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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
And I have a problem with this…how? I have a problem with her, not her cause.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?