Green Mountain Daily has a story that really should be getting national attention because it is such a succinct and glaring illustration of how seriously eroded our Constitutional sensibilities have become under the Bush administration.

Here’s an excerpt of Allyson Villars’ story about trying to go see the Constitution itself:

Upon entering the National Archives building I was stopped and told that I could not enter wearing my yellow rain poncho. When I asked “Why,” I was told that they don’t allow anyone in the building wearing a protest slogan on their clothing. My poncho read “Save the Constitution” and continued with “Impeach Bush/Cheney…Tell Speaker Pelosi (202) 225-0100.” Finally it listed the web address: www.marchinmyname.org.

I was pulled from the security line. The guard said, “Step over here,” and unhooked the cordoning rope so I could move aside. The man behind me, Larry, was wearing a light jacket over a green t-shirt that said “Impeach Bush.” He made Larry move out of line as well…

…I learned that a woman who cleared security wore a t-shirt that said “Impeach Bush.” Security guard C. Bethea later found her and made her borrow a jacket or leave the building. He also found my husband who was wearing a baseball cap that said “Impeach Cheney?” and made him take it off.

Good freaking God.

Allyson also details that the National Archives guards denied her request for a copy of the policy the prohibited wearing such things inside the Archives.  I sincerely hope that she follows up with the National Archives bureaucracy to find out what the policy says, and when and by whom it was instituted.

And maybe it’s time for a number of folks exercising their Constitutional right to freedom of expression to show up at the National Archives en masse, with plenty of digicams and maybe a reporter or two on hand.  Getting that policy vacated would be a terrific victory of significant practical worth, and inestimable symbolic worth.

Peace.

Deborah Alicen