No Free Speech in Congress

In the ultimate twist of irony, free speech, a right supposedly protected by the First Amendment, does not exist in the House chambers. You probably think I’m writing about the arrest of Cindy Sheehan, and you’re right, at least in part. While I have no real sympathy for her rather extreme views, to have an invited guest of a Congressperson arrested for wearing a shirt reminding those around her that our efforts in Iraq have cost lives at a speech which focused on spreading our ideals of freedom is the ultimate irony. Perhaps a better word would be “hypocrisy.” The worst part is that this was done on a night when the world was watching. What a terrible example for budding democracies.

Perhaps more outrageous was the removal of Representative Bill Young’s wife, Beverly, for wearing a shirt that simply said “Support our Troops.” As Congressman Young said, “because she had on a shirt, that someone didn't like, that said, 'Support Our Troops,' she was kicked out of this gallery while the president was speaking and encouraging Americans to support our troops. Shame. Shame."

Actually, both she and Cindy Sheehan were victims of House rules that forbid demonstrations in the House galleries. Rules aside, I find it incredibly disturbing that the Constitution ends at the very place our national laws are made. Certainly there should be rules against disturbances, even against silent group protests. However, to deprive individuals of their choice of shirts is absurd, and sends the wrong message to the nation and the world. Its time for a rule change.