I love free speech!

This is my first Email from a Senator that could make Bush say "I love free speech" on global TV.

I just had to share it.

Tian

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Forwarded Message:

Subj: RE: Thank you for standing up to Bush!

Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2003 09:00:38 PM

From: Senator.Nettle@aph.gov.au

To: TNHarter@aol.com

From: Senator.Nettle@aph.gov.au (Nettle, Kerry (Senator))

To: TNHarter@aol.com

Dear Tian,

Thank you for your message of support for our actions last Thursday and Friday.

Our offices, and Greens offices all over the country, have been inundated with messages from people in Australia and abroad who were, like us, dismayed by other MPs' willingness to remain silent about fundamental human rights issues in the interests of "good manners". The overwhelming majority of responses have been positive, although we have received responses from critics too. It's fantastic that our actions provoked such community debate - like President Bush said, we love free speech.

We did not take this course of action lightly. We were dismayed that neither the public nor the Australian Parliament was given an opportunity to engage in any type of dialogue with the Presidents during their visits. Even the Australian media was denied access to them. We knew that many Australians have been appalled by the behaviour of the United States Government, and by raising the issues of Guantanemo Bay and the Australia/US Free Trade Agreement during President Bush's speech we attempted to give this sector of the Australian community a voice. President Hu Jintao's repression of Chinese democrats and Tibet is legendary. Our protest gave voice to these issues.

Thanks again for your message. We will continue to speak up on behalf of the millions of Australians who do not agree with our current government's willingness to put the interests of the President of the United States ahead of Australia. We've included some of the responses we received below.

"I congratulate you on your courage and principle. You have secured for yourself an honoured place in the dissenting history of Australia, and a treasured place in the memories and hearts of the many Australians who are sickened by the Bush visit and the timid genuflections of the ALP".

"I hope that your passionate opposition will be reported widely and that the President comes away with no delusions about the fact that many good Australians are against his appalling foreign policies. Keep up the great work! You are both conviction politicians who put your money where your mouths are and I think we need more like you!"

"Thank you for speaking out for us, for reminding Australians that the platitudes of the current US administration do not go unquestioned in a free and open society".

"Thank you for having the courage to stand up in parliament today for those of us who vehemently disagree with President Bush and John Howard's propaganda machine. Thank you for making visible the fact that not all Australians are complicit with their actions and speaking. Thank you for standing for a deeper truth and having the courage to voice your convictions. Bush says he "loves freedom of speech" yet he gags those who speak. Thank you both for finding a way to speak through the web of deceit and showing the hypocrisy for what it is".

"You've both done the right thing and are the only decent politicians in Canberra. I am proud of the pair you and disgusted at the appalling lack of cajones, ethics and spine from the rest of our supposed representatives".

"Yours is a conscience of cooperation, of adherence to law, and of minimizing the use of violence. Gandhi and Dr. King would be proud of you had they been alive to hear your words".

Kerry Nettle

Australian Greens Senator for NSW

GPO Box 36

SYDNEY NSW 2001

Ph 02 9241 6663

F 02 9241 6680

www.kerrynettle.org.au

-----Original Message-----

From: TNHarter@aol.com [mailto:TNHarter@aol.com]

Sent: Friday, 24 October 2003 6:10 PM

To: Nettle, Kerry (Senator)

Subject: Thank you for standing up to Bush!

Dear Senator Nettle,

Thanks a lot for giving Bush an earfull. It made the evening news here that you did that, and we have been discussing it since.

I am a Green Party Activist in Santa Clara County, California, and I feel that you represented us well on the world stage. I am proud to be a member of the same political party as you.

Over the next couple of weeks, I will be telling other Greens that we need to figure out some gesture of support for you.

Sincerely,

Tian Harter

__________________________________And this is my reply from Senator Bob Brown:

Dear friend

Thank you for your message of support. It was very welcome. The public feedback after our stand in parliament during the visits of Presidents Bush and Hu has been more positive than at any time during our years in the Senate and has far outstripped negative responses.

We assure you that we will continue to stand for human rights and Australia's trade, social and environmental issues, even when other MP's fall silent.

Our offices, and Greens offices all over the country, have been inundated with messages from people in Australia and abroad. It's fantastic that our actions provoked such community debate - like President Bush said, we love free speech.

We did not take this course of action lightly. We knew that many Australians have been stunned by the behaviour of the United States President in invading Iraq. By raising the issues of Guantanemo Bay and the Australia/US Free Trade Agreement during President Bush's speech we attempted to give this sector of the Australian community a voice. President Hu Jintao's repression of Chinese democrats and Tibet is notorious. Our protest gave voice to these issues.

May we share with you some of the responses we have received since 23rd October 2003.

"Thank you for speaking out for us, for reminding Australians that the platitudes of the current US administration do not go unquestioned in a free and open society".

"This is to express our thanks for your principled stand against both President Bush and President Hu (although we were disappointed that you were locked out from the latter's speech). Still, at least Michael Organ MP showed that at least someone cares about Tibet and human rights in China".

Thanks again for your message.

Senator Bob Brown

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