Quickie Transcript - Cindy interview with Anderson Cooper 8/17/05

[Synnical]

COOPER: Cindy, thanks for being with us. First of all, you had talked about moving this camp. Is that going to happen and when?

CINDY: It’s going to happen tomorrow. We’re going to move it up the road a little bit closer to George Bush’ ranch.

COOPER: There’s been a lot of criticism for you, there’s been a lot of support for you as I’m sure you know. On the internet, all around, on radios, on television. Ah, you’ve associated yourself with groups Moveon.org, uh, other, other protesters. Ben Cohen has funded some of the efforts here. Do you worry about tainting your message? By linking yourself with far left groups, or very liberal groups?

CINDY: Well, actually I think that became a little bit of a problem last week, towards the end of the week. But, I have re-focused on the message, and I’m trying to keep the media on point with the message. They’re not funding me, you know. I came here on my own dime and, um, people from all over the country – the donations are pouring in. And this is really a grassroots thing.

COOPER: And where is that going? That’s going to what, public relations groups to help you organize?

CINDY: The funding from the people in the country is going for water, food, um, the only thing I’m aware of that MoveOn is paying for is the PR firm.

COOPER: Co you, do you consider yourself a radical? I mean, some have been calling you a radical. And clearly some of the essays you’ve written. I mean, you’ve called President Bush a terrorist, the worst terrorist in the world. Called the war in Iraq blatant genocide

CINDY: Right, right.

COOPER: That’s pretty radical.

CINDY: I think I am pretty radical. But, only on this issue. You know, this is my issue. I just want the killing to stop. I don’t want any other mother to go through what I’m going through, Anderson. Whether she be Iraqi or American. And that’s what keeps me going is knowing that people are in harms way for no reason. I can’t stand that.

COOPER: And what happens to Iraq – I mean, you want US troops to pull out, what happens to Iraq?

CINDY: Um, there actually has been some studies that our presence there is fueling the insurgency. We need to pull back our military presence, we don’t need a military presence in the country. You know, if we were truly there to liberate them, you know, liberators leave when the job is done. Occupiers stay. And it looks like we’re occupying because there’s bases the size of Sacramento California there.

COOPER: Senator Joe Biden, who has been critical of President Bush for quite some time, he doesn’t say we should pull out, in fact, he says it would be a mistake to pull out. John Kerry says it would be a mistake as well. Um, basically their argument is basically handing Iraq over, whether we like it or not, Iraq is now the frontline on the war on terror. Whether is was supposed to be, whether it was initially, they say it is now. Do you believe it now the frontline on the war on terror?

CINDY: Uh, no I don’t. You know, I believe, like I said, our military presence there is fueling the insurgency, and there are studies. A study from Saudi Arabia and a study from Israel that said most of these people who have become suicide bombers, or have become, um, terrorists are actually just rising up because of the occupation and they never even thought of doing that before America invaded. So I believe a lot of the violence would stop.

COOPER: It’s Day Eleven, ah, I mean how long does this go on? How long can you stay here?

CINDY: It’s going on like I’ve always said until he meets with me or until August 31st.

COOPER: But, you know, it it, seems very unlikely at this point that he’s going to meet with you.

CINDY: Well, um, you know what, Anderson, miracle are happening everyday at Camp Casey.

COOPER: Has it going beyond that for you? I mean, does it matter to your really whether you meet with him or not?

CINDY: Well, what I know is that if he meets with me today we go home tomorrow or if we leave August 31st a movement has started and it’s bigger than me. Bigger than all of us. And it’s just going to continue and that is going to be the peace movement until our troops are brought home.

COOPER: Cindy Sheehan, I appreciate you joining us tonight.

CINDY: Thank you.

COOPER: Thanks very much for being with us.