Just back from Camp Casey

[BeTheChange]

Im so blessed to have been able to hug Ann Wright and Diane Wilson! They are women I aspire to someday be like. I didnt see Cindy, but Im sure Ill catch her next time. A few comments, observations and ramblings.

Comments-
We arrived in Crawford at 2pm and easily found the Peace House. Unfortunately, nobody was there and we had no idea where to find them. We knew they were by the ranch, but it isnt as if Crawford TX has signs out that say GWB ranch this way---> We drove around a bit aimlessly and decided to brave the locals throwing rotten fruit and ask an attendant at the gas station the way. Luckily, he gave us directions and we ended up finding the folks. Soon after, someone went back in to post a map and information.

Very spirited, nice and determined people were there and the atmosphere was very positive. I even met TexasLady and her husband so DU was just as represented as Code pink or Veterans for Peace :) I felt like I was sitting on someones porch sipping an ice tea and passing the time. Im used to political gatherings having an underlying feeling of tension, even among friendlys. Everyone usually seems so tightly wound. Couldn't have asked for a nicer day, its never this temperate in early August.

Observations -
Okay, Id like to preface this by saying that Im not complaining about this stuff.. okay people? This is not a personal attack... I am so thankful for everyone that is doing anything. No, I dont think I can do it better. Yes, I do think you guys deserve alot more resources.

First, nobody had any literature. A group of three older ladies.. I swear, they really looked like they would have been more at home at home at a ladies tea...stopped by just to see what the hubub was about and they engaged the people there in debate. It would be nice to have a handout about Cindy and what she believes to give to these people.. even to the press. My opinion is great and all, I obviously like it, but I was there to support Cindy, the woman who somehow got gaggles of reporters out to Crawford with very little actual physical presence. We (me included) were all over the place with our reasons... hers is the one that people have been receptive to.

We really need to get people out there next weekend. If Bush was intelligent he would just talk to her now.. I hope we dont squander this golden goose and people really mobilize to get their asses out there. My hubby and I will be camping out Saturday and maybe Friday night.

Second, they need some things. Everyone there said, oh no.. we dont need anything. All very gracious people. But truth is, they need stuff :) Like, a chemical toilet.. or a portapotty. They have to drive like 5 miles to go to the bathroom. They could probably use lanterns.. battery operated. Maybe flash lights would be good too. I will say that it does concern me after seeing the road that the sherriff said something about how they needed to move "for their own safety". The cops and others were kinda whizzing through there. It wouldnt be that hard to put out some cones with flashing lights on them. I drove down closer to the ranch and a cop was being used to set up a blockade to Bush's.. why cant the protestors get a friggin cone? Huh?

Anyway... this week Ive dedicated 2 hours a day to getting Bush out of office. Im making flyers about Crawford and putting them in places I think that like minded people might find them. In pockets of jeans at the malls... between the pages of papers and magazines, on the kiosks at the local campuses right next to where kids are signing up for classes. You get the picture.

I hope I get to meet more of you next weekend. I hope this thing grows and takes over the acres and acres of farmland, little villages of believers...

[frictionlessO]

1. Im trying to come down in two weekends.

Finances are low and Im in NY, but I can easily put aside the time to get down there.

Hoping for a solution soon.

[BeTheChange]

6. Yay!

I hope both that it doesnt last too long, as well as that it lasts for atleast a few weeks. I'm conflicted.

Let me know if you need anything when you are able to make it down.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

16. fricO- Told the hubby I'm going on the 19th

would love to hook up if you go and meet the wife!
PVD

[helderheid]

2. I just put a call out to all DUers

to travel to Crawford just like so many did to say goodbye to Andy

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4283460

[steve2470]

3. kick nt

[rateyes]

4. "If Bush was intelligent he would just talk to her now."

which tells us, is isn't going to talk to her now!!

;)

[AmBlue]

10. The longer this drags on...

...the better for us. Part of me hates to say it, but it's true. As the OP says, this is our "golden goose" and we have the opportunity to turn it into a spontaneous national peace movement. We can't afford to squander it. Please go over to this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4280971
about how we can all help Cindy and let's get our butts in gear, people. Time is a ticking...

[reprehensor]

5. Cindy's keynote address from last Friday night...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x145548

She is awesome.

[diddlysquat]

7. Please post a way to send donations.

[BeTheChange]

8. I dont know if that has solidified yet..

Im sure someone on DU will post when it is all hammered out.

[kimpossible]

9. Crawford Peace House is working on it

They expect to have a Paypal link up on their site soon, probably on Monday.

http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/

[proud patriot]

11. Great info about motels and campgrounds

http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/protest.html

[BeTheChange]

12. Tonkawa falls campground looked like it had potential..

Its one of the prettiest areas I have seen in Texas..

[BeTheChange]

13. Just curious...

Why is the Crawford Peace house setting it up instead of Cindy's organization, or the Veterans? I didnt meet anyone from the Peace house while I was there, so I just am not sure how they fit in, other then offering to act as a home base if people need showers and stuff...

[Callboy]

14. drudge downplaying her determined effort

on his show last night. Nice.

[Callboy]

15. i hope more people support her. God Bless.

[bos1]

17. lameness

Your comments about the lame scene you found just shows how lame, neutered and clueless the "opposition" is. I thought Air America was a sign this was changing, but when I listen to Air America (after listening to rightwing radio until I can't take it anymore) I just hear a bunch of lame broadcasters who know one would want to listen to. The rightwingers and haters are organized, well funded and skilled. The opposition is daffy and supported by bakesales saling cookies where they accidentily used salt in place of the sugar. So weak. Depressing. What hope is there?

[Plaid Adder]

20. There are those who call it...spontaneity.

As opposed to, you know, "astroturf."

Lame or not, it seems to be playing well to the media, which is what matters. Cheer up, bos1! You might be surprised.

C ya,

The Plaid Adder

[bos1]

21. Will Try

OK I will try to cheer up, but I could tell you the experiences I have had with the opposition, with trying to do the right thing with 4 or more people... It's why I wrote all this, and what good does "playing well to the media" do? The millions-strong antiwar protests played well too, and it got us nothing.

[BeTheChange]

25. Well,

Im disappointed in people for not getting their ass out there, but I wouldnt call the scene lame. Its very powerful what they are doing.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[magnolia]

40. Relax...

When someone advises us to wisely "do nothing because it isn't going to work anyway" it is a red flag!

[mistertrickster]

29. It looked bad for King and the marchers too. That is, until they won.

India would never get its independence from England, until they did. The joke of the Vietnamese resistence could never withstand the might of America's war machine, until they beat us.

"Perfection is the enemy of progress." Could the Texas protest be better organized and better run and better funded? Yes, no doubt. But what you're saying is because it's not as good as it could be, they shouldn't do anything.

One woman stands by the road and the whole world wants to know why. That's a hell of an acheivement.

Quit yer bitchin' . . .

[bos1]

71. you're kidding I presume

Uh, if you went to an MLK march you saw hundreds of dignified people, not as the report says, "A group of three older ladies.. I swear, they really looked like they would have been more at home at home at a ladies tea" and without even any literature for anybody.

And surely you don't really intend to compare Cindy Sheehan to the Viet Cong...

[BeTheChange]

81. THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID..

I said a group of 3 ladies that looked like they would be more at home at a ladies tea STOPPED BY..

Not that they were the protest!

I am not trying to downgrade the efforts of the people there.. Im simply hoping that all of us can come together to help!

[mistertrickster]

96. No, she's not like the Viet Cong in her tactics or her motivations.

But they "couldn't win" either, could they, bos?

[bos1]

97. Cindy is the USA. VC were at war with the USA. Any questions?

that's where the analogy gets tired.

[mistertrickster]

98. Well, I guess that just goes to show that you can be liberal and still

not "get it."

[Name removed]

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[bos1]

48. look before you post

If you had you might've seen that I have already made literature for other people on this thread so they can print and copy and fedex it to the Crawford site.

[Javaman]

49. My bad...

However I still stand behind my sunshine and glitter comment.

[Pretty_in_CodePink]

91. I'd like to do that too!

How can I get a copy?

[bos1]

95. print and send

Try going to this address and right clicking to download -- hope it works for you: http://belfries.tripod.com/sheehan.htm

[ncanadianlee]

50. New members

Should I leave just leave ? I have even fewer posts?

[Name removed]

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[SammyWinstonJack]

72. You would be so wrong to think that.

"Whereas to me it means they spend too much time venting their opinions to the converted on message boards instead of actually doing something."

Shows just how much you DON'T know what you are speaking of with regard to DUers with "1000+ posts.

[sendero]

77. Ok...

The reaction you are getting is because we do get a lot of people coming in here, pretending (usually rather unconvincingly) to be "liberals" or Democrats or progressives who are really here to spread discord, hate and discontent.

I don't think that's why you are here, but I can understand why some might.

There is a fine line between constructive criticism and depressing carping. I probably cross it now and then, but I've been here a long time and folks are used to it.

I understand the gist of what you are saying, but I think maybe you are taking it a bit too hard. This (Sheehan in Crawford) is not the kind of scripted photo-op like those the Republican stage. No doubt we need to be better organized and such, but along with the negative I see things getting better all the time.

Welcome to DU!

[me b zola]

75. "Should I leave just leave ?"

ONLY if you are here to disrupt.

The other poster is drawing negative attention because they are making negative comments about the work that we and others on the left are engaged in.

Would you move to a foreign country and tell the native people that you think that they are lame? It would be rude. If I were to move to Hungary (off the top of my head) I would concentrate getting to know the locals and focus on the things that I liked about my new surroundings. To go to their land and immediately speak ill of it would be a sure way to cut myself off from building trusting, meaningful relationships with the locals.

We have many people who come here to disrupt. There are often red flags that alert us that someone may be here for less than honorable purposes.

If you are here to learn more about the issues and to work for positive change----welcome.

[southlandshari]

93. No, you should not.

And anyone (no matter what their post count) who has a problem with a member, a post or a thread, should use the alert button at the bottom of the left side of the message box to report their concerns to moderators and administrators of DU.

[Name removed]

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[GeorgeBushytail]

44. Why don't you sit in a corner and sob rather than organizing

Blaming others is easy. What have you done?

[Name removed]

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[Plaid Adder]

18. If there's anyone local who knows of a sympathetic local grocery store,

maybe something could be set up where people call in to order supplies for the protestors. I have been in Texas in August and I seriously worry about whether everyone has enough water. It's friggin' hot down there!

Let us know if anyone gets a Keep Cindy Hydrated fund set up,

The Plaid Adder

[BeTheChange]

24. As people come...

They bring food and drinks. It did appear that they had plenty of water, fruit.. chicken, etc :)

[annabanana]

52. here's a local place that agreed to deliver

a couple of cases of bottled water for me:

I called The Coffee Station [phone]
used my mastercard, and asked them to deliver them to the Peace House (which they assure me they know the location)..

Not knowing their political leanings, I mentioned that it didn't' matter what you think of President Bush, this is the grieving Mother of a dead soldier...(and they need some water out there)

[faithnotgreed]

63. you did a great thing anna~ now if all this outpouring can be

coordinated
crawfordpeacehouse.org perhaps

then we can make sure they have what they need but i love what you did here

thank you so very much for taking some action (and your wise words to the store)

[Horse with no Name]

19. If anyone has a link, or can show me what to do

I will print up a few hundred info sheets and get them to you in Crawford.
Would that help?

[bos1]

22. link for sheets

Here is a good page, if you can cut and paste from it, you could produce a good info sheet on Sheehan and her stand at Crawford. http://www.democrats.com/node/5595

[Horse with no Name]

23. Thank you.

I will print some flyers today.
Can I FedEx these to Crawford Peace House?

[bos1]

27. flyer

Hello in case you don't have time is a link to some quickie flyers. Two pages in case you can do a two-sided flyer. Click on "flyers" http://prahava.tripod.com/sheehan.htm

I don't see why you couldn't fedex them to the CPH

[bos1]

57. print and send

Hello in case you don't have time is a link to some quickie flyers. Two pages in case you can do a two-sided flyer. Click on "flyers" http://prahava.tripod.com/sheehan.htm

I don't see why you couldn't fedex them to the CPH

[Scout]

83. flyer won't open or download for me.... n/t

[funkybutt]

28. Can we encourage donations to the Crawford Peace House?

http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/membership.html

[mistertrickster]

33. I don't see why not. I belond to a P&SJ group in my town and we have

a Peace House too. They must have a director that could cash checks and funnel donations to the protestors.

If you can't trust the Peace House, then who can you trust (heh).

I'm going to send them a check today.

[funkybutt]

30. Maybe we should start a Crawford "wish list"

Based on this post they need:

A Port-o-potty
literature

What else?

[bos1]

46. Literature

Please see that some literature has already been generated in the threads on this forum for anyone to print, copy and fedex to Crawford

[trogdor]

31. Camp Casey?

There is a US military base in Tongduchon, South Korea, that is called Camp Casey. It used to be the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Division before they moved further south. Lots of shopping, booze, and hookers there.

[jane_pippin]

32. Question for you since you were there...

I can't get to Crawford but have let my friends know about what's going on there and we're sending letters/postcards of support/care packages (as soon as we know what is needed), lighting candles in our windows, etc. We wanted to make a mix cd to help keep spirits up but then it dawned on us (we're slow like this sometimes :) ) that they might not want it (could be annoying) or be able to hear it (no cd player). We just want to know if you think this is something they (and you of course) would like or something that would just get in the way. So. What do you think?


Thanks for being there and for keeping those of us who can't be there updated.

[BeTheChange]

35. Hrmm..

I cant really speak for any of them. I was planning on bringing a cd of protest songs this weekend because I love music.. but none was playing when I was out there. It could very well have been because they had no generator :)

I'm sure that even if they didnt have anything portable, someone could pop it into their car.. and they would appreciate the thought, if nothing else!

[jane_pippin]

36. Thanks for the info

I think we'll just do it, send it, and if they/you like it, good. If not, no big deal.

Thanks again :hi:

[Name removed]

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[ray of light]

41. ideas in support if you can't go

I can't go but there are things we can do in our own town to help. We can build a tent city here and have candlelight vigils. We can involve our friends and neighbors and bring the protest to our home town.

We can call our reps and our media and lay it on the line. Get them committed to truth telling and that includes the DSM.

We can print up literature and put it on cars.

We can make a t'shirt in support of Cindy and include the information of the dsm.

AND we can include a t'shirt with a candle for cindy and everyone there. Maybe it could say, "Bless OUR flame of hope (Cindy and all) and Bless their efforts to end the war and protect our children. Now is the time to hold Bush accountable for chosing war with fake facts (Downing Street Minutes)."

[PinkyisBlue]

42. Grassroots Support

This is great! People are really beginning to rally to the cause. Even if this isn't the event that topples the evil Bush empire, it will certainly weaken it. More and more people are starting to realize what is going on. Keep on pushing.............
Power to the People!!

[bejammin075]

43. Tip for the port-o-potty situation:

Just shit on a shovel with a real long handle.

Then catapult it in the general direction of Bush's ranch.

[BeTheChange]

45. heh..

the closest they let you get is like 5 miles away. That would have to be one hell of a catapult :)

[annabanana]

53. maybe we could borrow the "propaganda catapult"

We know THAT can sure fling the poo!!

[volitionx]

47. Cindy RULES...

I heard an interview with her last night on the Laura Flanders Show, on XM Satellite 167 (America Left).

Cindy is ON IT. She gets it.

She said that Bush is totally afraid of her, which is right on.

She said that Bush doesn't plan to leave Iraq, which is also true.

She said that she met him soon after her son was killed, and Bush wouldn't even look at photos of her son, and refused to talk about it, changing the subject every time she tried to talk about it.

She also said that she could tell that Bush didn't have "an ounce of compassion" in him.

Cindy's connected. She knows all about the blogosphere (Daily Kos was mentioned), etc. She's not some clueless protester.

Hopefully, her example will serve as a meme, a template, that will spread to other mothers who have had their children killed in this war, or mothers who fear for their sons lives in Iraq.

This could spread into a great movement.

AND...The longer Bush holds out, the WORSE that FASCIST looks. So it actually benefits us (and the world) that he shows his true colors and doesn't meet with her. Like she said, "he's a coward".

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

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[dave29]

56. she learned the truth

Bart

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

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[ripple]

60. Freeper alert -nt

[Midlodemocrat]

65. Could they be any dumber?

[hiaasenrocks]

64. You are repeating something that

you quite obviously found on a right-wing blog.

Let's assume what you posted is true. Why then would * have a problem talking to her at this point? Should we assume that the previous meeting was just a photo-op for *? Gee, imagine that! How dare this lady interrupt a five-week vacation.

[bos1]

59. fake

Funny how there is no link and no record of this on the internet anywhere except for a brand new creation from within the last few days, for something that is supposed to be a year old

[caraher]

66. Actually, the "Freeper" story is legit (if not the interpretation)

You have to pay to get the article from the archive but the quotes from the deleted post #51 were apparently actually published in The Reporter from Sheehan's hometown of Vacaville, CA. But of course, they were a very selective sampling of the article, and somewhat misleading.

If you want to see for yourself go to http://www.thereporter.com/search?_DARGS=/portlet/sitesearch/quick_search.jsp and search for the June 24, 2004 article (I just typed "Sheehan Bush" in the search box and searched 2004 articles). It costs $1.95 to see the article from the archive.

Not included in the "Freeper" snippets:

" "We haven't been happy with the way the war has been handled," Cindy said. "The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached."

The 10 minutes of face time with the president could have given the family a chance to vent their frustrations or ask Bush some of the difficult questions they have been asking themselves, such as whether Casey's sacrifice would make the world a safer place.

But in the end, the family decided against such talk, deferring to how they believed Casey would have wanted them to act. In addition, Pat noted that Bush wasn't stumping for votes or trying to gain a political edge for the upcoming election."

Also, toward the end there's a quote from Cindy:

" "That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together," Cindy said."

Read in context, it's quite clear that this "gift" was not the result of anything Bush said to her or the family, but from the time the family had together on the trip to meet with Bush.

So in answer to the original post's rhetorical question, the answer is, "Nothing has changed." The war was wrong and Cindy Sheehan's message did not change as a result of the meeting. The only apparent contradiction is that, unlike Bush, the Sheehans actually have some notion of what it means to behave with class and dignity even in the presence of someone with whom they profoundly disagree - a concept that too many consider, to borrow the Attorney General's term for the Geneva Conventions, "quaint."

[bos1]

68. OK

I stand corrected. To answer the freeper question though, here is how she explains it-- ''I was still in shock then,'' Sheehan said. "Now, I'm angry. I want the troops home.

Sheehan said she plans to continue her vigil until she gets to talk to Bush. ''I'll follow him to D.C.,'' she said.

[MisterP]

61. technically, it's the "Lazy W Ranch"

wish I could be there, but I'm in the Gropenführer's Austria-On-the-Pacific
(thumbs up)

[BeTheChange]

82. I thought they were calling it Camp Casey

hrmmm

[MisterP]

87. I call it that 'coz W is lazy at it...

[hiaasenrocks]

62. Thanks for that report. And a few ideas...

Sorry if I'm repeating something that's already been suggested but here goes...

First of all, how much open land is around there? Any chance of getting some bands to play there, and some folks to speak--sympathetic politicians, for instance--and turn it into sort another Woodstock-type event that would hopefully attract more people (even if just to make some noise and attract more media)?

Just some thoughts off the top of my head that have probably already been discussed. Just wanted to add my $.02.

Thanks

[Kali]

67. just a quick suggestion on the "open land" woodstock thing

I think Texas is mostly a private land state so it would really behoove organizers to make sure they have permission from landowners or at the very least cover ANY perceived damages such as soil compaction, forage damage, littering, fences, livestock harassment or loss etc etc. If protesters trash some right-wingers (or even a potentially sympathetic farmer's) private property there will be a publicity backlash.

[hiaasenrocks]

88. That's a good point. I should have said

any land that some sympathetic land-owners would be willing to let them use.

Of course, finding such people in that part of Texas might be more of a task than the concert itself.

[Kali]

90. yeah too much of rural America has fallen for

the bushshit but there are a few of us out here that would love to do something like allowing a rally on our land - and most ranchers, even rightwingers have a certain disdain for rich fakers like "AllHat" the asshat. I wouldn't be surprised it there wasn't at least one family/rancher in the Crawford vicinity that is disgusted by his "neighbors".

[XboxWarrior]

69. had to reply

cant believe this flamefest made the front page...

but since it did, the hippy band fest sounds like a good idea...

I'm sure they have Cartman workin on the cure as we speak!

[GreenPartyVoter]

70. Thanks for the report! Glad you went down *hugs*

[az chela]

76. things needed in Crawford

I just received an email from the Crawford peace house with a list of things that Cindy and the people with her need.
If you are near there or know anyone who is she needs,food,water,Coffee,first aid kit,tarps,canopy,batteries,flashlights,wet wipes,banner supplies,rope paint,etc,nails and hammers,bug spray,ice chest and lots of ice.Car lighter adapter for electrical appliances,tents,tables,chairs.They are taking donations for Cindy at the
Crawford Peace house
P.o. box 710218
Dallas,Texa75371
Paypal will be set up on the crawford peace house web site very soon
Thanks for all the support


** Admin removed personal information at member's request.

[GeorgeBushytail]

78. I just ordered them a portable toilet

I ordered it before I saw your wish list. Hope it will help.

Here's where I ordered it:

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/

The PETT Portable Environmental Toilet:

http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=39068

and extra bags.

It should arrive Wednesday.

As my gift message I wrote "Poop for Peace!"

[BeTheChange]

80. You rock..

That looks so much better then a bucket to me..

[txindy]

84. You did a great thing

And your note is too funny! :applause:

:yourock:

[Lisa]

89. that's a very useful-looking toilet

Sure better than the one we used at the field station up north. I'm going to suggest we upgrade to this type. Thanks for the info, GB!

[lizzieforkerry]

94. stupid question alert...

What is Rope Paint? I'm going to put a care package together tomorrow and get it shipped out.

[neuvocat]

79. They attacked Paul Hackett

and they're trying to arrest this woman over her son's death basically.

[FreedomAngel82]

86. Sounds like a great experience!

Thanks for telling us about everything going on!

[riverwalker]

92. hope someone brings her a porta potty

can get them at any camping store, about 25$. Five miles to a bathroom is insane.

[AnnInLa]

99. Don't forget about the counter-demonstration planned for Saturday

sponsored by several local Clear Channel radio stations....free barbeque and coke, live music, appearances by local soldiers saying how mortified they would be if their mothers acted as Cindy does...demonstration will be in town, next to the bank. If you go down, steer clear of these knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers. Take some security (husband, lover, friend, big-guy) along with you.