I want to see Cindy Sheenan in handcuffs

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

What I mean to say is, I sincerely hope that in the event they actually do take the step of arresting her, she is surrounded by lots of people with cameras. Just one good shot of a group of very large men hustling her into a vehicle, or of some armed-to-the-teeth lackey putting the cuffs on her, would end up literally being the picture seen around the world. Someone in another thread posted the famous shot of the Chinese youth standing in the path of the line of tanks-- a single clear shot of Cindy being arrested would indeed rise to that level. Cindy Sheenan's struggle at that point would finally focus the attention of the world upon Crawford Texas, and to the boy who would be king.

Cindy, I'm truly sorry you have been put in this position-- what happened to your son has left you miserable and hurt in ways most can only vaguely understand. You aren't standing in the spotlight out of a sense of adventure or an attempt to gain your fifteen minutes of fame-- your stand rises to the "If not me, who? If not now, when?" standard and beyond. It takes a rare person to find the strength to stand and be the one who fights the devil.

We at DU understand that, and feel your sorrow along with you. We understand the viciousness and madness on *bush's behalf that put you upon this path. We fear for your safety, and most of us watch from a seemingly safe distance as this living chess game develops.

*bush is in check right now, Cindy, and his available moves are severely limited, thanks to you and your strength and determination. Imagine, a single grieving mother standing up against the most horrible developing fascist dictatorship in history. Well done. Remember, however, that you are not alone. You have more friends than you will ever be able to count. The dictatorship cannot defeat that. The more they try to silence you, the louder and stronger your message will become.

Go for checkmate, Cindy. Stand and be strong, and when they put the handcuffs on you, remember that you have the strength and will of all the citizens of The United States Of America there to help you break the chains.

The country will never forget what you are doing to the man sitting huddled in the middle of his pig farm. You're helping to defeat a madman. And never forget- you are not alone. We're all there with you, ready to fight when the time comes.

God bless you, Cindy Sheenan.

[wli]

1. is there a way to film from afar, where the SS won't kill you?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. I have a feeling there are a lot of people there who

don't plan to be that paranoid. (Nothing personal.)

[alphafemale]

3. Is she our...dare we hope it...Is she our Rosa Parks?

Is it wrong to dare hope it?

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

4. Not wrong to hope it, but

possibly wrong to wish it.

[wli]

5. well, if not kill, then confiscate the film and cameras

The idea is to get the footage out.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. Nooner kick

:evilgrin:

[Buns_of_Fire]

7. Elegantly written

:thumbsup:

Please stay safe, Cindy.

[Left Brain]

8. You know, I'd love to see that too, you don't know how much.

But it would be naive to think that DU isn't monitored continually by the neocons for our reactions to this and every other political issue that we take an interest in. It's an open forum that anyone can read with or without membership.

Does any one of us believe that we're not closely watched here by our enemies for the general tone and reaction we exhibit for any given topic? Of course we are! Our responses give the *ers a finger on the pulse of their opposition, and from that they can strategize their next move.

Over the last few hours, we've made our feelings known on this issue, and then some. It has given *co plenty of time to think about how they want to proceed, plenty of opportunity for k-k-k-karl to sit sonnyboy down and tell him that no matter how much he'd like to avoid seeing the ever-multiplying faces of dissent, this is one time he's just gonna have to suck it up.

Personally, I would be surprised if they arrest her. By now they most certainly know that if they do, she will become the National poster-child for truth, justice, and everything this administration has done and continues to do illegally in the name of "freedom." I don't think they'd allow us that victory.

My best hope is that the numbers in Crawford continue to grow, daily, hourly. I'd be there in a heartbeat if I could, and I am there in spirit. Cindy's heartfelt vigil is getting attention, no matter how the administration reacts. Arrest her. Don't arrest her. It matters not. Her message is gaining momentum.

[Eloriel]

9. I think you're wrong

Not about DU being monitored -- and even toyed with, OFTEN (like daily) -- but they've painted themselves inti such a corner right now you just can't believe. Their HUBRIS alone pretty much ensures that they will continue to fuck this up. And ya can't get past hubris by reading a discussion forum.

Plus, it's not OUR reactions they need to be concerned about. It's all the rest of the country's reactions.

Oh, and here's another part of the growing problem for them:

Military Families to Join Cindy Sheehan in Crawford
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1687928
Link: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51471

I just can't see how they can successfully manhandle a group like that, and NOT pay a huge political price. In short, from what I can see, Bush has a huge political price to pay no matter what he does, tho actually meeting with her (GAWD that woman has courage, to want to meet again with someone with no soul, and blank eyes) would be his least-costly way out.

[Left Brain]

12. Thanks for the feedback, Eloriel

Always appreciate your POV, sincerely.

[rman]

10. it's win-win-win-win

arrest: she'll be a martyr of sorts.

No arrest, bush ignores her: she follows him to Washington (so she said).

Bush talks with Cindy and tells her more lies: Cindy gets to pull a "i may be a grieving mother but i'm not stupid".

Bush talks with Cindy and tells her the truth: your son died for oil and imperialism.

[stevedeshazer]

11. While I can understand your sentiment, I disagree.

The day Cindy Sheehan is handcuffed is the day democracy dies in the United States.

I don't want that. It means Civil War II.

I'd much rather see her become the rallying point of a peaceful movement against the war than a television spectacle and a flashpoint for radical right hate mongers.

It's not checkmate for us if she is arrested. It's checkmate for them.

[huskerlaw]

13. I see where you're coming from, but...

I see it more like the Civil Rights Movement than the Civil War. Much like the non-violent protests and subsequent arrests of MLK & Co., Cindy would become the face of a movement.

It is up to us to keep it from becoming Civil War II. Just like the civil rights marchers chose to continue their fight peacefully and turn the other cheek when approached with violence, we would have to chose to do the same. Every time a peaceful protestor is injured or arrested, we win...they don't. And eventually, the tide turns. Heck, it already is, but it turns faster.

If Cindy Sheehan is arrested, BushCo doesn't win. The millions of Americans who are sitting on the fence or are against the war but haven't decided to do anything about it will be shown the face of a grieving mother. A woman who could easily be their neigbors, or even themselves. And then it becomes personal. Unfortunately, many Americans require a tragedy to become personal before they'll act. Well guess what, when they see themselves or their loved ones in the face of a woman who is arrested for demanding justice for her dead son, they'll act. And I don't think they'll react with force. As many have done since Cindy began her crusade, they will join her. Peacefully, but in great numbers. And we will win.

[stevedeshazer]

14. We'll win, regardless.

Good thoughts.

I hope you're right.