# Cindy Sheehan is a toolbag. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 1, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454 "2006-02-01T02:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/81 "2006-02-01T13:44:14Z")
Cindy Sheehan is just an attention whore. Her main purpose in life at present is to gain fame as a Bush hater. I came to that conclusion when it was reported she was actively campaigning against Bush’s last supreme court nominee, an issue totally unrelated to her initial cause, a very understandable won, opposition to the war. I’m a Canadian, so let me tell you that I’m in awe of this grand annual spectacle mandated by your constitution. I haven’t missed watching one from as far back as I remember. All the branches of government in one room to listen to the leader of their magnificently structured federation report on the accomplishments and goals of the administration. It is one annual moment where the rest of the world can see that despite all the verbal hostilities reported by the press throughout the year, members of an idealogically divided government can show friendliness and cooperation with unity of purpose. And while the president has an opportunity to address the country that is bound to gain him support at the polls, it is also an imperative for the president to take stock, inventory if you will, of the issues and objectives of his administration. The State of the Union Address makes the leader of the country accountable to the people in a way that I do not see in other democracies. This is a situation where people are assembled to hear the president. They are not assembled to witness protest. That congressperson from California who made her seat available to Cindy, was negligent to her constituents for not being present at this meeting required by the constitution. Her enabling a situation to disrupt the meeting is a slap in the face to the constitution as well. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/82 "2006-02-01T13:59:15Z")
> [@DirkGntly](#): > > because it doesn’t matter WHO is in the office - it is a POSITION that deserves a certain level of decorum, just as any high office should. Cite? > [@](#): > > (Yes I will get fried on this because people just can’t stand this prez and this administration - to hell with you types that can’t see the distinction of respecting the office, anyway.) I am not frying you about this this attitude because I think that the concept of respecting an office is important, but am willing to make an exception for this guy. No, I think the whole attitude of “he is the office, so he deserves respect” is bonkers. Plus, I don’t hate the guy simply because I hate the guy, but because of actual actions he has taken. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/83 "2006-02-01T14:01:23Z")
She’s been charged with a misdemeanor so the penalty is up to one year in jail. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/84 "2006-02-01T14:14:59Z")
> [@Martin Hyde](#): > > In general politicians and their employees don’t wear clothing of a political nature (like Bush-Cheney 04 T-Shirts or buttons) to the Capitol building or the White House because it is not permitted. I’m not sure what would happen if one of them did it anyways, maybe nothing, but in general it is not done by the politicians and staff because they know better. Do you think she would have been arrested for wearing a “God Bless President Bush” t-shirt? If not, is it really the clothing itself that’s the issue, or just one particular viewppoint. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/85 "2006-02-01T14:15:43Z")
> [@Harborwolf](#): > > Bill Frist has been wearing one for years and he hasn’t been escorted out. Of course, they haven’t arrested Ted Kennedy for wearing his “Big Johnson” tee. > > A “God Bless the President” tee shirt would make her less likely to be a disruption to the proceedings. That’s why she wouldn’t be escorted out. Is this a joke? I’ve never seen either politician in a t-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/86 "2006-02-01T14:18:06Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > But she has a right to express “disruptive” opinions. In [Cohen v California,](http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/comm/free_speech/cohen.html) the Court overturned the conviction of a man arrested for wearing a t shirt that read “Fuck the Draft” in the Los Angeles Courthouse. > > If expressing anti-war opinions is disruptive, the nation needs more disruptions. If you actually read the opinion you will see that the SCOTUS simply said political protest is not, in and of itself “distrubing the peace.” The misdemeanor in question isn’t disturbing the peace but rather being disruptive at a legislative session. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/87 "2006-02-01T14:27:08Z")
> [@Martin Hyde](#): > > If you actually read the opinion you will see that the SCOTUS simply said political protest is not, in and of itself “distrubing the peace.” The misdemeanor in question isn’t disturbing the peace but rather being disruptive at a legislative session. And the distinction you make between “disturbing the peace” and “being disruptive” is ??? You have to marvel at my talents at posting a cite and quoting from it without reading it. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/88 "2006-02-01T14:36:36Z")
Shame on you Airman. The facts as they now appear are that Ms. Sheehan was at a function to protest what she believes is a corrupt administration, one that caused her son to be killed for what she believes are bogus partisan reasons. She received an invitation to the state of the union late in the day and apparently was guilty of nothing more than failing to observe some non-existent dress code. Agree or disagree with Ms. Sheehans politics you cannot ignore the fact that she is just a mother that is outraged at what she believes was the needless death of her son and thousands of other American sons and daughters. She is trying to stop the deaths of more young men and women. It is fine to disagree with her. You think the deaths are warranted YOU GO FIGHT. But to cast aspersions on her actions is mean spirited. She is standing up for what she believes. That is the epitome of patriotism ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/89 "2006-02-01T14:38:12Z")
I can see it. Wearing a t-shirt=disturbing the peace just as domestic spying=terrorist surveillance. With this administration all things really ARE equal. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/90 "2006-02-01T14:43:48Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > Shame on you Airman. The facts as they now appear are that Ms. Sheehan was at a function to protest what she believes is a corrupt administration, one that caused her son to be killed for what she believes are bogus partisan reasons. She received an invitation to the state of the union late in the day and apparently was guilty of nothing more than failing to observe some non-existent dress code. If this were some stump speech on the campaign trail or some mindless face time with the media I would agree with you. But guess what: it’s not. It’s the State of the Union Address. This is not the “Let’s let Cindy Sheehan disrupt something important” address. Some of you seem to think that you can protest about anything as loud or as obnoxiously as you want to anywhere and anytime you want. That’s just not true, and in the case of last night it’s especially untrue. > [@](#): > > Agree or disagree with Ms. Sheehans politics you cannot ignore the fact that she is just a mother that is outraged at what she believes was the needless death of her son and thousands of other American sons and daughters. She is trying to stop the deaths of more young men and women. And I have a problem with this…how? I have a problem with her, not her cause. > [@](#): > > It is fine to disagree with her. You think the deaths are warranted YOU GO FIGHT. But to cast aspersions on her actions is mean spirited. She is standing up for what she believes. That is the epitome of patriotism I already have gone, idiot. Twice. :rolleyes: And I’m glad she stands up for what she believes. But trying to showboat during the SotU Address is worthy of my scorn. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/91 "2006-02-01T14:45:43Z")
Shame on the sycophants. Those of you screeching “We must respect the office of the president” “She was rude” “How dare she”, you seem to forget that this is a country founded by individuals who refused to respect the office of King George. America is a country founded on the idea of respect for principals not offices. You support W? Fine support him, but do not appeal to some un-American ideal of bowing down to authority. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/92 "2006-02-01T14:50:50Z")
Hey folks: Cindy Sheehan was not the only protestor ejected from the speech for wearing a t-shirt. The wife of Congressman Bill Young was ejected for 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.”’ [http://stpetetimes.com/2006/02/01/Worldandnation/T\_shirt\_earns\_exit\_fr.shtml](http://stpetetimes.com/2006/02/01/Worldandnation/T_shirt_earns_exit_fr.shtml) It seems to me that the rules were being enforced fairly. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/93 "2006-02-01T14:50:53Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > If this were some stump speech on the campaign trail or some mindless face time with the media I would agree with you. But guess what: it’s not. It’s the State of the Union Address. This is not the “Let’s let Cindy Sheehan disrupt something important” address. She disrupted nothing. She was sitting quietly in her seat. The only people disrupting anything where the officers who arrested her. You are a sad, sad sycophant. You supposedly risked your life for “freedom” and “liberty” when you fought for your country. What the fuck kind of freedom did you risk you life for when a goddamned T-SHIRT is worthy of your scorn? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/94 "2006-02-01T14:53:21Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > I already have gone, idiot. Twice. :rolleyes: That was unworthy of you. I know you have served and even though I don’t support the war I respect your sacrifice. I respect those who do their duty despite the fact that I don’t support the war. I wish you and all soldiers a safe return but the sad fact is that many of you will not return. I am glad that people are trying to stop needless deaths. If this makes me an idiot in your mind…well thats just sad. Apparently your world tolerates no dissent. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/95 "2006-02-01T14:55:00Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > She disrupted nothing. She was sitting quietly in her seat. The only people disrupting anything where the officers who arrested her. You are a sad, sad sycophant. You supposedly risked your life for “freedom” and “liberty” when you fought for your country. What the fuck kind of freedom did you risk you life for when a goddamned T-SHIRT is worthy of your scorn? She disrupted nothing because she shot her load too early and wasn’t given a second chance. What, you think she was there to sit quietly? What kind of freedom did I risk my life for? The freedom to denounce a grandstanding showboat who does a disservice to her cause by acting the way she does any damn time I want to. I am exercising the very damn freedoms I fight for. Now, do you want to continue with this? ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/96 "2006-02-01T14:59:22Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > That was unworthy of you. I know you have served and even though I don’t support the war I respect your sacrifice. I respect those who do their duty despite the fact that I don’t support the war. I wish you and all soldiers a safe return but the sad fact is that many of you will not return. I am glad that people are trying to stop needless deaths. If this makes me an idiot in your mind…well thats just sad. Apparently your world tolerates no dissent. Yeah, my only job (really) was to try to stop needless deaths. I am in virtually total agreement with the woman’s stance. That doesn’t stop me from thinking that she’s a showboat that does a disservice to her cause. I’m all for freedom to look at pornography, but I can still think that Larry Flint in a sleazeball, can’t I? BTW, look at the way you phrased the quoted statement and think about it. Maybe you’ll see why it pissed me off so much. Regardless, I will retract the “idiot” part with my apologies. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/97 "2006-02-01T15:04:06Z")
I wish they let her sit there after the t-shirt episode. The camera crew would have been just dying to get any reaction out of her and have it all over the papers today. I wonder if the ACLU will get involved. Sheehan has some mental health issues, I think. ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/98 "2006-02-01T15:05:30Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > Yeah, my only job (really) was to try to stop needless deaths. I am in virtually total agreement with the woman’s stance. That doesn’t stop me from thinking that she’s a showboat that does a disservice to her cause. I’m all for freedom to look at pornography, but I can still think that Larry Flint in a sleazeball, can’t I? > > BTW, look at the way you phrased the quoted statement and think about it. Maybe you’ll see why it pissed me off so much. Regardless, I will retract the “idiot” part with my apologies. That is more like the Airman I remember. You are right in that I was not clear. My statement “YOU GO FIGHT” was directed to the board in general not specifically to you. As a veteran who has served in Iraq myself I can understand how my poor phrasing could give offense. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/99 "2006-02-01T15:05:31Z")
> [@Airman Doors](#): > > She disrupted nothing because she shot her load too early and wasn’t given a second chance. What, you think she was there to sit quietly? > > What kind of freedom did I risk my life for? The freedom to denounce a grandstanding showboat who does a disservice to her cause by acting the way she does any damn time I want to. I am exercising the very damn freedoms I fight for. > > Now, do you want to continue with this? Yes, I do want to continue this. Since you have the power to see into the future and you know exactly how she was going to disrupt the speech, tell me-- what number should be on her shirt by the time this war for the Freedom to have Our President Spy on us is over? How quietly should I and Nancy and every one else sit by and let blow-hard syncophant like you run roughshod over our apparently less deserved liberty? She was arrest for wearing a goddamned T-SHIRT!!! And you have the fucking nerve to call HER a grandstanding showboat? You are a fool. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454/100 "2006-02-01T15:10:45Z")
Just curious, Airman, what _should_ someone like Cindy be doing, in your opinion, to try to bring this war to an end? And how effective might such tactics be? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cindy-sheehan-is-a-toolbag/342454.md?page=6)