconstitutional:

...snip...

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled more than a decade ago that the law against lewd bumper stickers is unconstitutional, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

...snip...

"In my opinion, I was pulled over solely because the officer was pro-Bush, and this was an attempt to squash my right of free speech," she said. "The officer did not have any other reason to pull me over."

In addition to the offending bumper sticker, Grier's white Chrysler's rear window sports two other political statements: A crossed-out W and "Hillary 2008."

While Grier argues her bumper sticker is political speech protected by the First Amendment, the case that challenged the lewd decal law didn't involve such a serious message. In 1991, the ACLU backed a motorist who was cited for a "S--- happens bumper sticker.

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[CottonBear]

10. DU the Athen Banner Herald poll (72.5% don't think 'Bushit ' is lewd)

Do you think the 'BUSHIT' bumper sticker is lewd?
Yes 27.5%
No 72.5%
Total Votes: 305

Link: http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[mainegreen]

15. There's that 27% statistic

27% of people who are irredeemable morans.

[CottonBear]

21. You're right! Read the comments (mostly NOT representative of Athens)

Most of these comments are from the 27% of the irredeemable morans:
:evilgrin: Y'all DUers feel free to vote in the poll and post comments! ;)
****************************************************************************************************

HaHa... Another liberal Bush basher Kerry supporter that's still pissed off over the elections....:)
judge | 03.24.06 - 9:03 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "officer" apparently has nothing to do. With all the crime we have, how can that be?
tom mix | 03.24.06 - 9:05 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great comments from the DeKalb police.
Anonymous | 03.24.06 - 9:42 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite her political feelings she needs to have respect to the rest of the world. This bumper sticker was obviously meant to be lewd without actually saying the words. Come on, how many parents want their kids reading those messages? They don't know what she is trying to portray with her "political messages." All they see is a bumper sticker with profanity!
Regular Citizen | 03.24.06 - 11:03 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
PaulJ | 03.24.06 - 12:08 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What did DeKalb police have to say about the matter?
Anonymous | 03.24.06 - 1:23 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree with Regular Citizen! The black "F" the president sticker is the other one that infuriates me. Feel free to voice your opinion but don't impose profanity on the rest of us while you are doing it. Would you give your Mother or Grandmother one of those stickers to put on her car? Not me.
Mother of Two | 03.24.06 - 1:33 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quoting the paper and Mrs. Grier, "The officer told Grier he stopped her because of a lewd bumper sticker on her car; Grier thought one of her sons had played a prank.

"I was going to kill them because I thought they put something on," Grier said.

If Mrs. Grier was truly concerned about freedom of speech, she would not have been upset with her kids for placing a rude bumper sticker on her car, she would have embraced it as their freedom of speech. The fact that she would have been upset if it was something that her kids had done shows that free speech is not her concern, her right for unintillectual critisism of politics she doesn't understand, is. I say let her keep it, its these type of issues that help to remind me why I vote.
Co-worker of above | 03.24.06 - 4:01 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope she sues and wins. The police officer could have spent valuable time and taxpayers' resources protecting the public. Instead he was trying to impose his political views on an innocent person. This is America. We have sent young people to fight and die to "promote democracy". If we think these principles are important enough to send young people to die for, then we should be supporting them here. Hey Ms. Grier, I will stand behind you. Sue!!!!!
Kathl | 03.24.06 - 4:19 pm | #

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[Iris]

11. You know what's sad? Dekalb County is home to some of the most

liberal communities in GA. Decatur was just on a list somewhere on DU as the most liberal city in GA.

[CottonBear]

32. It's true! I think the cop pulled her over because he's a Bush supporter

And Athens, where Ms. Grier and I both live, is another great Democratic city (and a rocking college and music and art town!)

[CrazyOrangeCat]

12. Stoopid little nazi

:banghead:

[CottonBear]

14. The "stoopid little nazi" picked on the wrong Democratic woman!

:evilgrin:

Grier, the officer and an ACLU attorney will meet in court next month when Grier contests the misdemeanor charge, which carries a $100 fine.

"I am so appalled at the officer's attempt to squash my freedom of speech," Grier said Thursday. "I'm not a huge political activist or rabble-rouser, but Bush's handling of the country has pushed me to that."

Both Grier and ACLU attorney Gerry Weber said the law allows officers to pick and choose who they cite based on the officers' own political beliefs.

...snip...

"In my opinion, I was pulled over solely because the officer was pro-Bush, and this was an attempt to squash my right of free speech," she said. "The officer did not have any other reason to pull me over

more...
http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[sellitman]

18. Here is all she has to do.....

All she has to do is find a "Free Amendment Zone" to ride her car in. Why is she being so difficult?

:sarcasm:

[MadMaddie]

19. That would be her driveway.....

:sarcasm:

[Texaroo]

22. How about all the folks with the "W" on their cars?

I heard it stands for "Why won't you get nekkid and dance for me, as well as perform other lewd acts"?

That sounds like a violation of the Athens law to ME...

[sellitman]

26. Actually I understand them to be applied upside down...

They are actually "M" for Morans but these bushbots just don't realize it.


Perhaps because they all are "Morans"

[CottonBear]

34. LOL! Ms. Grier lives in Athens but was ticketed in DeKalb Co.

which is near Atlanta. No cops ticket for political or other stickers in Athens. Lord knows, I and thousands of others would have been stopped by the police ages ago if they did!

I like it: I heard it stands for "Why won't you get nekkid and dance for me, as well as perform other lewd acts"? :rofl: That's what Bushie thinks it means.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Texaroo]

37. Why, thank you

for the welcome. I was referred by a compatriot who plays around on the local newsrag forum, which, down here, is populated by a bunch of rednecks who have alternate definitions of "logic," "reason," and "fact."
Makes it hard to be a prophet some days.

Nice to see that there just may be a functional side to the left!!!! Lord, I'm HOME!!!!

[CottonBear]

40. You are home my little Texaroo! Welcome! Stay and sit a spell!

:hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast: :hi: :toast:

Feel free to post a comment about this story on the Athens Banner-Herald site which is mostly populated by freeper morans. :)
http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[CottonBear]

70. See post #68 for the explanation of the term "moran".

:rofl:

[proud2BlibKansan]

101. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Mythsaje]

126. Welcome to DU!

Like any family, we squabble amongst ourselves a fair bit, but it's a home by the side of the information superhighway. :)

[RubyDuby in GA]

92. Oh dear lord!

If they pulled her over for that, can you imagine what they're going to do to me? :scared:

I drive into Atlanta every day - anyone have bail money??????? :evilgrin:

[tenshi816]

112. Hey RubyDuby -

That's right - whenever I'm in the Atlanta metro area, I pretty much feel safest in Atlanta and Decatur. Once I leave the city, I'm happy again when I get to Athens. Now I'm going to be uncomfortable no matter where I am.

Hope you're doing fine in yourself these days!

[CottonBear]

119. Hi tenshi816! burythehatchet gave me your "hello" message at the meet up

How are you doing? Any plans to cross the pond this summer? PM me if you come to Athens and I'll buy you a beer. We could even go see my horse if you'd like! :hi:

[tenshi816]

124. Hey CB,

I'm doing especially fine today - wedding anniversary, including a bottle of Dom Perignon (a gift, 'cause we're not spending that kind of ££££ ourselves on champagne!) followed by a long lunch here. A good day.

Unfortunately I'm not coming to Georgia this summer, although I hope to next year. You're definitely on my list of people to meet up with in Athens - I'm very much looking forward to the day, whenever it happens. My dad has said he'll teach my older son to drive (he's 15 this year, but the driving age in the UK is 17 so he's trying to get ahead of his friends) and I'm under a lot of pressure to arrange a visit. Financially it's looking like next year.

I'd love to see your horse! I'm still going through a crisis of confidence with my riding - two bad spills in a year with broken bones each time has made me realize that I'm not Supergirl, and it's affected me badly. Little baby steps back into the saddle...I need a bombproof horse these days because I'm afraid of doing a Christopher Reeve. It's hard to believe I was jumping two years ago because nowadays I can barely trot without panicking.

[CottonBear]

127. Happy anniversary!

Dom Perignon! :party: :toast:

Sorry to hear about your riding issues. It happens to everyone when we get older and take a spill. Kids are fearless but adults worry more. :hug: Keep riding at the walk and trot on a bombproof horse and you'll be OK. :hug:

We hope to see you next year in Athens!

[Stanchetalarooni]

20. FUGWB

FUGWB

[CottonBear]

35. The DU store sells t-shirts etc. with that exact sentiment!

I'm adding that sign to my truck too!
Welcome to DU! :hi:

[jeanarrett]

42. Ha! I'll put that one on my car next. . .

And if I were to be pulled over for it, how could they prove that I didn't think it meant:

"Fiercly United for George W. Bush"?

FUGWB, asshole.

[CottonBear]

48. LOL! "Fiercly United for George W. Bush"?

:rofl:

[Maraya1969]

102. Oh that is brilliant!!!!!!

[ecstatic]

29. If i had a beat up car, i'd post all sorts of anti * stickers on it

But I don't want my baby keyed :scared:

[CottonBear]

51. I've never ahad a car keyed here in GA. because of stickers.

Perhaps one wants to key an older though well kept car.

[RebelOne]

83. Same here even though I live in a red county.

During the '04 election, I had Kerry/Edwards and MoveOn.org stickers on my car. Now I have 2 ribbons that read: Out of Iraq and Bring Them Home. And then another one which reads "Support Our Troops, Bring Them Home." And of course, my Democratic Underground sticker.

[seabeyond]

97. very red amarillo texas. i have 8 stickers, over a year

not a scratch. was worried when i put a kerry sticker on spring of 2004. nothing. so after election i added more and more stickers. i dont have anti, attacking stickers. more positive, and think stickers.

[gademocrat7]

30. Unbelievable.

I will be following this very closely. The madness has to stop.

[stop the bleeding]

31. Question - What is the GA law on situations like this involving free

speech and personal property, we need to see if she actually has a case if she does then she'll win.

Anyone have any ideas???

[CottonBear]

38. From the article:

...snip...

While Grier argues her bumper sticker is political speech protected by the First Amendment, the case that challenged the lewd decal law didn't involve such a serious message. In 1991, the ACLU backed a motorist who was cited for a "S--- happens bumper sticker.

The court called the decal law vague and overly broad.

The current edition of the Georgia Law Enforcement Handbook, which officers rely on, doesn't mention that the decal law was overturned.

Weber said the ACLU will seek to have the handbook revised.
"The law is unenforceable, and departments are supposed to inform their officers," Weber said

more...
http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml
*****************************************************************************************************
Apparently, The Georgia Supreme Court has already ruled that the law against lewd bumper stickers is unconstitutional, according to the article. She probably has a good case.

[stop the bleeding]

44. thank you - I usually read the articles but today I was really busy

and had time to peek my head into to DU only for a quick second - thank you

[CottonBear]

45. You are welcome! n/t

[brer cat]

62. Hi CottonBear

I'm in Towns County (No Ga mountains)which is very red and I don't get hassled by citizens or cops for my liberal and anti-* stickers. Maybe because it's small town friendly. I was sure surprised that happened in DeKalb. It will be interesting to see how it plays to a judge.

[CottonBear]

64. Hi brer cat! I was surprised too: never heard of a story like this in GA

Maybe you can make a trip down from beautiful Hiawassee for our Springtime Athens DU meet up (date to be announced). We'd love to meet you! :hi:

[brer cat]

73. That would be fun! My sister is a duer so maybe we could come

together. We'll watch for the date.

[CottonBear]

87. Cool! What dates work for you? I'm thinking something in April on a Sat.

I want to have a date when Ruby Duby in GA can attend before baby Carter Dean makes his debut! Doni is expecting soon too!

We're hoping Mike and Kathy Malloy can attend!

I'm going to plan to meet at a cool downtown Athens restuarant where we can have food and drinks. Everywhere is no smoking now which is good. I love the Globe but they only have limited food and tables are hard to reserve. I'll think about a spot (there are so many choices!) and post in the Georgia forum. Check there for updates!

Who is your sister - What's her DU name?

Cheers! CB

[CottonBear]

43. Here is a great post from the paper's website regarding the law & the cop:

"I guess the Athens Banner Herald should be fined for printing the bumper sticker language on its front page article. It's amazing that anyone can support what the cop did, regardless of what one may think of Ms. Grier's politics or taste. The bottom line: The Georgia Supreme Court clearly has ruled that the "S*** Happens" bumper sticker (with the full word spelled out) is protected speech. Ms. Grier's lamer bumper sticker involves even more protected political speech. Disagree all you want with the Georgia Supreme Court, but they are the supreme law of Georgia, absent a contrary U.S. Supreme Court ruling. An individual cop can't enforce his views to the contrary. Unfortunately, many Americans, when polled, don't agree with the language of the First Amendment. A police state probably wouldn't bother them either."
Phil | 03.24.06 - 4:59 pm | #

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[stop the bleeding]

61. Well that settles it - I wonder what her counter suit will be for as far

as damages.

What a dumbass freeper cop, it is amazing that these people are suppose to be protecting the general public, but instead they waste our tax dollars to harass us, if this was the wild wild west that cop would have been dealt with a long time ago long before he had time to mess with the general public.

MORANS lol!!


Thanks again for the update.

[CottonBear]

65. You're welcome! Someone please post the morans photo for Texaroo

who is a DU newbie who posted in this thread. He only has 6 or 7 posts and he's probabaly already confused about moran. :rofl:

I've gotta go feed my horse. I'll check in later!

[stop the bleeding]

68. here you go - from the DU Research Forum

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x190

[Gman]

33. They must hire uneducated drop outs for cops...

in other words, they hire freepers who decide what they think the law ought to be on the spot then they enforce it.

[CottonBear]

47. I've never heard of anything like this happening in DeKalb Co. before. nt

[electropop]

41. That cop is going to get a judge pissed at him.

Not helpful when he has to appear in traffic court every 2 weeks.

[CottonBear]

46. I hadn't thought of that angle. DeKalb County probably has the busiest

traffic court in Georgia except for Fulton County's.

[TreasonousBastard]

49. Just out of curiosity--- is Ms Grier black? n/t

[CottonBear]

50. Nope. She's a white nurse who works at Emory University hospital:

[TreasonousBastard]

52. OK, so no racial angle to this...

when I lived in Joisey, racial profiling was a huge problem, and a lot of blacks and hispanics preferred not to tempt fate with car signage.

[CottonBear]

53. We've got lots of black, white, Hispanic and Asian citizens & cops

in both Athens and the Atlanta metro area (Dekalb and Fulton Counties.) Race had nothingot do with this. It's purely a political/free speech issue.

[Don Claybrook]

55. ok, who has that Johnny Cash picture handy?

You know the one. I want it on a big freaking billboard directly across the street from the police station.

This is infuriating--that this lady's first amendment rights have been completely trampled, and it's also insane to call this bumper sticker lewd.

If they want to get rid of obscenities, they need to start with any sort of recruiting billboards. Then they'll need to go after all the W stickers--he's the most obscene thing I can think of off the top of my head.

I suppose it's against the law for someone to call the police station there and Georgia and ask them to put the inbred pigfucker on the phone. That's a pity.

[CottonBear]

57. The biggest obscenity are the religous and anti-Murtha billboards

in either Barrow or Gwinnett County (freeperville loccated between Athens and Atlanta).

A GA state rep (Ralph Hudgens, fundy idiot bigot) owns a billboard company. They have a sign up now (black with white letters):

Don't make me come down there.
God

and some freeper group has a billboard that says:

Rep. Murtha: Democrats cut and run.
Marines never do.
(background of waving flag)

:grr: Both of these on on GA Hwy. 316

[Don Claybrook]

63. Wow...this Hudgens must be a first class idiot

Democrats cut and run...Marines never do. Change Democrats to Cowards and you have a Jean Schmidt quote, which I'm sure the billboard's creator was aware of. But did they ever stop to think that Schmidt sealed her fate as a one-term moron with that little quip? Do they undersand that Murtha was a Marine for, what, 20 someodd years?

I'm not just picking on Georgia. There are those in every state who just shouldn't breed, but they still do. Survival of the Freepest?

By the way...exactly what is the meaning of the Bible Commandment that says don't take God's name in vain? When I was growing up, this was generally held to mean don't say goddamnit. As an adult who doesn't go near churches, I'm more inclined to think that stuff like this billboard is actually taking God's name in vain. When I utter the word goddamnit, I'm not thinking of a diety at all; it's the furthest thing from my mind. When these people presume to speak for God and tell the rest of us how God wishes for us to behave, well I think that may be blasphemous if indeed anything is blasphemous.

Thanks.

[CottonBear]

66. Hudgens is an idiot however he's responsible for the God billboards.

I'm not sure who paid for or owns the anti-Murtha billboard. It makes my blood pressure rise just to drive by it and the God billboard (they are within minutes of each other.) :grr:

See more about Hudgens in posts in the Georgia forum about DEMOCRATIC Athens-Clarke COunty being split into two REPUBLICAN state senate districts by Hudgens. :grr:

[GaYellaDawgDem]

109. Not sure about the one on 316

...but there is a mention about the one on I-85 South near Clairmont (or that used to be if it's gone) on a blog at http://amtalrule.typepad.com/the_amtal_rule/2005/week49/index.html. The writer attributes the sign to a company owned by none other than Hudgens and son.

[ladjf]

75. I haven't confirmed the validity of a story I heard on the local

Atlanta TV, that there is a 45 mph speed limit on GA 316 with a fine of $2,000 for going over the limit. I'm still a bit suspicious that the news had erroneous information. I can vouch for the fact that I got a ticket for running a red light. The photo from the TV camera confirmed that I had run the light by 3 tenths of a second. We got rules down here. About 5 percent of the cards have W stickers on them.

[CottonBear]

108. The 45 MPH speed limit is in the GA DOT construction zone near I-85.

I believe that it starts at Sugarloaf Parkway but you should check that with the GA DOT. The 45 MPH zone is for purposes of worker safety during the massive Hwy. 316-I-85 rebuilding project which has just begun. The AJC had an article on this. DOT workers are in great danger from speeding and careless drivers. The speed limit is reasonable.

[ladjf]

123. I had no problem with the speed limit. But, if the fine for speeding

there was $2,000 as was reported on TV, I find that to be grossly excessive. How about you? I actually believe that the news reporter was in error. Do you know the facts about the fine?

[CottonBear]

129. I believe that the large speeding fine is in the DOT construction zone.

It is very dangerous for DOT workers to be so close to crazy metro Atlanta area drivers who are, quite possibly, some of the worst in the country. I simply cannot tolerate speeders either in or out of construction zones. I can't stand tailgaters, swerves, speeders or those who don't use turn signals.

I dread driving on the interstates after my family and I were run off I-65 in southern Alabama at over 65 MPH by some idiot who pulled into our lane while we were in it. :scared:
We got sent into an uncontrolled 360 spin out in the median and then shot north (out of control) across the southbound lanes.
:scared:
It was a miracle that we crossed the three southbound lanes when no traffic was coming. Seconds later, dozens of cars and trucks zoomed by. This was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the busiest travel day of the year and one on which I shall never travel again.

Not one single person (out of the hundred of cars that passed by) stopped to help us (facing north on the south side of I-65 with both passenger side tires blown out and a child in the back seat.) The idiots who ran us off the road left the scene. :grr:

[GaYellaDawgDem]

110. It's true

and I can't control my lead foot so I'll just have to stay away from that part of 316 for the next three years. I had read this before and just found a Georgia DOT site about the reconstruction project. In the Press Releases box to the right there's a link for the speed change (http://www.dot.state.ga.us/specialsubjects/roadconstruction/316/index.shtml).

[CottonBear]

114. Welcome to DU GaYellaDawgDem!

Be sure and check out the Georgia forum for all the latest GA news and to introduce yourself!

I'm planning a meet up in Athens in April! Maybe we'll see you then! :)

edit: I can't spell today. ;)

[GaYellaDawgDem]

122. Thanks CB!

...but actually I'm just real quiet. ;) I just checked my original subscription email and it was exactly 4 years ago today that I joined DU. :party: :toast: I read a lot in a select group of forums (including Georgia) and intend to respond but usually find that lots of others say what I would have said (and sometimes better) or some distraction gets me on another track. BUT, I love the attention and I don't think it's ever too late for a welcome. So, THANKS! :hi:

[tenshi816]

117. Jeebus.

I always take 316 when I'm heading to my dad's house from Atlanta to Oglethorpe Co. I've never been at ease with it because I'm always afraid of being pulled over for going a mile or two over the speed limit in a rented car with a UK driver's license and US passport, and knowing what confusion and mayhem that would entail. It just gets crazier and crazier, doesn't it?

[Rosemary2205]

56. I work in DeKalb and have that same sticker

Although I live in another county, I work for Dekalb County and have a "Bushit Happens" sticker on my car. The one I park on Gov't land every single day. For 3 years now. Not once has anyone said one word about it. There are ALOT of of liberals in Dekalb County. Me thinks this cop is going to get an earful if he hasn't already.

[CottonBear]

58. He's in BIG trouble.

:hi: fellow GA DUer!

[Roland99]

59. I worked with a guy who's last name was Livshits

I guess he should be charged with being lewd 24/7.


:eyes:

[CottonBear]

67. Poor guy. I bet he had a difficult childhood.

:eyes:

[Roland99]

90. Well, he was from Latvia.

Wasn't an issue until he came here.

[Festivito]

60. It's only recognizable to those who know the word already.

It should not be actionable.

[CottonBear]

69. Latest online poll results: only 26.2% think the sticker is lewd!

They're part of that less than 30% of voters who are absolute morans. :evilgrin:

Poll:
Do you think the 'BUSHIT' bumper sticker is lewd?
Yes 26.2%
No 73.8%
Total Votes: 343

Feel free to DU this poll! http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[CottonBear]

71. Y'all DU this lewd bumpersticker poll whoile I'm gone:

http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[Warren Stupidity]

74. Same 26.2% would answer yes to

Do you think a "Kerry-Edwards" bumper sticker is lewd?

[Warren Stupidity]

72. Dear "DeKalb County police officer "

Fork You.

[Mr_Spock]

76. Stupid cop

I'd hate to be that moron.

[Tesha]

77. This is a slam-dunk. Political speech is protected speech. (NT)

[cassiepriam]

78. The dictatorship is humming along very nicely :((

[tuvor]

79. I feel sorry for Ga. grocers who want to advertise shitake mushrooms. n/t

[rateyes]

80. Why does that cop...

hate America?

What a load of crap!

[RebelOne]

81. Yes, I can believe that.

I live in Cherokee County, GA, which is 100% red. During the '04 election, I had a cop follow me home. I was not breaking any traffic laws. But I think it was because of my Kerry/Edwards and MoveOn.org bumper stickers and I believe he was trying to intimidate me.

[TexasLawyer]

84. all the Dems in town should get a similar bumpersticker

for their cars.

Then watch the fun begin!

[AnneD]

85. Don't....

fuck with the Nurses. Walk away from the Nurses. When they have had enough, they get onry. Ask Arnold in Calleforniya. They left on orthopedic foot print on his sagging ass.


You go sista, make me proud......

[CottonBear]

86. LOL! Nurses are fierce! I have some friends who are ICU nurses!

Don't mess with a nurse! :) I'll keep y'all updated on this story. :)

[AnneD]

88. With what we have to deal with every day...

nothing scares us.
Also, many cops won't give Nurses tickets. It is a superstition thing, give a Nurse a ticket, wind up in the hospital;). I think this guy is going to find out that the superstition is true.
Besides, outside of children, the other 2 groups of people Nurse's will bust their asses for are cops and firemen. I have seen them go to heroic measures to save a wounded cops life. Lot of Nurses marry cops and firemen. No one else works the crazy hours and deals with people at their worst. I know...I married one.

[wordpix2]

141. you go, nurses! Go, girls, we're behind you all the way withthis BUSHIT

[lonestarnot]

89. Well maybe they would understand bushitler better.

[CottonBear]

95. We still have hope here in Georgia.

We still have a non-RW supreme court. Our Attorney General is a Democrat and an African-American Georgian.

We all hope that in the 2006 and 2008 elections, Democrats will take back Georgia from the rabid Right Wing

[Neil Lisst]

93. it would be legal even if it said Bullshit.

Last time I checked, bullshit was not considered a profane term.

I'm guessing the cop was offended POLITICALLY by the implications for BUSH, not because BULLSHIT or BUSHIT is a prohibited term, which it isn't.

[Clyde39]

94. We almost moved to Athens

I'm so glad we didn't!

[CottonBear]

98. You are mistaken: the citation was in DeKalb Co. (Atlanta) NOT in Athens.

The woman cited lives in Athens but works at Emory Hospital in DeKalb County and hour and a half from Athens.

This would never happen in Athens-Clarke County.

The woman cited commutes to to DeKalb county from Athens,

A DeKalb Co. cop cited her not the A-CC cops or Sheriffs Dept. Our Sheriff, Ira Edwards, would never cite someone for a bumper sticker.

Please don't think badly of A-CC just because the lady lives here.

[Thirtieschild]

116. And don't judge DeKalb by one stupid cop

We lived in Atlanta/DeKalb (the sliver of Atlanta in DeKalb County) for 39 years and DeKalb is true blue. I miss a lot about Atlanta - old friends, the AJC with morning coffee, rain, April. We'll be back in May for our grandaughter's graduation.

[CottonBear]

128. I would have never expected this to happen in DeKalb County.

May will be a beautiful time to return to Georgia for a visit! :)

[sakabatou]

99. Has the public condused disssent with disloayalty

OR ARE THEY JUST FUCKING STUPID?!

[CottonBear]

121. Both. 27% of the public is confused and stupid. n/t

[Bozita]

100. That's a dumb-ass cop. The judge would have to be even dumber ...

... to convict.

[Maraya1969]

103. In case anyone feels like writing here is the contact info

Contact Us @ onlineathens.com

http://www.onlineathens.com/contactus/

Joe Johnson
Criminal Justice Reporter
[email protected]
208-2219

[CottonBear]

105. Thanks for posting the contact info and kick for Saturday!

:kick: I'll check out today's Athens Banner-Herald and the AJC for LTTE and more stories. :kick:

[Twist_U_Up]

107. That street cop will be Police Cheif in a year,mark my words.

after all we are in bizarro world

[intheflow]

111. Excellent that the photo made page 1 above the fold.

That cop just exposed more people to her message than her daily commute around town ever could. :evilgrin:

[CottonBear]

120. I was surprised to see the story above the fold!

The local daily paper is owned by Republicans from Augusta. However, they do run opinion columns by liberals such as Ed Tant, our local rabble-rouser and activist (and a great writer! google his work! He is amazing!) as well as "columns" by Malkin and other right wingers.

The staff and writers include some old-time local liberals. I'm sure the fundies and RWingnuts are apoplectic about the story! :evilgrin:

Check out the online comments and poll on the story. It's the same 27% of morans that suport Bush no matter what who think that the sticker is 'lewd." (Odd choice of word. I would have gone with "obscene" myself since that's what is used in the court cases that the GA supreme court has previously heard and ruled upon.)

BTW, I have linked your journal on my journal! Your pictures and story of the gulf coast are incredible. My in-laws live in the hurricane zone and are still without a repaired roof and some others lost their homes to flooding.

[LuckyLib]

115. I wish I had a nickle for every time some yahoo blows through a

red light and need to be pulled over with a $200 ticket, but there's no cop. At least in some parts of GA we know what they're busy doing!

[Rocknrule]

118. She would've gotten a frickin' medal if it said "Clinton is a rapist"

:mad:

[CottonBear]

142. The freeper letters writers to the paper would LOVE that sticker.

:grr:

[readmoreoften]

125. Shit Happens. Same Shit Different Day. Next on the hit list. /nt

[NVMojo]

130. I have Buck Fush on my car! This is so screwed up!

Please keep us posted!

[CottonBear]

137. Here's the latest online comments: check out the last one from a freeper:

His online name is 'Uncle Sam' and he's freaking delusional. Notice that the very first poster is a freeper who cannot write correctly. Shocker. :( Here you go:


HaHa... Another liberal Bush basher Kerry supporter that's still pissed off over the elections....:)
judge | 03.24.06 - 9:03 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "officer" apparently has nothing to do. With all the crime we have, how can that be?
tom mix | 03.24.06 - 9:05 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Great comments from the DeKalb police.
Anonymous | 03.24.06 - 9:42 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Despite her political feelings she needs to have respect to the rest of the world. This bumper sticker was obviously meant to be lewd without actually saying the words. Come on, how many parents want their kids reading those messages? They don't know what she is trying to portray with her "political messages." All they see is a bumper sticker with profanity!
Regular Citizen | 03.24.06 - 11:03 am | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
PaulJ | 03.24.06 - 12:08 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What did DeKalb police have to say about the matter?
Anonymous | 03.24.06 - 1:23 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree with Regular Citizen! The black "F" the president sticker is the other one that infuriates me. Feel free to voice your opinion but don't impose profanity on the rest of us while you are doing it. Would you give your Mother or Grandmother one of those stickers to put on her car? Not me.
Mother of Two | 03.24.06 - 1:33 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quoting the paper and Mrs. Grier, "The officer told Grier he stopped her because of a lewd bumper sticker on her car; Grier thought one of her sons had played a prank.

"I was going to kill them because I thought they put something on," Grier said.

If Mrs. Grier was truly concerned about freedom of speech, she would not have been upset with her kids for placing a rude bumper sticker on her car, she would have embraced it as their freedom of speech. The fact that she would have been upset if it was something that her kids had done shows that free speech is not her concern, her right for unintillectual critisism of politics she doesn't understand, is. I say let her keep it, its these type of issues that help to remind me why I vote.
Co-worker of above | 03.24.06 - 4:01 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope she sues and wins. The police officer could have spent valuable time and taxpayers' resources protecting the public. Instead he was trying to impose his political views on an innocent person. This is America. We have sent young people to fight and die to "promote democracy". If we think these principles are important enough to send young people to die for, then we should be supporting them here. Hey Ms. Grier, I will stand behind you. Sue!!!!!
Kathl | 03.24.06 - 4:19 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's all a bunch of horseit.
HW | 03.24.06 - 4:36 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The officer who issued the citation deserves a medal for going above and beyond the call of duty in cleaning up the streets of dirty dems.
Dawg | 03.24.06 - 4:55 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess the Athens Banner Herald should be fined for printing the bumper sticker language on its front page article. It's amazing that anyone can support what the cop did, regardless of what one may think of Ms. Grier's politics or taste. The bottom line: The Georgia Supreme Court clearly has ruled that the "S*** Happens" bumper sticker (with the full word spelled out) is protected speech. Ms. Grier's lamer bumper sticker involves even more protected political speech. Disagree all you want with the Georgia Supreme Court, but they are the supreme law of Georgia, absent a contrary U.S. Supreme Court ruling. An individual cop can't enforce his views to the contrary. Unfortunately, many Americans, when polled, don't agree with the language of the First Amendment. A police state probably wouldn't bother them either.
Phil | 03.24.06 - 4:59 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I guess the Athens Banner Herald should be fined for printing the bumper sticker language on its front page article"

IF YOU WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ THE ACTUAL PRINTED VERSION YOU WILL SEE THAT THE HAROLD CUT OUT THE S*** PORTION OF THE BUMPER STICKER BECAUSE IT MUST HAVE BEEN TOO RUDE TO PROMOTE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF A PAPER.... THE FACT THAT THEY LEFT IT OFF SAYS ENOUGH ABOUT ITS INTENDED VULGARITY. THE FACT THAT THEY SHOWED IT ON THEIR UN-PUBLISHABLE WEB SITE EXHIBITS THEIR BIAS SUPPORT OF MRS. GRIER
Co-worker of Grier | 03.24.06 - 5:08 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wasn't referring to the photo. Is rudeness a standard on whether we have free speech in this country? Let's banish Ann Coulter and O'Reily then.
Phil | 03.24.06 - 5:15 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you didn't complain when Dick Cheney said, "Go f--- yourself" on the floor of the Senate, but you think this made-up word is "lewd" then you've got an interesting double-standard.

But if it's lewdness we're censoring, "Bush" itself is a lewd term for an especially delightful part of the female anatomy. So we can't have any bumperstickers with the word Bush on them. Or "Dick" Cheney, either, for that matter. What kind of perverted images does that name conjure? Heavens!

Truth is, Phil got it exactly right when he commented above. If you're glad because a "dirty Dem" was pulled over by police, then you're just not much of an American, period. Shame on the cop who tarnished the values of this country.
John Plato | 03.24.06 - 6:41 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Poor excuse for a ticket quota. Fight it Grier,it won't stand a chance in court,unless you get a pro-Bush judge. I admire your courage to stand up for your rights,it's people like you that make our soldiers proud.
Billy | 03.24.06 - 7:49 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This fight is about the right to free speech and not about Democrat vs Republican or Bush vs Kerry. GET OVER IT! It's about the right of a citizen to speak out against the leadership of the country. It's about your right to express yourself here and now. If Grier loses her right to free speech what happens to yours? Where does it all end? As a mother of 4 boys, I can choose to put stickers on my car but should not have to suffer those placed by a son/daughter, let them express themselves on their own vehicles. I would be proud of my child, my mother, my grandmother or any other relative to take a stand against something as objectionable as Grier views the president. More Americans need to take a stand....while we still have the freedom to do so! If you are not outraged...you aren't paying attention!
dee | 03.24.06 - 10:00 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am definately not a fan of this woman's politics, but then again, I'm not a dubya fan either.

The officer over-stepped big time here and probably created a much larger headache for himself than he can imagine. I hope that he has a good lawyer.
amused observer | 03.24.06 - 10:12 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What about freedom of speech?! Does anyone care about that any more? I hope she has a good lawyer! She's just stating her opinion. She's a mother and she needs to be able to care for her children. Put youself in her shoes. That officer made a HUGE mistake!!!!!!!!
Concerned 4th grader | 03.25.06 - 1:47 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Denise Grier should be very ashamed of herself for airing out her politics with a clearly vulgar play on words. The truth of the matter is that president Bush is probably the only reason she is still alive in the first place. She reminds me of a panther stuck in a bear trap. Bush is the hiker who hears her cries for help and comes to rescue her. As President Bush is struggling to open the jaws of the trap, Denise Grier claws the president mercilessly, but the president persists and Denise, the panther, is freed. Before she runs free, she takes a few more swipes at the president. But, Mr. Bush knows he's done a good thing and helped Mrs. Grier, even though he gets no thanks for his efforts.
Uncle Sam | 03.26.06 - 11:16 pm | #

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://onlineathens.com/stories/032406/news_20060324055.shtml

[Catherine Vincent]

131. Every Democrat and Independent in that town should

put the "Bushit" sticker on their car in support of this woman.

[CottonBear]

135. I put an "I'm tired of all the Bushit" and FUGWB signs on my car.

However, I had to cover them up prior to work today. (I covered the little sign with another sticker.) I have to be mostly non-political where I work. I'll uncover the sign before I leave the office.

[Ioo]

136. Agreed! - Every single One of them... (NT)

[CottonBear]

138. If all Democrats and Independents in DeKalb & Athens-Clarke Counties

put the stickers on their vehicles there would be many, many tens of thousands of the stickers!

[wordpix2]

140. great idea! And add "CHIMPEACH" sticker to other side of bumper

[warrens]

132. Drive them nuts with this one

If You See Kaye Bush.

All the kids who see that will be laughing their asses off and repeating it everywhere.

[CottonBear]

134. Ah ha! I had to read that about 10 times to get it! I'm slow.

There is one LTTE in today's paper (anti-free speech point of view.)

The online poll is still at 26.4 % think sticker is lewd and 73.6% of people don't.
There's that 27% of the public who are irredeemable morans. :( They'd follow DimSon off a cliff.

[Catherine Vincent]

143. It took me a while but I finally figured it out.

LOL!

[dogday]

133. I hope she fights it and makes a huge deal out of it

It is the only way to beat them... To make a huge deal out of their actions....

[wordpix2]

139. please fight it, Denise---I'll contribute to your legal defense