Very frequently President Bush talks about freedom and democracy in his speeches, but he doesn't seem to realize how much his policies are eroding them in America. His administration is deciding who is guilty without benefit of courts and makes many attempts to stifle criticism. There may not be a direct link to the incident Garrison Keillor reported in his column, "Old Scout", published in the Star Tribune on October 4, 2006, but it is indicative of the atmosphere created by this administration.
Keillor wrote that he was to speak at the Highland Park Methodist Church in Dallas. He was met by security guards with walkie-talkies. Some welcome for an invited speaker. He was shortly told by three people "that this was the Bushes' church and that it would be better if [he] didn't talk about politics." He was even asked not to mention his latest book, Homegrown Democrat. So, he made a parody of how he didn't have to worry because he was a citizen, had money, and his grandsons were years away from being in military service. He was applauded!
Read the article if you can. Also read Homegrown Democrat. It is a heartfelt telling of his disappointment in the loss of civil society in America.
