Update on Driver Fined for Anti-Bush Bumper Sticker in Georgia

[Citizen Jane]

The Emory University Newspaper, The Wheel, had a few tidbits that weren't in the other stories. Now I want to know what her son's bumper sticker said!

http://www.emorywheel.com/media/storage/paper919/news/2006/03/28/News/Nurse.Starts.Battle.Over.Bumper.Sticker-1750420.shtml?norewrite200603300460&sourcedomain=www.emorywheel.com

Nurse starts battle over bumper sticker
By: Jordan Jakubovitz

Issue date: 3/28/06 Section: News


An anti-Bush bumper sticker has led to a battle over First Amendment freedom of speech rights for one nurse working on assignment at Emory University Hospital.

On March 10, nurse Denise Grier was surprised to find a police officer behind her with the lights on his patrol car flashing.


<snip>


"We think this is a core First-Amendment issue," ACLU attorney Gerry Weber said. "It's the right to criticize the president of the United States, and if the First Amendment doesn't allow for that, it doesn't allow for anything."

Grier is not the first in her family to experience this type of trouble. A few months before she received her ticket, her son was pulled over in Athens for a different lewd bumper sticker. He was asked to remove the sticker or be arrested. Grier said she would not have removed the sticker if she were her son, and that the sticker on his car was more offensive.

[DainBramaged]

1. Our brilliant Reich-Wing police force strikes again

Gonna cost those bitches at the donut hut a bundle. And I bet those bastards are all shaved-head muscle men who loves the beer too.

The Georgia Supreme Court ruled in 1991 that the law against profane bumper stickers and decals was unconstitutional because of its subjective nature, but Weber said the officer who ticketed Grier may not have been aware that it had been overturned.

Just like we have the right to give them the third finger, but most people don't know that. Fear and loathing by the BFEE blueshirts.

[HereSince1628]

2. You forgot that they wear designer wrap-around sun-glasses

and shirts 2 sizes too small. Very intimidating. :rofl:

[DainBramaged]

3. Point!!!!

[racaulk]

13. You will respect my authoritaaaahh!!!

Damn, I love Cartman!!!

[HereSince1628]

17. Yessirr. Say is that Smokey the Bear hat a size too small too?

[baldguy]

14. "...may not have known..."? After 15 YEARS?!?!

Aren't the police supposed to know the laws & be able to enforce them properly? This "officer" should be fired.

[Minnesota Libra]

4. I don't necessarily agree with letting it all hang out when exercising...

.....freedom of speech but criticizing the President is core to that CONSTITUTIONAL right that neocons are always yelling about.

[DainBramaged]

6. They spent 8 years doin it to Bill

[Minnesota Libra]

10. You got that right- payback is an ..itch isn't it? LOL nt

[dogday]

5. Didn't realize Georgia was such a freaking police

state..... It would seem that it would be against the law to pull over people with a bumper sticker.. What gives those cops the right to even stop someone?.. I see a fourth amendment issue here as well....

[juliana24]

7. You are NOT required to speak with the police. Just give them your ID and

shut the fuck up.

Anything you say _BEFORE_ your Miranda rights are ever spoken can and will be used against you by the blue/black clad law-enforcement clan.

[dogday]

9. I just don't think a bumper sticker gives

the police probable cause to stop you... They still need that don't they?????

[juliana24]

12. Yes, they need probable cause, but that can be a simple claim that..

your were "weaving in the lane", to a supposed anonymous phone-call tipster that claimed you were driving drunk or some other nonsense.

In my state, not having a front license plate or having windows that are tinted too much (in the officers' opinion) are all the police need to pull you over.

The point is that there are lots of cops willing to lie to stop you for whatever reason, and/or to put you in handcuffs, these days.

But, it still boils down to _not_ speaking to the police in any detail without your attorney present, as anything you say can be misconstrued and used to make a false arrest.

[dogday]

16. Absolutely never say anything to them

and when they say it will go easier on you if you talk, don't believe them, it never does on COPS..... I would never speak with them or tell them anything...

[juliana24]

11. Right to stop is nothing more then the officer CLAIMING you gave him/her

....a "probable cause" to do so.

A statement by the L/E thta "he/she was weaving/swerving" is all it takes to pull you over, true or not.

Dont say anything when they do.

The cops themselves do this when THEY get pulled over for breaking the "law".

They clam up and only speak the absolute minimum that they are required to by law.

[Neil Lisst]

8. This is all Bush's fault, for the example he sets.

He's the one who forced all dissenters to move out of his path. Can you imagine what that tells the average Bush supporter?

We have police officers who don't have a clue that the first amendment trumps their petty sensitivities on pungent language and politics.

[napi21]

15. This is a VERY unusual thing to have happen in Athens!!

I hope CottonBear reads this thread. When the story first came out, Cotton said "This NEVER happens in Athens, they'd be ticketing EVERYBODY!"

I too would LOVE to find out what was on the son's sticker!