"We Pledge Allegiance to the United States of Dick"

This story was featured on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart last night, so I went looking for the Albuquerque Journal source, and here 'tis:

Citizens seeking tickets to an appearance of Dick Cheney at Rio Rancho Mid-High School in Albuquerque July 29th were told they would have to sign a loyalty pledge to vote for Bush/Cheney first. It only became news when a reporter for the newspaper was informed he couldn't attend without signing the pledge.

Call this the USA Patriot Act as applied to campaign events, since the Republicans' excuse for demanding signed loyalty oaths was based on the fear of "terrorism": "State Rep. Dan Foley, R-Roswell, speaking on behalf of the Republican Party, said Thursday that a 'known Democrat operative group' was intending to try to crash Saturday's campaign rally."

Who knew Democrats had such a hold on Republican imaginations!

"...some who left ... without tickets on Thursday said they're not affiliated with an operative group and should have a right to see their vice president without pledging their allegiance to Bush. 'I'm outraged at this. I'm being closed off by my own government. It's crazy,' said East Mountains resident Pamela Random, who added that she is an unaffiliated voter. John Wade of Albuquerque said he initially signed the endorsement but was having second thoughts before he even left the office. Wade, a Democrat, said he returned his tickets and demanded to get his endorsement form back. 'It's not right for me to have to sign an endorsement to hear [Cheney] speak,' Wade said. 'I'm still pissed. This just ain't right.' "