Ban on House protests?

[fryguy]

So there is apparently a rule in that protests are not permitted in the House Chamber, hence the removal of Cindy and Beverly for doning their respective t-shirts. But why were GOP lawmakers allowed to show-off their purple ink dipped fingers last year? How was that any less of a protest or any less disruptive?

http://gohmert.house.gov/single_photo_gallery.aspx?GalleryID=69
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/shared/news/nation/stories/0203scene.html

[rzemanfl]

1. What about the purple heart band-aids? n/t

[hopein08]

2. Because they are LAWMAKERS, I would assume...

Republican or Democrat...they actually work there. It's a privilege for anyone else to get to be there to watch.

I'm not trying to defend any purple ink instances at all or criticize Cindy, I'm just going on what I know from the time I was in the gallery. It was the day they were debating the $87 billion for Iraq. My Repuke Congressman's staff told the group I was with that under no instances were we to speak out or draw attention to the gallery. And when we got in, my friend's throat got dry and she ended up superbly embarassed that she was coughing and it was echoing so loudly. You just get the idea that there isn't supposed to be any sort of protest. Out of respect for the institution and respect for the rules, however unwritten and unseen.

Just my humble take.

[Dr Fate]

4. Your example involves audio, not a shirt- plus the charges were dropped.

So I dont believe that law was meant to regulate clothing with writing on it.

[niyad]

6. in an earlier thread here, the rules for the house floor and gallery were

published, and there is NOTHING in those rules about clothing, although cream and lotion are prohibited.

[Dr Fate]

3. Is there a single photo of U.S. Rep. Bill Young's Wife wearing that shirt?

I'm not convivnced this "balance" to the story is even all true.

[leveymg]

5. What about all those little AmFlag lapel pins?

That's a visible statement of ideology (and a tacit endorsement of the war)?

In BushCo's Washington, if you make a "protest", its Ban'em, Cuff'em and Book'em.

[hopein08]

7. Doesn't just about everybody wear them?

Off the top of my head, the only Congressperson I really remember consistently not wearing one was John Edwards. When I toured the Capitol our tour guide said that we would be able to recognize Representatives by the flag pins that they were wearing, so perhaps it is required or strongly suggested?

[leveymg]

8. Arrest ALL of them! To the salt mines with the lapel pin 435! ;-]

;-)