Vendor Arrested For "Impeach Him" Buttons

(CBS/AP)  A 74-year-old retired mathematician who sells anti-Bush buttons at a Maryland farmers' market has become a symbol of free speech to some people. Others say Alan McConnell is a nuisance.

McConnell was at the market in Kensington as usual yesterday, selling buttons that say "Impeach Him" He has sold the $1 buttons for months; he told The Washington Post he uses the money earned to pay for "Impeach Them Both" yard signs.

Town officials had previously warned McConnell about peddling his political wares at the market (he is accused of being "aggressive" in his pitch), and had cited him for selling merchandise without a proper permit.

McConnell was also warned that he would be arrested if he returned to the market, even though it is public property.

McConnell showed up this weekend, when police arrested him and forcibly carried him to a squad car. A crowd of about 40 McConnell supporters booed the arrest, chanting "Free speech!"

McConnell was charged with trespassing; he faces 90 days in jail and a $500 fine

Officials said kicking him out has nothing to do with politics but with
fears that the atmosphere fostered by McConnell and his supporters would create a safety hazard. (Mayor Peter Fosselman even cancelled last Saturday's market.)

But while some critics say talk of impeachment in the halls of Congress merely impedes the nation's business, some vendors at the market say the hype surrounding McConnell may have helped improve business for them.

"The excitement has certainly brought a lot more people here, but not all of them are buying," merchant Keith Voight told the Post. "Hopefully, the protesters today will come tomorrow to buy."

McConnell's buttons might have some more takers in nearby Takoma Park, Md., whose city council will vote tonight on a resolution calling for Congress to impeach both President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

Also today, activists including Cindy Sheehan, will march on Capitol Hill to the office of Rep. John Conyers, asking that articles of impeachment against the president and vice president be introduced.

Meanwhile, Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., a critic of the Iraq War, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he wants Congress to censure President Bush for launching a war without adequate military preparation and for lying to the public, and for what he deemed the administration's continuous assault against the rule of law.

"This administration has weakened America in a way that is frightful." said Feingold.

[fasman2]

Maryland has always been strongly Democratic, however but also somewhat conservative in nature (e.g. Southern Democrats) as evidenced by the number of Republican governors, congressmen and local officials over the years.

What suprises me about this story?

When in the history of the State of Maryland has anyone ever been arrested for taking a political stand? I believe the local leaders didn%u2019t like him taking a political stand in a public place any more than they like references to God in schools or public buildings, so they simply had him arrested for anything they could to stop him.

Kensington Maryland is generally believed to be roughly 95% liberal - most people are democrats. The capital region from Columbia,MD down to Virginia is comprised of about 91% liberals. This being the case, I can%u2019t fathom how this arrest happened unless the Neo-Left is now stronger and more radical than ever before.

I wonder if both the Left and Right haven%u2019t moved farther Left over last few years. It almost seems like the Left is now approaching a position of supporting stronger, more centralized governmental control over the citizenry, commerce, and freedom of expression (e.g. socialism), while the mainstream Right has moved more toward the former Left%u2019s position of roughly 20 or 25 years ago.

No wonder we%u2019re so screwed up %u2013 we%u2019re totally out of balance!

[paul_barbara]

The 'Smirkin Chimp' hasn't made an ececutive order against calling for a proper inquiry into the traitorous demolition of the Twin Towers and Building 7; hammer the sob's with 'Inside Job' buttons, placards, T-shirts and marches. And don't forget Double Grand Larceny - two stolen elections. Paul, London UK

[michal54-2009]

(Mayor Peter Fosselman even cancelled last Saturday's market.)

My guess is Peter Fosselman is a republican..pure and simple. When will the madness end? What has happened to this beautiful system of government? Trespassing on public property???? Can we wait until January 09? IMPEACHMENT IS THE MORALLY AND LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO. There is no other choice.
We need to look long and hard at the foolish Democrats who are not living up to their responsibility to serve the people's wishes, and give a clear message to them in the upcoming primaries. Nancy Pelosi is an incompetent fool. Impeachment MUST be "on the table", or our Democratic/Republic will be replaced by a dictatorship...if it hasn't already happened.

[cbs_oliver]

It seems now that the only way to protect the United States from the slow treason against the constitution currently being assembled by the Republican administration is to impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney.

The constitutional limits on the powers of the executive branch need to be asserted by congress in a definitive way.

George and Dick can live a nice life on the ranches or whatever but they should not be allowed to continue their disregard for the fundamental founding principles of the United States.

Regarding this particular case, the officials are clearly using force to suppress speach. Their arguments regarding possible disruptions of peace are rediculous. If a disruption is threatoned or occurs then they can arrest those who threaton or act violently. Pre-emptive violence (arrest) against the expected victim is twisted.

[lostcountry1]

i only hope that the end of this administrations term, that we can punish them the way they have been punishing all americans with their corrupt,in your face, your either with us or against us attitude.we need to take away all the things that they care about.

[dogband]

Does this guy think he lives in a democracy ran by the people?

[gunownerdan]

"Today we need a nation of minute men; citizens who are not only prepared to take up arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as a basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom. The cause of liberty, the cause of American, cannot succeed with any lesser effort."
-- President John F. Kennedy, January 29, 1961

"Naturally, the common people don't want war, but after all, its the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifist for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."
-- Hermann Goering, Adolf Hitler's Reich-Marshall
at the Nuremberg Trials after WWII

[lostcountry1]

i see alot of posts that compare bush and co. to NAZI'S when you see this kind of treatment of people who are supposed to be protected by the constitution, it shows how much the NAZI'S and bush have in common. spoiled brats dont like to be told how play nice. these rats in the white house should be made to suffer long and hard for their crimes against humanity!if you cant see that then you must be one of them.

[sshard]

Muzzlebush

To boycott the market is a very good start. Economics work faster, in the short run, than the threat of the vote.

It would be great if McConnell supporters wear his buttons everywhere, all the time. At the very least it would help him pay for any fines, which resulted because of his stance on free speech.

[muzzlebush]

"The excitement has certainly brought a lot more people here, but not all of them are buying," merchant Keith Voight told the Post. "Hopefully, the protesters today will come tomorrow to buy."

On the contrary, the protesters need to avoid the farmer's market at all costs tomorrow. They should dissuade any and all of their friends and acquaintences from attending as well. The best revolutions are the ones that start quietly at the grass roots.