Trouble in Crawford: "Why did my son die?"

[Trainwreck2100]

Dear Cindy,

After today nobody will care about your

Sincerely,
Lake New Orleans

[Nbadan]

The Peaceful Occupation of Crawford:

A photographer friend of mine went down to Crawford to the Pro-War, Anti-Peace rally today. There were about 1500 people there he said. He also said that it was the most "third reich" spectacle that he had ever seen in America.

My friend said that the speakers were whipping up the crowd into a frenzy of hatred for me (like they already didn't hate me?) and for the peace movement. My friend said that the entire theme of the rally was: "Cindy is killing American troops by her anti-American protest." Oh really, isn't George Bush killing innocent Americans and Iraqis by sending them to fight in an illegal and immoral war for power and greed? I think the real culprit is my neighbor: George.

I am really sad that there are still people in America who think that someone exercising her freedom of speech is anti-American. People who say we DON'T have the right to dissent are un-patriotic and un-American. My friend said that the rally was really the scariest thing he had ever seen. Except for one funny part when some people were walking through the crowd with a "Say No to War---except when a Democrat is President" (whatever that means???) sign. I guess the people at the rally only read the "Say No to War" part and they were ripping up the signs and chasing the gentlemen out. The unfortunate sign holders were trying to tell the counter-protesters that they were on Bush's killing side, but the crowd wouldn't hear them.

Our rally had about 2500 people jammed into the Camp Casey II tent. The speakers and music were awesome. Joan sang a few more songs. I told the crowd that I totally understand George Bush's noble cause for continuing the war: I have to kill more Americans because I have already killed so many. Then I posed the question to them that we will pose to Congress and the small minority of Americans (38-40%) who still believe in George's oil war. How many more lives are you willing to sacrifice before you bring the troops home? I led the crowd in a deafening chant of "Not One More," aimed at George's vacation home.

I kind of feel sorry for George; holed up in his ranch. Not being able to go out unless he flies over in his helicopter. If he drove out of the ranch, he would have to see people who disagree with him. But every time he leaves the ranch now, he faces people demanding answers to the question: What Noble Cause?

George is going golfing in Arizona on Monday, then to San Diego on Monday afternoon and Tuesday. Be sure we will have people in those locations bird dogging him. He deserves to be made uncomfortable: he is making the entire world more than uncomfortable.

We are relaxing a little bit tonight after the rally. A very nice young man who was wounded and put in a wheel chair by Bush's war on the same day Casey was killed came out tonight. He is spending his honeymoon with his new bride here at Camp Casey. Which reminds me...we are having 2 weddings here tomorrow: One at Camp Casey I and one at Camp Casey II. We have had so many children and babies come out too...it is the cycle of life.

I was visited by a 2nd Lt. from Casey's 2-5 Cavalry that told me to keep up the good work and Casey's old roommate came out from Ft. Hood to meet me. He may have to go back to Iraq soon. He hopes he doesn't have to since he will be out in 6 months, but he is pretty sure he will be stop-lossed.

It was so hot today in Crawford. So hot, it seemed like there wasn't enough air to breathe. Then a storm came and gave us some blessed relief.

Update: Some pro-war people came up to Camp Casey II around 10pm and Ann Wright had to call the sheriff because they were getting a little rowdy.

Truthout,Cindy Sheehan

[jochhejaam]

Here you go Dan. Directly from your mentor Michael Moore's website.

What you can do to help

Support Cindy by making a contribution.
Your financial support is needed to make sure that Cindy and other military families and veterans can continue their vigil outside the Presidents, ranch. Please contribute to help cover the costs of assisting others with their travel and their stay in Crawford.

Donate Today


I'm sure if you haven't already, you'll want to send them a healthy donation.

http://www.meetwithcindy.org/

[Spurminator]

This was pretty funny...

At the pro-Bush rally, there were some heated moments when two members of Protest Warrior, a group that frequently holds counter protests to anti-war rallies, walked in with a sign that read "Say No to War — Unless a Democrat is President."

Many Bush supporters only saw the top of the sign and believed the men were war protesters, so they began shouting and chasing the pair out. One man tore up their signs. When Will Marean of Minneapolis kept repeating that he was on the Bush side and tried to explain Protest Warrior's mission, one Bush supporter shook his hand and apologized.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3327786

[mookie2001]

war keeps bush in office and keeps his supporters from openly calling him a moron, even though i think even they know deep-down inside that he couldn't pass the TAKS test with an NSA briefing and a cheatsheet

I like the cut of your jib

[Clandestino]

give me a ing break. you can't be re ed or buy the presidency. otherwise, elpimpo and mookie would be prez and vice prez...and ross perot would have been prex before them..

[mookie2001]

regardless
if Bushs name was Smith, Garza, Elhabid he wouldnt have been gov, got the nom in 00, and even if some neocon RRWing miracle happenned he still would have gotten less votes than the less votes he already got

[ChumpDumper]

Well, she's airing commercials now on CNN. Let the indignation begin anew.

[mookie2001]

i like it when she says
"mr president, YOU LIED about the weapons of mass destruction, YOU LIED about the link between iraq and al qaeda"







lol
scoffed

[Clandestino]

ross perot is smarter than bush
my brother ross's parrot is smarter than bush

but not smart enough to be president!

[Dos]

I heard old al sharpton was in such a hurry yesterday to leave the peace rally he got a ticket doing 110 mph north of dallas somewhere... bah that's too funny...

[Dos]

typical left rant.. you lied about everything... funny how it's not sticking, probably because well known democrap's also lied about WMD's..

President Bill Clinton said:
”The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow.”

Secretary of State Madeline Albright stood by her President saying:
”There has never been an embargo against food and medicine. It's just that Hussein has just not chosen to spend his money on that. Instead, he has chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.”

Defense Secretary William Cohen added:
”The United Nations has determined that Saddam should not possess chemical or biological or nuclear weapons, and what we have is the obligation to carry out the U.N. declaration.”

”On the subject of UN inspections National Security Advisor Sandy Berger said:
It is ineffectual; it is not able to do its job by its own judgment. It doesn't provide much deterrence against WMD activity.”

Senator Tom Daschle agreed with the President noting:
”Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people.”

Senator John Kerry said:
”For the United States and Britain, an Iraq equipped with nuclear, chemical or biological weapons under the leadership of Saddam Hussein is a threat that almost goes without description. France, on the other hand, has long established economic and political relationships within the Arab world, and has had a different approach.”

President Clinton added these prophetic words of wisdom as he warned:
” The hard fact is that so long as Saddam remains in power, he threatens the well-being of his people, the peace of his region, the security of the world. The best way to end that threat once and for all is with a new Iraqi government -- a government ready to live in peace with its neighbors, a government that respects the rights of its people

[hussker]

hussker,
my father was a career soldier... 35 freakin' years and served two tours in Vietnam. I also have a sister who may end up in Iraq before the years out. Do not dare attempt to lecture me on showing appreciation for our troops.

Then why don't you go join? Oh, let me guess, you can't, right?

[hussker]

Hus, first of all, welcome to the board and back to the US. However, your not the first Vet, nor the only Vet to post on this board. So don't expect any special treatment based solely on your previous military status. Those who you should be pe ioning to go enlist are the 51% of Americans who voted for W on Nov 2nd 2004. Why should others, who other-wise want to proudly serve their nation, have to fight a war which they don't believe is justified?

On the one hand, your wanting us to thank you for fighting for our right to post our opinions in this forum, and in the other you want to take away that right from Cindy Sheehan. So which is it gonna be?

Ditto to you...so go join. COWARD

[hussker]

AND, I certainly fought for the right for her to say whatever she wants. That is her right that she would not likely have in many of the countries we are in. Please do not use simple excerpts from posts taken OUT of context. That is quite the Liberal ploy. But I guess you have the right to do that too huh?

[Jelly]

Then why don't you go join? Oh, let me guess, you can't, right?

Because I wasn't interested. Next.

[Jelly]

Ditto to you...so go join. COWARD

I never thought I'd defend NBADan, but it's pretty obnoxious to assume that anyone who hasn't joined the military is a coward. Is your wife in the military? No? What is she, some kind of coward? Why doesn't she sign up? To quote your sarcastic assumption of my reason "oh, let me guess, she can't right?".

Well, I'm sure she can. Being a Japanese citizen does not prevent her from signing up, as I'm sure you know.

[Clandestino]

yeah, she could get her citizenship that..

and we'd never want nbadan to join the military. he'd his buddies over!

[Nbadan]

Ditto to you...so go join. COWARD

Talking make ya feel better?

You were in Afghanistan. That's like fighting in the parking lot while the real gladiators are fighting in the coliseum. , I think we have more fighting going on in Columbia than Afghanistan right now.

[Jelly]

Talking make ya feel better?

You were in Afghanistan. That's like fighting in the parking lot while the real gladiators are fighting in the coliseum. , I think we have more fighting going on in Columbia than Afghanistan right now.

That's a bull statement Dan. You are showing great ignorance if you think those guys have it easy. Serving in Afghanistan has got to be rough. Still, Huskers full of to go around calling people he doesn't even know cowards for not serving in the military.

[boutons]

The Sheehan thing is a side-show in terms of changing opinion , but it is seminal event in ever-widening, ostensible opposition to the shrug/Repug bogus war.

The USA opinion tide has turned against shrub/Repugs/war and is gaining momentum.

2006 Repug congressional races will be another sounding point, as the Repugs abandon lame-duck, unpopular shrub/ head to try to save their own skins.

================================================== ===








washingtonpost.com

Slight Majority Say Bush Should Meet With Sheehan

Survey Suggests Mother's Actions Have Little Impact on War Views

By Richard Morin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 30, 2005; 7:00 AM

Slightly more than half of the country says President Bush should meet with Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed last year in Iraq, who is leading a protest against the war outside Bush's ranch in Crawford, Tex., according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The survey found that 52 percent of the public says Bush should talk to Sheehan, who has repeatedly asked for a meeting with the president, while 46 percent said he should not. Fifty-three percent support what she is doing while 42 percent oppose her actions, according to the poll.

Sheehan began her protest three weeks ago, four days after Bush began a five-week vacation at his Crawford ranch. She has repeatedly demanded that Bush meet with her to discuss the war. The two met last year at an event for military families, and Bush has repeatedly declined another meeting. Recently Sheehan announced plans to embark on a bus tour after protesters break camp later this week. The bus tour will end in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24 with a 24-hour vigil.

Like the war and Bush's overall handling of the situation in Iraq, at udes toward Sheehan divide along sharply partisan lines. Seven in 10 Democrats say they support Sheehan's position on Iraq while an equal proportion of Republicans oppose her.

In the three weeks since she began her protest, Sheehan has quickly become the most visible symbol of the anti-war movement. Fully three in four Americans say they have read or heard about Sheehan and her protest.

The survey also suggests, however, that Sheehan's anti-war vigil has failed to mobilize large numbers of Americans against the war. If anything, her opposition has done as much to drive up support for the war as ignite opponents, the survey found.

Eight in 10 Americans--including overwhelming majorities of Democrats, Republicans and political independents--say Sheehan's protest has had no impact on their at udes toward Iraq. While one in 10 say she has made them less likely to support the war, the same proportion say she has made them more likely to back the conflict.

A total of 1,006 randomly selected adults were interviewed by telephone Aug. 25 through 28 for this national survey. The margin of sampling error for the overall results is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Additional results from this Post-ABC News poll will be available at 5 p.m. today at washingtonpost.com.

© 2005 The Washington Post Company

[exstatic]

Sheehan managed to do something no one else has: get Shrub back to work. Their kumbayah singing drove him back to D.C. early. Good for her.

[Spurminator]

Sheehan managed to do something no one else has: get Shrub back to work. Their kumbayah singing drove him back to D.C. early. Good for her.

Uhm............

Turn on CNN, or some news channel.

[exstatic]

Why? To see the administration "spin" the return as a function of Katrina? He's been managing (or mismanaging) the Iraq war from Crawford. What aid can't he authorize from there? I'm sure Rove wanted to find a way out of Crawford without looking like they were running. They found one...

[Nbadan]

"Before he died when his truck overturned during combat in Baghdad, Sgt. Thomas Strickland, 27, posted an entry on his weblog sharing his anger about the situation in Iraq," in which he questioned the United States' ' ed' Iraq war plan.

<snip>

"What the has my chain of command been doing? We were winning somewhat when I left. And now we're being pinned down in our own ing homes? Insurgents are pushing locals out of their homes and taking over my area at will? What kind of ed plan have we been half-assedly executing? Obviously the kind that neglects sound contact with locals. Obviously the kind that gives further distance to unbridged gaps between soldiers and locals. Obviously the kind that has shown enough weakness when confronted by the insugency that it has been encouraged to grow.

Back home (the USA kind) I have no home, no job, and my commander in chief is on vacation (he's about 20 days behind Ronald Reagan right now in the race to become the most vacationing president ever. Hey W! we all got our fingers crossed! Here's to you and two more years of presidency...er vacationing!). Luckily pretty much everything that is important to me can fit into the back of a truck. Luckily I just paid off one of those."

Live Journal

[Spurminator]

Why? To see the administration "spin" the return as a function of Katrina? He's been managing (or mismanaging) the Iraq war from Crawford. What aid can't he authorize from there? I'm sure Rove wanted to find a way out of Crawford without looking like they were running. They found one...

Another one flies off the deep end.

I think his move to DC was probably a PR-ish move... He has to do something. People may tolerate him being "on vacation" during a war, but they're not going to tolerate it during a natural disaster crisis.

Still, if you honestly think he's leaving 3 days early because he's intimidated by Sheehan... You and Boutons should meet for drinks.