Day 6 began early yesterday morning when people in cars drove
by our camp a few times and blasted on their horns. I just assume they were
blaring their approval of us.
Before we get to the less than negative things that are happening
out at Camp Casey and in the world at large, over 700 people showed
up at the Camp yesterday. There were more people, flowers, cards,
mail, interviews, laughter, heartache, camaraderie, excitement, and just
sheer work.
We had the first birthday party last night at our little event.
Alicia from Austin turned 17 and they came to Crawford to celebrate with
a cake. Alicia said that she wanted to be out here for her birthday. So
many great people from so many parts of the country and our world are here.
Yesterday was kind of a blur to me. From running around from
interview to interview, to getting a visit from Viggo Mortensen, it was
a whirlwind of activity. I have discovered that the White House press corps
is always looking for something to do and someone to cover. We have been
happy to oblige them. We had a press conference today with Gold Star Families
for Peace and Military Families Speak Out members. It was very effective
when people who actually have skin in the game ask the president to be held
accountable for the words he has actually said.
Still putting out the O'Reilly fires of me being a traitor
and using Casey's name dishonorably, my in-laws sent out a press statement
disagreeing with me in strong terms; which is totally okay with me, because
they barely knew Casey. We have always been on separate sides of the fence
politically and I have not spoken to them since the election when they supported
the man who is responsible for Casey's death. The thing that matters to
me is that our family -- Casey's dad and my other 3 kids are on the same
side of the fence that I am.
November 2, 2004 was not George Bush's accountability moment:
today is. We are finished allowing him to get away with deceiving the American
public and abusing his power.
We are mad as hell and we're not taking it anymore.
Cindy Sheehan
Comments
It is a shame that you have to comment on your in-laws or
o'Reilly, but at least you have gotten the truth out for people to hear.
Continue to fight the fight!
Posted by: Mother of Two at August 12, 2005 12:32 PM
Cindy thank you for your courage. I wish I could be there
with you. You're my hero.
Please run for President in '08. I am not kidding. Our country
desparately needs a person with your courage. And our Democratic Party needs
you. Please consider running.
Peace,
Posted by: Miguel at August 12, 2005 12:35 PM
Cindy - Words cannot express how sorry I am that you lost
your son in this senseless war, nor can they express how very proud I am
of you for standing up and saying, "ENOUGH!" My spirit is there
with you and all the others who have lost a child or loved one to this insanity.
Stand tall and know that you speak for a lot of us. God bless you, Cindy.
Posted by: Diane at August 12, 2005 06:19 PM
Today, the President stated that "it's tough to put america's
kids in danger [soldiers killed in war], but it's important to maintain
free societies, and so, I will order US military force if necessary".
It's important to maintain US Constitutional Democracy...BY
the US People, FOR the US People, in the interests OF the US People ...
the USA is facing major challenges of globalization of business & economics
and flat-world [Thom Friedman, NYT] business changes and the US Government
has been completely negligent in its Constitutional duty to serve the US
People, i.e., ready the people, the society and the country to meet those
challenges successfully.
It is the job of any president of the USA to prioritize according
to US Constitution-specified services and duties. But, policing the world
with US taxpayer moneys, pursuing personal agendas and the wealthy's monied-interests
agendas, whilst depriving the US People of the supports they need is a crystal-clear
violation of the US Constitution, ... and as such, is treason against the
US Constitution and US People.
The EU is "handling" Iran. The US hasn't finished
in Afghanistan and Iraq. The US needs to focus on its own business and finish
up the messes it started...not begin another mess which could cause a shift
in international muslim thinking compelling them to ally with Iran against
a "US-aggressor", triggering a global appocalypse of muslim countries
fighting non-muslim countries.
And if people think the high price of gas is a consern, think
what concerns the US would have if engaged in a global war ... attacked
on every side. There would be no oil flowing from mideast countries and
petroleum products/gasoline would have to be strictly rationed, conserved
for essential national needs such as heat in winter...while warfare consumption
of oil/gas would exacerbate the shortage.
It seems that this president is driven by military-industry-complex
world financial interests, over and above the well-being of the nation,
the US citizens People, the US society and US national economy.
Posted by: Anonymous at August 12, 2005 06:22 PM
You are an inspriration. I only wish more people in this country
had your courage. I support you 100%. You're story brings tears to my eyes
and I will tell you I am proud to even get a glimpse at what you are trying
to accomplish. I wish I could stand at your side there in crawford, know
that I am there in spirit.
Posted by: Garon at August 12, 2005 06:25 PM
I'm not as loud as O'Reilly, but this is a day for quiet people,
so I'll say it: you are the opposite of a traitor. You are a citizen, you
have siezed your citizenship with both hands, taken responsibility for your
republic.
Posted by: Mike Huber at August 12, 2005 06:36 PM
Cindy: I'm sorry I can't be there and give you a hug. I am
so proud of you and what you are doing. I hope the crowd swells to thousands.
I hate hearing the O'Reilly's, etc. smear you the way they are. They have
no respect and they show their true feelings which is they have no hearts.
As my mother used to say and should be said to Mr. O'Reilly, "When
you leave your house, remember to take you heart with you." You are
in my prayers and I pray that you stay positive and have strength. This
war was a lie and I grieve for every mother, father, son, brother wife -
everyone- who has lost a loved one because it was all done on the wings
of a lie.
Stay strong.
Gerri Harper.
We love you here in my home in Oxnard, California.
Posted by: Gerri Ledesma at August 12, 2005 06:36 PM
Cindy, you are an inspiration. Please keep up the fight. You
are helping to turn the tide against this war. You're even making bush's
own voters think twice and lose faith in him. Thank you, thank you, THANK
YOU.
Posted by: Susan at August 12, 2005 06:37 PM
Hang in there Cindy and let us know if you need anything.
We'll cover you!
Judith Haney, Editor
USNewsLink.com
Posted by: USNewsLink.com at August 12, 2005 06:40 PM
You're the best Cindy. More millions than you will ever know
are watching. My heart goes out to you and the others camping out with you.
Ludicrous, isn't it? Which of the Presidents since FDR wouldn't
have come out to talk to you? Eisenhoweer would have (he was a mensch),
so would Kennedy. (Kennedy, with his extreme personal magnetism would have
convinced you of the rightness of the war, even if he was wrong.) Johnson,
Carter (of course), Bill Clinton, certainly. Even George H.W. Bush. But
not Nixon and not The Man Who Stole Two Elections. Because, at bottom, they
were/are cowards who are more comfortable, like maggots, hiding under rocks.
They are both masters of The Knife In The Back (as we are seeing in your
case), The Evil Rumor, but not the up-front discussion or argument.
Stay the course.
Posted by: Fast Eddy at August 12, 2005 06:41 PM
First, let me say thank you to you for your sacrifice and
of course to Casey. Nothing I can say compares to his deed of self-sacrifice.
But I will try to explain to you what my experience taught me. I worked
with the Iraqi Survey Group (ISG) as a contractor. Prior to that I was an
army enlisted soldier, then an officer. I left the army just before 9/11
after eleven years of service. I left the army to be with my daughter when
her mother filed for divorce while I was in Kosovo. I experienced the Gulf
War. I tell you this so you may understand I have experience to relate to
you, I have suffered loss, though I would not equate it to yours.
With ISG, I served in a section that analyzed and archived captured Saddam
regime and (later on) insurgent materials to include video, audio, PC hard
drives, and documents. I witnessed the video’s that showed Saddam’s
regime performing mass murder. This includes a video of several men being
led into a pit and having grenades thrown in the pit with them. Pictures
of a group of people, many elderly, being forced to stand together in a
group at gunpoint and pull the pin from a grenade. Video of clouds of white
gas billowing across a city and the follow on video of a walk down city
streets among children curled up in chemical death. I also saw men being
thrown from four story buildings, having limbs cut off, and much, much more.
This happened daily, systematically in the old Iraq. Why do you think the
vast majority of Iraqis are not rioting in the streets? They are better
off now.
And what you are not hearing in the media is that Saddam did in fact have
ties to known terrorists. I have seen videos of him with Yassir Arafat.
Saddam provided financial support for the PLO to bomb Israeli busses. Do
you remember after 9/11, the images on the news of the Palestinians jumping
up and down in the streets with joy? I remember the cheering. Now put these
things together. Saddam is a mass murderer. He has proven ties to terrorists.
He hates the U.S.. The Palestinians showed their support for killing us
on 9/11. Saddam did have biological and chemical weapons that he had agreed
to destroy put never provided proof of doing so. How hard do you think it
would be for Saddam to provide a few vials of chemicals or biological organisms
to PLO terrorists? For that matter, wouldn’t it be just as easy for
him to do the same for any terrorist group? The search for WMDs, and liberation
of the Iraqi people are not mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand if
you analyze the situation. What would happen if we had left Saddam in power?
His son’s would have taken over at some point. And those lunatics
made Saddam look tame.
You see, this war is actually two wars. One war was against
those with the capability and will to support the terrorists (Saddam regime)
that also established a battle ground for the other war. The other war we
are in now (in Iraq and Afghanistan) is against the actual terrorists that
have come to Iraq and Afghanistan to kill Americans. These are the “professional”
terrorists who live for nothing but to spread Jihad. These people were out
there trying to kill us long before President Bush took office. They fought
the Russians in Afghanistan and in Chechnya and the US in Somalia. These
are the same people folks. They might have different soldiers for different
battlefields, but the diehard terrorists are participating in and orchestrating
the killing of non-Muslims everywhere.
More relevant facts:
The Iraqi Secret Service had initiated a covert program to assassinate ANY
AND ALL AMERICANS in the Middle East. The supporting document was released
to the public on an online news service but was widely ignored by the media.
I saw thousands of similar documents and believe this to be authentic.
The latest round of UN inspection teams did in fact find a missile that
contained fluids in the warhead and in fact began x-ray analysis of the
device. The time frame was early 2002. The video showed the inspectors in
chemical protective gear placing tubes into the missile warhead and then
shows them leaving with a sample. The video ends, but what do you suppose
was in that warhead, ice cream?
The terrorists in Iraq now are Chechnyans, Iranians and Saudis. They are
they ones controlling the attacks. Even though some Iraqis are supporting
the effort, it is the Jihadists who are killing U.S. soldiers. These are
the people who would absolutely come to your city, to your street, to your
house and take you life because you are not a Muslim. These are the people
that your son died to protect us from.
But let me assure you, they (the terrorists) are paying a terrible price.
The Jihadists are slowly being wiped off the face of the earth. You see
it in the propaganda videos the terrorists produce. They make them to celebrate
there martyred friends. And they are dying by the thousands.
Unless we are all ready to convert right now, I suggest we all get used
to this fact and prepare to suffer more horrible losses like Cindy Sheehan.
It is them or us folks, it stinks, but we must realize that or all get ready
to practice Islam. This President had the guts to face the awful truth.
The larger plan is to destroy the Jihadists while expanding our love of
freedom. When a people are exposed to freedom, it is hard for them to go
back. The Iraqis will get used to it and will export freedom to the neighboring
countries. A few die hard Islamic radicals will always be a problem, but
as we change the environment that breeds them (Islamic radical preaching,
ignorance and poverty, inexperience with personal freedom, and terrorist
organizations) we will slowly but surely change the world. That is what
Casey died for Miss Sheehan. God bless him and you.
Posted by: James Robison at August 12, 2005 06:48 PM
Casey was a patriot, and deserves a better mother who would
honor his sacrifice. Rather, mom is a crackpot and a dupe for the Left who
directs her anger at a President that has liberated 50 million people rather
than at the thug that killed her son. Rattle on Cindy, your 15 minutes of
fame are just about over. In the meantime, you are a remarkable poster child
for liberal values (oxymoron).
Posted by: Tom Ellis at August 12, 2005 06:49 PM
I don't know if this is really Cindy Sheehan or not that I
am talking to but I want you all to know that I believe that Cindy Sheehan
is doing a wonderful thing.
George Bush is obviously a coward and that is exactly what
the world needs to hear. Cindy Sheehan, mother, is a hero and Bush, the
most powerful man of the universe, is a coward.
I could go on and on and I am not planning to, only perhaps
that I am from the Netherlands, an "ally" of the USA in the "struggle
against extremism" or whatever today's name of this wicked adventure
is.
Cindy, don't get arrested but talk to the president on (inter)national
TV ! Like Cindy Sheehan, the world deservers an explanation.
Posted by: Degtyarev Pekhotny at August 12, 2005 06:50 PM
We Support You Cindy %1000.
Cindy stands up - and wakes up America.
Posted by: ZappoDave at August 12, 2005 06:52 PM
I'm sure with all the notoriety, Cindy becomes scared at times
and questions her actions. We need to be physically behind her for her heroism.
Bush calls the dead soldiers returning to the country heros. And that, they
are. But out in Crawford is not only a hero, but the first true Patriot
this country has seen in a long, long, time. But we cannot stand behind
Cindy by encouraging her to press harder. WE SHOULD BE THERE, not just cheering
her on to do our wishes. I'm on my way, Cindy. We Americans have a bad habit
of letting others do the hard work while we stand quietly by. The "Let
George do it" attitudes have got to stop. It is the only way neocons
will stop. Our jails couldn't possibly hold all Americans disgusted with
Bush and demonstrating that disgust. This is your country, not his. And
if you want change, you'll have to ban together and demand it... just like
Sheehan.
Posted by: observer at August 13, 2005 10:04 AM
DEAR CINDY, YOU ARE A BRAVE PERSON WHO KNOWS RIGHT FROM WRONG
AND IS WILLING TO STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY &
COURAGE.
CALIFORNIA NEIGHBOR
FRIEDA
Posted by: FRIEDA SHEPHERD at August 13, 2005 10:08 AM
Cindy, you are my hero! You're the face & heart of every
mother in America and we love you for it. I said it before you went to Texas
and I'm saying it again and again: YOU GO, GIRL!!! I get chills every time
I see you on TV, and the thought of what you're doing brings tears to my
eyes. I really wish that I could come to Crawford, but I'm doing what I
can here in conservative Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The heat is on
for W., Cindy. The entire world is waiting and watching. He's showing his
true colors, and they're not red, white, and blue. His color is yellow.
Cowardice. Stay healthy and strong. Eat. Sleep. Keep your energy up. Casey
is with you each step of the way, and so are we. Create Peace. Love &
Hugs & Prayers.
Posted by: Linda Oatman High at August 13, 2005 10:19 AM
I am there with Cindy in spirit, and am so moved that I am
planning on sending money to the Peace House in Crawford to support others
in their trip.
We must not leave this war unchallenged.
How many lives could be saved with the money spent? $200 billion.
How much research? Care for mothers and their babies? Welfare assistance?
Counseling for troubled youth? Are we going to allow our government to spend
our treasure securing the wealth of the few?
Stand up, America--we are taking our country back, one step
at a time. And it won't be soon enough.
Posted by: from LA at August 13, 2005 10:20 AM
James would have us believe that: (1) We invaded Iraq because
Saddam was an evil dictator; this is NOT the reason we were given. (2) The
fact that there are NOW terrorists in Iraq justifies the invasion and the
lies; this is obviously wrong. (3) We are wiping terrorists off the face
of the earth and therefore must be safer. But nobody, not even Rumsfield,
believes we are killing more terrorists than are being recruited in the
name of fighting us.
James, we all know Saddam was bad and the "professional
terrorists" are as bad or worse. But it is now clear to (almost) everyone
that this Iraq policy is a failure. We are not reducing the terrorist threat
against us and we don't trust the administration to bring this mission to
a satisfactory conclusion.
Cindy is asking a simple question: What was the noble cause
my son died for? If it was supposed to be ridding the world of terrorists,
then it isn't working. If it was "liberating" 50 million Iraqis,
then we were lied to about the reasons for the invasion. If it was WMD and
musroom clouds, the administration was completely wrong (or dishonest) and
they should be held accountable for it. Don't pass the buck to the CIA or
blame Joe Wilson, Mr. President. This is your policy, you claimed all the
credit for "mission accomplished," and you get to own the current
mess.
We are with you Cindy. I hope you get a face-to-face answer
from the President, but I wouldn't count on it.
Posted by: Mike B at August 13, 2005 10:36 AM
Mr. Robison, I find your post interesting, and your conclusions
thoughtful-especially in light of the fact that the head of the Iraq Survey
Group you say you served upon, Dr. David Kay, resigned from the position
stating that he believed WMD stockpiles would not be found in Iraq. And
I'd like to know--how much did Halliburton have to do with the ISG? And
how much did you get paid to be there?
Posted by: Nighthawk at August 13, 2005 10:45 AM
howdy,
hey babe, stick with the protest. bush is a goldstar asshole.
i'm all for the folks who have been sucked into the "global struggle".
but i see the names and ages of the folks killed (not to mention maimed)
every week. most are about 20 years old. i put out an eye in elementary
school. otherwise vietnam probably would've got me. it sure got several
guys i knew. ALL of the men in my family fought in WW1 and WW2. the guys
who went to vietnam got a real bad rap.
screw bush and his whole damn family. if i can get off my
butt i'm comin' out to see you from socal. i'd really like to give bush
the finger.
go Cindy,
jesse barnes fisher
Posted by: jesse fisher at August 13, 2005 10:57 AM
You are grace personified. Strength and action are the words
that describe you. For you to be the one citizen of this republic to bring
this darkness to a close is more than we could ever hope for. Your work
has only just begun.
Posted by: Bruce Hatfield at August 13, 2005 11:00 AM
You know the right-wing Bushies are pretty desperate when
they sink so low as to trash a grieving mother of a soldier.
Keep your chin up, Cindy, and keep protesting and demanding
answers of this administration. I would love to come and stand beside you
in protest, if it weren't for work and grad school classes.
Maybe one day Bush will realize that our presence in Iraq
is now spurring the very kind of terrorism that we supposedly went there
to fight in the first place. IT'S TIME TO PULL OUT OF IRAQ!!!
Posted by: Allison at August 13, 2005 11:00 AM
Cindy, thank you for your "courage under fire".
I think your son, Casey, would be extremely proud of his family for standing
up to the Bush regime. Don't give up!! You speak for all the decent citizens
of this country, no matter their political affiliation. Bush needs to be
held accountable for his war crimes!
To Tom Ellis: You're pathetic comments only fuel the flames
for partisan discord. What a sad little man you are.
Posted by: Debra at August 13, 2005 11:15 AM
Cindy,
It takes a lot to do what you are doing. Hang in there. These people will,
in the words of Richard Clarke, "let the dogs out" on you, but
it is becoming very evident who, what, where and why. The administration's
little tricks are becoming a bit tiresome.
My heartfelt thoughts for the loss of your son Casey. We salute him and
all the service people that have and are giving so much for us.
My heartfelt sickness of the despicable people that would dare call you
a traitor, etc...
You are what this country stands for.
My Best, Craig Z.
Posted by: Craig Zammiello at August 13, 2005 11:22 AM
although i don't agree with everything she states she wants
bush to do, i commend her for her passion and tenacity.
i find it interesting that some will scutinize every word
a grieving mother of a fallen soldier has said (even if it's out of context),
but not scutinize what bush or his administration have claimed to be the
reasons for this conflict in iraq.
mrs. sheehan's actions will always trump her "family"
and their wishes to promote this president. when it comes to grief and how
she honors her son's memory, her in-laws' statements (although valid as
they may be) will never be par to the relationship of a mother and son.
as an american, she has the duty to question this administration
when she feels it is not performing in the best interest of this country.
as the mother of one that has made the ultimate sacrifice she has the right
to cry out and demand an answer from this chickenhawk just exactly what
he means when he tells us that "they are dying for a noble cause"
as is typical with the right, attack the messenger. the minute
mrs. sheehan staked her tent the right went into high gear to do whatever
it could to smear, besmirch, attack, and drag her through the mud. the values
of peace, justice and the american way are suddenly un-patriotic when anyone
uses them to speak out in opposition to this administration.
she's a bitch-flip-flopper that has no right to her views,
nevermind that her views are shared by 68% of the american public now, but
at the time of her sons death only 46% felt this way. nevermind that bush
said he would fire anyone that leaked in his white house only to qualify
recently that they would have had to brake the law to be removed. nevermind
that this administration led us to believe the reasons for this conflict
were flip after flop beginning with: saddam was involved in the attacks
of 9/11, they had wmds, we would see a mushroom cloud if we did nothing,
they are not complying with the u.n., saddam is an evil dictator, he's killing
his own people, we must liberate the people of iraq, we must spread democracy
in the middle east...where are the flip-flop police when the right does
the jig? loud mouth hypocrates.
Posted by: michael layman at August 13, 2005 11:28 AM
Cindy Sheehan, a brave patriot in the league of Thomas Paine,
is being slimed amd smeared by the right wing moral cowards for exercising
her 1st amendments rights. I hope no Iraq's are watching this wonderful
example of democracy in action. Who have these questioning her, lost in
the war, what is their military service, where were they during Vietnam,
have their children enlisted since 9/11, who are they to judge her.
Why aren't they questioning the contant stream of lies coming
from the Bush White House, slam dunk WMDs, aluminum tubes for atomic weapons,
muchroom clouds, "we will be welcomed as liberators, "the war
will last last 6 months, "the war will cost 1 or 2 billion dollars",
"the Iraqi oil revenues will pay for the war", "its being
faught a a few dead enders", " the insugency is in its last throes",
"last throes may last up to a dozen years", Carl Rove et al. So
much for "thou shall not bear false witness".
Where are their opinions of how long it will really last and
really cost in American lives and hard earned tax dollars.
And who is George Bush talking about when he says "we"
need to fight the terrorists. I hear of no one in his large extended family
that is in the miltary or who have signed up since 9/11 including his daughters.
Them same can be said of most of his administration. His "we"
actually means "not us".
A friend I grew up with has just shipped out to Iraq wit the
National Guard, he has already served a year in Afganistan. He is a single
father taking sole care of 2 teenage children who will now live with his
sister. His is not happy about the situation. The irony of this is he and
his sister are Algerians who were adopted after their civilian parents were
killed "colateral damage" by the French in the French Algerian
war. Now I dread to watch the news each, horrified to see his name and face
as a recent death. The same feelings I had when I was young and would watch
Walter Cronkite report about American casulties in Vietnam each day and
wonder if that included my cousin who served there and made it out alive.
God bless Cindy Sherman and may he help her keep her strong
in this horrible endless nightmare.
MIchael A. Hogan
Posted by: Michael Hogan at August 13, 2005 11:35 AM
Dear Mrs. Sheehan,
Your grief and the sacrifice of your son Casey will transform
this country. I know if my mother did what you are doing I would be so very
proud of her.
Thank you,
Alfred
Posted by: AlfredNYC at August 13, 2005 11:36 AM
Goooooooooooooooo Cindy!!!!!!!!
The whole world is watching on this one. We grieve the senseless loss of
your child and rage against the lies that took his life. I have lost freinds
and family over their support for this moronic administration, but so be
it. "Evil men rule while good men do nothing." Pay no attention
to heroin addict and sexually harassing shills for the administration. You
are right, the war is wrong, and history will bear us out for thinking that
way. Go and God be with you.
Posted by: tim at August 13, 2005 11:40 AM
Tom Ellis - Who the hell are you to question Cindy Sheehan's
patriotism? And how dare you call her a "crackpot". She is a Gold
Star Mother. Her son died fighting in Iraq in a war based upon lies. Casey
Sheehan didn't get his daddy to jump him over 10,000 others on the waiting
list so he could hide in the Texas Air National Guard like our president
did during the Vietnam War. Casey Sheehan his his duty. He died for his
country. He is an American hero. His mother, Cindy Sheehan, is also a patriot
and a genuine American hero. And you are pathetic and not fit to lick Cindy
Sheehan's boots. Shame, shame, shame...
Posted by: Roland Bergen at August 13, 2005 11:49 AM
This is what our so called democracy is all about. The right
to stand up and say what you feel...to be critical of our government without
fear. I hope the tide is finally turning. I'm proud of you.
Posted by: elaine conran at August 13, 2005 12:03 PM
On the subject of Casey's sacrifice and to the so-called "patriots"
who blather on about how Casey's sacrifice was necessary to "liberate"
the Iraqi people: The Iraqis are now hard at work finalizing a national
constitution based on Islamic law. That means that George Bush and his gang
of what? murderers? bufoons? liars? henchmen? sacrificed Cindy's son for
the sake of depriving Iraqi women of whatever measure of autonomy and rights
they may have had under Saddam Hussein's regime. Granted they weren't much,
but they were, at the very least, educated and permitted to work and venture
outside the home. With the Koran now being codified as civil law in Iraq,
women are worse off now than they were before George's VANITY WAR.
BUT I FORGET MYSELF, Bush supporters don't think women deserve
any of them there rights.
I forget myself even more: Bush supporters DON'T THINK!
Posted by: Cristina Canziani at August 13, 2005 12:15 PM
Cindy,
I am sorry for your loss. You are an incredibly brave woman.
Please don't give up.
The people running our country are truly monsters and hardly
represent any Christian values as I was taught them. I believe that your
struggle may help enlighten well-meaning Christians and other social conservatives
who in the past have supported these people who courted their votes in order
to loot our country both monetarily and spiritually. The American people
are so much more than what this administration wants to hold us to. Most
of us are good and honest with the utmost respect for the world around us
and the people in it. Bush,Cheney, and Rumsfeld have corrupted our country,
betrayed its citizens and betrayed our soldiers. All three of these men
should be held accountable through the impeachment process.
Posted by: Leighann at August 13, 2005 12:16 PM
Perhaps the world would be a much safer place if the children
of those who have the power to declare war were send to the front lines
(no, I don't mean the "war" in general where you can get a cushy
job in the back, but rather the "front line" where the shooting
takes place, where people get killed, where body parts get torn away from
the body). I disagree that we should have gone to war in Iraq. I agree that
pulling out unilaterally now would be dangerous for the world, not just
the US. Stay? Go? Neither is acceptable. But who's working on another solution?
Make the twins go to the front line and see the Administration scramble
for it. In the meantime, thank you Cindy for trying to hold the Administration
accountable (though I doubt you will succeed...how many stories do we still
hear about Mr. Krove's divulgence and Mr. Bush's promise to fire the guilty
party?).
Posted by: Jean-Pierre Ruiz at August 13, 2005 12:17 PM
Hi, Cindy!
Keep on telling the truth and don't take personally what people
like Tom say re you being a liberal, as though that's a bad thing to be
tolerant and respectful and anti-war. Tom would burn women like me at the
stake because the Bible says "Thou shall not suffer a witch to live"
and I grow plants and have pets and dye my hair and don't go to church,
and you know how easily led these men are sometimes by authority. I sure
did like watching that chickenhawk president of ours speeding past your
camp the other day. Such an honorable man he is.
Posted by: Anne Johnson at August 13, 2005 12:22 PM
Cindy - As a mother who has lost a son, I totally emphasize
with you and admire your willingness to stand up for what you believe. The
side of a Texas road in the summer in not an easy place to be any time much
less when angry and grieving.
The presidency of our country has turned into a machine to
keep the oil/currency running into the pockets of the rich and be damned
the rest of us. The neoconservative dream and goal of dismantling the system
of checks and balances and aid for those less fortunate is upon us. We seem
to have a president named Karl Cheney with G.W. as the front man. "Mission
Accomplished" to coin a phrase. While I appreciate the thoughts of
the long explanatory post above, the background he recited still does not
explain the behavior of G.W. who has consistently lied to the citizenry
while announcing at a press conference he could think of no mistakes he
had made. If only the cabal that hounded every second of Bill and Hillary
Clinton's lives would reverse themselves and go after G.W. and Karl Cheney.
Go for it Cindy.
Posted by: P. Goodwin at August 13, 2005 12:33 PM
Cindy;
I am behind you girl 1000% and this right wing smear campaign that you are
being subjected to is NOT the real Republican party. The party to which
I used to belong would never in a million years even dream of smearing a
person like yourself in this way. This is EXACTLY the kind of reason why
I divorced myself from the new incarnation of the party in 1994!
I am so sorry that you lost your son in this war of Bush's revenge. That
is the reason that I protested the war in Austin even before it was launched
and it is the reason that I will continue to fight the liars and criminals
both in this illegal administration and outside it until every one of his
supporters slink out in the dark of night to scrape of those onscene "W
04" decals.
Margaret H.
Posted by: Margaret at August 13, 2005 12:36 PM
Dear Cindy,
I am in Tampa, Florida
You have energized the quest for truth and renewed all our
hopes.
If I could afford the trip I would be there with you and so
would others I am sure, but we are trapped in this bubble of trying to survive.
It is because of that that America has been so slow to wake
up and get it straight.
Your one heck of an alarm clock.
No greater lasting memorial for a loved one can exist than
what you have done for Casey. I am a veteran and I know how I would have
felt if my Mother did what you did if I had given my life for my country.
I send you my solidarity, love, and best wishes.
Tom from Tampa
Posted by: Thomas Pain at August 13, 2005 12:45 PM
Cindy,
I cannot express to you how much you and your story have moved
me. My heart goes out to you and your family for your tragic loss, and my
spirit is with you in complete, unwavering, total support.
What the rightwing is doing right now is shameful, but it
proves without any doubt that your message is not only being heard, but
that it's struck a nerve across this nation and around the world. The rightwing
attack machine is doing the only thing that they can do right now, and that
is attack. They cannot respond to your criticisms, they cannot address the
core issues that you highlight, and they cannot change the fact that the
majority of Americans have shifted away from them, so they lash out against
you.
I offer you my prayers and message of support, so that you
can continue to proudly and courageously stand up in defiance of a president
and an administration that lied this nation into a completely unnecessary,
illegal, thoroughly unjust war.
May God shower you with blessings, and may your bravery infect
tens of millions of patriotic Americans to take a stance against this war
and the dishonest administration that brought us to it.
Posted by: Jeff at August 13, 2005 12:46 PM
To Cindy Sheehan, Thank you. Thank you for acting on your
feelings. Thank you for standing up and being there for all who have lost
loved ones and are afraid of losing loved ones in a "war" that
was based on chicanery and lies. Thank you for not allowing the O'Reillys
and Limbaughs to weaken your stance or resolve. Thank you for being you.
Posted by: Andrea at August 13, 2005 01:31 PM
Cindy...please know that for every positive comment you receive,
there are about 10,000 quiet Americans wishing you well and pulling for
you. Also, for every nasty comment you get, there are about 10,000 quiet
Americans wishing you well and pulling for you. Blessings to you...J. Wight
Posted by: Jackie Wight at August 13, 2005 01:34 PM
Cindy, You have our complete support. It takes courage to
make one's self so vulnerable in pursuit of making a point. Your serenity
in the face of steady fire from Rove's media machine, shows that when something
truly important is at stake, even Fox news can't make a dent. It is apalling
to learn of their attacks on your motherhood,but why should we be surprised?
The Reilly's of the world seem to be the type that would sell their own
mothers down the river if they could get an "attaboy" from Rove
or Murdoch. Please keep the faith. What they don't understand is that the
worst has already happened - you have lost your boy. Compared to that, they
and their juvenile attacks mean nothing. My goal is to tell everyone I know
that I support you and what you are doing because I know that Rove is organizing
his campaign to shut other mothers up. They are hoping that by humiliating
you they will make other mothers of veterans or victims of this war afraid
to fight for the lives of their children. Stay as long as you need to and
know that your son, Casey and your whole family are in our prayers and we
will work from here to praise patriotic mothers like you who do nothing
more than to ask the government to be accountable for its decisions. God
bless you.
Posted by: BD at August 13, 2005 01:54 PM
George Bush has blundered his invasion of Iraq. The invasion
was made for false reasons and then due to Bush and Rumsfeld not listening
to the Generals it was rushed and was not made with proper troop levels
and with many equipment problems. Thank you Cindy Sheehan for making this
brave effort to hold Bush accountable for his grave blunders.
Posted by: Chet at August 13, 2005 01:57 PM
The greatest accomplishments in history have often been accomplished,
not with great armies or pontificating political parties, but with a handful
of true, committed individuals.
...or maybe just one.
Give 'em hell, Cindy!
Posted by: Carbon42 at August 13, 2005 02:01 PM
Yes isn't it shameful that it takes such extreme measures
to show the public that this administrations' actions are just "a little
too cute by half"?
Posted by: steambomb at August 13, 2005 02:09 PM
I wrote to my elected representatives before the war started
and told them I thought Bush was more dangerous than Saddam Hussein and
the war would be a terrible mistake. I feel the same way now and admire
you for standing up for what you believe. Anyone who still thinks this war
is justified should go to Iraq and visit a hospital.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: William at August 13, 2005 02:19 PM
Dear Mrs. Sheehan: I am very sorry for your loss.
I don't agree with your opinions, but I'm proud of you for
expressing them so openly.
My youngest brother served in Desert Storm, several deployments
to the Middle East, and 18 months in Baghdad, and I often thought about
how I'd feel if I found out he had been killed over there. Along with incredible
sadness, I can tell you honestly that I would feel incredible pride too.
He is a good guy and a good soldier, just as I'm sure Casey was, and I think
if it's ever possible to pick a good way to die, doing what you chose to
do and what made you happy would be it.
If protesting out there in Crawford assuages your grief and
anger, do it. That's the right we Americans have, one of the rights that
soldiers like Casey fight and die for. You should be proud of that too.
Although I don't agree with how we're fighting this war in
Iraq, I think it is necessary for America to fight and win it. I think I
would feel the same if it had been my brother instead of Casey.
Stay strong.
Dale Brown
Incline Village, NV
Posted by: Dale Brown at August 13, 2005 02:24 PM
CINDY....AND ALL THE OTHERS...KEEP IT UP..YOU SPEAK FOR ALL
AMERICANS...OUR PRAYERS OUR WITH YOU..BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS......
Posted by: bruce at August 13, 2005 02:25 PM
Anyone can make a mistake, but staying a dead-end course won’t
change it’s final destination. I think the writing on the wall says
“Yankee Go Home!”
One way or another we will get out of Iraq. If we postpone
the inevitable, will it yield a better result? Maybe, maybe not. So far,
the situation seems to be getting steadily worse, not better. Violence begets
violence. Always has, always will.
Billions have disappeared, 1000’s have died. 100’s have been
secretly detained or “rendered” to known torturers. People have
spent years in conventional prison for crimes they didn’t commit.
It’s possible some of these detainees at Gitmo and Abu Ghraib are
similarly not guilty. It seems to me this is something bin Laden would consider
a victory for his team.
What’s certain is Iraq is more unstable, most Americans
feel less secure, and Osama bin Laden is still at large. We deserve an honest
explanation.
That’s why I’m going to Crawford, Texas ask George
W. Bush what the noble cause is Casey died for. I’d also like to know
if he and his advisors have encouraged their own kids to serve this noble
cause. Maybe they couldn’t go into combat, but perhaps they could
visit VA hospitals or tour with the USO.
I know some think I’m unpatriotic; that I’m undermining
our troops who are in danger. I am sympathetic to that view, but I see it
differently. It would be a greater disservice to my country if I did NOT
protest. If war means “good Americans” are supposed to support
the President to the point of silencing free speech, it creates dangerous
incentive to go to war. A President not only gains war powers under the
law, he can silence his critics by labeling them unpatriotic. That makes
us less safe. Some rightwing extremists are even calling mothers of fallen
soldiers traitors, while they remain mute about the outing of a CIA agent.
In “… order to form a more perfect union, establish
justice, ensure domestic tranquility…promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity (kids, grandkids,
etc.)…” and yes, to provide for the common defense too, I want
to petition my government for a peaceful future. If I succeed, my county
benefits. If I fail, I’ve exercised the rights my Grandpa and too
many other brave men and women fought and died for. Rights, like bodies
and brains, tend to atrophy if they’re not exercised.
But I have another motive. I want to stop this violence before
my amazing boys become noble casualties too.
Posted by: Summer at August 13, 2005 02:32 PM
American soldiers, rebel. You die for lies.
You signed up to defend our country. Sad truth is: America
is in the hands of puppet master Karl Rove - a ruthless campaign manager
with zero instinct for international affairs nor any respect for human lives.
He needed this damn war to present his puppet president as
a "war hero" and get him re-elected. Because historically Americans
never changed a president in war times. And also this time it worked, but
at what price?
The endless war on terrorism in Afghanistan was not spectacular
enough for their propaganda reasons.
Israel, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and India - all playing with atomic
bombs, brrrrrrrrr, much toooo dangerous for these cowards to deal with.
Iraq with an operetta dictator and a starving people already half down on
their knees, not too big, not too small, just perfect.
That's why are in Iraq. Almost 2,000 of you died, some 30,000
crippled for live, not to speak of the 100,000 murdered Iraqi civilians.
The puppet presidents God of War, who commanded him to order you to kill
innocent people, smoothes him down in moments of doubt: "Don't you
worry, my boy, shit comes with the job".
Soldiers, wake up. Don't allow any-longer to be abused as
canon fodder. You die because a puppet president is obsessed to jerk off
playing war games in the safety of the White House while filling his schnapps
bottles with the blood of innocent people.
You are responsible for your own lives. If all soldiers in
Iraq refuse to follow more idiotic orders, this war will be over.
You can make history by giving the worst of all bad American
presidents the chance to do his own dirty work. We, the American People,
will make sure, that this coward and his mishpoke get what they deserve:
a fair trial as war criminals and mass murderers at the International Court
in Den Haag.
Posted by: tennow at August 13, 2005 02:35 PM
Cindy, You are writing PEACE on the wings of a dove and flying
it around the world. I am sure your son would be very proud of your fight.
I wish I could be there to take a stand with you. You and others like you
on the road in Texas are in my prayers.
Posted by: DRR at August 13, 2005 02:44 PM
The true colors of the Radical Right Republican party are
out in full force. Here they are attacking a woman who lost a son in a war
that was started on a LIE. Many LIES. It's clear they would much rather
embrace a bunch of lies coming from the mouths of criminals than seek out
the truth and try to comfort a grieving Military Mom. These are the same
hypocrites who keep screaming "SUPPORT THE TROOPS" while supporting
a bunch of rich suits like George Bush and Dick Cheney, who are making a
handsome personal profit from this war.
What are the values of these self-proclaimed "Pro-Life"
Republicans? Is it the lost life of Corey? NO! Is it the greiving Military
Mom? NO!
Republicans and the Religious Right clearly value WAR, DEATH
and VIOLENCE. And if someone comes along to challenge that, like Cindy Seehan
or Max Cleeland (a war hero) or John McCain (one of their own), they have
no problem being complete hypocrites and launching their own Smear War against
them.
So, this is how Republicans truly value those who've sacrificed
most: with smear tactics and more lies and more hate and more violence.
It's really pathetic and disgusting to watch. ALL Republicans should be
asbolutely ASHAMED of themselves and their entire corrupt party.
Posted by: monty at August 13, 2005 02:54 PM
I am so proud of you Cindy. You are a dynamic woman, strong,
brave, loving. I hope for all of our sakes your actions have an impact on
this nation and this horrible war. Just because we don't support Shrub and
his heartless, cold-blooded calculating decisions, doesn't mean we don't
support our troops and love, honor and care about them.
Posted by: Leslie Lewis at August 13, 2005 03:07 PM
thank you so much for this blog. maybe just maybe the country
is beginning to wake up. it is not just cindy's son but all of our son's,
daughters, loved ones. it is also the innocent in iraq that are dying for
a NON-NOBLE CAUSE. thank you for your honesty and perseverance.
we are certainly all in this together. we must remember that.
and act accordingly. the only road to NOBLE is to bring our troops home.
Posted by: ana bass at August 13, 2005 03:32 PM
this makes so much sense it's crazy.
i feel so much for you and i know in my heart that the war
is wrong. i always have known it's 100% wrong and i am just so sorry your
son had to die for it. it is not fair and you are a remarkable person who
is making giant changes simply by saying "no".
you are the stone and the ripples will be felt around the
globe.
one person matters and your son is lucky to have someone like
you to stand up for him and speak the truth, i know my mom would be just
as vocal because that is what mothers who love their son do. thank you
i love your arrianna!
Posted by: prvtdncr at August 13, 2005 03:43 PM
i just want to lend my voice to the gathering hoard in support
of cindy. if enough of us join together it will make a huge noice. perhaps
even the president et al might hear. we can only hope
Posted by: debra at August 13, 2005 03:50 PM
Hugs and healing and strength to you!
Posted by: Heidi at August 13, 2005 03:55 PM
Cindy:
Power flows in mysterious ways and the right is terrified
by the realization that they are surrounded by warriors such as yourself
who are beyond reproach. My heart goes out to you and your family and I
pray that you may find peace.
Posted by: B. from VA at August 13, 2005 04:23 PM
Greetings
While I can't be there in person I am with you in spirit. With time, the
history of the events surrouding the war will unfold itself- it happened
with Nixon, Enron, etc., so it will happen for Bush- have no doubt. So while
it is horrific, painful and frustrating to have to endure the currrent Bush/Rove
regime, the truth will be known. Time has a way of outing people; "W"
will be known for the inarticulate *puppet* he is.
I grieve for your loss, I admire your actions-
Sandra
Posted by: Sandra at August 13, 2005 04:47 PM
Dear Cindy,
First I want to say my thoughts are with you. You are brave
and an honor to America. All of your children are fortunate to have you
as their mother. I am sorry for the loss of your son Casey.
Like many others here, I too wonder just WTH we are doing
in Iraq, a country that had ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with what occurred
here on 9/11/01. Why did your son have to die? I have no idea, maybe it
was Halliburton's oil deals with Saudi Arabia, maybe Bush had to somehow
make himself feel better after his own cowardly display during a previous
war. You will never get a straight answer, for this administration is filled
with unhonorable people. They have been caught in their lies time and again,
and with the help of media outlets, such as Fox News, they have been allowed
to skate away from their lies unscathed. But, this I do know, you and America
will NEVER be told the truth. I doubt if the current administration even
knows what the word truth means.
So I honor your cause and you for standing up and fighting
and asking for the truth, but sadly, you and I both know, you will never
receive a honest answer to your valid questions. The only thing I can offer
you is the promise that I, and I am sure many here, will fight to make sure
that the kind of people that are running our country right now, will never
have that opportunity again. In many ways this is a wake up call to the
republicans, your time is almost at an end, and you have George W. Bush
and Karl Rove to thank for it.
Posted by: janet pratt at August 13, 2005 04:59 PM
Dearest Cindy:
Thank you for your courageous effort. More people support
you than you might know of. I have spoken to people outside of the USA and
many are aware of what you are doing through the alternative media. The
world is watching you. Hopefully it will wake up the rest of our nation;
those who are still in deep slumber or in deadly denial.
If you ever get the opportunity to speak with President Bush
would you please ask him on our behalf, why he has not enlisted his daughters
to go fight in Iraq if he so adamantly believes that we should continue
to stay there? In light of the armed forces missing their recruitment quotas,
perhaps we should demand that all politicians should send their eligible
sons and daughters to Iraq to serve their "noble cause". That
should end the war pretty quickly I would think.
With lots of love and good wishes,
Another Patriot
Posted by: Another Patriot at August 13, 2005 05:12 PM
Solidarity and strength from Boston, don’t listen to
the “crackpots” out there in TV pundent land. The people are
with you!
To Dale Brown (posted above) I commend you for your open-minded
support for someone you don't agree with and her free speech. Still I take
issue with your statement that US troops fight for civil right, free speech,
democracy or any other noble cause. Those things were won by citizens of
conscience like Cindy, just plan old regular citizens that stood up and
put themselves on the line and brought us civil rights, women’s suffrage,
the 40 work week, an end to child labor etc. The US troops fight only for
US economic interests, natural resources, global dominance, the market and
corporations. This has always been the case throughout the history of the
US military despite the politician’s grand talk and still is the case
today.
Might I suggest looking up the statements to that effect by
one Major General Smedley Butler of the USMC (1898 – 1931). At the
time of his death, he was the most decorated marine in U.S. history and
went on to write a book about his time in the service entitles “War
is a Racket” which was one of the first ever describe the military-industrial
complex and how the US troops are used to fight for corporate control of
resources.
Posted by: Jonathan McIntosh at August 13, 2005 05:31 PM
cindy, i'm a radio talk host,and i support you wholeheartedly,
but your media operation leaves something to be desired. I set up an interview
on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh with you through Dot your PR person on Tuesday
August 9th. for Saturday night August 13. Now I'm being blown off by other
PR people who have apparently taken over. I know it's crazy there, but you've
got to keep your commitments to maintain credibility. Please have your PR
people get in touch with me and reconfirm this interview. It's nice that
you have help but don't get run over by slick PR folk who think it's a wise
media strategy to blow off commitments.
John McIntire
KDKA radio
Posted by: john mcintire at August 13, 2005 05:59 PM
Cindy,
Rock on. We may be in Crawford this week filming for a political
documentary. Would love to speak with you if possible.
-david
Posted by: David Burrows at August 13, 2005 06:08 PM
Arriana,
You were the first political candidate I ever donated to. I am so sorry
Californians were easily fooled by that "Bush on steroids" who
is now our Governor. You were wonderful at the debates; folks, I recommend
Pigs At the Trough if any of you haven't read it.
Cindy,
You are brave and beautiful. Casey would be so proud of you for representing
all of America who grieves for the senseless loss and lives that are now
shattered. I don't have a family member in Iraq but my life is haunted daily
by the photograghs of burned Iraqi children, grief stricken family members,
and our young men and women whose numb faces reflect the horror they may
have to relive when they return home to try to piece their lives together.
God bless you and thank you for doing so simply what our representatives
and the media failed to do, asking the question, "What is the noble
cause Mr. Bush"?
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and thank you Arriana; you
rock!!
Linda Vasconcellos
San Diego
Posted by: Linda Vasconcellos at August 13, 2005 06:24 PM
Cindy,
First of all, THANK YOU for doing what all conscientious Americans
ought to be doing at this time. My two children are fortunately far too
young for military service, and I say that with no amount of shame. As a
parent, my worst fears are to lose them forever, as you, and thousands of
other parents, have had to endure. I can only imagine the ordeal.
Unfortunately, one day things may be far worse than they are today. I've
learned by now not to be surprised by the lengths Bush and his lackeys will
go to in order to achieve their Machiavellian ambitions. Smearing the mother
of a deceased soldier? Sure, if it helps keep them in power. My hope is
that your actions will finally lead to this administration being held accountable.
Bush likes to talk about strength, resolve and honor. More and more people
are realizing that those words have no meaning for him. If he truly wished
to learn the meaning of those words, he need only meet with you.
Good luck, and thank you.
Posted by: Brian Rossman at August 13, 2005 06:25 PM
Dear Cindy,
You are brave and noble and wonderful. 'Keep your eyes on
the prize'..
On behalf of Canada..THANK YOU. No, we did not participate
in George's "war". We all pray for an end to it, just as you in
the US do.
Thank you for being so selfless and get ready for the revolution,
girl! :)
Much Love and Light,
Tiggy in Canada
Posted by: Tiggy at August 13, 2005 06:30 PM
Cindy,
Speak truth to power. Please believe that you are saving lives.
Sadly, the decisions on Iraq will continue to be made based
on polls as much as principle. The administration could control opinion
up until recently by calling the opposition unpatriotic and by completely
brazen manipulation of the media. As our fellow citizens have gradually
come to see the truth emerge from the haze of lies and spin, we will see
policy move to catch up. This is a critical time and your role, whether
as a symbol or lightning rod, may be the straw...
You are a true patriot.
Posted by: Steve at August 13, 2005 07:06 PM
As the mother of 3 teen-aged children, I cannot ever hear
or read your story without tears streaming down my face. I truly believe
your message is much more powerful when kept in the context of the personal
tragedy of your son's loss to this world.
I encourage you to not let over-zealous war-protestors use you and your
cause for their own adendas. If the extremists take hold of your personal
grief, it seems to somehow lessen the sting of it's reality.
Please try to keep your vigil peaceful. Invite other grief-stricken mothers,
wives, children (and there are far too many of them - the numbers growing
everyday) to join you in your quiet, dignified quest for answers. That message
is so very much more moving than the yelling demonstrators.
I commend your efforts and wish you peace.
Good luck,
Amy
Posted by: Amy at August 13, 2005 07:26 PM
Dear Cindy
Here in Oz, my family and I admire your strength of character
and vision. I think your actions will be the beginning of the end of this
imposed "moral curfew". Power to the people.
Rich
Posted by: Rich at August 13, 2005 07:34 PM
I've been watching a lot of West Wing reruns on DVD lately.
I'm often refreshed by the sharp but honest dialogue. One character asks
another, "Are your actions and motivations compromised by your political
agenda?" The second character considers for barely a moment and answers
candidly, "Yes."
I wonder if we're ever going to see the same kind of honesty
from you, Cindy. You have commandeered the memory of your son to fuel your
long-held antiwar agenda. You ostesibly want to hold President Bush accountable
for his "lies," yet you willingly ignore the large and ever-growing
body of evidence that proves the President did not, in fact, lie. (Try Googling
"Syria" and "WMD.")
In your mind, doubtless two factors are in play: 1. How can
you advance your agenda if you lose passion? 2. How could you maintain passion
if you absorb contrary information?
Posted by: Eric Robinson at August 13, 2005 07:43 PM
Dear Cindy,
I don't know if there are words that can adequately console
or comfort you in the loss of your son. As a father who has raised two children,
I can understand the pride you feel in your son and his accomplishments,
but I can only guess at the sense of loss you must live with every day knowing
that you can't ever again feel his arms hug you, or hear his voice tell
you how much he loves you.
Words are so inadequate at times like these, but they're also
inadequate to express the pride that I feel at knowing that there are still
people like you who are willing to stand up and speak truth to power.
You went to Texas to ask the "president" what was
the "noble cause" for which your son gave his life? I can tell
you that the only noble cause in this whole affair is the one that you ave
undertaken.
The smear campaign being undertaken against you is evidence
only of the desperate state of those who support this ill-concieved lie
of a war. I'm sure that a woman as strong as you have proven yourself to
be, will remain unaffected by the lies and distortions, the slings and arrows
and aspersions cast your way by those who, as you've so eloquently put it,
have "no skin in the game."
You have my support, and my prayers, such as they may be.
May God bless you and keep you, and may your noble cause come to a conclusion
that will bring you -- and all of us -- the peace of mind that you -- and
all of us -- deserve.
Remember -- what does not destroy you makes you stronger.
May peace, healing, and even greater strength be yours.
Brian
Posted by: Brian at August 13, 2005 08:19 PM
Most people's points here are valid, but everyone is missing
the mark. This war was created by Zionists, terrorist neo-cons to protect
ISRAEL. The REAL reason Cindy is being smeared so fiercely is because of
this statement she made:
"Am I emotional? Yes, my first born was murdered. Am I angry?
Yes, he was killed for lies and for a PNAC Neo-Con agenda
to benefit Israel. My son joined the Army to protect America, not Israel.
Am I stupid? No, I know full-well that my son, my family,
this nation, and this world were betrayed by George Bush who was influenced
by the neo-con PNAC agenda after 9/11.
We were told that we were attacked on 9/11 because the terrorists
hate our freedoms and democracy...not for the real reason, because the Arab-Muslims
who attacked us hate our middle-eastern foreign policy. That hasn't changed
since America invaded and occupied Iraq...in fact it has gotten worse.
You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and
you'll stop the terrorism."
That statement there proves beyond any doubt that she is not
a Liberal, neo-Marxist, socialist toolbag as O'Reilly and his ilk would
have his sheep...umm followers believe. This is why all the panic from the
Zionist owned and controlled media. Do the research, I speak the truth.
And by the way, most of my best sources and some of my closest friends are
Jewish so don't bother with the anti-semitism smears.
www.rense.com reports the best of the best on this subject.
GO CINDY, our Prayers are with you!!!
Posted by: Truth Telling Patriot at August 13, 2005 08:24
PM
Cindy, If george bush won't see you, run for Congress, win
a seat & then he'll have no option but to see you REGULARLY.
Go for it, USA needs people like you.
Grant.
Posted by: Grant at August 13, 2005 08:42 PM
Arianna-
Thank you so much for your column on Cindy Sheehan. It is unbelievable what
the right wingers are saying about her. I was living in California when
you were running for governor. I so agreed with your philosophy, etc. It
would have been wonderful if you had won. I greatly admire you for your
clear view of reality, and your willingness to speak out. Keep it up! You
have lots of supporters!
Alexandra
Now in Canada
Posted by: Alexandra Hall at August 13, 2005 08:48 PM
I pray for you. Bush took your son from you in an illegal
war. The costs of that war took my sons from me. My sons suffer mental illness.
Money is simply gone from medical and social services. My older son, my
treasure, finally commit suicide from inability to cope. The second languishes
in hospital. With gas prices soaring, my visits to him become less frequent.
Also, I set out to drive to Crawford with two littlest ones to camp with
you for a spell, but, alas, alas...the gas. Bless you, Cindy. We suffer.
But you have shown us grace that overcomes. Bless you.
Posted by: Mary Person at August 13, 2005 08:52 PM
Just a quick note to let you know I support you.
Posted by: an american at August 13, 2005 08:54 PM
CINDY,
I DO NOT THINK YOU WILL EVER GET ANY REAL ANSWERS FROM BUSH BECAUSE HE IS
A HEARTLESS EGO MANIAC WHO JUST REVELS IN HIS POWER. YOU WILL, AND ARE,
GIVING AMERICANS ANOTHER CHANCE TO SPEAK UP AND BE HEARD BY THOSE WHO GO
FROM DAY TO DAY NOT REALIZING WHAT A HORRIBLE MESS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
HAS GOTTEN OUR COUNTRY INTO. KEEP UP YOUR VALIANT STAND AND KNOW THAT THERE
ARE MILLIONS OF US OUT HERE BACKING YOU UP.
GOD BLESS YOU AS I AM SURE HE HAS CASEY.
JACK
Posted by: JACK TATHAM at August 13, 2005 08:55 PM
I wish I could be out in Crawford to support Cindy.
How about local Cindy (or Casey) rallys on the last Saturday
of her days in Crawford?Do this all across the US-let OReilly know there
are many more who share her pain at this abuse of the volunteer military.
LTC Ret
Posted by: Ellen at August 13, 2005 09:01 PM
I was ready to drive to Crawford and donate money. Then I
went to the website for Crawford House and it is more about anti-Israeli
rhetoric. I am interested in helping Cindy's cause, not someone else's political
agenda. If someone figures out how and when a purely anti-Iraqi war movement
gets going, I will be ready to help. We should be fighting our real enemies.
Posted by: bob at August 13, 2005 09:14 PM
He did not die, but you need to look to the parents of Klayton
South(a marine)to see how grieving parents should comport themselves. You
are behaving disgracefully.
Posted by: James at August 13, 2005 09:40 PM
I think I love you.
Posted by: jonathan at August 13, 2005 09:43 PM
Cindy, I pray that you and your family might come through
this difficult time with some sense of closure. You have asked a simple
and fair question: for what has your son died? You can expect no answer
from anybody in the administration, and a continuation of some of the most
amazing and undeserved attacks on you from the Superpatriots, who equate
unquestioning support of the administration with support of the troops and
with patriotism. As Bush himself said, you are certainly entitled to express
your opinion, or else there is nothing left of this country to defend except
the Few, the Proud, and the Rich. With you, many of us believe that the
Constitution applies to ALL citizens, not just the privileged few. With
your strength and your example, you are helping people in this country to
see in a clear light their responsibility as citizens. Forth now, and fear
no darkness!
Posted by: bill peppin at August 14, 2005 03:43 AM
Cindy, I'll throw in with all your other supporters...
Your story and attempt to get a simple, direct answer from
the President put a face on the frustration America feels about the Bush
administration.
One thing is clear - for Bush and his followers, direct questions
on important matters are like sunlight to vampires. The absurd attacks on
you come from fear. You have the upper hand!
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