A tale of two shirts
Last night before the President was set to give his 5th State of the Union address, Cindy Sheehan was arrested for refusing to cover up an anti-war t-shirt she was wearing in the House gallery. The t-shirt read: "2,245 dead. How many more?" According to House rules, demonstrations are not allowed in the galleries.
Today, Bill Young (R-Fl) spoke on the House floor, irate that his wife was kicked out of the gallery last night too. What for? Wearing a t-shirt that said: "Support Our Troops."
I'm glad that the rules are being applied equally and without discretion.
Young said, "She has a real passion for our troops, and she shows it in many, many ways...And most members in this House know that, but because she had on a shirt, that someone didn't like, that said, 'Support Our Troops,' she was kicked out of this gallery while the president was speaking and encouraging Americans to support our troops. Shame. Shame."
Here's my question. If Young's wife wasn't wearing the shirt, would he have taken to the House floor as irate about Sheehan's arrest for the same violation?
Today, Bill Young (R-Fl) spoke on the House floor, irate that his wife was kicked out of the gallery last night too. What for? Wearing a t-shirt that said: "Support Our Troops."
I'm glad that the rules are being applied equally and without discretion.
Young said, "She has a real passion for our troops, and she shows it in many, many ways...And most members in this House know that, but because she had on a shirt, that someone didn't like, that said, 'Support Our Troops,' she was kicked out of this gallery while the president was speaking and encouraging Americans to support our troops. Shame. Shame."
Here's my question. If Young's wife wasn't wearing the shirt, would he have taken to the House floor as irate about Sheehan's arrest for the same violation?
posted by elanit | 3:47 PM
2 Comments:
Maybe not, but IMO "support our troops" is a pretty pareve message.
Wait a minute here. Explain to me exactly how both of these aren't a violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of expression? And in House Gallery, nonetheless?!! We should be very worried.
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