I've been contacted by a few from back home that there has been quite a commotion stirring in Standish, Maine these last few days. 

It seems as though a little Mom and Pop store right at the top of the hill a few doors down from where I worked has made National News.  The owner of the store is hiding out. 

Like any small rural town you have the hangout place where the locals gather for coffee and gossip and this little store is no exception. 

Well that's not exactly what they're in trouble for.

I'm sure hunting season sparked some fool to come up with this brilliant idea. 

It seems as tho somebody decided it would be a good idea to put up a "Osama Obama Shotgun Pool."  That is, a pool to predict which date would be the day that Obama gets shot at.  Instead of the usual deer, baby, political or sports pool this one sparked quite a bit of unwanted interest.

As in the local law enforcement.  As in the FBI.  As in the local News.  As in the National News.  As in the Governor of the State.  One only has to google Standish and Obama to see the very many links surrounding this.  Evidently this is one hot topic right now. 

I'm hearing it's been wild and people all across the country are irate about this pool in little ol' Standish, Maine.  It's made the local news every night since it was discovered.  The owner of the store put a close sign up that said he's gone hunting. 

Now don't get me wrong.  I believe this is distasteful myself and would never participate in such a thing.  But to have the FBI show up is quite disturbing.  It's been reported more than once now that if anybody dares speak out against Obama in any sort of way they are to expect such a knock at the door. 

My Dad told me there was a special meeting over this at the State University.  He laughed basically saying they are all going nuts over this when it's just a bunch of local yokels passing time and looking for just another way to win a few bucks.  Most likely it was their way of blowing off steam for losing the election although I'm not sure who participated as they're not saying.  The state is highly Democratic.  I wouldn't be surprised to see both parties participating in this pool. 

State Lawmakers are now planning on passing a State Legislative Resolution condemning this and other post election incidents around the state.  This sounds a bit scary to me.  They're calling this a Hate Speech Crime.

Another freedom of speech violation perhaps?  Put another hole in the constitution. 

What about the last eight years of Bush Bashing?  None of it was considered Hate Speech? 

Now, I find this sort of interesting.  If I remember right there was some effigy of Sarah Palin with a noose around her neck and nothing was really condemned or done about that. 

What's the difference?   Does this only swing one way?