The Capitol police in Washington made a terrible mistake at the State of the Union speech. They brought great embarrassment on themselves with the treatment given Beverly Young, the wife of Bill Young, our congressman in Washington.
Bill and Beverly Young have been devoted visitors to our members of the armed forces who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have given more than lip service to the idea of supporting our troops. They have been there big time.
So when Mrs. Young was hassled for wearing a T-shirt that had words on it showing this support for our soldiers, the police could not have been more wrong.
And it goes further than Mrs. Young. Yes, she demonstrated a sentiment almost all of us adhere to. But any view, expressed in acceptable language on a T-shirt, should be allowed.
We say that because Cindy Sheehan, who opposes the war, was also harassed by the Capitol police for wearing a T-shirt that expressed her sentiments.
As long as a citizen, even in the venue of a speech by the President of the United States, expresses a view only in written words, absent an outburst, he or she should be left alone.
This country is all about free speech and as long as it is exercised with moderation it should not be suppressed – in any public forum.