> [Yoshie, was this the way you saw it? What happened?]
>
> Date: Sun, 16 Jun 2002 14:44:52 -0700 (PDT)
> From: MichaelP <papadop at peak.org>
> Subject: Bushmen Threaten Ohio Graduates with Expulsion, Arrest
>
>
> Ohio State fascism - What happened today
> ON Jun-14-02
> AT 03:59 PM (ET)
>
> As I sit here before you, I must admit I am truly exhausted from a full
> day. I've read the thread about Ohio State on LBN, and I am here to tell
> you it is true...and then some. I'll try to hit all the details.
>
> And what happened to us is truly unbelieveable.
>
> We arrived at Ohio Stadium at 6am. A rally was scheduled at the Jesse
> Owens memorial site for that time, and the graduates were to be at their
> places by 630am. Family and friends were permitted to enter at that time
> as well.
>
> I didn't get close enough to the 6am rally, but in my search for an
> organizer of Turn Your Back On Bush, I did indeed hear the announcement.
> Graduating students were told that they would be expelled and arrested if
> they turned their backs. they were alerted that dozens of staff memebers
> and police officers would be watching the stands, as well as the Secret
> Service. A few students asked for the definition of expulsion....did it
> mean removal from the stadium or refusal of their diplomas, or both? One
> of the persons at the front said "Both. And what will your parents do when
> they are paged from the crowd to bail out their son?" I do not know if
> this person had an official capacity with the Ohio State University or any
> police department.
>
> I must say, I did not hear that exchange. I was informed of it later when
> I found outside the stadium protesting. To tell these ADULTS that after 4
> years and 80,000 dollars that they would be tossed aside if they didn't
> face a certain direction?????
>
> I began to wonder how many of those students went to find their friends
> who were graduating pre-law.....
>
> We entered the stadium later with family and friends, and similar
> statements swirled around the crowd. "Please make sure you stand and
> loudly cheer our President. Our graduates have been requested to do the
> same, and have agreed to give a loud cheer for Mr. Bush", etc.....
>
> Once inside, we decided that it might not be a good idea to be too close
> to the front. We saw the lines of people waiting to get in the
> stadium.....and yes, we saw the yellow buses that carted them all in. I
> asked one of them where they were from. The woman replied "Upper
> Arlington". However, she could not provide a zip code when I asked her for
> it (the main zip code for UA is 43221). Figuring on the masses of
> bussed-in people, we knew it might not be wise to be up front.
>
> We went behind the graduates and looked for peace signs on the mortar
> boards (a sign that was meant to ID the Turn-Your-Backers). It was really
> difficult to get an accurate count, but there were a LOT of peace signs. I
> was sure that we weren't the only ones counting peace signs.
>
> It didn't take long for our stomachs to turn....the first speaker (I
> believe the OSU President) began spouting about how proud they were to
> have Bush there. He said "We have a long tradition of inviting great men
> and women to speak at our commencements." I quickly responded "but since
> we couldn't get one, here's Georgie".
>
> That got the attention of the state trooper in front of us. His eyes were
> on me the rest of the time.
>
> The speech continued to mention that Chimpy was "a tireless worker in the
> field of education" and "a man who unified this country after the terrible
> events of 9/11". It was interesting to note that it took a LONG time for
> the 9/11 applause to turn into a standing ovation....they held out for
> that one, not continuing the speech intentionally.
>
> About 10 minutes later, Shrub was introduced to speak. Before he even got
> to the stage, we did our about-face. I looked over my shoulder to see how
> many graduates were doing the same. However, everybody was standing at
> that point, and in pure black robes, it was impossible to see who was
> facoing what direction. Furthermore, over that same shoulder, I saw one of
> Columbus' Finest heading our way.
>
> We never got to see how many students participated. We were being led out
> of Ohio Stadium. To the officers' credit, he realized there was a
> 3-year-old in my arms and was not at all hostile. I asked him if I was
> under arrest, and he did not answer me. When we reached the exit, I asked
> the SS man why we had been ejected, and he told me we were being charged
> with disturbing the peace. If we chose to leave, the charges would be
> dropped immediately.
>
> With our daughter in mind, we chose not to fight it. I am sure we will
> regret it someday when Bush's fabulous economy strikes us and we need a
> few million in a lawsuit. But our daughter did not need any more
> irritation on this day.
>
> On this day, June 14th, 2002, I came to the realization that we no longer
> live in a free society. This is rapidly heading in the same way Nazi
> Germany headed. Questioning our leaders is no longer the most outrageous
> crime you can be charged with. Not paying attention to them is.
>
> As you take in this message I give to you, I would like to add a footnote.
> Next time, I will not leave quietly. Next time, I will not allow you to
> intimidate my fellow Americans who wish to speak out. Next time I will
> not be so blind when I confront you. Next time we meet, I will have more
> people with me to oppose you. Next time, I will have brought voter
> registration cards for people whose eyes I will open to your oppression.
>
> And next time, I will have a babysitter.
>
> Watch what you say, or they'll be calling you a radical, a liberal."
> -Supertramp
>
> Proud Card-Carrying Member Of The Grassy Knoll Society
>