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Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet Bush

By Jeralyn, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Wed Aug 10, 2005 at 10:21:14 AM EST
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Update: There was a blogger call with Cindy Sheehan today. I missed it, but Crooks and Liars has the details.

Two San Diego area women have gone to Crawford to be with Cindy Sheehan as she waits for a meeting with President Bush. They have never met Sheehan, do not have any kids who are in Iraq or were killed there, but they oppose the war. They are prepared to stay for the length of Bush's vacation.

The Guardian has this summary today, if you are new to the story:

Casey Sheehan did not want to go to Iraq, but he did not want to let down his buddies. So despite his mother's offer to whisk him away to Canada or run his leg over with a car, off he went. Less than two weeks later, the 24-year-old from Zacaville, California, was dead, one of eight soldiers killed in an ambush near Baghdad.

Now, 16 months later, Cindy Sheehan, 48, is camped outside George Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, demanding to see the president. "I want to ask him why did my son die? What was this noble cause you talk about? And if the cause is so noble, when are you going to send your daughters over there and let somebody else's son come home?"

One more: Carol Marin has a good column in today's Chicago Sun Times on Ms. Sheehan.

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    Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet Bush | 33 comments (33 topical)
    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#1)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    The vigil of Cindy Sheehan outside President Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch has come to embody all the anger and division of the increasingly counterproductive American debate over Iraq. Sheehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq, says she wants to meet again with President Bush to ask him, "why did you kill my son?" But while she is lionized by the left and vilified by the right, Washington fiddles and Baghdad burns. Sadly for now, the entire Iraq debate seems to have become symbolized by the grief of single soldier's mother. For the forces of the left and right, Cindy Sheehan has become a Rorshach Test for America's Iraq policy. People see what they want to see. Unfortunately, the partisan venom and media circus in Crawford aren't making the true picture of our Iraq strategy any clearer. For the full story, see: "The Cindy Sheehan Rorshach Test"

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#2)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    I would argue that success in Iraq now means creating sufficient stability to avoid producing the next Somalia, or worse, Afghanistan.
    Unfortunately, the partisan venom and media circus in Crawford aren't making the true picture of our Iraq strategy any clearer.
    Hello? Iraq has already degenerated into another Somalia and Afghanistan. The only strategy should be to prevent even one more mother from losing her son for nothing over there. Get out NOW.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#3)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    Remember when Ted Rall was loudly demonized by the same wingnuts for his strip criticizing the "9/11 widows" with book deals? Not saying I agreed with him, but it sure seems times have changed.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    As for 'two women from San Diego,' that's quite an understatement. There are women (and men) from all over the country on their way there, glad to have Crawford as the focus of their legitimate and righteous anger at BEING LIED TO, and, in far too many cases, having their children taken from them for Bush's PROFIT. Casey's Peace Page It's in frames, but find the peace page, and then read Sheehan's letter to Bush after the 2004 stolen election. Read Sheehan's discussion of Bush's phrase "It's hard work."

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#5)
    by theologicus on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    Cindy Sheehan is to the war what the Jersey Girls are to 9/11. They are articulate, and their moral authority is unimpeachable. Members of fourteen Gold Star Families for Peace and others are now travelling to Crawford join Mrs. Sheehan, who is gaining worldwide attention. As Bush's poll numbers continue to head south, let's hope that the decency and outrage of ordinary people like these aggrieved women wil help the rest of America to wake up.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#6)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    Didn't you say you'd be in court or had job-related business to conduct yesterday & Monday? That could be why you missed it.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#7)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    I live near these women. I'm going to try to contact their SO's and see what they need. I'd f***ing go myself if I wasn't self employed with two mouths to feed.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#8)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    I can't wait to read all the upcoming comments on this thread from the resident trolls about how Cindy Sheehan first loved Fearless Leader before she decided to dislike him for the debacle in Iraq. And the majority of trolls here swear they don't just regurgitate ReichWinger talking points. I don't think Cindy Sheehan is detracting from people's awareness about the conditions of the citizens of Iraq or how our troops are fairing. In fact her story may actually bring even more awareness to the fact that this war was started because of the arrogance of Fearless Leader and his obsession to be viewed as a real man instead of milktoast like his poppy.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#9)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    "I'd f***ing go myself if I wasn't self employed with two mouths to feed." Me too, che. When I first saw this I damned near packed up to go. I don't want to leave my fellow employees in the lurch though. Someone is on vacation every week this week and none of them are me & a second person gone would be overload.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#10)
    by Che's Lounge on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    Kitt, I'll forward the info on assisting them if I get any from the local SD reporter.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:09 PM EST
    How very sad. Not the dis-interested useful fools joining her, but the sight of a woman so unhinged by grief. Where is her husband through all this? -C

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    Kitt, yes I was in court yesterday and will be again all day tomorrow. Others are providing great coverage of her, particularly Crooks and Liars.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#14)
    by cpinva on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    and cliff should know from unhinged! lol it seems that michelle malkin is now a seer, channeling the thoughts of young casey sheehan from beyond his too early grave. to whit: per the psychic ms. malkin, she doesn't believe that the late mr. sheehan would approve of his mother's activities. there is absolutely nothing that can be said of michelle malkin that is too low, nothing. there must certainly be a special circle in the inferno reserved for her and her slimy ilk.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#15)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    And if you think that the lucid and rational Mrs. Sheehan is unhinged, then maybe the Gold Star Mothers for Peace ought to be put in Internment Camps, eh? Seems that when their kids are killed by a smirking idiot who calls their mothers "mom" when they come to the Oval Office, who don't bother to learn their child's name, who hasn't been to a single military funeral, and who treats meetings with bereaved military moms as celebratory events, bounding into the room with "Who are we commemorating today?" ... they get pissed off. Cliff, on the other hand, is psychotic. He sees nothing wrong with killing 130,000 civilians in a disarmed country.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#16)
    by soccerdad on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    One of the most moving pieces in the library [Truman Library]was also one of the smallest. It was a Purple Heart awarded to a serviceman who had been killed in Korea. The soldier's parents blamed Truman for their son's death; they sent him back the medal with a note, saying in effect: he can have no use for this medal because he is dead due to your policies, so we are sending it back to you. The medal, and the note, were discovered in Truman's desk at the library after he died. Apparently he had kept it close to him all those years as a reminder of the human cost of the decisions he had made.
    LINK Too bad we can't have a president who has even the slightest of a conscience

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#17)
    by cpinva on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    truman, as an artillery officer on the western front during ww1, had a personal, first-hand acquaintence with the true cost of war. this, of course, cannot be said of the current occupant of the oval office, the vice president, or any member of their respective staffs. mr. truman did not take sending troops into war lightly: it required an invasion, by north korea, to get him to send troops to help defend south korea. even then, he cited legitimate treaty obligations, and went to the united nations to secure its support. there were a lot of things to dislike about truman, but no one can accuse him of callowness, when it came to his concern for the military.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#18)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    Over at Democratic Underground there's more on Cindy Sheehan. Will Pitt from Truthout.org also is there with Cindy Sheehan & blogging. Delores Kesterson, who lost her son as well, was on O'Reilly's show tonight and gave him a hard way to go. Film from Crooks & Liars (I love that name!), as well a few comments from Thomas de Zengotita @ The Huffington Post.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#19)
    by kdog on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:10 PM EST
    sdad...Truman was a real patriot and a great human being, I fear we will never see another one like him. My favorite 20th century president. I have a soft spot for people who don't take it lying down. Despite what Malkin the Moron says, I think her son would be proud. I hope she knows she's got a lot of people rooting for her to get the meeting she deserves.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#20)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Be sure to check out how the rightwing media has tried to slur Sheehan through misquoting: Sheehan's past 'support' misstated

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#21)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    cpinva writes:
    mr. truman did not take sending troops into war lightly……and went to the united nations to secure its support.
    And the Soviet’s Security Council member was absent and couldn’t get back in time to veto the request. France, on the other hand, was quicker. In fairness to the Soviets, Bush gave the French much more warning than Truman gave the Soviets. Et al – We live in a world that is wired. A terrorist holds a press conference at 9AM and by noon the world is watching. We have companies that spend billions in advertising, and get billions more back. The actions of the anti-war Left is seen by the terrorists as proof that we are not united, and that we will self destruct and that Congress, unnerved by Mrs. Sheehan and her helpers, will give them a political victory by withdrawing. We taught them that in Vietnam, Lebanon and Somali. They have not forgotten. Iran, in the meantime, noting the drop off of support, ripped off a UN “lock” and told the world to stick it. Mrs. Sheehan’s grief is real, but her anger is misdirected. She should shed those who are using her and go home.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#22)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    This is a sad story, i feel for this poor woman.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#23)
    by soccerdad on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Cowards on the right are once again poised to blame protesters, the left for the debacle in Iraq. The insurgents are not quiting and its because we cant contol the ground. There are not enough troops etc. The tactic of wearing out an agressor is nothing new. One only has to look at Russia in Afghanistan for a very relevant example. The occupation continues to be a debacle and that is why the insurgency will continue.
    Iran, in the meantime, noting the drop off of support, ripped off a UN “lock” and told the world to stick it.
    The Bush administration by doing such a poor job in Iraq has in essence made Iran the major player and source of power in the ME. Shortly after the fall of Saddam the Iranians were willing to negotiate concerning their nuclear capabilities because they thought they were next. The Bush administration said that regime change was a fundamental condition for negotiating, something the Iranians did not want to do. As the situation in Iraq has worsened and the impotence of US force in quelling the insurgency has become more obvious Iran is now even more reluctant to negotiate. In addition they have seen that Bush's bluster towards NKorea hasn't been a problem. Meanwhile the conservative clerics have utilized the fear factor generated by the Iraq invasion to elect a very conservative and anti American government. In addition, given that Iran has major economic ties to both Russia and China the possibility of getting UN approval for action against Iran is non-existant. Finally Iran sees the US expanding and modernizing their nuclear weapons program so why wouldn't they want to do the same in order to deter US aggression. The power of the US in affecting the ME is on the wan, while that of Iran, China and Russia are rising. The question is: will Bush give it up and withdraw US troops or will he greatly escalate the aggression by using tactical nukes against Iran. Or to put it another way: just how f**king crazy are the neocons.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#24)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Geez Jim, if I had known i was my protesting the war in Iraq that was causing said war to go on and on and on and... Dork. Is it so hard to blame the men and women responsible for the planning of said war? Are you so scared of admitting that the wrong wingers may be wrong on this one? What is it?

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#25)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Johnny - What it is, is the truth. SD - I suppose we are supposed to ignore all the EU and Iran talks over the past two years? And don't have a cow. We don't need tactical nukes against Iran.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#26)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    the post is about Sheehan. PLease try to stay on topic. (And not hijack yet another thread.)

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#27)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Jim, the burden of proof lies with you to show me where the blunderings of our "leadership" are the result of so many Americans who refuse to support this war. Snarky little comments like "What it is, is the truth" answer nothing. In point of fact, it allows your image of a simple contrarian to persist. Show me the money!

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#28)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Johnny - The issue is not "leadership blunders," although you would like to change it to that. The issue is that the terrorists, who can see our media full time, 24/7, know that they cannot win a fight, so they are trying to win a political battle. The ant-war Left's tactics give them reason and hope that this will happen. That improves their morale, and causes the Moslem "moderates" to be fearful of what will happen to them. Net result, longer war, more dead US servicemen. Now I know that is a "simple" world view, but I am hopeful you can grasp it. If you have trouble, read it backwards to make it complex enough for you to understand.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#29)
    by ppjakajim on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    sailor - Like it or not, the motives, actions and the result of those actions of those support Mrs. Sheehan apply to any conversation about her.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#30)
    by Sailor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:12 PM EST
    Cindy Sheehan and her son didn't believe in this war for oil. Regardless of his beliefs, he did his duty and he died. Now his mother is doing her duty and wants an answer from the man who sent her son there for an illegal, unjustified war. Many others, including mothers who have also lost sons in this war, also want bush to answer.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#31)
    by Johnny on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:13 PM EST
    Gee thanks Jim, for expounding on your non-answer... You have donenothing except use more words to say exactly the same thing. Cough it up man... Where do you get off saying it is the lefts fault for your stupid mismanaged war? You need to back up what amounts to a serious accusation my man. Try and think for a minute, do not just regurgitate wrong wing bluster points... You are sounding increasingly more lost Jim... Please helpme out here... I have been accused from the get go of aiding and abetting the enemy, you of all people should be able to provide proof that your accusations are true. I don't think you can. I think you are scared that your war is proving to be a blunder and you are looking for any reason to blame anyone who is not a wrong winger... Instead of holding accountable those who made these war plans (was it liberal anti-war protesters that formulated these plans? NO. It was your precious little chimp in chief and his hand picked cronies, suck it up, they suck at planning a war), you attack people who question the validity of this stupid action. Grow up Jim, and bite the bullet... Your war mongering wrong wing heroes effed big time and youa re not man enough to admit it. I ask you again, (and until now I admit,I was confused over your reluctance to providelinks to support your wild extremist claims) prove to me that anti-war sentiment is losing the war. Or aiding and abetting. Or giving comfort to the enemy. Or whatever have you, i know how much you LOVE to split semantic hairs with people... Jim, as a proud, outspoken unapologetic supporter of this admin, prove to me the theory of anti-war=terrorists win. otherwise, get bent.

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#32)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:13 PM EST
    Wow, I said Sheehan was unhinged and the usual suspects followed suit. I think that the commentator who said that a "smirking chimp" had killed Sheehans son pretty much sums up much of the rhetoric and world view of the left - probably no need to go there. Though I do have to note that we have the very strange vision of lefties coming to Truman's defence right around the week week we celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the end of the War in the Pacific. Anyway, I asked a simple question about her family and their support of her position but got no answers - because the answer was obvious. -C

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#34)
    by Ernesto Del Mundo on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:13 PM EST
    the week week we celebrate Hiroshima and Nagasaki
    A family tradition in your household, cliff? And you wonder why people think you're a psycho.
    Anyway, I asked a simple question about her family and their support of her position but got no answers - because the answer was obvious
    I will let Casey's sister answer that question: Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries? He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

    Re: Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet B (none / 0) (#35)
    by pigwiggle on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:13 PM EST
    “Anyway, I asked a simple question about her family and their support of her position but got no answers - because the answer was obvious.”
    Well, maybe you have all seen this. But, here’s you answer cliff.
    The following email was received by the DRUDGE REPORT from Casey's aunt and godmother: Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish. Thanks, Cherie In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family Statement: The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect. Sincerely, Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.
    Women Join Cindy Sheehan in Her Wait to Meet Bush | 33 comments (33 topical)