Posted on 02/01/2006 12:52:07 PM PST by presidio9
Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores, said she was ejected from the House gallery during Tuesday night's State of the Union address because she was wearing a T-shirt that said "Support the Troops - Defending Our Freedom."
Young said she was sitting in the gallery's front row, about six seats from first lady Laura Bush, when she was approached by someone from the Capitol Police or sergeant-at-arms office who told her she needed to leave the gallery.
She reluctantly agreed but argued with several officers in the hallway outside the House chamber.
"They said I was protesting," she said in a telephone interview late Tuesday. "I said, "Read my shirt, it is not a protest.' They said, "We consider that a protest.' I said, "Then you are an idiot."'
She said she was so angry that "I got real colorful with them."
They told her she was being treated the same as Cindy Sheehan, an antiwar protester who was ejected before the speech Tuesday night for wearing a T-shirt with an antiwar slogan and refusing to cover it up.
Young, 50, said her shirt was not a protest but a message of support for U.S. soldiers and Marines fighting for their country. She often wears the T-shirts when visiting her husband at the Capitol and during her visits to see the wounded at military hospitals.
Sgt. Kimberly Schneider of the Capitol Police could not provide details about the incident but said, "She was not ejected from the gallery. She did leave on her own."
Young's husband, a Republican who chairs the House appropriations subcommittee on defense, was unaware she was removed until after the speech. He said he was furious about the incident.
"I just called for the chief of police and asked him to get his little tail over here," Rep. Young said late Tuesday. "This is not acceptable."
Beverly Young said, "Wait until the president finds out."
Is this woman Cindy Sheehan's bizzarro cousin?
ZOTTED is a good word for it.
I have been called for jury duty tomorrow and shorts and t-shirts are not allowed. I do not see what the difference is. Rule is rules.
A T-shirt is never appropriate attire for the SOTU, but Mrs. Young is 100% correct: "Support Our Troops" is never a protest. Ever.
Is this guy arrogant, patronizing or what ? "little tail" ? I find Rep Young's comment embarrasing and offensive.
Who on earth attends an august event like this wearing a stupid t-shirt, anyway? ---And it looks to me like her husband is pretty stupid, too!
Someone should tell Bill Young that belittling the police chief isn't going to get him a lot of good press.
They don't let people in with anti-gov staements on their shirts, so they shouldn't let her in either. That time is for the president to talk to the country it's not for you to put out your personal msg's even if it is in support of him.
Any wife of a Rep that has such little class as to wear a t-shirt to a SOTU address DESERVES to be tossed out on her butt!
And her husband out with her!
House Rules - no signs. Is a T-shirt the same as a sign ? I'd argue yes if it carries a message.
pro·test
v. tr.
pro·test·ed, pro·test·ing, pro·tests
1. To object to, especially in a formal statement. See Synonyms at object.
2. To promise or affirm with earnest solemnity: “He continually protested his profound respect” (Frank Norris).
3. Law. To declare (a bill) dishonored or refused.
4. Archaic. To proclaim or make known: “unrough youths that even now/Protest their first of manhood” (Shakespeare).
v. intr.
1. To express strong objection.
2. To make an earnest avowal or affirmation.
n.
1. A formal declaration of disapproval or objection issued by a concerned person, group, or organization.
2. An individual or collective gesture or display of disapproval.
3. Law.
a. A formal statement drawn up by a notary for a creditor declaring that the debtor has refused to accept or honor a bill.
b. A formal declaration made by a taxpayer stating that the tax demanded is illegal or excessive and reserving the right to contest it.Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The President is the speaker. All "protest" must be aimed at him and his policies.
Ditto.
Personally, I like this story because it takes the "Bush Cronies" card out of the delightful Ms Sheehan's hand.
Victoria Osteen, please call your office.
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