AUGUST 31, 2004 --

Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Jr., noted in 1964 (New York Times v. Sullivan) that we have a "robust" First Amerndment tradition criticiizing public officials that includes "unpleasant" remarks.

This tradition was upheld, in Manhattan, at the anti-Bush march. And let there be no mistake about it -- this march was not aimed merely at "the Bush agenda," not with the many ad hominem insults directed at the president. (It is, however, not clear that this tradition is recognized with respect to criticism of Democrats.)

Many anti-Bushies apparently oppose the holding of the Republican National Convention in New York City. One protester indicated to LPR that the Republicans have no business holding their convention in a strongly Democratic city.

This view suggests that the rights of a political minority can be trumped by a majority, a view somewhat inconsistent with the notion of a robust First Amendment.

The march was preceded by a de facto rally whose speakers included
Rev. Jesse Jackson, anti-Bush filmmaker Michael Moore, the father of a Marine killed in Iraq, and a woman who served in the army in Iraq and now opposes our Iraq
policy.

LPR noticed the Fuji blimp while Rev. Jackson called for action in the Sudan and an end to occupation in Iraq. When the photo of the blimp was developed, LPR noticed that "NYPD" appeared below "FUJIFILM."

Huh?

The march up Seventh Avenue was preceded by a phalanx of marshals that, supported by the NYPD, pushed the
media back, and notwithstanding assurances, before the march got underway, that the media would have an
opportunity to photograph the head of the march.

The line stopped at Madison Square, just at a sign at the Garden main entrance saying "WELCOME." This pause gave the media a moment to photograph the head of the line and LPR caught some of the people in the first rank, including Rev. Jackson, waving, as if to the "WELCOME" sign.

At 33rd Street, LPR spotted a small cluster of Bush backers, including one lady holding a "PROUD OF BUSH" poster.

At 34th Street, the march turned--heavens, right -- to Broadway, where it again turned -- right, to Union Square Park on 14th Street. LPR stopped midway between 7th and 6th Avenues, in front of Macy's and, for about half an hour -- when the line of march seemed to be dwindling -- took photos of thousands of demonstrators.

Perhaps the most moderate sign of the march carried this appeal: "NOMINATE SOMEONE ELSE." This sign does
imply that it might be permissible to vote for some Republican other than W.

LPR left the march at this point to see what was happening in Central Park, where march organizers had been
prevented from holding a post-march rally on the Great Lawn and other park venues.

Apparently the park was quiet, but LPR noticed anti-Bush protesters in the vicinty, including one woman who did not want her face to be photographed carrying an anti-Bush poster on Columbus Avenue, a block from the park.

Later that afternoon, LPR went to the theater district where Republican delegates were attending Broadway
musicals, including Beauty and the Beast, at the Lunt Fontanne Theater on
46th Street, and Phanton of the Opera on 44th Street.

While LPR was outside the Lunt-Fontanne, Mayor Bloomberg walked by and clearly noticed the LPR camera. A short time later, LPR was in front of the
Majestic as Gov. Pataki emerged --apparently heading for dinner with Vice President Dick Cheney.

Elsewhere on this page there is a picture of a pothole, complete with exposed steel rods taken by LPR, August 28, at the 95th Street exit off the West Side Highway. How many pols does it take to repair potholes in New York City? Apparently more than the two leaders of state and city.

LPR headed up Broadway and found demonstrators in front of the Marriott Marquis holding a poster than seemed to equate President Bush with the swastika.
Okay, another expression of robust free speech that contains an unpleasant attack on the president. (But
to be denounced as "hate speech" if directed at a liberal?)

Proceeding up Broadway, LPR took a photo of a helmet - bearing policeman at ease, but at 46th and Broadway, saw the NYPD fall into -- crowd-containing ormation? LPR heard that arrests
had been made at this location, the site, now, of serious police deployment.

The crowd-containing tactic included bring out rolls of orange netting. Not
seeking to be caught in this net, LPR headed to 53rd Street to see if there were any demonstrators outside the Broadway Theater, where Republicans were attending a performance of Bombay Dreams.

LPR reached the theater during intermission, and got some photos of
people outside the theater. Suddenly a flying squad of protesters appeared shouting "RNC go home."

LPR managed to ask one of the shouters where he thought this home was. He indicated the middle of the Atlantic
Ocean would suit him.

The implication of the banner these protesters carried indicated that were they in power, life would be hard, very hard indeed for people they deemed "right-wing."

Earlier, on 42nd Street, in front of the Ford Center where Republicans were attending -- 42nd Street, protesters shouted "Hey hey, ho ho, the RNC has got to
go."

LPR asked a woman demonstrator where she thought the RNC should go. Referring to LPR as "dude," she said it was just a rhyme.

At 56th and Broadway, LPR saw people standing in a cluster looking diagonally back, across the street.

Henry Wallace, an honorary delegate to the convention, and the only Republican LPR met on Sunday, said that the vice president was having dinner with Gov. and
Mrs. Pataki at Patsy's, down the block. No demonstrators were visible, but LPR did notice cars parked in the middle of the
street which, for political mortals, would result in a $115 fine plus heavy towing charges, as directed by Finemeister Bloomberg.

An NYPD unit, in formation on Broadway.

Impeach Bush, having helmeted NYPD unit, on Broadway.

Republicans during intermission of Bombay Dreams at the Broadway Theater, 53rd and Broadway.

Protesters who suddenly appeared, shouting "RNC Go Home"

Henry Wallace, honorary delegate to the GOP convention, on 56th and Broadway. He told LPR that Vice President Cheney was having dinner with Governor Pataki at Patsy's.