Hightower Lowdown

Good news, Americans. The "Crawford Five" are free! A few months back, a hardy troupe of about 100 peaceful war protesters were halted in the town of Crawford, Texas, en route to Bush's ranchette outside the town. Police chief Donny Tidmore told the group they could not protest in Crawford because they had no permit. But, wait, they said, we don't plan to protest here in town, we're just passing through. Ah, but driving cars containing protest signs into his town was a de facto demonstration, said Tidmore.

Five of the group tried to talk sense to Donny, only to be arrested, jailed, and later convicted by a Crawford jury for failing to obey Tidmore's order to turn around and leave town. In Bushworld, We the People may still have the Constitutional right to assembly and free speech—but not the right to pass through Crawford to exercise those rights. Our five hardy protesters didn't buy that so they appealed and, gloriously, just after July 4th, the McLennan County judge dismissed all charges against them.

Stay vigilant Americans —the forces of ignorance and arrogance are always out to repress our liberties.