Really, what crime could he arrest you for? Wearing a T-shirt that says "I hate all White/Black/Yellow/Brown/Texan/Hybrid Driving (pick one) people" isn't a crime. Wrong? Sure. In bad taste? Definitely.
Committing a crime against a person because of skin color or belief is a hate crime (in most places) and typically tacks on greater penalty to the original crime.
Assaulting someone? Crime. Assaulting someone because of a belief/skin color? Hate Crime.
Harrassment? Crime. Harrassment of someone because of a belief/skin color? Hate Crime.
Destruction of property? Crime. Destruction of someones property because of a belief/skin color? Hate Crime.

You friend, were the victim of multiple counts of hate crimes.
He assaulted you with the pat down (maybe even an illegal search and seizure case there).
He harassed you obviously with the entire incident.
He caused destruction of property when he forced you to remove the bumper stickers under threat of more harassment and wrongful arrest.
Toss is a dash of police harassment to boot, and you have the makings of a fine lawsuit. Personally, I'd seek to destroy that officer's career and life, and forgo the monetary gain. That's just me though, I have a penchant for vengeance against those that use a Gun to intimidate.

Jim from Texas

Nah I wouldn't lower him to that level... he at least died for his traitorous beliefs and actions. I doubt any of the liberal wackos would be willing to pay the same price for theirs.

The Obama Presidency has been one of firsts... not the kind that makes you want to stand up and cheer though.

There's the Bow...
Obama bowed to the Saudi Prince at the G-20 summit. Many excuses have been made for this, some folks just saying "it's not a big deal" - even the White House staff said "he was shaking his hand with two hands and well the President is tall ya know, so he bent over a little". Check the video tape before you post an excuse folks, his left hand is CLEARLY at his knee for the duration of the bow. Back to the 'no big deal' excuse though... this is huge for the United States of America. This country was founded on the idea that we as a people will self rule, and we would respect law and justice. That we as a people are beholden to God (whichever, Christ, Allah, Yaweh... but a greater being) and not a King. As subjects of the King, Colonists were the King's property, and there was no question who was the higher power between God and King... it was King. So from the time of this country's nascent days there has been a long standing policy that we shall never bow before Royalty again. The concept of 'royalty' alone is strictly unAmerican as it smacks of all that this country fought to not be; of the people, by the people, for the people, so help us god.

'No Comment' on the first taking of an American ship by pirates in 200 years...
This again may seem as small potatoes, but friends, this is not a small thing. Piracy is not 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. Piracy did not miraculously stop 200 years ago... in fact its continued to be a strong business model all over the world. The fact was though, that no one *dared* mess with the USA. That's a heady statement yes... but its absolutely the truth. Being a pirate (not that i know from experience) is a business, and in the same line as a professional cat burglar or pickpocket. You are looking for the best payoff with the least risk - long term gains can only be had if you are not dead or incarcerated, and the former is what most expected if they attacked a US Ship. So now, the apologetic, global-consensus before American safety first President Obama has placed yet one more slice of American lives at risk.

The Day the Dollar Died: the Firing of Rick Wagoner
My feelings about this action by President Obama falls into the same bucket as much of the AIG mess (I'll get to that later) in that it's not that I have strong opinions on whether or not Mr Wagoner's exit was well overdue, rather the incredibly unconstitutional way in which it was done. For the President of the United States of America to feel as if he has the right to fire *ANYONE* outside of his own incompetent staff is absolutely ridiculous. Yes the Government loaned GM money - a mistake to be sure, bakruptcy would have been a much better option - however if you loan an alcoholic friend with lung cancer twenty bucks, and find out later he bought a bottle of scotch and cigarettes, you have no right to complain! Unless there was a contractual agreement the *explicitly* outline the fact that the Government (remember, Obama did loan the money to GM, We the People did) had the right to take punitive action up to and including termination of services, then what was done was illegal and absolutely reprehensible. It smacks of Hugo Chavez, King James and Saddam Hussein. There is no Edict power anywhere in US legislation, and the private sector needs to pick up their big boy pants and band together to take action on the Government. Just say no!

This isn't a left versus right issue. I am a conservative person in a lot of ways, but I can tell you without doubt that on more than just a few points I have political 'brawls' with my family & friends. Simply put, this is about what made the United States of America different from the get go folks. The things that all of the very diverse founders found to be on agreement were points that all led back to one conclusion. You need less Government and more self Government to be successful. It's worked for over 200 years, but we've tacked very far into big Government, and this is just one more step in the direction. The fact that much of America, and it seems even those in the highest offices of our land, don't have any true historical perspective of some of the most basic tenets is frightening and sadly a sign that our education system is not only failing but becoming a political tool rather than an educational one.

'nuff said.

Jim

God Bless Marcus Luttrell... and Marcus, if you read this, I understand and empathize with the loss of Dasy.
I applaud your self control. I know that if I lost one of my girls; Loki, Stihl and Dallas; in the fashion that you lost Dasy, I doubt I would be able to make the decision you did. After two pregnancies that didn't work out, my wife and I decided to stop 'trying' and instead love and cherish the girls we had... and just 'practice' until we had a child. I love those dogs as if they were my children - as I am sure you did Dasy - and even though I am sure you know this, even if these scumbags manage to get out of jail alive after two years, they'll never be safe again.
I recommend they stay clear of North Texas - between Dallas and Texarkana. God help them if I even stumble over them myself...

Jim Connors
Little Elm, TX

A sad story that is tragic due to the possible loss of life and injuries, but the underlying fear I have will be the use of this tragedy to further endanger our second amendment rights. My best wishes and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims of this senseless violence....
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090403/COM...

exactly. Could I have bought a 5,000 square ft home with a pool and other insane things? I could have signed the paper, but I couldn't have paid. My wife and I both work, and either one of us can lose our job and still pay our mortgage. Those that failed to pay their risky loans should be allowed to fail. That will lower home prices and allow those that are renting and being responsible to finally get a chance at a home of their own. Instead, the responsible will go back to the pre-welfare reform days of the responsible paying for the mistakes of the greedy and stupid.