Trying to accuse Bush of cutting down discourse in this country has got to be the most ludicrous thing I've heard.

Criticism of Bush, often in terms that would not even be legal in some Western nations, is not only unrestricted, but rampant. If Bush is trying to restrict opposing views, he's doing the worst job I've ever seen.

Unlike Chavez, Bush has not done anything to legally restrict opposing speech. Comments on people's attitudes are one hell of a long way from shutting down TV stations.

Now, if you want to look at speech restrictions, do some reading on the Democrats and their plans for things like the Fairness Doctrine, or proposed restrictions on blogs and other political commentators.