Cindy Sheehan arrested again

[TrailBate]

For wearing a t-shirt

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353/

isn't it odd that Freedom of Speech does not apply in a Federal Government building?

and if they call that "protesting", what do they call it when all the democrats stand up and cheer when Bush mentions his social security plan failed? They should have arrested every democrat!!!

Welcome to King George's DeMOCKracy.

[GeepNutt]

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashts.htm

[TrailBate]

a ha! Clinton did it! I love how everything comes back to Bill Clinton.

If Sheehan had worn a shirt that said, "Bush Sucks", she SHOULD have been thrown out too. If the Clinton guy had worn a shirt that said, "impeach Clinton", he should have been allowed to stay.

Am I the only one that sees a difference?

Plus, the Clinton guy was simply thrown out. Cindy was arrested and charged with 2 misdemeanors.

[off piste]

and, during the very same speech:

Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida _ chairman of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee _ was removed from the gallery because she was wearing a T-shirt that read, "Support the Troops _ Defending Our Freedom."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3628007.html

Someone ejected for something that could be construed as supporting Bush. In fact, Sheehan and Young were ejected for "protesting".

[catbbq]

"“I don’t want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government,” Sheehan wrote."

If you don't like it, go to Russia.

[GeepNutt]

After watching the speech on my HD television I have 2 words of advice for Hillary Clinton.....

Teeth Whitening! ;D

[TrailBate]

and, during the very same speech:

Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida _ chairman of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee _ was removed from the gallery because she was wearing a T-shirt that read, "Support the Troops _ Defending Our Freedom."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3628007.html

Someone ejected for something that could be construed as supporting Bush. In fact, Sheehan and Young were ejected for "protesting".


But only Sheehan was arrested.

[slapheadmofo]

Cindy who? ???

[off piste]

and, during the very same speech:

Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida _ chairman of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee _ was removed from the gallery because she was wearing a T-shirt that read, "Support the Troops _ Defending Our Freedom."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3628007.html

Someone ejected for something that could be construed as supporting Bush. In fact, Sheehan and Young were ejected for "protesting".


But only Sheehan was arrested.


Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police warned her that such displays were not allowed in the House chamber, but Sheehan did not respond.

Sheehan was told to leave and didn't, she was arrested. Young left when asked. If Young hadn't left, then it would've remained to be seen if she'd been arrested too. if if she hadn't, you'd have plenty to be pissed about. Being that civil disobedience was probably the point and her motive was to be arrested as part of her protest, Sheehan probably acheived her objective. But your point about her being arrested while Young wasn't has no basis and can't reach closure without Young's needed failure to respond to a request to leave and subsequent arrest.

[FriedRys]

http://theworstpageintheuniverse.com/images/civil_blackred.jpg

[off piste]

http://www.monitor.ca/monitor/issues/vol12iss6/half-life2_mask.jpg

http://www.ag.ru/ag15/geo/12036/100.jpg

[kernel crash]

Cindy was arrested because she wanted to get arrested. She was having serious withdrawells from not having her face on the nightly news. Cindy believes that SHE is the story. They should have used the night sticks on her.

[radair]

Cindy was arrested because she wanted to get arrested. She was having serious withdrawells from not having her face on the nightly news. Cindy believes that SHE is the story. They should have used the night sticks on her.



No matter what your feelings are regarding the justification for this war, I wonder if you can imagine what it feels like to have your son get killed. I can't.

I also wonder what some of you guys do in your spare time. Then again, maybe not.

I don't think I'll need to be reminded to not revisit this forum.

[TrailBate]

Looks like the charges against Sheehan have been dropped because, "she did not actually break any laws."

Hmmm, doesn't that law automatically exist now, because Bush can make up/repeal any laws he likes?

[Mr_Cheeze]

No matter what your feelings are regarding the justification for this war, I wonder if you can imagine what it feels like to have your son get killed. I can't.

I also wonder what some of you guys do in your spare time. Then again, maybe not.

I don't think I'll need to be reminded to not revisit this forum.


Sheehan has made the conscious decision to become a lightening rod for the anti-war protest. That makes her fair game to any criticism that she has drawn. You don't have to like it; and you're certainly welcome to send her a nice check - in your free time - for her troubles if you feel so sorry for her.

[off piste]

I sometimes play Half Life 2 in my spare time. Sometimes I even ride my bike.

[jerseygirl]

I'm with Radair. I can't believe most of what I'm reading here.

[kernel crash]

"I'm with Radair. I can't believe most of what I'm reading here. "

Look. The woman has made her point over and over and over again. She has gone so overboard on some of her comments that even the far left has distanced themselves from her. She has now become a bit of a joke in many circles. It's a bit unfortunate but she has brought most of it on herself.

[BadDNA]

and, during the very same speech:

Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida _ chairman of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee _ was removed from the gallery because she was wearing a T-shirt that read, "Support the Troops _ Defending Our Freedom."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/3628007.html

Someone ejected for something that could be construed as supporting Bush. In fact, Sheehan and Young were ejected for "protesting".


But only Sheehan was arrested.


Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police warned her that such displays were not allowed in the House chamber, but Sheehan did not respond.

Sheehan was told to leave and didn't, she was arrested. Young left when asked. If Young hadn't left, then it would've remained to be seen if she'd been arrested too. if if she hadn't, you'd have plenty to be pissed about. Being that civil disobedience was probably the point and her motive was to be arrested as part of her protest, Sheehan probably acheived her objective. But your point about her being arrested while Young wasn't has no basis and can't reach closure without Young's needed failure to respond to a request to leave and subsequent arrest.


Actually, such displays are specifically allowed:

Quoted from Glen Greenwald (http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006/02/learning-from-dear-leader.html)

The law is clear that Sheehan did nothing illegal and there was no legal basis whatsoever for removing and arresting her for wearing that t-shirt.

In Bynum v. U.S. Capitol Police Bd. (Dist. D.C. 1997) (.pdf), the District Court found the regulations applying 140 U.S.C. § 193 -- the section of the U.S. code restricting activities inside the Capitol -- to be unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. Bynum involved a Reverend who was threatened with arrest by Capitol Police while leading a small group in prayer inside the Capitol. The Capitol Police issued that threat on the ground that the praying constituted a "demonstration."

That action was taken pursuant to the U.S. Code, in which Congress decreed as follows: "It shall be unlawful for any person or group of persons wilfully and knowingly . . . to parade, demonstrate or picket within any Capitol Building." 140 U.S.C. § 193(f)(b)(7).

As the Bynum court explained: "Believing that the Capitol Police needed guidance in determining what behavior constitutes a 'demonstration,' the United States Capitol Police Board issued a regulation that interprets 'demonstration activity,'" and that regulation specifically provides that it "does not include merely wearing Tee shirts, buttons or other similar articles of apparel that convey a message. Traffic Regulations for the Capitol Grounds, § 158" (emphasis added).

[off piste]

Hmmmmmm, great link. Looks like the Capitol Police should've remembered when this precedent was set under the Clinton Administration.

[Mr_Cheeze]

I'm with Radair. I can't believe most of what I'm reading here.


You can't believe what, exactly? That anyone would have the temerity to criticize Cindy Sheehan for her activism? Or that anyone would criticize her because she lost her son? Do you expect that her personal tragedy should be a shield against any criticism? I think that people like Radair and Jerseygirl are more worried about it than the woman herself. She knows what exactly she is doing; and she knows exactly what to expect from those against whom she has aligned herself politically. Personally, I could give a crap what she says or does. That thing that gets me are you people who feel like you need to defend her. You don't. Everybody feels for a mother who loses a child. That doesn't give her a free pass to do whatever.

[off piste]

Wow -- that's the second time in my life I've ever seen the word temerity used, in as many weeks, and both times online. I actually had to break out the dictionary when i saw it the first time. Thought you'd like to know.

[Mr_Cheeze]

Wow -- that's the second time in my life I've ever seen the word temerity used, in as many weeks, and both times online. I actually had to break out the dictionary when i saw it the first time. Thought you'd like to know.


Sorry, I was assuming that everyone here finished high school. Next time I'll use "balls".

[off piste]

;D

[jerseygirl]

"I'm with Radair. I can't believe most of what I'm reading here. "

Look. The woman has made her point over and over and over again. She has gone so overboard on some of her comments that even the far left has distanced themselves from her. She has now become a bit of a joke in many circles. It's a bit unfortunate but she has brought most of it on herself.


Yeah, well that doesn't make her son and the thousands of other pawns any less dead. Yet, the idiot in charge is still sending troops over. Back to your verbal masturbation, gentlemen. You just don't get it.

[slapheadmofo]

Feeling bad for someone losing a family member is one thing, as is disgreeing with the war. Those are things I can understand and that make sense.

Demanding open access to the Oval Office for relatives of anyone serving in the armed forces is ludicrous. Grieving is understandable, but at this point, that lady falls into the 'bigger the camera, bigger the tear' category.

[BadDNA]

Yeah, well that doesn't make her son and the thousands of other pawns any less dead. Yet, the idiot in charge is still sending troops over. Back to your verbal masturbation, gentlemen. You just don't get it.


Personally I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child, my wife and I have none. I can believe that it is probably one of the hardest things for any parent to ever deal with however and for that reason she and every other parent who has needlessly lost a child to this idiot's war has my sympathy. It's been argued that when they joined up they knew they might some day be asked to go to war and that they made their choice. That's fine with me and I support them for having the intestinal fortitude to make that decision. I support our men and women in the armed services 100% but I am fully against this conflict they are fighting. That said, I think Cindy may be showboating a little, no matter how far she goes though I think she's got her heart in the right place but her judgement may be clouded by her emotions. If it wasn't her I'm sure the media would find some other grieving person who has lost a child or spouse and it would be their face all over the place.

Okay, I'm ranting a little, before I stop making sense completely I'm done.

[TrailBate]

You know what's old? Americans dying in Iraq over a lie. Bush lying every day about it. THAT is what's old.

But no. Lets go after Cindy instead. How dare she protest Americans dying for no reason! that wacko!

If Clinton never got that blowjob, none of this would have happened.

[kernel crash]

Cindy's son enlisted of his own free will. (I believe he even re-enlisted and was serving a 2nd tour). If Cindy had such a problem with this war, where was she before her son got killed? Was she as opposed to the war then as she is now? Several thousand dead and counting. Yet we only hear about Cindy. Why? Do you think the parents of all Americans killed overseas feel her exact same pain? Of course they do. Yet we only hear about Cindy? Why? Because Cindy chooses to put herself out there, creating headlines, tempting fate, taunting arrest and controversy. I would like to think if I was in her shoes, I would carry myself with a little more dignity, if for no other reason than the memory of her lost son.

[Slider]

Cindy's son enlisted of his own free will. (I believe he even re-enlisted and was serving a 2nd tour). If Cindy had such a problem with this war, where was she before her son got killed? Was she as opposed to the war then as she is now? Several thousand dead and counting. Yet we only hear about Cindy. Why? Do you think the parents of all Americans killed overseas feel her exact same pain? Of course they do. Yet we only hear about Cindy? Why? Because Cindy chooses to put herself out there, creating headlines, tempting fate, taunting arrest and controversy. I would like to think if I was in her shoes, I would carry myself with a little more dignity, if for no other reason than the memory of her lost son.


Maybe her son was duped like most of the rest of us when Bush lied about the reasons to go into Iraq. Maybe he thought the president was something other than a treasonous, lying, incompetent sellout.

Now that we know more about lead up to the war, and the incompetence in its management, maybe his mom is really pissed that a coward like Bush got her son killed. Seems reasonable to me.

Slider

[TrailBate]

Cindy's son enlisted of his own free will. (I believe he even re-enlisted and was serving a 2nd tour). If Cindy had such a problem with this war, where was she before her son got killed? Was she as opposed to the war then as she is now? Several thousand dead and counting. Yet we only hear about Cindy. Why? Do you think the parents of all Americans killed overseas feel her exact same pain? Of course they do. Yet we only hear about Cindy? Why? Because Cindy chooses to put herself out there, creating headlines, tempting fate, taunting arrest and controversy. I would like to think if I was in her shoes, I would carry myself with a little more dignity, if for no other reason than the memory of her lost son.


ah. so if you enlist, it's your own fault you're sent off to die over a lie? If you support your troops, the least you can do is make damn sure they're lives are not sacrificed unless absolutely frickin necessary. There are few people I respect more than the military. Those who rush them off to die are traitors.

[kernel crash]

"Maybe her son was... "

Ok. Lets deal with maybe's. Maybe if her son could speak to her today he would tell her he is embarrassed with her behaviour. That he feels her actions have made a mockery of his death. He would remind her that he enlisted of his own free will. He would remind her that he is a man and responsible for the consequences of his action. He might tell her that her actions are demeaning to the memory of his fallen comrades who he stood shoulder to shoulder with.

[slapheadmofo]

, maybe his mom is really pissed that a coward like Bush got her son killed. Seems reasonable to me.

Slider


Being pissed is reaonable. Expecting multiple audiences with the president on demand is stupid.

[Slider]

PR is PR. Seems like she's got a pretty good grip on the tactics to me. Got you talking about it, didn't she?

Her son had a perspective that he took to the grave with him. His mom's is equally relevant.

Slider

[TrailBate]

"Maybe her son was... "

Ok. Lets deal with maybe's. Maybe if her son could speak to her today he would tell her he is embarrassed with her behaviour. That he feels her actions have made a mockery of his death. He would remind her that he enlisted of his own free will. He would remind her that he is a man and responsible for the consequences of his action. He might tell her that her actions are demeaning to the memory of his fallen comrades who he stood shoulder to shoulder with.


I'd be pissed if I joined to fight terrorism, to serve my country, and instead was sent to Iraq to serve the Neocons.

Bush invaded over WMD's and terrorist ties. Both did not exist. I'd be pretty pissed if I died for that.

[slapheadmofo]

PR is PR. Seems like she's got a pretty good grip on the tactics to me. Got you talking about it, didn't she?



Didn't get her her audience though, so if that's her real goal, her tactics aren't working. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess they won't in the future either.
Sounds like you agree that she's in it for the spotlight at this point though.

[TrailBate]

well, all the Bushbots keep claiming she's finished and she'll never be heard from again, but she keeps popping up. Just like those bad horror movies where the villain keeps dying and coming back.....

[off piste]

SNIP



Bush invaded over WMD's and terrorist ties. Both did not exist. I'd be pretty pissed if I died for that.


I thought you lefties didn't believe in a hereafter ;D

[off piste]

http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=domesticNews&storyID=2006-02-02T021239Z_01_N01400453_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-SPEECH-SHEEHAN.xml

Capitol police apologize to activist Sheehan


Oooopsy! I guess the Capitol Polizei have Egg on Face Syndrome. Too bad they didn't read BadDNA's post pointing out their predecessor's persecution of a "protester" during their boss Bill Clinton's watch. They also apologized to Young:


Capitol police apologize to activist Sheehan
Wed Feb 1, 2006 9:12 PM ET

By JoAnne Allen

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Capitol Police dropped charges against activist Cindy Sheehan on Wednesday and apologized for arresting her in the House of Representatives chamber shortly before President Bush's State of the Union address.

Sheehan, who became a central figure in the U.S. anti-war movement after her son Casey was killed in the Iraq war, was taken from the Capitol in handcuffs and charged with unlawful conduct after refusing to cover an anti-war slogan on her T-shirt.

The Capitol Police said in a statement that it had reviewed the incident and determined the arrest was unwarranted.

"While officers acted in a manner consistent with the rules of decorum enforced by the department in the House Gallery for years, neither Mrs. Sheehan's manner of dress or initial conduct warranted law enforcement intervention," the statement said.

Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer also apologized to the wife of a House Republican who was told to leave the chamber during Bush's speech for wearing a shirt bearing words of support for U.S. troops.

Rep. Bill Young of Florida had condemned the treatment of his wife, Beverly. Young, who chairs the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, said on the House floor his wife was called "a demonstrator and a protester" for doing what Bush had asked of Americans: supporting U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq.

The Capitol Police statement said neither guest should have been confronted about her expressive T-shirt.

"The officers made a good faith, but mistaken, effort to enforce an old unwritten interpretation of the prohibitions about demonstrating in the Capitol. The policy and procedures were too vague," Gainer said. "The failure to adequately prepare the officers is mine."

Sheehan, who won wide attention with an anti-war vigil outside Bush's Texas ranch, was attending the speech as the guest of Rep. Lynn Woolsey, a California Democrat.

In a speech on the House floor, Woolsey said Sheehan wore a shirt that highlighted the number of dead U.S. soldiers in Iraq. "Since when is free speech conditional on whether you agree with the president of the United States?" Woolsey asked.

"How can we claim to be fighting on behalf of freedom around the world, making the world safe for freedom when we are smothering freedom here at home?" she said.

The Capitol Police department said it would ask the U.S. attorney's office not to pursue the unlawful conduct charge against Sheehan. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Sheehan and other activists were arrested in September for protesting outside the White House without a permit, a misdemeanor that carriers a $50 fine.

[Slider]

Didn't get her her audience though, so if that's her real goal, her tactics aren't working. I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess they won't in the future either.
Sounds like you agree that she's in it for the spotlight at this point though.


Yeah, I guess no one read the print and internet stories, saw the TV or radio coverage, or heard about the apology afterward. Waste of time.

Slider

[MTBME]

Cindy Sheehan is talking about a run for elected office as a way of getting back at people like Hillary, Diane Fienstien etc. That would be the Democrats worst nightmare right now. It would certainly have entertainment value. On another note this might be the most intellegent piece I have read all week. (I like the way Pat Buchanen strips away the fluff and exposes the facts in a way most people should understand).

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=12168

[TrailBate]

I'd like to see the ACLU go after these cops. That's a great article.

"While officers acted in a manner consistent with the rules of decorum enforced by the department in the House Gallery for years, neither Mrs. Sheehan's manner of dress or initial conduct warranted law enforcement intervention,"

wtf is that? The officers acted in manner consistent with the rules, yet it didn't warrant law enforcement intervention? puhlease.

The officers made a good faith, yet mistaken, effort to arrest somebody for no reason?

yes, arrest her now, apologize later.

[off piste]

I guess this this was only the beginning:

http://www.courant.com/news/local/ec/hc-4nbrf0203.artfeb03,0,2957197.story?page=3&coll=hc-headlines-ec


Incident At Taco Bell

Leads To Charges

ENFIELD - A woman accused of using racial epithets while waiting for food at a Taco Bell drive-through window was arrested Wednesday.

Jennifer Farrelly, 19, of East Windsor, has been charged with ridicule on account of race, creed or color and second-degree breach of peace. Farrelly's boyfriend, Eric Satterlee, 22, of Ashford, was charged with breach of peace in the incident.

On Dec. 18, Farrelly and Satterlee became frustrated by the slow service at the Taco Bell restaurant on Brookside Place, according to an arrest warrant. Farrelly banged on the drive-through window and called the Taco Bell attendant, Jamelle Byrd, a racial epithet, according to the warrant. Satterlee allegedly cursed and banged on the window.

Farrelly denied using racial epithets when she was interviewed by police, saying Byrd caused the dispute by ridiculing her for parking her car far away from the drive-through window, the warrant states. Byrd's supervisor told police that Byrd should not have been working the drive-through because he had gotten into a similar incident with another customer, the warrant states.

Police Chief Carl J. Sferrazza said Byrd was not arrested in the incident.

[Mr_Cheeze]

Hey, I think that Taco Bell must breed racism. Here's just another example of the Man making life difficult for the minority.

I want my dollar and my taco! (http://www.ebaumsworld.com/audio/taco911.html)

[Slider]

I'd like to see the ACLU go after these cops. That's a great article.



The ACLU might well step up for that, but any good lawyer should see the opportunity here. She's got a case.

Slider

[off piste]

I'll bet anything Bush owns stock in Taco Bell...........