16 Democrats call on Bush to meet mother of fallen soldier

[sabra]

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/16_Democrats_call_on_Bush_to_meet_mother_of_fallen_soldi_0809.html

16 Democrats call on Bush to meet mother of fallen soldier
RAW STORY


The following letter, circulating around the Hill, was acquired by RAW STORY Tuesday afternoon. Sixteen Democratic House members are calling on President Bush to meet Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq and is protesting outside Bush's Crawford ranch.

#
Dear Mr. President:

We write to respectfully urge you to meet with Cindy Sheehan and other relatives of fallen soldiers who request a meeting to discuss their deep concerns about the war in Iraq. We also request that you help ensure that Ms. Sheehan and her colleagues are not arrested as long as they continue to wait for a meeting with you at their location in the peaceable and legal manner that they have maintained thus far.

Since the loss of her son, Ms. Sheehan and other families have been committed to helping family members of other soldiers who have been lost in Iraq. Ms. Sheehan, in fact, founded Gold Star Families for Peace, a support organization for families of fallen soldiers. For several days now, she has been waiting outside your ranch, hoping to meet with you about the loss of her son and the failure to discover weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Ms. Sheehan has indicated that she is planning to continue her vigil for the entirety of your vacation at your Crawford complex if necessary.

....

Thank you very much for you assistance with this matter. We hope that you will be able to make time to meet with Ms. Sheehan and her colleagues and also ensure they are treated fairly while awaiting this important appointment.

Sincerely,

Reps. John Conyers; George Miller; Maxine Waters; Corrine Brown; Dennis Kucinich; Carolyn Maloney; Jim McDermott; Jim McGovern; Barbara Lee; Zoe Lofgren; Peter Oberstar; John Lewis; Bernie Sanders; Bob Filner; Micheal Honda; Raul Grijalva

[WI_DEM]

1. the names on this letter should surprise nobody

they make up a big part of the spine of the Democratic party (of course Sanders is an Independent).

[callous taoboy]

50. My immediate reaction. Scrolled down to see, yup, our folk. n/t

[Goldmund]

2. Why the fuck only these 16???

The same bunch of people with balls led by Conyers that pursued DSM, Rovegate, etc, etc.

How politically risky is it for even an establishment Dem to say "yo, Bush, meet with this lady, she lost a son"?!

[jonnyblitz]

7. you are suprised? It's what I would expect by now...nt

[Goldmund]

9. I'm surprised,

because with the outpouring of the bad news for Bush, and the polls being as dismal for him as they are, you'd think that it would be politically EXPEDIENT for these guys to join a call to Bush to meet with a gold star mother. I know better than to appeal to these people's ideals -- but is it not true, by now, that a Dem would clearly win some easy political points by joining this?

[meganmonkey]

15. The list may grow as the story does

it is all moving pretty quick right now. Maybe more will sign on?

:shrug:

[TankLV]

19. Ahhh - I forgot - these wimps gotta first wet their finger and stick it in

the air to see which way the wind is blowing. Gotcha.

Glad to see so many of our "leadership" leading with their convictions and heart instead of focus groups and polls.

Why should we expect any more from these self-serving wimps?!

[PassingFair]

32. I just called Jan Schwakowsky's office...

she signed on, but doesn't appear. They are looking into the oversight. Although I live in Michigan, I wish I could vote for Jan, she is always on the mark!

[meganmonkey]

34. Excellent!

:D
I'm sure they got the letter together as quickly as possible - it probably takes some time to get it out to everyone and get commitments. I really hope more people sign on.

I live in Michigan's 2nd district, so my rep is Joe Schwarz. He isn't always a party line repub, but I highly doubt he'll sign on to this. Oh well.

[Not_Giving_Up]

14. 15 Dems....1 Independent

Bernie Sanders

[TankLV]

17. Where's Kerry?!

Oh - right - we're not supposed to question this "perfect" "patron saint" of the (d)emocratic Party! That would be heresy!

[Goldmund]

18. These are all reps, not Senators, I think

[TankLV]

35. Ahh - they don't socialize or speak to one another. Got it.

I forgot there were "rules" for this sort of thing.

I didn't know they couldn't "mix".

Right.

Boy, the Kerry apologists here are quick tonite.

[jazzjunkysue]

36. great question.

:nopity:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

38. Nobody has done more to expose the BFEE...

5...4...3...

[frankly_fedup2]

52. Of course, the Senate is on vacation now, so there will be nothing

heard from them. However, they only will speak out publicly and individually. Their egos are too big to be considered a part of a group.

Is the House of Representatives on vacation now too????

It may always be the same people from Congress protesting with us, but at least they have the scruples to back up what they say when they are campaigning.

[still_one]

3. ok, now that will do it

NOW I am sure he will do it

That was all that was needed

Why did those democrats keep silent for so long

It is the democrats fault why * hasn't met with here yet

[dbt]

4. PS: please burn in hell at your earliest convenience for lying

to us all on TV and sending our young people to die for Dick Cheney. Thank you.

[expatriot]

5. I love my Congressman!

Grijalva rocks... he's the best!

[jsamuel]

6. woot

[expatriot]

8. Just a random thought....

I bet Conyers has quite the reputation for running around the Capitol building collecting signatures. :)

[fooj]

10. He ignores every single letter that is sent to him!

I love these Representatives but I don't see how the letter does much except to "put it on record"...the rat bastards just don't give a shit!

Peace.

[expatriot]

13. it may help bring attention to it by the mainstream news media....

[Independent_Liberal]

11. Gotta give this a kick!

Conyers and the 15 other Dems are doing a great thing.

[Not_Giving_Up]

12. Every one of them that signed should get a pat on the back

The ones who haven't signed need encouragement to do so.

Start e-mailing!

[AbbyR]

16. Just e-mailed

I just sent my representative a letter, asking him to sign on (he probably won't) and also wrote my senators, asking them to consider starting a similar move in the Senate. I don't expect them to do it, but if enough people e-mail, they may have to take notice.

Abby in Arkansas, where even Democrats look like Republicans

[xmas74]

20. Just sent off a letter to my congressman

(Skelton) asking him where he stands on this issue. I expressed in the quick letter that, since we live in a area w/ a military base, I would expect his support for Cindy and for all families who are grieving right now.

When I get a response (I will give credit where it is due-Ike always responds to letters, emails and phone calls) I will post his reply.

[mom cat]

21. A list of our true supporters of democracy!

[UDenver20]

22. I am calling John Lewis' office right now!!!

HOW FUCKING AWESOME! I HAVE A GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE WHO REPRESENTS ME!!!!!

ITS BEEN SO LONG I ALMOST DIDN'T RECOGNIZE IT!

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

23. I live in Silicon Valley and just called Zoe Lofgren's office to thank her

When I explained what I was thanking her for and the woman taking the message heard "Cindy Sheehan," she said "Ohhhhh...I KNOW."

One person can change the world. We're witnessing it right now.

:toast:

[rodeodance]

24. I think this is great move by these Dems--showing COMPASSION!!

[rodeodance]

25. guess I will have to call Tammy Baldwin and tell her to get her butt in

gear and sign this letter PLEASE.

[rodeodance]

26. nominated

[fudge stripe cookays]

45. You're thinking ahead of me!

I was thinking as I was reading..."Where's Tammy?" Maybe she was one of the ones who signed but isn't listed?

FSC

[titoresque]

27. Spoke to Hadi Jawad of Crawford Peace House

let him know that Mothers in Az. with group Freewaybloggers ..www.freewayblogger.com and Code Pink, United for Peace and Justice are mobilizing Mothers who will turn themselves in
when and if Cindy is arrested.
HE LOVED IT!!!!!! Gave me a number for one of his media contacts and asked if he could contact media. Took all my info down.

Media contact asked that we forward the press release as soon as we finish it.

Hadi said that he would be in touch and that he would love to see this new buzz come to life and for Mothers especially who cannot make it to Crawford and who are willing to turn themselves in as a sign of protest and solidarity for Cindy to please contact local media.

We think people who get large groups together in your local areas should turn yourself in all at the same location.

I'm READY AND WILLING TO GO TO JAIL!
I will demand to be arrested! If Cindy goes down, so do we!

Thank you all for your support!

[rodeodance]

28. i think they will avoid arresting her at all costs. It is too political

even if only the local police arrest her.

[fudge stripe cookays]

46. THANK YOU TITO!

This is awesome!

FWIW, reprehensor and I sent just about enough this morning to cover at least one bail!

I'm completely guilt-stricken that I'm in Texas and can't go! Wanted to make it up to everyone.

FSC

[KoKo]

29. True Patriots...deserving of our Votes! Where are the rest of them...

well...we know...

[GOPNotForMe]

30. Love Corrine Brown

Grateful to have her as my rep :)

[wli]

31. the field of unbought Democratic representatives narrows...

As usual. This is getting really sad, less than 4% of the House of Representatives and 0 Senators.

[Imagevision]

33. Conyers is great! - Bush won't reply to a 560,000 signed petition

so if only the media or the net picks up his, ... good intentions? it still makes an asshole out of Bush for not simply responding.

Bush has to show his "Base" how tough he is...!

[Dr Fate]

37. I'd like to know Kerry, Dean, Hillary, Reid & Obama's opinion on this.

Why are top Democrats always so silent when it comes to news events that their base cares about?

[Barkley]

40. NO! Kerry, Dean, Hillary, etc need to know how WE feel on this

The tail wags the dog; they work for us.

Write your reps and find out.

Tell them to sign Conyers petition.

We've got to change our thinking...

Congress works for us.

[Dr Fate]

41. Like when we got the DEMs to back Conyer's DSM hearings.

Or when we got them to sign the Bankruptcy bill.

[Le Taz Hot]

44. Well,

Dean is no longer an elected official. Besides, he was against the war from the beginning and this is a matter of public record.

[Dr Fate]

51. So what does he say about this specific current event?

Does he think W should meet her? Does he agree with her assertions?
Does he think she should be arrested?

last time I checked Dean was the head of the DNC-and the DNC asks the Base for money all the time. The Base cares about this event.

I'd like to know- and I'd like to see him and other DEMs with media access on TV talking about this.

The fact that Dean is not in an elected position keeps him from having a public opinion on a hot current event? Come on!

[leftchick]

53. and lieberman and biden

to name a few. :grr:

[Dr Fate]

55. DEMs with media access need to start talking about all of our issues.

Not just the issues the "strategists" who lost the last 3 elections think are "safe"- but issues & events that the base cares about- like this one.

[Barkley]

39. Write Your Congressional Rep and ask them to sign Conyers' Letter

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

I did!

[Rose Siding]

42. THANK YOU, Jim!

It's such a blessing to be able to depend on Jim McDermott. I'm always proud to vote for him.

[Rainscents]

43. Me too! I am always very proud of Jim McDermott!

[Barrett808]

54. I saw him at the DSM meeting last month -- great, as usual

I actually feel represented in Congress because I'm in his district.

[tomg]

47. Just wrote to my representative.

I was surprised not to see Hinchey's name on the list.

[spanone]

48. The Idiot Son of an Asshole listens to no one.

[GreenCommie]

49. Rep support?

So what are the chances one of these dems who signed this letter will actually make a visit to crawford and stand side-by-side with those on the front lines? Or any for that matter?

(If it has already happened, please forgive my ignorance.)

[SEABEE Chief]

56. Sixteen Congressional Signatures!

How can this be? Who would expect otherwise? How do they sleep?
Will Commander Cuckoo-B'as wife, hopefully, read it to him?

I, at least, felt some gratification by the sight of my own representative's signature on Mr. Conyer's letter to send her office my thanks.

Woot ! Thanks again Zoe and Ms. Sheehan !!
---------------------------------------------------------

To: [e-mail]

Dear Congresswoman Lofgren,

As one of your constituents, a retired military Gulf War I veteran and father; I am writing to thank you for signing Congressman Conyer's correspondence to our President, re Ms. Sheehan.

I applaud your commitment to Ms. Sheehan's 'noble cause' as well as your support for the much needed guidance, so respectfully extended, to Mr. Bush.

Thank You,

[Deep N RedLand]

57. Brown's name doesn't surprise me.

In this repuke stronghold that must endure the fucked up policies of two Bushes at once, she is the only progressive politician we have left. Despite the fact she voted for the flag-burning non-issue, finance indiscretions and not one of my emails every being acknowledged, she still votes the right way 95% of the time which is a far cry from our corporatist DINO Senator Nelson who represents no one other than the people he should be opposing.

It's a shame that more Dems and maybe even one of the few sensible, moderate Repubs have chosen not to support this brave women's cause, but not surprising in the least.

The DLC crowd will never seem to get it...the more they move to the right, to appeal to "middle America", the more they alienate their core supporters on the left.

The Dems and MSM need to get on this and beat this story to death till they expose Bush for the coward he is.

[Kittycat]

58. List is up to 38 signatures

I just clicked a moment ago :)

[opihimoimoi]

59. "I ain't gonna listen to no Stinking Letter.Fuck um all. Now watch my drve