For Mike, I'll start out by noting Democracy Now!
Mother of Soldier Killed in Iraq Protests Near Bush's Ranch (Democracy Now!)
In Texas a mother whose son was killed in Iraq has begun a month-long protest in Crawford in an attempt to meet with President Bush who is vacationing there at his ranch. Cindy Sheehan was joined on Saturday by 50 other anti-war activists. The Secret Service blocked the group from approaching the President's ranch and they were forced to gather four miles away from the site. Sheehan's son Casey was killed last year in Sadr City at the age of 24. She told reporters, "I want to ask George Bush: Why did my son die?"
Cindy Sheehan is taking a brave stand and you can learn more about it by visiting CODEPINK where they have a way for you to show support and a list of articles. Here's one you can find a link to.
"Letter from Cindy Sheehan, mother of killed Iraq Soldier" (U.S. Labor Against The War)
Dear Friends and Supporters,
George Bush said speaking about the dreadful loss of life in Iraq in August: (08/03/05): "We have to honor the sacrifices of the fallen by completing the mission." "The families of the fallen can be assured that they died for a noble cause." In reaction to these two assinine and hurtful statements, members of Gold Star Families for Peace (GSFP) are going to George's vacation home in Crawford, Tx this Saturday, August 6th at 11:00 am to confront him on these two statements. 1) We want our loved ones' sacrifices to be honored by bringing our nation's sons and daughters home from the travesty that is Iraq IMMEDIATELY, since this war is based on horrendous lies and deceptions. Just because our children are dead, why would we want any more families to suffer the same pain and devastation that we are? 2) We would like for him to explain this "noble cause" to us and ask him why Jenna and Barbara are not in harm's way, if the cause is so noble. 3) If George is not ready to send the twins, then he should bring our troops home immediately. We will demand a speedy withdrawal. GSFP will be joined by members of Veteran's for Peace (VFP), Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Code Pink, and Crawford Peace House. We GSFP members will not leave until we get answers from George Bush. We deserve and expect him to welcome us with answers to as why our loved ones are dead. Every worker for peace, every worker for justice, every person who wants our country back are welcomed to join us on Saturday. Show George Bush that we mean business. Be there to support us family members who have already been through so much. We are fighting for our country, our world, especially the children. Crawford is about 2 hours from Dallas where the VFP Convention is being held this weekend. There will be car pools from the convention.
Yes, that was this past weekend, but since Bully Boy won't meet with her, Cindy Sheehan's brave vigil goes on.
If you checked out The Common Ills today, you know that there are rumors that Sheehan will be arrested Thursday, if she continues her vigil, as a "threat to national security." Threat to Bully Boy's ever drooping image is more like it.
I agree with C.I. that Bully Boy couldn't make a bigger mistake than arresting Sheehan. If he does, watch the international community come alive. Watch other countries we lecture out about democracy and human rights trumpet that free speech isn't allowed in the United States. Watch allies recoil in shock at the way we treat Sheehan.
Sheehan's brave. I doubt she'll back down. And it won't make for good press for the Bully Boy if she's arrested.
There's a great editorial by The Third Estate Sunday Review (posted at The Common Ills due to problems The Third Estate Sunday Review is having with their site) entitled "Editorial: Cindy Sheehan puts most of us to shame." She does put us to shame.
Mike was having time issues this evening so he asked me to note the other sites. So we're going to check in. I'll start with C.I. and I'll fall back to two things. "Did the 'Night Letter' cause the riots in Afghanistan? Have you heard of it?" is a favorite of mine because it deals with the Newsweek controversy and tells you, actually, the riots in Afghanistan were probably caused not by Newsweek but by a "Night Letter." Next, I'll note "Jane Mayer's 'The Experiment' (The New Yorker)" which addresses Mayer's article that wasn't available online. At The Third Estate Sunday Review, I'll recommend the latest roundtable (on sexism and racism). Kat's done some great things but I prefer the thing where she talks about music and how it matters to her, "Two new reviews today." Mike's done many amazing things as well but my favorite lately is "Learn to play defense." Betty never ceases to make me laugh and I'm still laughing at her "Thomas Friedman makes the party by not attending." Cedric hits hard and that bravery is inspiring and, of his pieces thus far, my favorite is "When we going to make it onscreen?" As for Rebecca, I can't pick one. So I'll go with Mike's favorite, Rebecca on The Common Ills.
"Peace Quotes" (Peace Center)
In the name of peace
They waged the wars
ain't they got no shame
Nikki Giovanni, The Great Pax Whitie, 1979
