Posted on 08/18/2004 9:37:16 PM PDT by Lexinom
BY IAN C. STOREY
Record-Eagle staff writer
TRAVERSE CITY - Kathryn Mead wanted to see her first sitting president when George W. Bush visited the city.
Instead, Bush campaign staffers tore up the 55-year-old social studies teacher's ticket and refused her admission because she sported a small sticker on her blouse that touted the Democratic ticket of John Kerry and John Edwards.
"I had my ticket and photo identification, but they would not let me in because of this sticker," said Mead, a teacher at Traverse City West Senior High, who said she has seen Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul in person.
"I have never found this kind of screening anywhere in my travels around the world. I can't imagine being denied access to hearing the president of the United States speak."
Several people outside the campaign event tried to console Mead, who was visibly upset.
"It really is comedic," said a man holding a Kerry/Edwards sign. "What absolute nonsense."
Kate Stephan, chair of the Grand Traverse Republican Party, could not be reached for comment after the rally.
But Ralph Soffredine, a Traverse City commissioner, school board member and former police chief who worked security at the front gate, said it is part of the Bush campaign policy.
"We were told that anyone with stickers or shirts would not be let in if they would not take them off," he said. "(Mead) came to me after her ticket was torn up, but I told her there was nothing I could do.
"I know her and it was really too bad, but I would say that we had very few instances of that. I thought it went very well."
Lynn Larson, chair of the Grand Traverse Democratic Party, said the move is typical of other Bush rallies that only allow Republican supporters to see the president.
"The very reason that we are here protesting is to protect our First Amendment rights," she said. "When the Secret Service rips somebody's sticker off and takes their ticket away, it makes me even more determined to march to protect our rights."
Mead, who has taught for two decades, instead stood on the sidewalks with other John Kerry supporters, listening to Bush from behind a fence.
"I really, truly wanted to have the experience of having seen the president and hear him speak, which is very important to me as a social studies teacher," she said. "How can anyone in the United States deny someone entry? Isn't this a democracy?"
I don't blame them one bit for keeping the rats out. They are the ones who have their books and plays about killing the president and always expressing their "rage" at president Bush, I wouldn't let them in either.
I smell a huge rat here.
I can see her being asked to remove her sticker, but I very seriously doubt that anyone connected to the Republican Party -- much less the Secret Service, "ripped up her ticket".
This story seems like a sob-story plant to portray the Republicans as meanies.
What an idiot - guess she never tried to see clinton or gore.
Yes-very true. A couple of years ago I spoke to three high school U.S. History classes....it was pathetic but of course I had a lot of fun with the leftie-dem teacher. The school district where I live is reportedly one of the best in California...hate to think what the others must be like. The teachers union movement is a pox upon the nation.
http://www2.tcaps.net/wsh/stafflist/
It looks as though she prefers to be called "Kathy".
If you decide to send this woman an e-mail, PLEASE be nice. You can console her for being denied entry to the opponant's rally.
Of course it's a sob story, for the purpose you've mentioned. Note the link from comment #1 - a more violent incident with approximately congruent but reversed circumstances. Do you remember reading about it in your local papers, or on CNN.com, or on the broadcast news?
And YES, do be kind and winsome toward her (I mean this sincerely) should you email.
Honestly, does each one believe they are they only one's who get the 'Action Alerts?' Its like hearing the same talking point 5 times in 30 minutes... like the network News.
Atos
"Hey, I wanted to say hi to John Kerry when he was in Boston for the DNC, but I was locked in a cage!"... ;)
Pull down your skirt, your Freudian slip is showing. :-)
Congressman Billybob
Latest column, "Says the Wuss: Ma, He's Touching Me"
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Congressman Billybob
Latest column, "Says the Wuss: Ma, He's Touching Me"
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>>Why didn't she just turn it over to the Secret Service if it was so important for her to see the President?
re-read the story...
[ "We were told that anyone with stickers or shirts would not be let in if they would not take them off," ]
...so the schoolteacher had the CHOICE to remove the sticker
and attend, OR get herself ejected. She CHOSE the later.
Reminds me of our local middle school after 9/11... all of the classroom American flags mysteriously disappeared. Mexican flags were still up in classrooms, but our flag was removed. It took a couple of us AMERICANS to remind the principal that it was state law that the flag be displayed in each classroom. The district then ordered her to comply.
Also, a returning teacher from the Iraqi war came home to only parents there to welcome him home, crying grateful tears for all he had done away from his young family. Not one teacher was there, on the school field where the helicopter dropped him off, to welcome him. So much for teachers. I am glad she was denied access to harass our President. These communists need to be weeded out of the schools.
And they say that public school isn't indoctrination. Barf.
Perhaps you should read the form attendees must sign before you make that claim.
Dear Ms Mead,
Consider this payback for all the teachers who have told republicans to get the heck out of their face.
Paybacks are a Hillary.
You're free to rebut my statement with any specifics and evidence about this rally. But the burden of proof is on you. I have been wrong before.
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