"Free Speech" cage.

Inside Boston's Fleet Center, Democrat Party delegates approved the 2004 party platform "in a hasty procedure and a largely empty Democratic National Convention hall," reported a July 27 AP dispatch. "Is there any discussion?" asked the convention chair, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson. "He didn't wait for an answer before calling a voice vote that brought a chorus of approval and only a few scattered 'nays'"--and banging his gavel to end the charade.

Outside the convention, activists and protesters--ranging from hard-left radicals to more respectable people expressing principled disagreement--were confined to a "Free Speech Zone" in the form of a large metal cage, topped with concertina wire. Those seeking to protest quite literally had to go to prison, at least temporarily: They could only enter and leave as permitted by their guards. The "Free Speech" cage was positioned under an overpass so as to be out of range of spectators and most media. A large canvas was later placed over the cage as well. Police decked out in futuristic storm trooper gear patrolled the streets, and a large anti-personnel assault vehicle nicknamed "Bear" was ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. The state and local police were backed by national guardsmen, Secret Service agents, and military intelligence personnel.

President Bush is fond of saying that our terrorist enemies hate us for our freedom. Given the present assault on our liberties, the day may arrive when our enemies have no reason to hate us.