Occupy Nashville and Vanderbilt College Republicans: Point of interest

Last night, members of the Vanderbilt College Republicans engaged in a counter-protest against the Occupy Nashville movement. Upon learning this, Occupy Nashville promised to do which of the following?

a) Promised to shout down the voices of the counter-protestors.
b) Give the counter-protestors time to speak at the General Assembly.
c) Moved to deny the counter-protestors space to air their views.
d) Bake cookies for the counter-protestors.

The answer(s?) under the jump.

Udall-Bennet campaign finance amendment: Point of praise

In what is described as a reaction against the Citizens United vs. FEC ruling, which essentially allowed the buying of elections, Sens. Tom Udall and Michael Bennet drafted a Constitutional amendment to allow Congress and state legislatures to regulate campaign contributions. The amendment doesn't specify precise limits that legislatures should put on these funds; it only gives them the authority to do so.

I find the Supreme Court's reasoning in the Citizens United case risible. If monetary donations to a political campaign constitute free speech, can't I tell a hooker how desirable her services are with my money? Or show my appreciation for a narcotics peddler's wares with my dough-nation?

No?

So why are neither of those considered "speech", but political donations are? This layman's understanding of speech would require it to entail language of some sort (spoken, written, or electronic), not bribery.

I praise Sens. Udall and Bennet for recognizing that money is not speech.

Temporary restraining order against THP: Point of praise

After two nights of not arresting overnight Occupy Nashville protestors, U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger issued a temporary restraining order that forbids the Tennessee Highway Patrol from arresting the protestors. The two sides have until Nov. 21 to come to an agreement about the use of the plaza; if one isn't reached, they'll be back in court to resolve this issue.

Ho. Lee. Buckets.

This makes two judges who have stood up for groups to protest at the plaza. Trauger and Magistrate Tom Nelson both richly deserve the honorific "Hon." before their names for protecting the First Article/Amendment rights of these protestors to assemble peaceably.

The Occupy Nashville movement isn't trying to deny the use of the plaza to anyone. In fact, when my wife and I were down there on Saturday, they were explicit about allowing anyone coming to or going from the TPAC benefit to have free reign to walk unhindered to and from the event. There was also nowhere nearly enough people there to swarm the plaza; we didn't even completely fill the steps during the General Assembly. Think of this protest as occupying a small portion of the plaza rather than overrunning it. There's no need for an "exclusive use" permit because that's not what this group is wanting.

I praise the Hon. Aleta Trauger and Tom Nelson for standing up against unjust restrictions of liberty.