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Freedom may not yet be dead,
but there is no shortage of those who would be happy to kill it. Witness the statement viewed by Lady Liberty in an internet e-mail group by a participant who calls the 2nd amendment "an outdated concept of freedom that died alongside the concept of patriotism." That she says such a thing under the umbrella of the protections of the First Amendment is an irony that utterly escapes her. Sadly, similar sentiments endanger virtually all of our freedoms, not to mention rot our public education system from within, and usurp our political powers both as groups and inviduals. Other people aren't necessarily unpatriotic, but they sure are stupid! Read on:

Lady Liberty's Hall of Shame is no longer updated
on a regular basis. This is due in part to the fact that other aspects of her website are taking up a good deal of Lady Liberty's available time. It is also due, however, to the work of others who have come up with the same general idea and have run with it. Because they're doing it bigger and better than Lady Liberty is able to manage, she provides links to those sites below.

Lady Liberty's Hall of Shame Entrants:

10-01-02: Actress Jessica Lange, accepting a lifetime achievement award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain, commenting on the Bush Administration's foreign and domestic policies:

"It makes me feel ashamed to come from the United States -- it is humiliating."

In an effort to restore Ms. Lange's self esteem, Lady Liberty suggests she consider coming from somewhere else in the future.

08-09-02: Actor Woody Harrelson, in an interview with London's Daily Mirror newspaper:

"The war against terrorism is terrorism."

Afterward, Harrelson redefined "up" as "down" and "self-defense" as an anachronism.

08-04-02: Former Vice-President Al Gore, in a critique of the current administration published in the New York Times:

"If President Bush wants to pursue honesty and integrity in the White House..."

In related news, Gore will soon be changing his name to "pot" so as to facilitate his ongoing criticisms of the "kettle".

05-12-02: Talking head Cokie Roberts on ABC-TV's "This Week":

"Anything that makes it easier to get guns is a bad thing."

Lady Liberty is surprised to hear Roberts publicly confess she thinks the Constitution is a "bad thing". Perhaps Roberts meant to make an exception for law abiding citizens, but we doubt it.

February, 2002: Senator Edward Kennedy (MA-D) said, in a statement read into the Congressional Record following the Super Bowl win by the New England Patriots:

"At a time when our entire country is banding together and facing down individualism, the Patriots set a wonderful example, showing us all what is possible when we work together, believe in each other, and sacrifice for the greater good."

Lady Liberty would like to know when it was that individualism became synonymous with "terrorism" and it begame good for our country to face it down. It seems to Lady Liberty that homogenization can only be truly appreciated in whole milk or a Communist state. Oh, yes. And apparently the state of Massachusetts.

02-12-02: Media mogul Ted Turner, in a lecture at Brown University in Rhode Island (Associated Press "Turner: 9-11 Was Act of Desperation") says about the 9-11 hijackers:

"I think they were very brave at the very least."

Turner did add that the hijackers "might have been a little nuts". Gee, do you think?

"Anyone who can blow up the Pentagon has my vote."

Berthold has been punished by the University: He won't be allowed to teach freshmen. For now. Apparently, upperclassmen will have been indoctrinated enough that similar comments in the future won't generate such complaint.

"The symbolism is far more important than representing the actual people. I think the artistic expression of diversity would supersede any concern over factual correctness."

Given his lack of concern for facts getting in the way, perhaps James should get a job with the NEA. He'd fit right in.

"What we have is two important values in conflict: freedom of speech and our desire for healthy campaigns and a healthy democracy. You can't have both."

With the passage of Shays-Meehan, we can see which Gephardt chose. As an aside, Gephardt's oxymoronic statement is reminiscent of one of Lady Liberty's favorite classic oxymorons: honest politician.