Stars & Stripes letter: "Right to wear T-shirt"

[lebkuchen]

Right to wear T-shirt

I just finished reading “Reaction says more than what was on my T-shirt” (Opinion, Cindy Sheehan, Feb. 7), about the woman who was arrested for wearing a T-shirt stating the number of soldiers we have lost over here in this deployed environment.

That woman had every reason to wear the shirt she was wearing. She lost a son from this war, and she isn’t even allowed to wear a T-shirt stating the number of fallen soldiers?

We are risking our lives for America and one of our fellow Americans gets arrested for supporting us? What type of BS is that?

I must say I am very angered by this. It makes me wonder, like the rest of America is wondering, why we are even over here. This is my third year in the military and my second year deployed. It’s not worth it one bit. That is the reason I am getting out of the military when my fourth year is up.

There is so much that is on my mind and so many things I would love to get off my chest concerning this matter, but since some people think it’s wrong for us (troops and supporters) to speak our minds, I will hold it in for now. But I will say that there are many more people against the Bush administration than there are standing behind it. I am one of those people who are not standing behind it at all. We are saving their lives and getting nothing in return. What type of country are we fighting for?

Spc. Lucy Hershberger
Kuwait

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=34944

[Mythsaje]

1. Hat's off

To Specialist Hershberger for speaking up.

I hope it doesn't complicate her life too much.

[Peanutcat]

2. Good letter, but . . . . .

She's a bit deluded. They're not going to let her out after only 4 years; she might have to stay in for eight.

[f-bush]

3. Thank you Lucy

It took courage for you to speak out. I pray that it doesn't impact your life in a negative way. We need to hear more from military personnel like yourself.

[flygal]

4. K&R - my brother is going over there this year

and that is the opinion of many of his troops. They're sickened at the propaganda and silencing of critics as traitors.

[Vidar]

5. good letter

[Captain Hilts]

6. Sorry, t-shirts with causes don't belong in the house gallery.

Imagine what anti-abortion conservatives would do.

Any right you claim for us, you also give to them.

[Lerkfish]

7. so? If I'm for free speech, I'm for it for everyone.

why is that a difficult stand?

[distantearlywarning]

8. It's ok with me

if anti-abortion people want to wear t-shirts in the House supporting their causes also.

I realized at the age of 12 that there was a price to pay for being able to speak one's mind freely. That price is allowing others to speak their minds, even if I don't agree with them or find their opinions offensive. It's a price I'm willing to pay. I find it disturbing that some people who claim to be progressives don't understand this concept.

[bleedingheart]

9. actually I would be okay with that...then the nation could understand

the difference between us...

The Republians can wear their...."I love war and hate abortion" shirts

and the Democrats can wear their "I want universal healthcare for American Citizens" or their "Build more Schools and Roads, not Bomb" shirts...

[BushOut06]

10. I think you're wrong on this

If an anti-abortion wingnut wore a shirt with some anti-choice crap, we would ridicule that person, we would call them an idiot, etc. But they wouldn't be arrested.

[mtnester]

11. The People's House, ALL parts of it, IMO are THE most appropriate place

to do this.

AFter all:

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. Noam Chomsky

Take away the right to say "fuck" and you take away the right to say "fuck the government."
Lenny Bruce

[leesa]

12. Causes? # of dead soldiers in the war?

Where's your head?

[ohtransplant]

13. Ha - ang on Lucy

Lucy hang on (cues "Sloopy" music)

Do your time and get out when you can. Don't be surprised if you hear the term "involuntarily continued service".

Be safe. God bless. See you on DU.