John Bolton wrong about Chavez and free speech in Central Park

[KurtNYC]

Responding to comments by Hugo Chavez, John Bolton said:

Mr Chávez could openly say what he wanted in Central Park, he added: "Too bad President Chávez doesn't extend the same freedom of speech and the press to the people of Venezuela. That's my comment on his speech."

Sadly, he is once again incorrect. The Republican Mayors of NYC, both Giuliani and Bloomberg, routinely deny permit requests for Central Park insisting that political rallies "would hurt the grass." Any gathering of more than 20 people requires a permit. They gave permits to Disney to promote "Pocohontas" and to Christo to promote himself and cash in on Central Park. But they insist that the grass is especially sensitive to free speech.

More accurately Bolton could have said that Chavez could "openly" say what he wanted in a permit-approved, designated free speech zone far away from media and the public.

[xchrom]

1. indeed. n/t

[flordehinojos]

2. john bolton is like the christian right. he is (and they are) always wrong

[acmejack]

3. Bolton is an insult to thinking Americans everywhere.

As he was meant to be, I'm sure.

[Cassandra]

4. As much as I agree with you about recent mayors' attitudes...

to free speech, the Disney event was allowed on the Great Lawn precisely because it was the last large event just before the Great Lawn was completely dug up and re-sodded, with special drainage built into the entire surface. Those were your tax dollars in action. Rather than complaining about that location, how about using the mall leading up to Bethesda Fountain and the area around the Bandshell, which is completely paved. Are there any comparative estimates about how many that area can accommodate as compared to the lawn?