If you lived in an area where just being progressive or liberal could cause you harm

[Horse with no Name]

whether it is in obtaining a job promotion, or a display of liberal stickers would make you a target for hatred and vandalism of your property...or cause you to lose custody of a child. I am not asking about rule of law or legal recourse regarding civil liberties...but

If you were put on a witness stand and one of your MOST liberal and MOST vociferous postings from an anonymous message board was handed to you and asked if it was yours--and you knew you could lose your child if you admitted it to it--not because it was wrong or illegal--but because it was something that went against the political belief of the judge--would you "own up" to your online handle or would you deny it hoping there was no other proof?

[eleny]

1. No denying that we're a fascist country now

I seriously need to throw myself into doing some crafts today. This is so sad.

[Vanje]

2. Welcome to rural Idaho......

......gay dude

[Ineeda]

3. Does this person have a lawyer?

I'd make damn sure a big deal was made about the First Amendment, and a lawsuit would be forthcoming if a judgment were to be based on your execution of that right. (Not if you made threatening remarks, though.)

[FreeJoe]

4. I work for an oil company

The CEO has always been a big backer of Republican causes. I always assumed that letting anyone know that I'm a Democrat would be career suicide. Then we hired a new COO. The new guy is a Democrat and publicly backed Obama. I still don't think I'll be putting any stickers on my car, but it was a pleasant surprise to see that our board is more open minded than I thought it was.

[w8liftinglady]

5. I'll step up. It could affect you in my neck of the woods.

My children have been tormented more than once for my publicly broadcasted writings in our local paper.
I have never hid my beliefs. It Has affected my kids.
Would I do it again? Yes.

Although,I DO regret getting my tires slashed when I had my simple "Obama/Biden 2008" sticker on my car.

Never happened with all my anti-Bush,Anti-Republican stickers.
Does that tell you anything? The Klan is alive and well.

[Horse with no Name]

6. and flourishing.

I know you know what I am talking about.:hug:

[spin]

7. I personally believe honestly is the best policy ...

but then I my only child is 39 and I am retired.

I have always avoided posting bumper stickers but I was never afraid of expressing my views at work about politics or religion. However I was never interested in climbing the corporate ladder as at the company I worked at, to advance you had to brown nose.

The management didn't always agree with my opinions but they tolerated me because I was a productive worker. I am willing to bet that the management has glad to see me retire. I wasn't afraid to voice my opinions about their incompetence and always would tell the new employees how great the company was before it was bought out by another company who was only interested in profit and had little concern for the employees.

[sunnystarr]

8. If I could lose custody of my child

I'd DENY DENY DENY!! Then I'd move to a blue state quickly leaving everything behind.

[AndyTiedye]

9. My Lawyer Would Jump Up and say "OBJECTION! THIS IS IRRELEVANT!"

Your political views are in no way relevant to a custody case, and if the judge thinks they are, make him get on record saying why.

[saras]

11. Best, most sensible response

But almost by definition, if you find yourself in this situation, you are completely surrounded by people who aren't sensible. Good luck.

[AndyTiedye]

17. In Which Case You Want to Establish Grounds for Some Kind of Appeal

Bringing the bias of the judge out into the open would be useful in an appeal, I would think (IANAL).

[barbtries]

10. too hypothetical to discuss.

[Raine]

12. I wouldn't lie under oath, that's just asking for

trouble. It seems to me if a judge takes your kid for your liberal political beliefs you would have good cause for going back to court with a different judge.

[RagAss]

14. Not to mention you'd be the lead story in World news for a week.

[hootinholler]

13. Absolutely

I would do it again.

-Hoot

[InvisibleTouch]

15. I did notice that during the '08 election...

...those of us who *didn't* put yard signs out, tended to be the Obama voters.

I'm not reticent for my own sake, but I have animals and have to take their safety into consideration.

[LynneSin]

16. I'm at the age that I would turn down a promotion to any state with serious red-state mentality

Maybe I'm just spoiled rotton because I live in one of the bluest states n the union (Delaware), but I don't think I could live someplace that is hard-core red. I mean, I could probably survive going back to Pennsylvania (my home state) or live somewhere like New Jersey or other temporary 'purple' states because I know with hard work we can get them blue again.

But there is no amount of money you could pay me to move somewhere like Missississi or Alabama or Utah. I know these are lovely states and I know we have many many wonderful progressives that live there. But these states along with a handful of other states are just way too red for my state.

I like my freedoms.