Powerful column on Sheehan from Detroit Free Press

[quaoar]

By Susan Ager. Very moving. Four paragraphs just doesn't do it justice.

http://www.freep.com/features/living/ager9e_20050809.htm

The manager of a troubled company mired in a high-stakes project might suggest this to George Bush:

Invite Sheehan in for an iced tea, sweet or plain, her choice.

Sit with her on your veranda, alone, just the two of you. No aides. No media.

Listen to her.

[wtmusic]

1. * has never listened to anybody

Read "The Price of Loyalty" by Paul O'Neill. That's one scenario that just ain't gonna happen.

[UrbScotty]

15. He listens to Rove (nt)

[tsuki]

18. No, Rove knows how to manipulate him into doing things that he

thinks is his idea.

[Child_Of_Isis]

2. There is little doubt in my mind...

that Clinton would have done just that!

[Bluzmann57]

3. Thank you for posting this

This is a very good column and should be required reading for all neocon chickenhawks everywhere. Too bad it won't happen like Ms. Ager says. Bush is now, and forever a chickenshit who is perfectly willing to put lives of others on the line.

[Frances]

4. Good article

Thanks for the link

[speedoo]

5. It's a wonderful column, but it's totally unrealistic.

The CowardinChief is totally incapable of doing what the writer suggests. He has no character, no ability to empathize whatsoever.

Cindy has said many things that are 100% on target, but this is perhaps her best:

"If he does care, why doesn't he come out and talk to me?"

You're right Cindy. we all know he does not care.

[knitter4democracy]

8. Kerry does and would've in this case.

He would've had her in and let her talk. He knows what it's like to lose loved ones in war, having lost buddies of his and seen so much himself.

Gore does have the character, and he'd have her come in.

Heck, even Clinton met with families and went to funerals and tried to make sure everyone knew he had a hard time with the wars, too. I didn't agree with him then, but I respected him.

This president won't have her come in because he can't do it. He doesn't have the grace or the guts. It's too bad, really--too bad for all of us.

[malmapus]

10. Clinton even wrote letters to the families of those who died in MOG in 93

Most of us who were there were too pissed off (angered, let down, swarm of emotions) at the whole situation at the time. It was a big thing when the father of one of the Rangers sent the letter back unopened to Clinton.

But still, now that I think on it..he at least took the time to write those.

[knitter4democracy]

16. I remember hearing of that.

I remember just how mad everyone around me was at what happened and how Clinton "let" it happen.

Where is that rage now?

Btw, thank you for being there. Thank you for doing our country the highest service possible, even if our leaders didn't plan it out right or think it all through. Thank you.

[bobbieinok]

25. Somalia, right? that bushI set up after election and let Clinton deal with

[quaoar]

26. Yes, thank you

[SCDem]

6. That was a great article!

[GOPFighter]

7. HA!

This is the one thing George W. Bush cannot do. He is mentally incapable of ever admitting he is wrong, or saying "I'm sorry," or ever look like he's giving in to someone, anyone. Ever.

That's why this situation could very well be the turning point in the war. George's Waterloo. This is why everyone who can possibly join Cindy, must, and the rest of us must send cards and money or supplies, anything we can do to help build this into a moral confrontation.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Thanks for posting this

[gatorboy]

11. The article gets one thing wrong.

Sheehan is not the employee....She's the boss.

That she is Bush's employer is the problem here. He thinks he's above her...Above us.

[meganmonkey]

12. Ooooh, a little teary-eyed

Ager usually does a good job. This time she did a great job.

:patriot:

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. Very poignant column.

[ewagner]

14. Like cold water to the face,

the last sentence says it all:

Then don't dawdle. Go back to work and get us out of there.

[lunchtime]

17. If he did invite her in for a listen,

I'd sure love to be a fly on the wall to that conversation.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1997046

[liberalitch]

19. The only thing I would add is.... and go make sure you...

attend some of those funerals in ohio too.

[Eloriel]

20. Wow. Very powerful. Fortunately, Bush&Co. are too damned

arrogant to listen or heed such advice. :D

That means, they're screwed.

[Talismom]

21. From the beginning of this debacle masquerading as an administration

I have been saying that their arrogance--their hubris--would be their undoing. There's such an historical presidency for it that you could see it would happen. It was just a question of how long it would take and how much suffering and death they would cause before their undoing.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

22. Any decent human being would follow that advice.

And that's just exactly why it won't happen.

[quaoar]

23. Indeed

it would actually be the Christian thing to do -- to hear her out, to share her pain.

[Dulcinea]

24. He doesn't have the stones.

He couldn't care less about Cindy Sheehan or her late son. He has no clue what to say to her. He only talks to haves & have-mores.