KENSINGTON, Md., July 23, 2007

Vendor Arrested For "Impeach Him" Buttons

Maryland Retiree's Anti-Bush Buttons Attract Supporters ... And Police

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(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.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Add a Comment See all 122 Comments
by festes81 July 23, 2007 2:53 PM PDT
the nazi's are hard at work arresting people for using their rights under the 1st amendment.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 2:54 PM PDT

"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


Reply to this comment
by festes81 July 23, 2007 2:56 PM PDT
"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



Posted by GunOwnerDan at 02:54 PM : Jul 23, 2007


I'm a liberal and I agree. Hopefully I can save up for a long gun one day in this separation of wealth society.. Until then, my .40 is ready to protect my freedom.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 2:58 PM PDT


%u201CTo announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
-- Theodore Roosevelt, 1918

Reply to this comment
by long_rider July 23, 2007 3:00 PM PDT
A classic example of the American GESTAPO.
Reply to this comment
by harp1963 July 23, 2007 3:02 PM PDT
You can say what you want in America as long as it is not offensive to the Republicans. If you offend them, OR King George, the great gun defenders will bring the secret police down on you.


NEVER VOTE REPUBLICAN AGAIN!
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 3:13 PM PDT
If Hillary Clinton becomes president, I can see the exact same thing happening.
Our government has been hijacked by a warmongering democrat/republican duopoly controlled by greed and big money.
Congress is nothing more than a safe-house for criminals and prostitutes.
People who profit from war, imprisonment, and torture are now controlling America.
Next there will be a fight to ban all civilian gun ownership once the first amendment is destroyed.
Tyrannical dictatorships prefer unarmed victims.

"One man with a gun can control 100 without one. Make mass searches and hold executions for found arms."
- Lenin

"All political power comes from the barrel of a gun. The communist party must command all the guns, that way, no guns can ever be used to command the party."
- Mao Zedong

"Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas."
-- Joseph Stalin

"On the morrow of each conflict I gave the categorical order to confiscate the largest possible number of weapons of every sort and kind. This confiscation, which continues with the utmost energy, has given satisfactory results."
- Benito Mussolini

"The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to permit the conquered races to have arms; history teaches that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing."
- Adolf Hitler


Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 23, 2007 3:17 PM PDT
"fears that the atmosphere fostered by McConnell and his supporters would create a safety hazard"

yeah, I've always feared the guys that sell buttons at markets.
Thank God this Mayor Peter Fosselman is making his town safer for all America.
Fear the button vendors of America!
Reply to this comment
by bombadil4 July 23, 2007 3:22 PM PDT
There's no stomach for impeachment by most Democrats because they smell a win in 2008 and don't want to ruffle too many feathers. Truth is, however, Bush/Cheney probably have bottomed out and we'll see some upward movement in the polls from here on. This may well allow Fred Thompson to slip into the White House to put the finishing touches on the preceeding eight year diaster. You know, another actor to tell us it's morning again in America. Democrats should have heeded the old sayings about striking while the iron's hot. Or about the tide in men's lives that when, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. By the ime the 2008 election rolls around, the Republicans will have people frightened about something--terrorism, ***, flag burners (if they can find any), vegetarians, crazed armadillos, or something else. Then CNN will hold a poll asking who you'd rather have a beer with--Fred or Hillary.
Reply to this comment
by adventurepa July 23, 2007 3:26 PM PDT
Your Rights.
%u201CTo announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public"
Reply to this comment
by gopack443 July 23, 2007 3:29 PM PDT
If he has money he'll be able to fight this bogus charge and return to selling his dangerous buttons, of course if he don't have money he best shut the hell up and not be messing with the dictator!
I feel so much safer now that free speech has officially been taken away from us Commoners.
Reply to this comment
by menofoz July 23, 2007 3:29 PM PDT
Political repression and violations of human rights

Despite the show of U.S. support demonstrated by this astounding quantity of arms sales, Saudi Arabia%u2019s human rights record is very poor. According to the U.S. State Department%u2019s 2000 Human Rights Report, the Saudi government%u2019s "human rights record remained generally poor in a number of areas,%u201D with reports of arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention and physical abuse of prisoners. Such practices technically violate Saudi law, yet security forces commit abuses %u201Cwith the acquiescence%u201D of the government. In addition, the government prohibits or restricts freedom of speech, the press, assembly, association, and religion. Since Saudi Arabia is a monarchy, there is no method or right by which citizens can bring about government change.


Guess we can see Bush and Cheney in Saudi Robes and Turbins.
Reply to this comment
by grazinggoat July 23, 2007 3:30 PM PDT
The fact of selling those buttons should not be considered a commercial activity that needs a permit. It's just spreading a political view with some tiny, but symbolic financial support for the cause. What's so wrong with that, in the USA, land of free speech?
Reply to this comment
by jn122736 July 23, 2007 3:33 PM PDT

More information would be helpful here. Example.

Was Alan McConnell the only person selling items here without a license?

Do maryland's vending licenses permit selling "impeach buttons"? ,if so then perhaps this gentleman should have obtained one before selling his "product"

If Maryland vending laws prohibit the selling of political objects then why are printers allowed to produce and sell political banners and signs. I suspect they would have found/invented another reason/excuse to stop McConnell from calling for Bush's impeachment in public if they neesed to.
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 July 23, 2007 3:34 PM PDT
If Hillary Clinton becomes president, I can see the exact same thing happening.
Our government has been hijacked by a warmongering democrat/republican duopoly controlled by greed and big money.
Posted by GunOwnerDan at 03:13 PM : Jul 23, 2007


I agree 100%....
Reply to this comment
by menofoz July 23, 2007 3:38 PM PDT
Bush's EO - One Step Closer
To Full-Blown Tyranny
By Stephen Lendman
7-23-7

George Bush's Continuing War on the First Amendment

On July 17, George Bush issued another of his many presidential "one-man" decrees titled "Executive Order: Blocking Property of Certain Persons Who Threaten Stabilization Efforts in Iraq." More than any other chief executive in the nation's history, this President abuses this practice egregiously as another example of his contempt for the law.

http://www.rense.com/general77/tyrc.htm
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 July 23, 2007 3:41 PM PDT
This is the best thing that could have happened to him, now he will sell out every time he opens for business. Probably end up on National TV and in the spotlight. They (town hall) will hate this before its over. LOL...
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 23, 2007 3:48 PM PDT
McConnell should get a website to sell the buttons.
Of course, he'd have to go "underground" like the terrorist, then it would get complicated.
Nevermind.
Reply to this comment
by sshard July 23, 2007 3:55 PM PDT
Now is another telling story about the state of affairs in America. A 74 year old man is arrested for selling IMPEAH HIM buttons on public property. He didn't have the proper permit, and was aggressive, or so the town officials claim. Of course he was not charged with selling without the proper permit, but with trespassing. It makes sense when one looks at the demographics of the area, with an estimated median household income $96,394 and estimaed midian house/condo value of $585,500. This is not a community for such %u201Csubversive activities%u201D.

Free speech is not a high priority in Kenisgston, not when it anti-Bush. Alan McConnell should have read the newsletter for the Kenisgston area, he would have noticed it mentions, in big letters, the fact that the Republican Party held its first state convention in Jackson, Michigan, July 6, 1854.

It is surprising with the highly rated schools in Kenisgston, they do not understand, they may stop McConnell from selling his buttons, but that is not going to make impeachment talk disappear.
Reply to this comment
by citizenusa-2009 July 23, 2007 3:57 PM PDT
YES, YES, IMPEACH HIM!!! It appears the only freedom we have left is that of speech, and now that's been taken away?? The button man represents the sentiments of the majority of US Citizens.

Question: Why was it so easy to impeach Nixon (for wiretapping), and Clinton (for a personal indescretion), but nearly IMPOSSIBLE for someone who has caused the DEATHS of thousands of soldiers and Iraq citizens alike? Does congress tell us one thing and Bush another??
Reply to this comment
by gunnerv1 July 23, 2007 4:02 PM PDT
Blah, blah, blah, rap, rap, rap, whine, whine, whine.
Reply to this comment
by grazinggoat July 23, 2007 4:03 PM PDT
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.)

- Old timer Fossile-man should be ashamed. That is what we call economical sanctions. Punish the others indirectly, for supporting McConnell. Isn't it?

- My vote would sincerely go to McConnell, if he had to run for elections.
Reply to this comment
by Syndicate July 23, 2007 4:03 PM PDT
I would excersise my right to free speech and spit on him. That would be the only way for to convey my true feelings. Preventing me from spiting on McConnell would violate my constitutional right to freedom of speech. Sounds to me he was removed for his own good.
Reply to this comment
by lawyertom1 July 23, 2007 4:04 PM PDT
It is always good to see that the First Amendment is dead in Kensington. So much for the time, place, and manner rules [sorry, nonlawyers for this techno speak]. What a bunch of morons! It really does not matter if he buttons said "Support the Shrub" or "Get rid of the weeds". This is the essence of free speech. It is political dialog about important issues in a public place. Idiots.
Reply to this comment
by gunnerv1 July 23, 2007 4:05 PM PDT
DimocRats lied, Vietnamise died
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 4:09 PM PDT
Where's Monica Lewinsky when you need her?
Reply to this comment
by tom_gwynn July 23, 2007 4:12 PM PDT
Political speech is the pureset form of free speech there is. Citizens must be free to criticize their government, or "free speech" is meaningless. I have a feeling this case will last about two seconds in a fair and impartial courtroom.

Kensington town officials have exceeded their authority,forsworn their oaths of office and brought shame to their town and our nation.
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 4:14 PM PDT
"If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State."
- Joseph Goebbels, Adolf Hitler's Propaganda Minister

"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


Reply to this comment
by beanerman4 July 23, 2007 4:14 PM PDT
My thought exactly as to Freedom of Speech, and it was on public property. Forcibly carried to a squad car and forced in. 90 days in jail and a $500 fine for this 74 year old retiree. Scary.

Go McConnell, and Go Takoma Park! 72% of the public is with you on this!



Reply to this comment
by michellem99-2009 July 23, 2007 4:16 PM PDT
You best read that there Constution as that is the reason we have the right to our say and you each can read it as it is on computer.It seem someone is willing to toss his/her rights down the loo. Well dear don't as you will be so sorry. I don't care for Bush and that is my right. He HAS made a mess of this nation. He is an awful leader to have lied to us just to start a war. So yes he should be impeached.That senior has every right to his say . So the nanny govt wants to tell him other wise. Tossing an old man in jail when there is worse crime is dumb.
Reply to this comment
by rushlimpdrug July 23, 2007 4:17 PM PDT
DimocRats lied, Vietnamise died
Posted by gunnerv1

1. Grow a brain;
2. Get a life!
Reply to this comment
by gunownerdan July 23, 2007 4:18 PM PDT
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.


Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

CAN'T HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER!

"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


Reply to this comment
by menofoz July 23, 2007 4:25 PM PDT
Posted by cbscrash07 at 04:03 PM : Jul 23, 2007

That 74 year young guy would be *** slapping you if you spit on him, I would love to have a ring side seat just to see that.
Reply to this comment
by tibu987 July 23, 2007 4:43 PM PDT
The man certainly has the right to express himself politically.
He may, in fact, speak for a lot of people who keep mum but think the same thing.
Dissent is the one of the higher forms of patrotism and and makes for better government.
Think for a moment where we would be is everyone fell blindly behind a leader like Bush and his cabal.
The far right is equally as frightening as is the far left.
Reply to this comment
by superdem July 23, 2007 4:59 PM PDT
Well you can always sue in civil court. Like Valerie Plame. Oh wait, the judge was a Bush appointee and he found for the government, surprise surprise. That's democracy for ya.
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt July 23, 2007 5:16 PM PDT
Arresting a man for trespassing in a public place is irrational. Arresting him for something that "might" happen is even more irrational.

Kensington, MD apparently has a "pre-emtive" arrest policy that allows them to arrest people BEFORE they violate the law.
Reply to this comment
by ressigmann July 23, 2007 5:17 PM PDT
Yeah like any of Clintons appointees were any different. He replaced the prosecutor looking into White Water with a friend. Did you protest that?
Reply to this comment
by dscott407 July 23, 2007 5:19 PM PDT
This is a great story. Where can I send bail money?

Getting arrested may get him more coverage than if he had sold a million buttons.

Bravo Mr McConnell
Reply to this comment
by imprisonbush July 23, 2007 5:26 PM PDT
Go man go! This man should set up a legal defense fund to fight this arrest. I would be happy to donate. Moreover, Pelosi needs to rescind her blanket refusal to initiate impeachment proceedings. The time is now. There are ample grounds indeed for both President Cheney and the Chimp in Chief.
Reply to this comment
by tejasdemo July 23, 2007 5:36 PM PDT
I want the button and the yard sign. Anybody know where to get one ? And, maybe a riot is what we need to get Bush and Cheney out of office and stop this nightmare.

Go brother Go !!!!!!!!!!!
Reply to this comment
by truthspeake2 July 23, 2007 5:38 PM PDT
American Democracy...RIP
Reply to this comment
by ressigmann July 23, 2007 5:55 PM PDT
ainttaken
Kenneth Starr was a special prosecutor appointed in DC. The prosecutor I was refering to in the one with jurisdiction in Arkansas.
Also "bypassing the court, wiretapping without a warrant and LYING about it are treasonous enough for me" you don't know much about treason if you think this qualifies. Treason involves betraying you nation to an outside force or country. Misusing words for shock value is improper at best.
Reply to this comment
by klingon69 July 23, 2007 5:57 PM PDT
Question: Why was it so easy to impeach Nixon (for wiretapping), and Clinton (for a personal indescretion), but nearly IMPOSSIBLE for someone who has caused the DEATHS of thousands of soldiers and Iraq citizens alike? Does congress tell us one thing and Bush another??
Posted by CitizenUSA at 03:57 PM : Jul 23, 2007
Nixon was not impeached, he resigned peior to it and was pardoned by Ford.
Reply to this comment
by ressigmann July 23, 2007 6:06 PM PDT
or at least the liberal hate Bush at any cost crowd
Reply to this comment
by puzzler125 July 23, 2007 6:07 PM PDT
I sure do believe in freedom of speech but the man simply has to follow the rules and buy a permit to sell merchandise. Once he does that, and I'm sure he will, there's absolutely no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to continue selling the buttons.
Reply to this comment
by sparks224 July 23, 2007 6:13 PM PDT
That d.a.r.n Constitution. The neo-cons could protect us better if we just got rid of it.
It's always getting in the way and they're just trying to protect us from the terrorists! fer crist sake!
Reply to this comment
by ressigmann July 23, 2007 6:18 PM PDT
sparks224
The Constitution applies only to American citizens, it is strictly a liberal trait to apply it's protections to non-Americans. If that was not your point then make one instead of ranting.
Reply to this comment
by sshard July 23, 2007 6:20 PM PDT
Ressigmann

Maybe you are right about treason, but if u read the Insurrection Act, Bush is in the act of insurrection. Just a small portion of it, just in case u cannot find it:

(1) so hinders the execution of the laws of that State, and of the United States within the State, that any part or class of its people is deprived of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law, and the constituted authorities of that State are unable, fail, or refuse to protect that right, privilege, or immunity, or to give that protection; or
(2) opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.
Reply to this comment
by toolmangler-2009 July 23, 2007 6:33 PM PDT
"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"


Bald_faced lie. And I will say that to his face.
Reply to this comment
by ressigmann July 23, 2007 6:37 PM PDT
sshard
An insurgency, or insurrection, is an armed uprising, or revolt against an established civil or political authority.(Wickpedia)
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is the set of laws that govern the President of the United States of America's ability to deploy troops within the United States to put down lawlessness, insurrection and rebellion (Also Wickpedia)
So exactly how are you claiming that President Bush is an insurgent.
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