I'll take it Darkwolven 
I wonder who put the guy in jail, was it by jury? A little more info on that case would be good I think. Maybe redkitty can post some more specific details about it.
Good question. I assume it was a court case, but was it a jury or judge? If he contests it, he definitely will get a jury hearing. The whole thing probably was spearheaded by government investigators though since the FBI was called. Since the FBI are a governmental body, that just goes to show how wrong it is IMO. Since when does the US governement start taking personal interest in offhanded jokes or comments about the president when no criminal action was taken? Is it that freedom of speech stops when you make a rude or offensive joke about the President of the US no matter where you are? I find this disturbing to say the least. It used to be that the President was held in check by an elaborate checks and balances system. This system is eroding away fast. Not necessarily Bushes fault, but he certainly without a doubt is taking advantage of it.
As for other countries hating us, that's their problem. If they cannot see and understand that people are people, no matter where they live, well.....I don't plan on changing the world - it's not too high on my agenda; I have a family to think of that comes first and also that little thing called life 
I agree about family. I have my own as well, and I certainly don't plan on changing the world myself, but we must try as a world community. That is what the central idealism of groups like the ACLU is all about. As for "other countries", I disagree with your comment. It's not their problem, it's ours. Every nation has a responsibility to the world as a whole. The US, being a super power, just has more responsibilty than everyone else. The moment that responsibility is disregarded, the country teeters on the brink of anarchism, or worse yet, terrorism. The US [we] can't just go around doing whatever the hell we feel like and expect every other nation to not care or get upset. The international laws and treaties are there for a reason. I for one absolutely think that something should be done with Saddam, but I'm not convinced rushing off to war is the answer. I also feel that the UN was certainly faltering on their responsibility. I mean Saddam was ordered to allows weapons inspectors in 7 or 8 times
before Bush starting toying with the idea of war on Iraq.
Nice rant by the way 
People often have conflicting opinions or bring out other points
/JD
Thanks. I guess I am a bit idealistic in that I was taught to revere the Constitution in school. At least that was the final outcome. I get pretty disturbed when I see something that I feel breaks Constitutional law, at least in my opinion.
Cheers!