THE MOST IMPORTANT ANTIWAR EVENT IN A GENERATION

[Dylan Garcia]

By Buddy Spell
Upbeat Defiance.com
LOUISIANA ACTIVIST NETWORK
www.newdemocracyrising.com

For months now, we’ve been planning for the mass rally in Washington, DC on September 24th; writing resolutions, organizing transportation, establishing communication lines, spending money, and fighting amongst ourselves. All of the major national and regional antiwar groups have been knocking themselves out trying to put together the seminal event designed to push for the end of the occupation of Iraq.

But, as it turns out, one fearless and determined mother, along with a handful of vets, took a spontaneous action which, as it turns out, is probably going to be remembered as this generation’s watershed antiwar event. So simple, so seamless, so Cindy Sheehan.

Cindy has cornered the war machine by confronting the president at his make-believe ranch deep in the heart of Texas. One mom and a few dedicated veterans have accomplished more by pure moxie in two days than the rest of the movement has been able to accomplish in two years. Bush is damned if he does; damned if he doesn’t. It’s reality television as poetry in motion. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it’s going to change minds about the validity of this war of aggression across this country. Bank on it.

We’ll still be in DC come September. And the first question you’ll be asked if you’re there will be, “Were you in Crawford?”

It is my honor and privilege to be Cindy Sheehan’s fellow traveler, friend, and attorney. I leave for Crawford Wednesday after I get out of court. I go wearing all three hats, honored to be in that number, humbled to witness history, and never more proud to be an American.

Peace out.

[Larkspur]

1. I'm waiting for W to send his mother out to bash Cindy Sheehan

We all know W hides behind his mother's skirts when confronted by Justice, who is currently in the form of Cindy Sheehan.

[electron_blue]

22. Now there's a great idea

maybe Cindy should start asking to talk to Barbara instead.

I'm only half-kidding.

Seriously, Cindy's story grabs me way more than the Sep 24 event because of its spontaneity and because Bush is on frigging VACATION FOR A MONTH, so presumably he DOES HAVE TIME to talk to Cindy. And yet, he can't seem to find the time.

The Sep 24 event will be great, I really hope that!! But let's face it -the Bush administration will somehow prepare for it, and noway did they see *this* (Cindy) coming. Her event is a gnat they are ignoring and absent-mindedly swatting away. I think it has more grass roots power to the avg American.

Maybe this will give even more power to the Sep 24 event.

[Bluerthanblue]

36. Barbara would never do it- she knows what losing a child

feels like- Losing her daughter nearly drove her insane- and hardened her heart for life- her child Robin, died of cancer though-
Hard to hate a disease,- it picks random victims- and while money may buy the best 'treatment'- often that doesn't matter in the bitter end.

Somewhere deep inside her, she knows, that HER own child- her own flesh, caused the death of this womans son- and only God knows how many thousands of other sons and daughters - for NOTHING- all for nothing, and BY CHOICE-
how patheticly poigniant-

and may she live to regret much, along with her entire family-

and weep for the harm done as a result of her inability to learn from her loss, and teach her privlidged children the invaluable lesson of compassion- which is far more than a 'buzz word'.

[omega minimo]

2. Cindy Sheehan is the answer to the (DU) question:

Where are our leaders?

And proof that leadership can and will come from the grassroots, when Americans quit waiting for legislators (except for the few heroes we have in Congress) to stand up for the citizens and the nation.

Thank you, Cindy, bless you and may your son and his comrades rest in peace.

[rateyes]

9. Oooh. I don't want to displace a good Democrat...

but, wouldn't Cindy Sheehan make a damned fine Congresswoman from California? I can hear the floor speeches now!!!

[omega minimo]

12. People got the power

in office or not

:patriot:

[rateyes]

13. That's true..

but, talk about needed leadership in DC!!

:headbang:

[omega minimo]

21. SHE IS SHOWING US WHAT INDIVIDUALS CAN DO

So let's not immediately regress to the old stance of putting the brave citizen on a pedastal, putting the power Out There, Somewhere.

:bounce: :bounce:

[rateyes]

33. I got you! And, we need her right now on the front lines...

but, after she wins the fight to get the troops home, IMHO, she would make a great member of Congress. I'm not talking '06, unless she wins this fight first before then.

[AuntiBush]

16. I'll Second That One! But Wait, Even an Iraqi War Vet Can't Get Voted

How do they brainwash the masses? Those that support the "yeah, war, collateral damage" gang-buster Americans couldn't or wouldn't rally behind a War Vet Democrat.

I swear there's not a big enough puke symbol to describe how I'm feeling. Cindy Sheehan, the other mothers whom lost sons in Iraq that accompanied her and her supporters have given me a new hope.

I'll be there in September. Sorry I couldn't make it to Crawford to stand beside her in that ditch! I have a fear of flying and my wallet is super-thin. But, I'm in driving/crawling distance of NY & DC so... cya all soon.

[tavalon]

43. They rallied

Diebold didn't.

[AuntiBush]

46. And Died For an Unknown Cause. Diebold Knew Their Causes!

Sad stuff.

[tavalon]

42. She is definitely part of the answer

The other part is that we are the leaders. Here on DU, at Daily Kos, at TPM, Truthout, DFA and so on. We are the leaders we have been waiting for.

[omega minimo]

47. Now we're talkin!

:hi: :kick:

[tavalon]

50. Yep

and sometimes that leadership takes the form of helping to pay for porta-potties. Something so small and yet, it is just as necessary to have people like us on the sidelines providing the necessary supplies, even if those supplies are boxes for pooping in!

[omega minimo]

51. Pooetic justice

"boxes for pooping in!"

Fitting metaphor for the Bushco. Administration.

[ewagner]

3. Expect him to send Laura out

you know...one Mom to another crap............

watch for it.

[ClayZ]

7. Naw, KKKarl wouldn't like that idea.

But, I bet it would not deter Cindy anyhow! It would give her another chance to ask that the TWINS be sent to Iraq if it is such an HONORABLE thing to do.

Bless Cindy! My candle is lit again tonight!







Beat the Swords to Plowshares

[Olney Blue]

15. The last time a Gold Star mom got near Laura...

the GS mom was arrested.

It would be a cold day in Crawford before LB goes out there.

[Turn CO Blue]

4. Booked my hotel room in DC just last night! I will be there! I wish

I could go to Texas...but when anybody organizes how/where to send Cindy donations for her peace-vigil -- I will gladly pitch in to ease her burden.

[jayctravis]

10. Brainstorming ideas - send her some flowers or better...

some food or bottled water.

Anyone in Crawford on here? Could they provide some services that people could utilize to make her stay more pleasant?

[Booster]

5. Wow, a really true compassionate lawyer - don't see many of

them around. I'm glad he's going down there to watch over Cindy and the others. The Freeps are talking out of the other side of their mouths when it comes to Cindy - support Bush, but not a grieving mother who lost her son for a pack of lies.

[frictionlessO]

6. Hang on CIndy we are a coming!!

Bank on it!

[Pachamama]

8. If a Mom like me w/ kids wanted to come out there, would this be something

that Cindy would want? :shrug:

I would be honored to stand side by side with her and you and all the other people who would go to Crawford to get the message out to this administration and the country that this war is wrong and we need to bring our kids home now. :patriot:

[Dylan Garcia]

11. Mom! We need you with us! Cindy wants you there!

See you in Crawford!

Bring your kids. Our seven year old daughter will be there with us.

It's a history lesson; a civics lersson.

[SwimmerFilms]

14. I'm going Tuesday

with cameras in tow. Anyone else in austin heading down?

[tavalon]

44. Tomorrow?

Bless you, SwimmerFilms. I'm going to PM you to see if you know a few of my friends. I would love it if you could pick them up on your way.

[tavalon]

45. Damn it all to heck

You're too new to receive PMs. Hey, post a few more so I can contact you, okay?

The reason I think you might know these people is because two of them are actors in the indy film industry in Austin and one is a grip, also working in the same industry. Now, I suppose that industry is bigger than I think, but hey, stranger things have happened, eh?

[SmileMaker]

17. Sheehan story (by Deb Riechmann) seems to have disappeared

...Every single link I clicked on to read this was an error. Hmmmm... what's that about?

Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Prince George's Journal, MD - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Helena Independent Record, MT - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Natchez Democrat, MS - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Lodi News-Sentinel, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Appeal-Democrat, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Picayune Item, MS - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
9:03 am: Activist holding vigil near Bush's ranch met with the ...
Santa Fe New Mexican, NM - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN | Associated Press. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Norman Transcript, OK - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near President Bush's ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Auburn Citizen, NY - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Columbia Basin Herald, WA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
The Porterville Recorder, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
phillyburbs.com, PA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Carlisle Sentinel, PA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Petoskey News-Review, MI - 12 hours ago
CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near President Bush's ranch until he talks to her ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Guardian Unlimited, UK - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
The Southern, IL - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Chippewa Herald, WI - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Edmond Sun, OK - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Beckley Register-Herald (Subscription), WV - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of deceased GI seeks meeting with Bush
OregonLive.com, OR - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) — A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Daily Inter Lake, MT - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Tahlequah Daily Press, OK - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Fairfield Daily Republic, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Beloit Daily News, WI - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
North County Times, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Bonner County Daily Bee, ID - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Daily American Online (subscription), PA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
Idaho State Journal, ID - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...
Mom of Deceased GI Seeks Meeting With Bush
San Francisco Examiner, CA - 12 hours ago
By DEB RIECHMANN. CRAWFORD, Texas - A determined mother of a fallen US soldier who has pledged to hold a roadside peace protest near ...

[dooner]

18. I wish there was some way to symbolize each of us

who would like to be there.... Something that would be easy for someone to "deploy" and not cause trouble with the authorities.
I'm thinking something like prayer flags with our names and cities on them. Or flags, or rocks, or something....???

[Dylan Garcia]

19. Good thought

You can probably mail her items to

Crawford Peace House 9142 5th Street Crawford, Tx. 76638-3037
tel: [phone] P.O. Box 710218 Dallas, Tx. 75371-0218

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

[dooner]

20. What about postcards

what about postcards of our hometowns...mailed to Bush c/o Cindy and Peace House.

I'm suggesting this on another thread as well.

Just need to make sure this isn't an annoying plan..for them to be deluged with postcards.

[Dylan Garcia]

23. Not annoying

I've been on the phone with others there today. They'd love to have something to do while they wait.

These people are activists. They want to be active.

I think yours is an outstanding idea. Make it happen!

[omega minimo]

24. ...with gold stars added, with names of the fallen?

[dooner]

26. you should suggest adding a gold star

over here. It's a great idea.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4284031&mesg_id=4284031

[dooner]

25. here's the new "send a postcard" thread..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4284031&mesg_id=4284031

[Dylan Garcia]

27. Gold Stars with your own kids' names on them

That's what another forum is doing...

[The Traveler]

28. Perhaps

I should take a day or three and drive on out there. By Camaro, it is a swift ride. She's a 91 RS, 14 years old with fading paint but a sweet engine, sleek and ready for the road. A sun weathered bumper sticker reads "Support Our Troops: Elect One! Clark 04". Another one reads "Oh NO! Not another learning experience!"

I'm a contractor, paid by the hour ... and with medical bills mounting that is not something I can afford to do. But damn, I wish I could be there, if even for a moment so I can tell her that my step son, too, is going there, and that I feel much of what she must have felt, and that I thank her for her refusal to submit.

[Dylan Garcia]

29. It's Easy

[ClayZ]

30. The Weight of a Snowflake

The Weight of a Snowflake

"Tell me the weight of a snowflake," a coalmouse asked a wild dove.

"Nothing more than nothing," the dove answered.

"In that case I must tell you a marvelous story," the coalmouse said. "I sat on a fir branch close to the trunk when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard. No, just like in a dream, without any violence at all. Since I didn't have anything better to do, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch. Their number was exactly 3,471,952. When the next snowflake dropped onto the branch--nothing more than nothing -- as you say -- the branch broke off."

Having said that, the coalmouse ran away.

The dove, since Noah's time an authority on peace, thought about the story for a while. Finally, she said to herself, "Perhaps there is only one person's voice lacking for peace to come to the world." -
Source unknown

[glitch]

35. Beautiful. Thanks for posting.nt

[Lisa]

31. there will be rallies in Canada, too -- to let war resisters stay

And to let American protesters know that we support them.

[faithnotgreed]

37. hi lisa~ any link to the canadian information

that would be great

thanks

[Lisa]

39. it'll be posted at www.resisters.ca

And at their linked sites. The local organizer (Valerie Lannon) says they're having a meeting in a couple of weeks to firm up the plans. Likely the biggest rally will be in Toronto, because that's where most of the resisters are currently staying.

The Toronto Coalition to Stop the War has a poster ready to download.

http://nowar.ca/

[faithnotgreed]

40. thank you so much lisa for the information and links

[The Witch]

32. "Were you in Crawford?" No. I was at work.

Am I a bad person for wanting to be at work? (fyi I AM going to the september rally, but I can't afford to fly to texas!)

[Diamonique]

34. Don't Feel Bad - I Can't Go Either

I'm planning to be in DC in September. But that was announced ahead of time, giving me the time to plan time off from work, save money, make travel arrangements, etc.

Cindy didn't plan this. The idea came to her and she did it. I'm sure she understands that most of us aren't in the position to drop everything on the spur of the moment and get on a plane. But she knows that we're with her and spirit.

[Hissyspit]

38. I'm at work, too, but will be in D.C. September 25 is my birthday.

This is actually my biggest break of the year until Christmas, and I STILL am teaching three classes. Plus, Texas is a long way away. I'm in NC.

[tavalon]

41. Do we have specific directions for how to get out to the specific

road that Camp Casey is established on? I'm sending out a clarion call to my friends in Austin but it would be easier if I could tell them exactly where to go.

[McCamy Taylor]

48. Good question? Im in Fort Worth, can be there in 90 minutes.

Where exactly do I go?

[BeTheChange]

49. I just did a flyer..

Im pretty damn sure those are the directions. We were there yesterday, so you may want to get them verified. The Peace house is very easy to find and there should be someone there, or a map on the door.