WP: Cindy Sheehan's Pitched Battle

[Pirate Smile]

Cindy Sheehan's Pitched Battle
In a Tent Near Bush's Ranch, Antiwar Mother of Dead Soldier Gains Visibility

By Michael A. Fletcher
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, August 13, 2005; Page A01

CRAWFORD, Tex., Aug. 12 -- Cindy Sheehan vaulted into national consciousness this month on the power of her story as the grieving mother of a fallen solider.

But what began as a solitary campaign to force a meeting with President Bush by setting up camp along the road to his ranch has quickly taken on the full trappings of a political campaign. Sheehan is working with a political consultant and a team of public relations professionals, and now she is featured in a television ad.

Sheehan began her protest here last Saturday after crisscrossing the country for more than a year demanding answers on why Bush continues to wage what she calls an unjust war in Iraq. After her son Casey Sheehan, 24, was killed in Baghdad last year, she founded Gold Star Families for Peace, an antiwar organization that labored largely in obscurity -- until now.

In part, Sheehan's case has echoed as her grievances merged with what polls show is growing dissatisfaction with the war. But her cause has also been aided by political organizers who swiftly mobilized around her -- recognizing an opportunity to cause acute discomfort for a vacationing president and put a powerful emotional frame around the antiwar movement.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/12/AR2005081201816.html

[DURHAM D]

1. What a shit head - quoting the American Spectator (Scaiffe rag)

and going to great trouble to find a way to write a negative article. Oh well, I already hated the Post.

[girl gone mad]

2. Just total garbage.

He finds subtle ways to tear her down. She has PR people and a political consultant. Who cares? How many PR people and political consultants do Bush and the Pentagon have? SCores and scores, I'm sure.

[nofurylike]

3. please write it to them?

[e-mail]

and, again, please also write thanks to writers who do 'get it'?

thank you


peace

[cliss]

4. Well, in this case I'm OK with it.

Good publicity - bad publicity: she's getting it all. And America is sitting up, taking notice. Make no mistake, this woman is the topic at many dinner tables tonight.

"Hate me, but don't ignore me" might work in this case. Besides, Americans aren't that stupid. They're going to identify with her, no matter what they say.

[Bumblebee]

7. I agree. It's a front page story. It says she has achieved her purpose

of making it a very visible campaign and causing B. lots of discomfort. It does quote her detractors, including the RW idiots and her in-laws but ends on how she says her husband and children are on the same side of the fence. We may be unhappy with some aspects of the piece but I can assure you the freepers are livid over the front page publicity she is getting in the WP. Let's be realistic.

[Bumblebee]

8. Their editorial about Iraq, on the other hand, is total disgrace.

[grytpype]

5. Sheehan is media-savvy? Good!

It's about time we had someone on our side who knows what the fark she is doing!

More power to her!

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. Don't you know? Only the rw is allowed to use the media.

We are supposed to sell dream catchers to each other.

[Free2BMe]

9. Obviously this journalist and GWB need a dictionary..

What comments to make when the president stands casually at his ranch and says he "sympathizes" with those who have lost loved ones in Iraq (ref..Cindy). He can't SYMPATHIZE and shame on the journalist who is obviously oblivious to anything but limited vision...To sympathize one must have kinship and experienced the same loss...Did you lose a child...George? Did you lose a child...Michael...Shame on this president for his insensitivity and misuse of the english language in this sad time...