The Political Chase

Sheehan Vindicated; Rep Bill Young Has Double Standards

Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R-FL), have been vindicated, but the charges against Sheehan have not formally been dismissed by the U.S. Attorney. Beverly Young was removed from the gallery, but unlike Sheehan, was not arrested.

[Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer] said he [would] ask that charges against Sheehan — she was arrested; Beverly Young left before it came to that — be dropped. "It was," he said, "a good-faith mistake by officers operating under poor direction."

That’s all well and good, but let’s look a little closer

When the congressman heard what had happened to his wife, he summoned Gainer to his office and called Karl Rove, the president’s deputy chief of staff.

Late yesterday, after C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.) had taken to the floor with an impassioned speech and his wife’s T-shirt held aloft, Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer showed up at his office to apologize.

"We’ve asked the U.S. attorney’s office to drop the charge against Sheehan," Gainer said later. "Our interactions both with her and Beverly Young were inappropriate."

So it seems, the proper conduct of the arresting officer suddenly became improper when the capitol police discovered one of the “protesters” was a Congressman’s wife. Moreover, why was Sheehan arrested and the Congressman’s wife not arrested? The answer is obvious. And it gets worse. Congressman Young openly admitted to a double standard from the floor of the House yesterday afternoon.

"When your wife is insulted and embarrassed, you do tend to get a little offended," Young said yesterday, explaining his upbraiding of Gainer that night and his fervent speech on the House floor yesterday morning, when he waved the shirt and bellowed about his wife’s ejection: "Shame! Shame!"

Young said he wouldn’t be so mad if it were just Sheehan. "I totally disagree with everything she stands for," he said. But by removing his wife, Gainer’s officers clearly "acted precipitously," Young said.

Cindy Sheehan and Beverly Young did not differ in their actions, but simply had differing opinions expressed via their T-shirts. And, according to Sheehan’s account, the wearing of her T-shirt was coincidental – absent criminal intent. Conversely Young’s attire was intentional.

Shame, shame on Congressman Young for discriminating against others simply because they have a differing opinion. Congressman Young can stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush – no one is allowed to have a different opinion. If you disagree with me, you are wrong.

It is clear the only reason Gainer has issued an apology to Sheehan and requested charges against her be dropped is that Beverly Young, a Congressman’s wife, was also a victim of the fashion police.

To spice this up a bit, Roll Call (sub. req.) reports:

[Congressman] Young is always considered a candidate for retirement. His wife Beverly recently told The St. Petersburg Times that she would consider running for his seat whenever he retires.

Do the people from the 10th District of Florida want to re-elect or elect a representative that discriminates against others?

Technorati Tags : Cindy+Sheehan, Beverly+Young, Bill+Young, Politics

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