Bush pressed to meet protestor mom

[sandnsea]

Pressure continued to mount for President Bush to meet with the distraught mom of a soldier killed in Iraq as both Bay State senators backed the woman and scores of families joined her outside Bush's Texas home, including two from Massachusetts.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday each threw their support behind Cindy Sheehan, who has been camped outside Bush's Crawford, Texas, home since Saturday, vowing not to leave until the president meets with her about the war. Sheehan's 24-year-old Marine son, Casey, was killed five days after he arrived in Iraq.

``The president has not leveled with our troops and the American people,'' Kennedy said. ``I admire Cindy Sheehan for her courage and determination to make the president answer to her.''

Kerry spokeswoman April Boyd said: ``Senator Kerry understands the demands on Bush's schedule but hopes he will take time to meet with Mrs. Sheehan.''
http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=97671

[bluestateguy]

1. Is she going to follow him to Washington?

I suspect that she'll have to take this thing into the fall if she's going to get that meeting.

If she goes home after Baby Bush's vacation is over then the conservatives will be able to declare victory.

[sandnsea]

3. Yes, she is

She's said she'll camp on the White House lawn if she has to. As long as we support her, she can take this as long as she needs to. I'm sure somebody will loan her an RV for winter.

[YOY]

76. I drive by the white house every day.

You know she'll get a honk and a thumbs up from me and a hot sandwitch or a pizza if I'm walking by and know she's on the way!

[BootinUp]

2. The line from Kerry's spokesperson is pretty funny

as if time had anything to do with it.

[flordehinojos]

25. yes......it is as if bush's schedule IS an EXCUSE FOR not meeting cindy

sheehan.

it must be the skull and bones connection.

[blm]

28. No...it's making the point that Bush is on VACATION and has plenty of time

and how he chooses to spend that time will speak volumes. Bush is supposed to attend a fundraider today at 5000 a plate, remember?

[Bluerthanblue]

77. i agree, playing the gentleman

exposes the lack of class on bush's part-

i wrote Kerry yesterday asking why he's been silent- so glad to hear he isn't.

[VegasWolf]

31. Cutting trees down is easier than meeting with a pissed off mother!!!

Meeting with mothers is HARD, HARD Work! Hard Work!!

[xxqqqzme]

32. I know - that is really lame.

It is back door support.

[lavenderdiva]

69. clearing brush is 'hard work' and takes LOTS of time,

didn't you know? And then there's the time allocated for learning to ride bikes... :sarcasm:

[FlemingsGhost]

4. This is an illegal, immoral Democrat war, too.

You can't have it both ways, Senators.

[still_one]

5. I assume you are referring to Kerry because Kennedy was and is

against the Iraq war

and as far as I know has never indicated that we MUST stay the course

[FlemingsGhost]

7. Yes

Thank you for pointing that out.

Sorry for any confusion.

[FlemingsGhost]

8. Dupe

.

[sandnsea]

6. yes of course

They're criticized for not standing up against the Republicans on the war, but when they do, they're told to shut up because they "voted for the war". But Bush, who specifically said it was NOT a vote for war, gets away with that lie completely. Until the Downing Street Memo comes up, and then it's Bush was planning war in secret while telling the people he wasn't planning a war. :crazy:

Seems to me the left has spun the rhetoric on this war 15 ways from Sunday. If you want an opposition party, you're going to have to take it where you can get it, and be glad you got it.

[FlemingsGhost]

10. Show me the "opposition party," sandnsea

I see pigs gorging themselves at the corporate feeding trough.

[TankLV]

57. And I see that "finger in the wind to see which way it is blowing"

mentality - complete with a compliment to bunkerboy.

Lukewarm support is SUCH a thrill!

With friends like these...

But I'm glad HIS SPOKESPERSON finally said something, even if Kerry couldn't bring himself away from his "busy" schedule to say so in front of the microphones HIMSELF - that would be too much to ask.

But gotta love the excuses - they are a laugh a minute!

[MADem]

65. Kerry is on the road

He was at the IMUS Ranch two days ago, riding a large, energetic cutting horse (one of those four legged ones that the chimp is afraid of) and cutting cattle with the ranchhands.

He is driving around out west in a Ford F150 with a Harley in the back. The speculation is that he is combining a bit of vacation with a bit of organization for 08. Who knows, maybe he is talking to Bill Richardson about teaming up???? If Bill starts dropping a lot of weight, gives some major policy speeches, and gets real sartorial, we'll have some serious speculating to do...

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TankLV]

60. Spare me the sanctimony. It's appreciated but a too little and too late.

Guess he had to figure out how he could compliment a fellow skull and boneser.

Spare me your bullshit.

[LittleClarkie]

63. And usually against Dems, and Kerry in particular

They pipe up, they're wrong. They don't pipe up, they're wrong. They go there, they're wrong. They don't go there, they're wrong.

Fuck it.

[Dulcinea]

9. So that means she wasn't arrested yesterday?

Unless she was trespassing on private property, she has done nothing wrong.

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

42. Cindy's lawyer...

...solicited the ACLU and sent out letters to lawyers all over Texas earlier this week seeking help after it was announced she would be "arrested on Thursday" so they were "lawyering up" and i am sure a phone call or two was made reminding the sheriff of some past transgression of his. :evilgrin:

[radfringe]

11. if he doesn't pay attention to polls

why should he pay attention to 1 regular American mom....?

http://radfringe.tripod.com/ (new toon 8/11)

he's flipping us all the bird, or thumb, or pen or some other offending protuberance? :evilgrin:

[Kipling]

24. WOAH!

Read the article under that.

[Hekate]

12. W fails every test: Noblesse oblige, Southern Gent, Christian, ...

...Compassionate conservative.

He could have played this so many ways and looked like a human being:

* Royalty would have sent out a basket of food and cool water for the poor suffering subject who lost her son in the king's war. Even if the king or duke or whoever didn't come out of his castle, the gesture would have been sympathetic. Bush fails the test of noblesse oblige.

* A true Southern Gentleman (and I think some Texans like to be courtly to their women even if not in the Deep South style) would have invited her to the front porch for a pitcher of iced tea, at the very least. Bush fails the test of traditional good manners to women.

* A good neighbor would have walked down to the end of his driveway to hear her out. He's not really a good neighbor, is he?

* A Christian would have felt her pain as his own and would have acted accordingly. Wouldn't have laughed at Karla Faye Tucker for saying she was born-again, either, but that just goes to character.

* A Compassionate Conservative -- oh, please, now I'm going to hurt myself laughing. A CC would point out that this is an all-volunteer army and the bereaved should just take their lumps and stop bellyaching.

Bush just fails and fails to get humanity, or even good manners, and so do his handlers.

The only thing I find surprising is how naked this failure is. I thought the cabal was cunning enough to at least try to fake interest in Cindy Sheehan's plight in an effort to defuse the situation.

Instead they have tried to ignore her, then smear her. But a lot of the media has caught on to this tactic ('bout time) and a lot of people are noticing how tone-deaf the Bushco statements continue to be. And more people are showing up in Crawford all the time.

Not good for Bushie, not good at all.

Hekate

[FlemingsGhost]

13. Well ... it has given Rove time to plot his next move re: Plame

Mission Accomplished.

[Eloriel]

62. Ah, but you underestimate the hubris:

(Excellent post, btw.)

The only thing I find surprising is how naked this failure is. I thought the cabal was cunning enough to at least try to fake interest in Cindy Sheehan's plight in an effort to defuse the situation.

Well, they did "fake" an interest -- Bush/Rove sent Hadley and Hagin, you remember (LOL, and Cindy chewed them up and spit them out with her "I may be grieving, but I'm not stupid" remark in which she told them she didn't think even THEY could believe what they're saying) -- and Bush faked interest in his comments yesterday.

They think this will blow over too. And it may. They may be able to come up with something to MAKE it blow over (and my perennial fear is another terror attack).

They don't seem to get how thoroughly they've painted themselves in a corner: meet with her, he loses (tho not as bad) because she gets publicity for her cause; don't meet with her, he loses because she gets publicity for her cause and HE looks like the arrogant ass he is.

'Bout time someone on our side was able to engineer one of those lose/lose situations the right is famous for engineering against us.

[Liberal Veteran]

14. Here is the official list of "demands" on Bush's schedules

8am - Barney the Dinosaur
9am - Sesame Street
10am - snack
10:30am - Candyland tournament with Secret Service
11:30am - nap (he gets cranky after so much excitement)
12pm - pb and j lunch
1pm - xbox
2pm - Pickles reads "The Pet Goat" to him
3pm - Pickles re-reads "The Pet Goat" to him because he didn't get it
4pm - imaginary friend time
5pm - nap
6pm - supper
7pm - Veggie tale
9pm - tucked in for the night

[johnnie]

17. LOL

Funny. That made me literally laugh out loud. Snack, Xbox...LOL.

[VegasWolf]

33. You missed the "Ride bicycle and honk horn time" I think! nt

[mzmolly]

ROFL!

:rofl:

You forgot sneaks up at 11pm and watches Lizzie McQuire. Shhhh, don't tell Babs.



Naughty, Naughty!

;)

[SharonRB]

75. When does he squeeze in his 2-hour workout and

his bike ride (after which he'll need time to go to the clinic for band-aids).

[Buns_of_Fire]

15. Kennedy speaks for himself; Kerry speaks through a spokeswoman

That bothers me a little. No, actually, that bothers me a lot. C'mon, John. This is no time to be wishy-washy.

[blm]

29. Kerry is in Montana with Schweitzer. The reporter called his office for a

statement. Why would THAT anger you? If Kennedy was out of his office on vacation, his spokesperson would havedelivered his statement.

http://www.montanastandard.com/articles/2005/08/12/newsstate/hjjejbihjjgfjh.txt

[VegasWolf]

35. They don't have TV studios in Montana? nt

[blm]

38. Jump down the throat of Senator who puts out a statement supporting Cindy

That's called misdirected anger.

Try calling the 42 other senators who haven't spoken about it.

[jillan]

73. bravo!!! well said blm! n/t

[Bluerthanblue]

78. spot on- Blm

.

[Buns_of_Fire]

16. "I can't believe Bush has been so stupid

to not come out and talk to her yet and diffuse the whole thing," Lyman said.

I can...

[leftchick]

19. "who cares what you think"

I can too. His hubris will be his downfall.

[mknmehappy]

30. He will never talk to her face to face, never won't happen.

[joeunderdog]

34. This is a political mistake for Bush. Holding tight to his "idiot" status

He should meet with her, grin is shit-eating grin, and tell her how the war was for a "noble cause." He practically does this to the cameras every night anyway. By not doing this, he's just calling attention to her cause. He's just too much of a stubborn prick to understand this.

All it would take is just one more snicker in the face of a grieving family member to make this go away.

How pathetic.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

18. That's nice. Why don't they go meet her?

At least Kerry could explain why the war is worth supporting maybe?

[leftchick]

22. exactly

It would be a wonderful thing to see.

[tsuki]

20. Watch out, Cindy. When the going gets tough, the little toughie

will sic Big Babs on you.

[Skidmore]

21. It should not have taken a full week for these politicians

to announce their support for Cindy Sheehan. How many of these people need to stand and put their fingers in the air to see which way the wind is blowing before they make a statement of support? It is stuff like this that makes me angry with the Dems now. Some of them need to get down there and be very visibly present. Stand for something. Anything. Just stand for it. People these are supposed to be our leaders....

[all.of.me]

23. that was my initial thought, too

i also think kerry's statement is not bold enough. w should come out of his burrow and face the coyotes, and i think politicians should say that right out, instead of pussy footing around. who cares how freakin' busy he is?! people are dying every day while he cowers. speak up, speak loud, and be bold and fearless, for cryin' out loud!!!!

[TankLV]

59. Shhhhh! Sit down and shut up and be greatful for the tiny morsel

from the great saint Kerry! Don't you know there are about a hundred EXCUSES why Kerry can't/hasn't done anything! Gosh - you KNOW you're not supposed to ever ask impertinent questions of the great SAINT KERRY!

Too little, way too goddamned late. But thanks anyway - we'll all get along fine without him - we have FOR OVER A WEEK NOW!

[all.of.me]

66. how dare i !!!

[The Stranger]

26. The Democratic "Leadership" is with Cindy MORE and MORE,

and she needs them LESS and LESS.

[Skidmore]

39. Totally unacceptable.

They should have been on board from the beginning.

[SammyWinstonJack]

27. But I thought bush** was on VACATION?

"Senator Kerry understands the demands on Bush's schedule but hopes he will take the time to meet with Mrs. Sheehan." Oh that's right, it's a working VACATION. Chimpy is such a hard worker! No time for the peasants, especially the ones' whose life he has ruined, through outright lies.

[VegasWolf]

36. "Bring 'em on!!!", Bush says about the mothers! nt

[xxqqqzme]

37. this is f*ck-up #2

They were completely carried away w/ their own influence and importance by totally over reacting 2 Schiavo - complete w/ blivet** LEAVING crawford 2 sign legislation. THAT started the wake-up call; the poll #s slide and left the CMC up 2 their armpits in the entire mess of, mostly, their creation.

The CMC is now ignoring Cindy Sheehan cuz they're under orders. Her vigil is being covered by the internet beautifully - food - water - people traveling there; CMC is out of the loop 'n blivet** is looking like the coward he is by refusing 2 meet w/ her. It is now toooo late for him 2 met w/ her. If he had been there on Sunday when she arrived this would all be over instead of gaining momentum. Imagine the PR if he had been there on Sunday B4 CMC even showed up or knew what was going on?

[VegasWolf]

40. AWOL is demonstrating "Compasionate Conservatism" I guess!! nt

[VegasWolf]

41. Bush's own Mom has forever scarred his ability to talk to Mothers! nt

[Bluerthanblue]

79. i've been toying with the notion of going to Kennybunkport

and entreating his mother to admonish him-
She understands what it is like to lose a child-
It nearly did her in.

Mother-to-mother

Wish with all that is in me, i could join the folks in Texas in body- but it's just not possible. Me. is much more do-able.

[paineinthearse]

43. Bush pressed to meet protester mom (by Mass Senators Kennedy & Kerry)

http://news.bostonherald.com/national/view.bg?articleid=97671

Bush pressed to meet protester mom
By Dave Wedge
Friday, August 12, 2005

Pressure continued to mount for President Bush to meet with the distraught mom of a soldier killed in Iraq as both Bay State senators backed the woman and scores of families joined her outside Bush's Texas home, including two from Massachusetts. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday each threw their support behind Cindy Sheehan, who has been camped outside Bush's Crawford, Texas, home since Saturday, vowing not to leave until the president meets with her about the war. Sheehan's 24-year-old Marine son, Casey, was killed five days after he arrived in Iraq. ``The president has not leveled with our troops and the American people,'' Kennedy said. ``I admire Cindy Sheehan for her courage and determination to make the president answer to her.'' Kerry spokeswoman April Boyd said: ``Senator Kerry understands the demands on Bush's schedule but hopes he will take time to meet with Mrs. Sheehan.''

Speaking with reporters at his ranch yesterday, Bush expressed sympathy but made no concessions. White House aides met with Sheehan, which she described as ``pointless.'' ``She feels strongly about her position. And she has every right in the world to say what she believes,'' Bush said. But, he said, pulling out of Iraq now would be a ``mistake.'' ``One way to honor the fallen is to lay the foundation for peace,'' he said.

Sheehan was joined by soldiers' families who oppose the war, including a Hyannis mom whose son is being deployed next week and the wife and daughters of a Massachusetts National Guard sergeant from Billerica who is in Iraq. Rose Gonzalez, whose mother is serving north of Baghdad with the National Guard, called Sheehan ``inspiring.'' ``It's not too much to ask a president sending all these people into harm's way, to ask for time to speak with him,'' said Gonzalez, who will speak at a vigil on Boston Common tomorrow night to honor Sheehan. ``She lost a 24-year-old son. He was just a baby.''

Boston Mobilization organized the vigil to raise awareness and help military families who want to join Sheehan. Spokeswoman Eve Lyman said Bush should give her the courtesy of a meeting. "I can't believe Bush has been so stupid to not come out and talk to her yet and diffuse the whole thing,'' Lyman said.

[emulatorloo]

44. Kicking for Cindy and Senators Kerry and Kennedy

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[shanti]

45. FINALLY!

some dem leadership that is getting involved in ms. sheehan's plight!

[Chicago1]

46. Thank you Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy!!! :)

You both are WONDERFUL AND WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Senator Kerry, I can't wait until you get sworn in as PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (which technically YOU ARE!!!)

[mike923]

47. I haven't spent much time...

reading up on this story, but was her son a conscience objector?

[Nite Owl]

54. No, he was enlisted

Here's a good place to start some reading.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4313495

[Gregorian]

48. Everyone who supported this war should meet her.

From president Cheney on down. They should line up. Isn't it time?

Bless Mrs. Sheehan's heart. We're all suffering in her grief.

[LisaM]

49. Kerry should go down there and meet with her

that would drive * fricking nuts.

[HereSince1628]

55. No politician has Cindy's commitment, instead they weigh the risks

and decide that making statements, the thing they do best, is actually the best thing to do.

The big problem for many (most?) of the federal level Democrats is that they support continued use of troops.

Who would you imagine out on Prairie Chapel Road?

[JDPriestly]

50. Good for them.

I would like to see a joint press conference between Bush and Sheehan after their discussion. How long should the Sheehan/Bush meeting last? Bush should talk with Sheehan for as long as it takes for the two of them to agree on a mutual statement to the press. Cindy Sheehan is speaking for the vast majority of Americans.

[DemNoir]

51. Politicians stay out

The people are speaking now because you didn't have the guts too before.

The One mother standing for all is a powerful image. It is personal and above politics. Self-serving politicians will poison the atmosphere

[YvonneCa]

52. True leadership...

...I hope Bush watches and learns how it's done (although I doubt he will). Thank you Senators Kerry and Kennedy!:patriot:

[second edition]

53. Wonderful development! Thank you, Kerry and Kennedy! n/t

[Marlie]

56. Guess everything helps but

I don't quite get this line. Kerry Spokeswoman April Boyd said
Senator Kerry understands the demands on Bush's schedule but hopes
he will take time to meet with Mrs. Sheehan. Huh - he's on a five
week vacation with brief public relation stints each day. Demands
on his Schedule.. Guess politicians always have to keep the kid
gloves on, when it comes to Bush anyway.

[jillan]

74. it was a joke.

[Podface]

61. With luck

The idiot will continue to ignore her and let the situation
escalate. 

Has anyone seen the ad she is running? Devastating!

It looks like the major networks will be giving it the same
"analysis" as the swift boat ad, giving her massive
exposure. 

The worm has turned.

[rocktivity]

64. As Bill Maher said to Larry King the other night

Bush is "between Iraq and a hard place." And he has no one to blame but himself because he looks at capitulating now as weakness!

:headbang:
rocknation

[rocktivity]

67. My theory confirmed!

From The Light Of Reason:

...Bush does not decide what is the best action to take based on the available evidence and then determining what is best in terms of our own interests. No, he views such decisions through the prism of how they might be judged by our enemies...

This is the psychology of a man whose self-esteem is tied to his belief that he is always right in every decision—-not that his method is correct, which is where a man of genuine self-esteem will ground his self-worth (since all of us will make errors, and it is only when our method is correct that we will eventually discover them), but that he is right in each specific decision he makes. For such a man, to admit that the invasion and occupation of Iraq was a disastrous and calamitous error would be an admission that he himself is a failure.

...There is only one possible healthy reaction to this state of affairs: you should be very, very afraid. I certainly am.

:scared:
rocknation

[skygazer]

68. "Demands on Bush's schedule"?

He's on vacation. Again. What, he has to interrupt a round of golf?

[Dr Fate]

70. Ted & John are right. Both have always honored the troops (pic)

[jillan]

71. That is one of my favorite pics

I don't care what people think of this man, Kerry is such a gentleman.

Not like the critter in the WH!

[Bluerthanblue]

80. agree, i was

recalling that picture just the other day.
These men DO understand war, and death, and loss. First hand.

[Daphne08]

82. I agree. Kerry is a classy gentleman. Another thing,

I was already an adult during the Vietnam War, and John Kerry did NOT dishonor himself or this country! He came home and told the truth, much the same as Paul Hackett has done (to a lesser degree).

[tk2kewl]

72. Bush is going to have to meet with Cindy

Her movement is gathering too much steam. The only way for him to diffuse it is to meet with her.

If he does, another Gold Star Mom needs to demand the same. And on and on...

[burrowowl]

81. Oh! YES!

Let Bu$h meet her and let it be broadcast on all TV and radio stations and let people know what a GREEDY LYING FUCKTARD was elected or stole the election.
LET THE TRUTH OUT!