T-shirt earns exit from House gallery (Rep Congressman's wife Zotted for "Support Our Troops")

St. Petersburg Times ^ | February 1, 2006

[RexBeach]

Is this woman Cindy Sheehan's bizzarro cousin?

[300magnum]

ZOTTED is a good word for it.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1569385/posts

[beltfed308]

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."

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.

[presidio9]

A T-shirt is never appropriate attire for the SOTU, but Mrs. Young is 100% correct: "Support Our Troops" is never a protest. Ever.

[The_Victor]

If there are going to be rules about banners and shirts with slogans an them in the Gallery in Congress, then the rules have to be applied consistently. Pro or con is irrelevant.

[FloridianBushFan]

Even though I appreciate her showing her support, she should have known better. She broke the rules and it was right they escort her out. Her husband has been in Congress long enough for both of them to know the House Rules.

[JJR RNCH]

Why would someone wear a t-shirt to an event like this? Are people gonna show up next year in jogging suits? Come on people show a little class.

[cinives]

"I just called for the chief of police and asked him to get his little tail over here," Rep. Young said late Tuesday.

Is this guy arrogant, patronizing or what ? "little tail" ? I find Rep Young's comment embarrasing and offensive.

[basil]

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!

[Fixit]

Shirt she should have worn:

[Democratshavenobrains]

Someone should tell Bill Young that belittling the police chief isn't going to get him a lot of good press.

[Xenophobic Alien]

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.

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.

[MamaTexan]

Geesh!

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!

[cinives]

House Rules - no signs. Is a T-shirt the same as a sign ? I'd argue yes if it carries a message.

[weegee]

I could see it being of issue if ALL t-shirts were improper attire. Other than that, it most certainly is not protest.

It may be "politicking" for staying the course (at a time the administation is already doing so), but there is no protest.

What next? Evicting persons wearing flag pins?

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.

[weegee]

Ditto.

[presidio9]

Personally, I like this story because it takes the "Bush Cronies" card out of the delightful Ms Sheehan's hand.

[HostileTerritory]

Victoria Osteen, please call your office.