Cindy Sheehan Arrested at State of the Union Speech
Del Williams
February 01, 2006
Never one to avoid the spotlight, Cindy Sheehan was invited to the President's State of the Union address by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a Democrat. She decided to repay that invitation by getting arrested for wearing a antiwar T-shirt. Her T-shirt said, "2245 Dead. How many more?" — a reference to the number of soldiers killed in Iraq.
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police warned her that such displays were not allowed in the House chamber, but Sheehan did not respond. She was handcuffed and charged her with unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor. She later was released on her own recognizance.
No sursprise that now Sheehan wants to file a lawsuit for freedom of speech. She said, "I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether he/she has paid the ulitmate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government."
Earlier in the day Sheehan attended an "Alernative State of the Union" by a group who is calling for the end of the Iraq war. While at this event Rep Woolsey gave her the ticket to the Presidents speech. Supposedly she felt uncomfortable with the idea of going to the speech, because "I knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the ticketand I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her."
As for what transpired next is up to debate. Sheehan makes it sound like they deliberately targeted her, when in fact there is a policy against having political messages on T-shirts. Another person with a "support the troops" T-shirt, but apparently she went without issue.
Freedom of Speech is the foundation of America, but so is having wisdom to know when to be silent. Common sense should have told Sheehan to stay away from the speech or at least dress appropriately. Contrary to her opinion, the world does not revolve around her. Considering all the fact that she has failed to pay any taxes she should be happy they did not arrest her for tax evasion.
Losing a child is a bad situation for anyone to deal with, but I have to wonder if this has anything to do with him anymore. Would he be pleased by her protests in his name. Casey Sheehan chose to go into the military, and there are times when the ultimate sacrifice may be made. While she is off traveling the world to end the war, who is taking care of her kids? She has already lost her husband, who else is she willing to lose in this effort? Her son paid with his life to free a people, what is she willing to pay?
Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police warned her that such displays were not allowed in the House chamber, but Sheehan did not respond. She was handcuffed and charged her with unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor. She later was released on her own recognizance.
No sursprise that now Sheehan wants to file a lawsuit for freedom of speech. She said, "I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether he/she has paid the ulitmate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government."
Earlier in the day Sheehan attended an "Alernative State of the Union" by a group who is calling for the end of the Iraq war. While at this event Rep Woolsey gave her the ticket to the Presidents speech. Supposedly she felt uncomfortable with the idea of going to the speech, because "I knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the ticketand I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her."
As for what transpired next is up to debate. Sheehan makes it sound like they deliberately targeted her, when in fact there is a policy against having political messages on T-shirts. Another person with a "support the troops" T-shirt, but apparently she went without issue.
Freedom of Speech is the foundation of America, but so is having wisdom to know when to be silent. Common sense should have told Sheehan to stay away from the speech or at least dress appropriately. Contrary to her opinion, the world does not revolve around her. Considering all the fact that she has failed to pay any taxes she should be happy they did not arrest her for tax evasion.
Losing a child is a bad situation for anyone to deal with, but I have to wonder if this has anything to do with him anymore. Would he be pleased by her protests in his name. Casey Sheehan chose to go into the military, and there are times when the ultimate sacrifice may be made. While she is off traveling the world to end the war, who is taking care of her kids? She has already lost her husband, who else is she willing to lose in this effort? Her son paid with his life to free a people, what is she willing to pay?
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