NEWS: Grieving Mother's Campaign Against Bush's War

An Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan, Crawford, Texas

May You Prevail, Where Others Have Failed

Dear Ms. Sheehan,

From your grief over the loss of your son, Casey, in Iraq has come the courage to spotlight nationally the cowardly character trait of a President who refuses to meet with anyone or any group critical of his illegal, fabricated, deceptive war and occupation of that ravaged country. As a messianic militarist, Mr. Bush turned aside his own father's major advisers who warned him of the terroristic, political, and diplomatic perils to the United States from an invasion of Iraq. He refused to listen.

Thirteen organizations in early 2003 separately wrote their President requesting a meeting to have him hear them out as to why they opposed his drumbeating, on-the-road-to war policies. These groups represented millions of Americans. They included church leaders, veterans, business, labor, retired intelligence officials, students, women and others. They are among those Americans who are not allowed through the carefully screened public audiences that are bused to arenas around the country to hear his repetitive slogans for carrying on this draining, boomeranging war. They each wrote President Bush but he never bothered even to acknowledge their letters simply to say no to the requested meetings. Not even the courtesy of a reply came from their White House.

Ever since then it has been the same-exclusion, denial, contempt and arrogance for views counter to that of Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney and the tight circle around them that composes the inner tin ear of this Administration. Why, they even refuse to listen to objections by their own government's military lawyers (JAG) over repeated violations of due process of law. When will he realize that he is supposed to be the President of all the people, not just those misled into supporting his Iraq maneuvers?

Perhaps the breakthrough will begin this hot August in Crawford, Texas, with the devastating loss of a beloved child transformed into a mission for the soul of our country. This rogue regime, led by two draft-dodgers and officially counseled by similar pro-war evaders during the Vietnam War, is not "our country." Millions of Americans, including military and public servants in his Administration, and many in the retired military, diplomatic and intelligence services, opposed this war, still oppose it and do not equate George W. Bush and Dick Cheney with the United States of America.

Our flag stands for "liberty and justice for all." Our flag must never be misused or defiled as a bandanna for war crimes, as a gag against the people's freedom of speech and conscience or as a fig leaf to hide the shame of charlatans in high public office, who violate our Constitution, our laws and our founding fathers' framework for accountable, responsive government.

You will be goaded to cross the semantic line against a President who himself has crossed the much graver constitutional line that has cost so many lives on both sides and continues to cost and cost our country in so many ways domestically and before the world. Neglecting America for the Iraq war has become the widening downward path trod by the Bush government.

Authenticity, bereft of contrivances, is what must confront this White House Misleader. And authenticity is what you are and what drives you as you demand to see this resistant President. He is on an intermittent month long vacation, with spells for fundraisers and other insulated events. His schedule provides ample time for such a meeting. You reflect the hopes and prayers of millions of like-minded Americans.

Should he relent and opens his doors, be sure to ask why he low-balls U.S. casualties in Iraq, deleting and disrespecting soldiers seriously hurt or sickened in the Iraq war theater, but not in direct combat. Remind him of those soldiers back in military hospitals who, with their families, wonder why they are not being counted as they cope with their serious and permanent disabilities. (60 Minutes, CBS program).

Ask him why, despite Pentagon audits and GAO investigations about corruption, waste and non-delivery of services in Iraq by profiteering large corporations totaling billions of dollars, this Commander of Chief accepted campaign contributions from their executives and proceeds to let this giant corporate robbery continue without the requisite law and
order?

Consider bringing to him a copy of President Dwight Eisenhower's famous "Cross of Iron" speech, delivered in April 1953 before the nation's newspaper editors in Washington, D.C. And add statements by Marine General Anthony Zinni (ret.), a Middle East specialist who strongly criticized the Bush-Cheney war policy before and after March 2003.

May you and your associates succeed in galvanizing the public debate in this country over why a growing majority of Americans now think it was a costly mistake to invade Iraq and want our soldiers back, with the U.S. out of that country. He knows that his support for how he is handling this war-occupation is falling close to one third of respondents in recent polls-the lowest yet. Even with the mass-media at his disposal everyday, he now represents a minority of public opinion, which should give him pause before closing his oil marinated doors on majority views in this nation.

May you prevail where others have failed to secure an audience with Mr. Bush.

Sincerely,

Ralph Nader

Source:
CounterPunch

And Also for you to Watch:

Freedom and Faith: Cindy Sheehan Video

DriveDemocracy.org


[edit on 12/8/05 by Souljah]

Good old grover, beating the partisan drum like it owed him money. Quick to say that everyone who doesn't want to take Bush out back and lynch him is a conservative ditto head taking his marching orders from self contradicting lesser mortals like Savage and O'Reilly.

Why am I not surprised that nobody has come off the beaten path to challenge my neutral view on Bush impeachment? Like I said, give him a witch's trial and I'd like to see it, but the impeachment garbage is just typical partisan junk, taken straight from the GOPs playbook during the Lewinksy scandal.

I may be a conservative, but I'm by no means a Republican. I think BOTH sides are full of a certain unmentionable substance which offends the nostrils. I reject the anti-bush vitriol handed down by the bleeding heart commie left-wing puppet masters just as strongly as I reject the chacter assassinations (and possible REAL assassinations) which have been handed down by the power hungry business criminals of the right. I'll tell you right now Grover that your side does not represent anything one iota better for America than what Bush does.

You're all lost.

[edit on 12-8-2005 by The Vagabond]

I like Cindy Sheehan and I think that she is a strong woman who is fighting for what she believes in. Do I know what her son believes in?? no of course not! its something you have to make your own mind about. Do I think I know her son or any of the RW talk show hosts know her son better than Cindy did? of course not! these people never met Casey Sheehan at all, none of us have I feel that the most qualified person to talk about Casey would be Cindy.

When I hear Cindy talk on TV or on the radio I dont hear a woman who is being controlled by crazy left wing groups but a woman who has an incredible presence and a clear, logical mind about what she is trying to accomplish. I dont buy that she's being controlled by LW nuts to be honest.

I found it really amusing that in the Drudge article it states that Casey's Aunt and Godmother dont agree with Cindy and they try to make an issue of it, of course a family isnt going to agree 100% on a thing like this but I really do think that Cindy would know her own son better than they would. If she truly believes that Bush misled her, the american people and her son into the Iraq War after more and more evidence has come to light about the scandals involving the war and the WMD issue I think she has a right to fight what she believes is right. I dont think anyone wouldnt fight if they think that their son died for a lie or if he died believing a lie.

I dont really know the truth and I dont think any of us are truly qualified to say if this is what Casey wants, but it is America and if Cindy thinks that this is what her son would want then so be it let her do it.

Finally, I think its disgraceful the kind of smearing of this woman i've been seeing, I think everyone can all agree that the son of a dead soldier shouldnt be a target of political smearing.

thanks,
drfunk

Vagabond you are full of it...I have said repeatidly that those of us on the left are fully aware that there are plenty of good and decent conservatives out there and there are plenty of good and decent republicans (something, from what I have seen, you guys could never work up the gumption to admit about us) but what you just can't seem to bring yourselves to accept is that your party has been hijacked and taken over by extremists and that the rank and file are being taken for a ride. As for spouting the partisian line, I will say it once again, I belong to no party...yes I am a progressive and a liberal and proud of it thank you, but the Democratic Leadership Council, muchless the party itself no more speaks for me than you claim the republican speaks for you. However, from what I have seen the difference between the republicans and the democrats is that the democrats will at least try and kiss you before telling you to bend over, with the republicans, its more akin to date rape. I'll take the fiction of the kiss, at least it has some attempt at class.

Originally posted by grover
Vagabond you are full of it...

For some reason, many very accurate statements tend to start with exactly those words, so I'll hear you out. That being said, when people beat the impeachment drum my partisan crap detector starts pinging off the charts, which is what drew my fire.

and there are plenty of good and decent republicans (something, from what I have seen, you guys could never work up the gumption to admit about us)

Actually, the closest thing to a "good" loyalist of either party in my opinion is a very naive idealist. I hate the parties thoroughly and associate myself with neither. And as you have probably noticed, Republicans aren't necessarily conservatives anymore.

but what you just can't seem to bring yourselves to accept is that your party has been hijacked and taken over by extremists and that the rank and file are being taken for a ride.

That's true of both parties, which is exactly why I don't have a party.

from what I have seen the difference between the republicans and the democrats is that the democrats will at least try and kiss you before telling you to bend over,

If you're willing to be raped as long as you get a kiss, that's your perogative. I for one prefer not to see my country raped, which is why I have been sounding off against impeachment. It takes America down a very dangerous path. The difference between us is that while denying the Democratic party you continue to serve as an apologist for them. When you talk about impeachment you even specifically mention the Clinton impeachment, and that is what this is all about. The left has been itching to retaliate for that from the minute Bush got in, before the Iraq thing even started. It's partisanship as usual.
I understand that you're not part of some "vast left-wing conspiracy". Nobody signs on to be a pawn. They are drawn in because they are promised "a kiss" from whichever party is closer to their views. What you have to realize, and you have made it clear that you do realize, is that the kiss is a lie- just an illusion to draw you in so that they can play your vote and your voice to their own ends.

I'm an anti-partisan minded person. I don't want either party to accomplish anything. I don't want either of them to successfully impeach anyone. I don't want either of them to succeed with virtually anything they have on their legislative agenda. I want these two entities which both bow to the same corporate masters to stagnate as much as possible until somebody shows up to purge them from our country. (speaking of which I'm actually preparing myself for a political career to exactly that end).

I believe in the legitimacy of securing a nation's interest by military means, but I want it done with competence. Winning and securing America's interests should be top priority- not secondary to keeping the troop strength low for political reasons or making sure that American companies get all of the contracts. Which party favors that- neither. One party won't fight and the other won't fight right.

I want a secure border because illegal immigration is bad for wages, and in turn bad for the economy. Which party favors that? Neither. It's a "kiss" offered by the Republicans, but it never materializes as action. Prop 187, the drivers license fight here in california- all tokens. Where are they when it comes to actually keeping illegal aliens from coming into this country and driving down wages?

I want the budget trimmed and taxes lowered, because that's good for the American working class, whose consumption drives our economy. I'll give you 20 bucks to figure out which of the two major parties stands for that. The conservatives are outspending the liberals!

The list goes on and on and on. Why do I mention my views on irrelevant subjects? To illustrate my point about partisanshp. The parties are a plague. You can't play with them because they offer you a kiss. They're bad for America- period. When you back their moves, you back the undermining of this nation.

If we the people are going to have a dang thing to do with these political machines, it has to start with demanding that they reconstruct themselves. A transparent voting system. The elimination of corporate campaign contributions. The elimination of party accounts. An open ballot for independent candidates. I believe that any cooperation with the parties must be contingent on these concessions. We don't want a kiss. We want a commitment. We want them to place their political fates fully in the hands of their constituents so that they have to do what is good for us.

Until somebody makes a concerted effort to bring us all of these things, it's all just a kiss that's bound to be followed by us grabbing our ankles, and we'd have to be fools to fall in line behind any partisan agenda, because we can be sure that they wouldn't be doing it if it didn't work out for the people who are current system places political power with- big business and the political machines.

Well I would have to say I agree with 90% of what you just said vagabond...I urge impeachment because that is our legal recourse for removing a criminal president but I agree used to liberally is dangerous...personally leading a country into war based on known false premises is far more a high crime than anything clinton did or did not do but that is my opinion. I know both parties suck and are as morally corrupt as can be, I have less objections to republicans if they did not strut around with their more moral than though attitude on when it is obvious it is not true, any more than it is true that liberals are communist inspired or hate america which may be true in some cases but certianly not in all by any stretch of the imagination. I have no problem paying taxes and I have no problem with welfare, what I do have problems with is corporate welfare and people who make hundreds of times more than me paying less in taxes than i do. I hate it when the rape and pilligae of the earth is excused away or denied in the name of economic necessity and the list goes on. I also object to the religious right claiming that they and only they speak for christians, I am a christian and they do not speak for me or for 80% of the people I know anymore than al queda speaks for the majority of muslims. I am a liberal and my liberalism is rooted in 2 very important things, the charity and compassion for those less fortunate that Christ demanded of his followers and gratitude for all the graces and beneifits I have recieved in this life...to be anything less would be wrong.

You two guys want to take it outside and stop jacking this thread please.

Now back to your regular scheduled topic.

Source

"Mr. President, I want to tell you face to face how much this hurts. I love my country, but how many more of our loved ones need to die in this senseless war? How many more soldiers have to die before we say enough?" she said in the ad.

I thought she already talked to the president? Huh.

"Listen, I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan," Bush told reporters. "She feels strongly about her position. And she has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America."

He said he has thought "long and hard" about her demand to "get out of Iraq now" and strongly disagreed, saying a premature withdrawal would betray the Iraqis just as they are being trained to defend themselves and allow for a U.S. pullout.

[edit on 8/13/2005 by QuietSoul]

as posted by drfunk
I found it really amusing that in the Drudge article it states that Casey's Aunt and Godmother dont agree with Cindy and they try to make an issue of it, of course a family isnt going to agree 100% on a thing like this but I really do think that Cindy would know her own son better than they would.

That may or may not be the case, entirely.
What we have here is a woman who is using the death of her son to political grandstand; a woman whose suffering has turned to flat out hatred. She is undoubtedly also being manipulated by many significant anti-war movements/organizations [ie: CodePink, MoveOn.org, Michael Moore, etc].
For her to claim that thse other family members do not know her son as she does, is an outright lie. Hell, even she did not know her son. How so? Well, apparently, he supported what was taking place in Iraq, because he re-uped. She knew this, but yet is going on with her crusading efforts to political grandstand, despite this would have been against her sons wishes, if he had been alive. What goes unmentioned here and in the media, is that obviously she and her son disagreed on this war, but while he was alive, she withheld her opinion other than to probably advocate that he head for Canada. Thats between her and her son, Casey. But now that her son is dead, she has, with the aiding and support of the mainstream anti-war media and organizations, opted to become another Jane Fonda minime. After all, it is not her son's reputation that is being discredited, but her own.

As for those other family members not knowing her son as she did, I am finding that in fact they did know her son quite well:
Local family mourns death of soldier, nephew

Bear in mind that the Five Stages of Grief are:
* Denial
* Anger
* Bargaining
* Depression
* Acceptance

Which one does she fall under at this juncture in time?





seekerof

[edit on 13-8-2005 by Seekerof]

I really am very surprised that that mother hasnt been arrested...On the other hand, with as much publicity as this is getting, they wouldnt dare.

IMHO, I don't want to see her arrested, dgtempe.
It defeats the purpose, for both sides involved in this matter.

She has every right to protest as she does.
The problem here to me is her doing so using her son's death as the backdrop/foundation of her protesting. or political grandstanding. Look at the questions she wishes to ask. They mainly center around her son, who, because of his death, cannot contradict/counter/contest her. My other problem is the way the mainstream media is playing this, but in all honesty, that was a historical given.

I can sympathize with her suffering, anger, and pain, but so can her family and friends, and those who have lost loved ones over in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Again, she has every right to do what she is doing, but using her son's death in this is another matter all together, IMHO.






seekerof

I watched the news today on the ongoing struggle of this grieving mother to find aswers not only for herself but for every mother, wife, husband out there that has lost a love one in the present administration war.

I am very proud to see that this women has begun a crusade againts the real reasons for our country going to war and having our loves ones dying for nothing more than greed and money.

We are Americans and we should know by now what is relly going on in Iraq.

For those that still support Mr. Bush and his corporate friends war they are getting scarse and fewer.

as posted ny marg6043
For those that still support Mr. Bush and his corporate friends war they are getting scarse and fewer.

Not in my house.

Just for you, Souljah, and a few others, marg6043.
This is an Iraqi talking here and his take on this matter:

Ma'am, we asked for your nation's help and we asked you to stand with us in our war and your nation's act was (and still is) an act of ultimate courage and unmatched sense of humanity.
Our request is justified, death was our daily bread and a million Iraqi mothers were expecting death to knock on their doors at any second to claim someone from their families.
Your face doesn't look strange to me at all; I see it everyday on endless numbers of Iraqi women who were struck by losses like yours.

Our fellow country men and women were buried alive, cut to pieces and thrown in acid pools and some were fed to the wild dogs while those who were lucky enough ran away to live like strangers and the Iraqi mother was left to grieve one son buried in an unfound grave and another one living far away who she might not get to see again.

We did nothing to deserve all that suffering, well except for a dream we had; a dream of living like normal people do.

We cried out of joy the day your son and his comrades freed us from the hands of the devil and we went to the streets not believing that the nightmare is over.
We practiced our freedom first by kicking and burning the statues and portraits of the hateful idol who stole 35 years from the life of a nation.
For the first time air smelled that beautiful, that was the smell of freedom.

Continues:

We did not choose war for the sake of war itself and we didn't sacrifice a million lives for fun! We could've accepted our jailor and kept living in our chains for the rest of our lives but it's freedom ma'am.
Freedom is not an American thing and it's not an Iraqi thing, it's what unites us as human beings. We refuse all kinds of restrictions and that's why we fought and still fighting everyday in spite of the swords in the hands of the cavemen who want us dead or slaves for their evil masters.

And here:

We live in pain and grief everyday, every hour, every minute; all the horrors of the powers of darkness have been directed at us and I don't know exactly when am I going to feel safe again, maybe in a year, maybe two or even ten; I frankly don't know but I don't want to lose hope and faith.

We are in need for every hand that can offer some help. Please pray for us, I know that God listens to mothers' prayers and I call all the women on earth to pray with you for peace in this world.

Your son sacrificed his life for a very noble cause…No, he sacrificed himself for the most precious value in this existence; that is freedom.

His blood didn't go in vain; your son and our brethren are drawing a great example of selflessness.
God bless his free soul and God bless the souls of his comrades who are fighting evil.
God bless the souls of Iraqis who suffered and died for the sake of freedom.
God bless all the freedom lovers on earth.

Iraq The Model: A message to Cindy Sheehan

Big quote me if a mod needs to, I readily accept it.
But even this news has not escaped those in Iraq.






seekerof

[edit on 13-8-2005 by Seekerof]

Nice propaganda there seekerof, now do you want to see the voices of the people that are not kissing up to Mr. Bush?

They are the families and survivers of Mr. bush war in Iraq.

See for everything done in Iraq is always two sides of the story, it depends which one you want to stick with.

Propaganda is not relative to one who has experienced what this Iraqi blogger has. When you have experienced what he has, you let me know, cause I'm sure it will be simple propaganda.

To call an earnest message by an Iraqi blogger as "propaganda" is simply ludicrous, if not disrespectful. And if the roles were reversed, you would surely appreciate someone calling your thoughts and words propaganda, huh?

Anyhow, two sides to every story....ever considered making the manistream media aware of that fact?




seekerof

Anyhow, two sides to every story....ever considered making the manistream media aware of that fact?

seekerof

I bet Bush supporters in the big business will bring some of these peoples that wrote the message to his ranch in Texas and will put them along with the group of "Bush war supporters" that they rolled in to counter attack the grieving mother protest.

What you think? do you think we are going to have a circus or not.

*pulls on fish line*

Your continued efforts to distract with the 'a' typical "Bush supporters" is humorous and interesting, but simply a bait that this little "Bush supporter" will not bite at.

Btw, marg, how many mainstream media outlets are covering this grieving mother's campaign? That tells you what in relation to what I asked you?

Thank you for the bait though.






seekerof

.
She is most likely in grief and anger, justifiably so.

How is Bush magically justified using and spending 1800+ lives, tens of thousands of young American lives maimed and wounded and 1/5th of a trillion dollars while her to voice opposition based on the loss of her son is not?

That is a complete and obscene lopsided double standard.

Bush used and is responsible for killing this young man.

His mother just wants to know why Bush thinks he had to die.
.

Good points, slank, though I myself might not agree with some of them, they are valid.

One question though, while she and her family visited with Bush the first time, unlike other families who have had sons and duaghters killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, why did she not ask him then, before Bush gave her a consoling kiss on the cheek?






seekerof

[edit on 13-8-2005 by Seekerof]

Originally posted by Seekerof
Your continued efforts to distract with the 'a' typical "Bush supporters" is humorous and interesting, but simply a bait that this little "Bush supporter" will not bite at.

though.

And you are such a good Bush supported I am surprised you are not supporting him in texas with the "rest of the supporters"

BTW we have some good God fearing people that has been invited from the local churches to support the pro bush in texas they are even offering them some ride for free.

Occurs they have to sleep in tents. Stay tuned is more to come.

Yes is going to be a media circus alright the Bush groupies will make sure of it.

"I want him to quit using my son's death to justify more killing," she said. "The only way he can honor my son's death is to bring the troops home."

I agree with this women one hundred percent.

Its time to stop the madness of Mr. Bush war.

[edit on 13-8-2005 by marg6043]