Regarding the Pentagon-sponsored "America Supports You Freedom Walk," the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense feels there are only two opinions: the Pentagon's and "the other." According to the aptly named Jon Fogg of the Washington Times,

Mrs. Barber said organizers and police expect anti-war backlash. "It would be naive to do anything in Washington and not expect the other opinion," she said.

Protesting the walk, she said, would be tantamount to "protesting the events of September 11 or protesting our veterans."

While the "nonpartisan" nature of the event along with the requirement to preregister in order to participate have been widely reported, this hasn't—

... the Defense Department will screen participants before the walk and hopes the event will serve as a model across the country. "The goal for 2006 is for each state to hold a freedom walk," she said.

This will keep the Freedom Walk in line with other "nonpartisan" events this administration has sponsored, such as the Bush "town meetings" on Social Security.

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