OP/ED: Forget Cindy. Remember...What's His Name?

Cindy Sheehan named the site of her Crawford, Texas, histrionics after her son, but how many of us can remember his name or what he stood for?


From all indications, Cindy Sheehan's son was one of America's best. He loved his nation, was devoutly religious, willingly went to fight a war he might not have fully understood or approved of and he died while on a mission to rescue his comrades-in-arms. Those are the qualities that created the greatest nation in the history of the planet, yet those are the very qualities that seem to be in very short supply in the last several decades. Do you know Cindy Sheehan's son's name? Neither do I, but I am going to look it up.

His name is Casey--Casey Sheehan. Remember that name. It's a name that stands for something proud and true. But, what are we to make of his mother, who is portrayed in the media as a "grieving mother."

As much as the term is bandied about, there really is no such thing as "closure" when it comes to tragic events in one's life. The only thing that works is to "move on." Not "just move on," as some are wont to say, but move on we must. Death touches everyone’s life and we are given a pass for a given period while we adjust, then society expects us to get on with the business of living. Freud used the term "sublimation" to describe what many do to overcome tragedy.

Cindy Sheehan is sublimating, in a way, her loss by charging headlong into an anti-war campaign that is the very apotheosis of selfishness and egotism. In many cases, sublimation is a healthy exercise. Many parents have used the death of a child to support a cause that not only memorializes their children's lives, but also directly affects and improves the lives of the living. Mothers Against Drunk Driving is such an effort. "America's Most Wanted" is such a project. The Amber Alert is another and the reader can come up with plenty of others, I'm sure. But, what makes Sheehan's effort so different? Isn't peace a worthy cause?

The answer is that peace is a worthy cause, but not at any cost. Peace, when it involves an unmet commitment, or when it involves a flagrantly cowardly act is not really peace, at all. It is simply a postponement of further violence.

Casey Sheehan, at the age of 24, understood and acted on ideals that somehow have evaded his middle-aged mother. Casey understood that society is more important than any one person and that the greater good transcends the individual. Casey understood that the freedom he enjoyed was paid for with the sacrifices of countless others whose names he might never know. Casey understood that others depended on his actions and ultimately upon the sacrifice he was willing to make. Casey sacrificed his life.

Remember Casey Sheehan.

Related News Links:
www.postchronicle.com

I believe a thorough post. But what I'd like to know is what is your opinion of it all?

Dallas

... but how many of us can remember his name or what he stood for?

Maybe because people and the liberal media refused to refer to Camp Casey and recognize that it was not about Cindy Sheehan. They opted to character assasinate a "tulipwalking hippie peacenick" to serve their "liberal" masters instead of focusing on the issue.

I guess you would rather focus on Casey to pump a pro-war, patriotic stance instead of getting an answer about what people like him are dying for?

If you really cared about these people you would be supporting her. Or is that too selfish and egotistical?

This has been an Op/Ed.
.

Edit: brain fart

[edit on 9/21/2005 by Gools]

That is a good op/ed GradyPhilpott.

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

A lot of people don't seem to understand that what they are asking for is isolationism. That's what NK is, an isolationist country, one that is doomed to fall.

In this world we can't afford to be isolationists. The world is not a perfect place where everybody loves each other, and everyone is thinking just about peace, equality, freedom and justice. There are people and nations out there that would rather see, not only the US, but all western nations destroyed, and subjugated to their will.

Peace is not definite, and it is not a priviledge, it must be earned just like freedom, throught sacrifice. Many have forgotten this, and have forgotten the price patriots not only from the US, but around the world have paid so that we could attain peace even if only for a little while.

You can't reason with groups that want your destruction or your submission to them. Evil happens when good men do nothing.

No country and no government in the world is perfect, I doubt there will ever be a "perfect government. There will always be groups of people that are not happy with what their governments do, always. Does that mean the government is not representing the people? or is it that since there are so many people in a country, and we all have so many different views on issues that it is impossible to keep everyone happy?

I doubt the peace activists have even stopped to think what will happen in Iraq if we pull out before their government and armed forces are ready to deal with the terrorists/insurgents. We would have a repeat of what happened in the first gulf war. These terrorists/insurgents will continue attacking Iraqis, and exterminating them until a form of government that supresses these people is put in power once more.

I agree with you GradyPhilpott, many peace activists are just selfish imo, and haven't stopped to think even once the consequences of their actions.


[edit on 21-9-2005 by Muaddib]

Peace must be earned? Well..I suppose War should be earned as well. To me Muaddib, peace should be the basic and not the bottom or earned line.

This crazy stuff that's been going on is crazy stuff. Our minds should not run through the channel that caring about your neighbors and respecting other Countries is something they DESERVE, or earned.

Non-Violence I feel, is the basic Human envirionment to other Human Beings and Countries.

Dallas

Originally posted by Muaddib
A lot of people don't seem to understand that what they are asking for is isolationism. That's what NK is, an isolationist country, one that is doomed to fall.

A strawman arguement. Nobody has said anything of the kind. You are just making crap up.

There are people and nations out there that would rather see, not only the US, but all western nations destroyed, and subjugated to their will.

Perhaps that wouldnt be the case if the west did not prop up dictators in these countries. Our current enemies are self made, both the taliban and saddam had "made in the usa" stamped on thier butts.

Peace is not definite, and it is not a priviledge, it must be earned just like freedom, throught sacrifice.

Peace should be a goal.

Many have forgotten this, and have forgotten the price patriots not only from the US...

The bush administration is not patriotic. It is a corrupt cabal that lies and rips off not only the american people, but the entire world. I do not have the feeling that other countries hate americans. My feeling is that they hate the criminals that have stolen the very ideals of america, republicans and democrats alike. If you support the military actions of our government you are no patriot.

Evil happens when good men do nothing.

Cindy is doing something and still you gripe.

No country and no government in the world is perfect...

Our current government is making imperfection a goal.

Does that mean the government is not representing the people?

The government is not representing the people when it lies, when uses political trickery such as "executive privledge" and "national security" to deprive the public of the truth. You harp on and on about denying ignorance, yet you lack the spine to demand that the government release the information that would allow you to do so. Im genuinely discussed when I hear you invoke the patriotism card.

I doubt the peace activists have even stopped to think...

I doubt that the war mongers are even capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the government.



[edit on 21-9-2005 by df1]

as posted by df1
I doubt that the war mongers are even capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the government.

Pretty stereotypical in nature and response.
Think not? Was it a fair representation of those that you so generally stereotyped?
Would it be fair then if one replaced war mongers with 'anti-war peaceniks' and said that they are not capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the likes of the anti-war media, Michael Moore, etc.?

Talk about a strawman argument...

Good opinion piece, Grady.





seekerof

[edit on 21-9-2005 by Seekerof]

Originally posted by Seekerof

as posted by df1
I doubt that the war mongers are even capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the government.

Talk about a strawman argument...

Seekerof, You are being intellectually dishonest by representing my words as a stand alone statement rather than as a sarchastic reply to another post which reveals the real strawman. Below are my words in the context they were typed.

Originally posted by df1

Originally posted by Muaddib
I doubt the peace activists have even stopped to think...

I doubt that the war mongers are even capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the government.

If ATS is any indication, the truth has become a foriegn concept to self styled faux patriots. Because I don't agree with your politics you found it necessary to intentionally lie by distorting my post. Have you no shame at all? Do you have no limit to the depth you will stoop?
.

[edit on 21-9-2005 by df1]

who is portrayed in the media as a "grieving mother."

Love the Quotations.
Wow, you pro-war guys really are that twisted.

Originally posted by twitchy

Love the Quotations.
Wow, you pro-war guys really are that twisted.

Do the search and see if the quotation marks are appropriate.

Google Search: "grieving mother"

Who in the sam hell are we to direct, or question her grief?
I'm pretty good and sure she knows her son's name Grady. What does it matter what name YOU so bother to remember?
Portrayed as a "grieving" mother? LOL Appropriate? LOL
Leave the poor woman alone, if you don't like what she's doing, the Government is literally funding and supplying and even putting up and cvoering the printing costs for the anti-sheehan rallies you know. Go get you a free sign and a Hotdog on tax money, but watch out, parking along a twenty some odd mile stretch of highway in Crawford is now illegal for some reason...

War is a sickness of men, grady. An affliction of the rich which is suffered by the poor, it is naught else.

Some folks are born made to wave the flag
ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when they play "Hail to the Chief"
ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no senator's son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves
But when the taxman come to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no millionaire's son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one

Yeah, some folks inherit star-spangled eyes
ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
ooh, they only answer, "More, more, more," yoh

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no military son
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one

It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate one, no, no, no
It ain't me, it ain't me
I ain't no fortunate son, no, no, no

Well, I find myself agreeing with Grady's post. However, I said this in another post some time back, and I'll say it here. When everyone on ATS can't remember the name of the fallen soldier, his mother still will. Yes, we should keep his memory alive, but no one will keep a son's memory alive like his own mother. This isn't to say I think we should all see things from Cindy's point of view. But regardless of how she remembers him and the circumstances and reasons for his death, she will remember him longer than anyone else here, and longer than any pro- or anti- war people in general. She will not only remember his death, but his entire life, from beginning to end, and so her memory may be among the most complete anyone will ever have of Casey Sheehan.

I can't speak for Cindy Sheehan, either, but personally, if it were my child, I don't think I'd see a contradiction in believing my son died for a noble cause but at the same time refusing to accept that that noble cause (ie, helping the people of Iraq, protecting America from WMD's, etc) was the same cause that the people who sent Casey to Iraq had in mind. The majority of the troops on the ground in Iraq, and those Iraqis who want to see a better, peaceful, Iraq, are the only people with honor in this whole damn mess, IMO.

-koji K.

[edit on 22-9-2005 by koji_K]

[edit on 22-9-2005 by koji_K]

Casey Sheehan, at the age of 24, understood and acted on ideals that somehow have evaded his middle-aged mother.

Casey Sheehan, deceased at 24, was completely deceived and acted on LIES that failed to deceive his middle-aged mother.

...the greater good transcends the individual.

I just can't believe that there are still people who believe that this war was about the "greater good".

WMDs? They never existed.
Links to Al-Qaeda? See above.
Humanitarian crisis? As above, except in the case of those supported or created by the West.

So what "greater good" has been served by this war apart from increasing the robustness of Halliburton's/Lockheed's/etc's coffers, securing Iraq's oil reserves, and keeping them tied to the US dollar? Somebody please explain it to me.


Casey Sheehan sacrificed his young life for NOTHING. There is no nobility here, no honor, no glory beyond that of defending the lives of comrades in arms who were also deceived into catching bullets for the Bush cabal. No...no glory here, there is only TRAGEDY that thousands of young men and women are dead or disabled because they were LIED to by a pack of owl-worshipping, sub-intelligent, sub-human criminals and wannabe emperors. Have a nice day.

Originally posted by wecomeinpeace

Casey Sheehan, deceased at 24, was completely deceived and acted on LIES that failed to deceive his middle-aged mother.

How do you know he was deceived? It is very likely, given what we know about his life and his commitment to his nation, he served willingly, even though he didn't understand the political nuances as astutely as the superior intellects who inhabit this board. Perhaps, he understood the meaning of "duty, honor, country." Perhaps, he had a spine.

What is more important than remembering Casey's name is remembering his sacrifice. When duty called he answered. He served proudly and died nobly for a cause greater than himself. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 KJV




[edit on 2005/9/22 by GradyPhilpott]

And as always the rich man dances while the poor man pays the band.

Originally posted by df1
A strawman arguement. Nobody has said anything of the kind. You are just making crap up.

Really?.... So nobody, including Sheehan has said for our soldiers to leave Iraq?... Hasn't she been saying, together with most peace activists that we shouldn't meedle with Israel?... That we shouldn't be anywhere in the world just stay within our borders?..... that's isolationism to me....I don't know if it means something different for you.

Originally posted by df1
Perhaps that wouldnt be the case if the west did not prop up dictators in these countries. Our current enemies are self made, both the taliban and saddam had "made in the usa" stamped on thier butts.

Some people keep exagerating and distorting the truth.

First off, the US did not "made" the Taliban. The US helped the Taliban fight against the Russians..... We never ruled them, and we don't rule them now either.

Second of all, Saddam was put in power by a relative of his, president Bakr, who was the president before Saddam...it was not the US, like some keep trying to erroneously tell the world, who put him in power. Bakr even conferred the rank of General to Saddam because Saddam had not finished high school and he was not allowed to join the Baghdad Military Academy.... President Bakr is the one that put him in power, not the US.

You should get your facts straight....

Originally posted by df1
Peace should be a goal.

It should be the goal, but one that won't last forever.

Originally posted by df1
The bush administration is not patriotic. It is a corrupt cabal that lies and rips off not only the american people, but the entire world. I do not have the feeling that other countries hate americans. My feeling is that they hate the criminals that have stolen the very ideals of america, republicans and democrats alike. If you support the military actions of our government you are no patriot.

That's your opinion and nothing more. The entire world was claiming the same things that people like yourself are now calling lies....and the US did not "make the world believe anything."..... Every intelligence agency in the world said the same thing, the world was split in their reactions to what they knew back then. Half of the world was in cahuts with Saddam (Ironically it was France, Germany, Russia and China among some others) ripping off the Iraqis through the sanctions while allowing a dictator to remaing in power.

Originally posted by df1
Cindy is doing something and still you gripe.

She is requesting for the coalition to leave the people of Iraq alone, that's what she is trying to do. Is it good to leave the people of Iraq to fend for themselves against the terrorists/insurgents?......

Originally posted by df1
Our current government is making imperfection a goal.

That's an asinine statement....

Originally posted by df1
The government is not representing the people when it lies, when uses political trickery such as "executive privledge" and "national security" to deprive the public of the truth. You harp on and on about denying ignorance, yet you lack the spine to demand that the government release the information that would allow you to do so. Im genuinely discussed when I hear you invoke the patriotism card.

And can i ask you what information is that "which you want to be known"?......

Not only that, but if you ask for that same information to other countries, would they release such information?

I am the one "disgusted" that there are people who think they should know every secret that is kept by the government....and "keep claiming the US government is not representing the people because it has secrets"....

In case you didn't know every government in the world has secrets which they will not release to the public..... If secrets are known by the public, the enemy also knows those secrets..... But i think some people are too hard headed to realize this.

Originally posted by df1
I doubt that the war mongers are even capable of thinking anything that is not spoon fed to them by the government.

Is being called a peace activist now an insult?......

and let me ask you something....since you seem to have thought this over.... What is going to happen to the people in Iraq if the coalition leaves?....

Hi there..this not directed at you but why don't you'll give her a break? why not put your talents and knowledge to more ATS things and just let her alone.

She stood up and is continually getting slammed by media and some ATS fellow Members. Just a suggestion.

Dallas

Originally posted by Dallas

Peace must be earned? Well..I suppose War should be earned as well. To me Muaddib, peace should be the basic and not the bottom or earned line.

I was not implying that it should be earned. But the facts of this world make it not a priviledge. Peace in this world has to be earned with hard work, and many times it has been attained only because of wars.

If it was up to me every person on this planet should be born with the priviledge of being able to get nutritious meals, water, and other basic necessities every day.

Every person should be priviledge enough to make enough money so that they can live confortably, etc, etc.... But unless you haven't noticed, this does not happen in the real world. Most people have to work hard to get these basic rights.

Originally posted by Dallas
This crazy stuff that's been going on is crazy stuff. Our minds should not run through the channel that caring about your neighbors and respecting other Countries is something they DESERVE, or earned.

and how exactly are you caring about our neighbors in Iraq if you want the coalition, together with the US troops, to leave them to deal with terrorists and insurgents by themselves?......

Originally posted by Dallas
Non-Violence I feel, is the basic Human envirionment to other Human Beings and Countries.

Dallas

It is pretty unrealistic to believe that everyone in the world thinks like you....or that this is easily attainable and we can just let the world take it's own course while there are governments, groups and individuals that are planning for the destruction of the country you live in and want to change or destroy the way of life of the western world.

Originally posted by Dallas

Hi there..this not directed at you but why don't you'll give her a break? why not put your talents and knowledge to more ATS things and just let her alone.

She stood up and is continually getting slammed by media and some ATS fellow Members. Just a suggestion.

Dallas

She is trying to force her opinion on the country, and she is trying to make the president change everything because of what she alongside some others "believe".... Why shouldn't I be allowed to present my own views on what she is doing and what i think is right?.... I am standing up also for what I think is right.

[edit on 22-9-2005 by Muaddib]