Freedom of Speech
By Melissa Busse

aaaahe date is December 1, 2000. I have just stepped back into my office on Capitol Hill from the crisp wintry day. On TV tonight, you will see coverage of signs and shouting. You will see interviews and hear the audio taping of the case. But, what you may not see, is what I felt.
aaaaPeople of all ages and races scuffled by me in front of the Supreme Court building. Lines of policemen in full riot gear guarded the building and the streets. TV cameras cut through the crowd in search of interviewees. There were signs high in the air for Bush, for Gore, for Nader, against abortion, pro-CNN, advertising internet start-up companies and against the election in general. Any chant that was uttered was quickly picked up by the nearest sympathizers. Because, inside that courtroom today, the highest court in the land was hearing a landmark case.

a a aaaaSure, this whole issue should have been resolved on November 7th. Certainly it has divided the nation. Undoubtedly is has made some more passionate, while others grow disenfranchised. But, what I saw and did and felt will forever change the way I look at our nation.
aaaaI was shouting face to face with a woman clearly with the opposite view. We had nothing in common other than standing in a historic place at a historic time, a passion for our opinion, and... a smile. You see, from what I observed, there was no ill-will out there. Two men, one with a "Gore-Lieberman" sign, the other with a "Sore-Loserman" sign brushed past each other with a polite "excuse me". Frankly, it surprised me. And a devilish part of me was wishing I could witness a scuffle of some kind. But, no. The crowd was loud, energized, oppositely opinionated, yet surprising cheerful.

aaaaMany times since Election Day, my heart has swelled with gratitude for living in a country in which such a contentious change of power is carried out without bloodshed. Whatever your opinion may be right now, and whatever your frustrations may be, please don't let it turn you off to politics or government. Instead, enjoy the majesty of a system set up centuries ago by inspired men. Our Republic is still alive! I hope you can have a prayer of thanksgiving in your heart for the United States. For, white, black, Asian, Latino, republican, democrat, green, or independent... we are all Americans. We'll get through this together.
aaaaGod has indeed blessed America!