Laura Bush heckled by mother of dead soldier

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Laura Bush heckled during campaign speech
'President Bush You Killed My Son' on mother's T-shirt
Friday, September 17, 2004 Posted: 3:57 PM EDT (1957 GMT)

HAMILTON, New Jersey (CNN) -- The mother of a soldier killed in Iraq was arrested Thursday in Hamilton, New Jersey, after interrupting a campaign speech by first lady Laura Bush. As police hauled her away, she shouted "police brutality."

Wearing a T-shirt with the message "President Bush You Killed My Son," Sue Niederer of nearby Hopewell screamed questions at the first lady as the audience tried to drown her out by chanting "four more years, four more years."

She kept shouting at Bush, and eventually police removed her from the firehouse rally.

The first lady finished her speech in praise of the administration's actions in the war on terror and on the economy.

Outside, Niederer said she wanted to ask Laura Bush "Why the senators, the legislators, the congressmen, why aren't their children serving?"

She went on to blame the president for the death of her 24-year-old son, Army 1st Lt. Seth Dvorin. He was killed February 3 while trying to defuse a roadside bomb that exploded.

As Hamilton police and Secret Service agents surrounded her and reporters pressed her with questions, she held her ground, saying she had a ticket to attend the speech.

Police handcuffed her and led her to a nearby van. She repeatedly shouted "police brutality," and demanded to know her rights and the charges.

Later, she was charged with defiant trespass and released.

Since her son's death, Niederer has spoken repeatedly against the Iraq conflict. She is active in the antiwar group Military Families Speak Out.

The Pittsburgh Independent Media Center reported that she recently participated in demonstrations around the Republican National Convention in New York.

In March, The Toronto Star reported that she had demonstrated outside Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C., where many wounded soldiers are treated; and at Dover Air Force base, where soldiers' remains arrive back in the United States..

Neither the Bush campaign nor the Hamilton police would comment on the incident.

This article made me think..."What does Mrs. Bush REALLY think of her husband?"

Or is she so far removed from a real life that she just doesn't care/doesn't think about it?

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
This article made me think..."What does Mrs. Bush REALLY think of her husband?"

Or is she so far removed from a real life that she just doesn't care/doesn't think about it?

Maybe she admires her husband because she's NOT removed from a real life and because she does care/thinks about it.

[Kevin]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
This article made me think..."What does Mrs. Bush REALLY think of her husband?"

Or is she so far removed from a real life that she just doesn't care/doesn't think about it?

Why do you hate Bush? This is very personal with you.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by ktsnake
Why do you hate Bush? This is very personal with you.

Yeah, it really is.

To be fair, though, there are those on the other side of the process who hate the other candidate and take things very personally.

I wish everyone would back off and take a deep, cleansing breath...

[Rudey]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Yeah, it really is.

To be fair, though, there are those on the other side of the process who hate the other candidate and take things very personally.

I wish everyone would back off and take a deep, cleansing breath...

I don't think anyone "on the other side" takes it personally like this guy. In fact I found the partisan remarks getting more and more vicious once this kid started posting just so people could keep up.

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

Selective perception...

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Selective perception...

Rudey got pwned.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
Rudey got pwned.

But it still goes both ways.

[dekeguy]

Someone needs to explain to this woman that President Bush did not kill her son, a terrorist murderer killed him, and his death is mourned and honored by his fellow soldiers. There are no draftees in today's Army. Every soldier, whether that soldier is a Regular, Reservist, or National Guard member is a VOLUNTEER. He was there doing what he voluntarily committed to do. He was not some kid drafted out of school and sent in harm's way. He was a man who made a man's decision to serve his country as a soldier. His mother brings shame and dishonor on her son's sacrifice. He gave the full measure of devotion to his country and his fellow soldiers. She has made a mockery of his ultimate courageous gesture. As a reserve officer and a veteran of the first round of deployments I am sickened that a mother could act in such a manner. Soldiers, and most certainly volunteer soldiers, do not get to pick and choose which fights they feel like getting involved in. It does not matter whether a soldier personally approves of this war or whether he takes a totally opposite direction in his opinion. When the Army is called on to act soldiers do what they have committed to do. To protect and defend the the United States and to obey the orders of the officers and/or non commissioned officers placed over them. Something else to consider is that when the shooting starts soldiers pull together and draw strength from the brotherhood. We on Greek Chat should clearly understand the concept of mutually supportive brotherhood. A soldier has chosen a hard and demanding profession but he has chosen an honorable one. When that soldier chooses to put it on the line for his country we his fellow citizens owe him the respect to honor his choice and doubly honor his sacrifice. That his mother could do this saddens me to consider how much she has missed the point of her sons decision and committment as an American soldier.
While the old phrase has gone out of fashion in the broader community the Army still believes that while it is better to let the other poor SOB die for his country, if the worst comes to the worst then "dulce et decorum est pro patria mori".

[IowaStatePhiPsi]

Originally posted by dekeguy
Every soldier, whether that soldier is a Regular, Reservist, or National Guard member is a VOLUNTEER. He was there doing what he voluntarily committed to do. He was not some kid drafted out of school and sent in harm's way. He was a man who made a man's decision to serve his country as a soldier.

This needs to be repeated. Since he had to go through ROTC to become a 1st Lt., it's not like he made the decision to join the Army on a whim. But there is the very loose argument that the GI Bill and assisting with college finance is the "new draft".

[Kevin]

Originally posted by IowaStatePhiPsi
This needs to be repeated. Since he had to go through ROTC to become a 1st Lt., it's not like he made the decision to join the Army on a whim. But there is the very loose argument that the GI Bill and assisting with college finance is the "new draft".

Even you admit it's loose.

That means that rational people think it doesn't exist.

[KillarneyRose]

My heart aches for this woman; I can't imagine how awful it would be mourning the death of ones son. So I'm inclined to grant her some slack in this.

[honeychile]

I agree with dekeguy in his synopsis of the situation, however, in the death of a loved one, there is often no rational thinking. Clearly, this soldier's mother is out of her mind with grief, and needs to blame someone, anyone, for the death of her son. Her reaction is completely normal, if not rational.

My heart goes out to her.

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Originally posted by KillarneyRose
My heart aches for this woman; I can't imagine how awful it would be mourning the death of ones son. So I'm inclined to grant her some slack in this.

I agree completely. She must be devastated to lose her son. I feel nothing but compassion and sympathy for her.

Personally, I don't think arresting her helps her or anyone. I think that she might benefit from some grief counseling. Hopefully, a judge will agree.

[dekeguy]

Grief is one thing, but a pattern of acting in a grossly inappropriate manner regarding the tragic but honorable death of her son is quite another. We who have worn our country's uniform perhaps view this in a somewhat different light. We know and accept the downside risk of service in a fighting force. As my old Sergeant Major used to tell us, "Somedays you get to earn your rations the hard way." I have seen men die and I am sick with grief that anyone would have this happen to them, and that includes the "other fellows" who oppose us. Death is a grim reality that we must all face someday. To some are given the opportunity to face it doing something brave and honorable, as that young officer did. He kept faith to his oath and with his fellow soldiers to the last full measure of devotion. He died while acting to protect his fellow soldiers and the innocent bystanders who would be caught in the blast radius of a bomb set by cowards who would kill without regard to the innocence of their potential victims. To diminish his sacrifice through self serving histrionics is appalling ...
By way of contrast, when I was leaving for my reserve call up my Mother said the words to me that my Grandmother said to my Dad and Uncles when they went to fight in Viet Nam. She said that I should do the best I could to lead my men well and to take no unnecessary chances for them or myself and to come home safe and sound, BUT, to always remember that if the unthinkable happened that the very last thing I would do on earth would be to die, so, DO IT WELL!
If anything had happened to me I have no doubt that she would have been stricken with the grief that only a mother could know, but I am equally certain that if the unthinkable had happened she would have honored my death and looked to my brother and/or cousins to take my place. Yes, we have discussed this and yes she and my graqndmother define for me the concept of "steel magnolias", but it sure as hell makes me proud of them.