interesting Memphis telephone calls

http://thepeskyfly.blogspot.com/2005/03/may-we-call-them-fascists-now.html


May we call them fascists NOW?

I just spoke with a barrista at Empire Coffee (the old Map Room at the corner of Madison & Main). On Thursday Empire was contacted by someone who claimed to be a "federal agent" and told that they were not allowed to display any signs critical of President Bush or his plans to dismantle Social Security. Empire posted a sign saying--and this is a paraphrase--- "We have been informed that we aren't allowed to display signs critical of Bush. We would like to remind the authorities that the First Amendment also applies in Memphis."

According to the barrista several other business owners in the CBD of Downtown were called and given the same line.

Okay guys. Are they fascists yet? Any Rethug wanna try to defend this B.S. under the Constitution without resorting to shameful talking points from the Luntz Playbook?

I mean really. Coming to town to talk about corporatizing your Social Security and telling people they aren't allowed to express opposing views---that is SO Mussolini.

UPDATE: Several people have questioned whether or not the calls came from real Feds. That would be the worst case, but it doesn't really matter. As poster Peej points out the Brownshirts & Nazis start out as party movements. Oh, and PRETENDING to be a Federal Agent is a pretty big crime. An interview with Empire owner John Gasquet here.
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"Fuck off."

You know the door pounders.

:shrug:

Some local douchebag(s) who can't handle freedom of speech.

Oh my... First I'd have asked for the identification of whoever made the call, then I'd have asked for something in writing, and then I'd have been ordering the biggest banner I could find that was critical of the regime.

I have to wonder; if the other businesses that got calls were willing to talk about it publicly like this guy has, would it be enough to sway the people in Memphis? Would it make more of them want to hit the streets and protest?

I doubt it--and THAT is what chills me to the bone.


Laura

Can't the Barrista and the others who got these calls file a complaint that they received calls and were unable to verify their legitimacy without seeing a badge?

Flush them out, freepers or otherwise!!!!

Maybe they'll find out it was a cop on his day off doing "extracurricular" enforcement of his own law, stupid crank calls by idiot freepers or a real, fightable First Amendment suppression.