Four pro-Cindy Sheehan LTTEs in today's NYT (really good stuff!)

[Bozita]

I didn't post the fifth letter. It was a comment on a recent Bob Herbert column and made no mention of Cindy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/13/opinion/l13iraq.html

Ending the Nightmare That Is Iraq (5 Letters)



Published: August 13, 2005

To the Editor:

Re "Bush Cites Gains but Sees No Cuts in Troops in Iraq" (front page, Aug. 12):

The striking thing about the growing group of supporters standing with Cindy Sheehan, the California woman whose son was killed in Iraq last year, is the speed with which they have gathered in Crawford, Tex.

With almost no advance planning, hundreds of people from all over the country have dropped everything to rush to her side. Such is the power of a grieving mother's voice and a search for the truth.

Ms. Sheehan is asking a compelling question: What is the "noble cause" for which her son died? At his news conference, President Bush expressed his sympathy. Now perhaps he could also provide some answers.

Ann Magyar
Boston, Aug. 12, 2005
•


To the Editor:

One of the reasons that Cindy Sheehan's efforts have captured the public's attention is that she has focused a question in personal terms to George W. Bush. We have heard for several years now the justifications that President Bush has for the war in Iraq. These are the official justifications, expressed in political and nationalist terms.

But Cindy Sheehan poses a personal question. If this war is so important to President Bush, has he spoken with his own daughters about serving their country in this war? Has he encouraged them to enlist in the military? If not, why not?

If the president is asking other families to make the ultimate sacrifice, he needs to consider doing so in his own family. And if he is not able to encourage his daughters to become members of the armed forces, then he needs to reconsider asking other families to do so.

Nathaniel G. Butler
Boston, Aug. 12, 2005
•


To the Editor:

The war has come to this: a lonely grieving mother, initially standing alone, joined now by people of all classes and backgrounds, demanding an end to the war. In opposition stands the most powerful man in the world, who never admits mistakes. The tipping point has arrived.

Tom Miller
Oakland, Calif., Aug. 12, 2005
•


To the Editor:

The Aug. 12 front-page photograph of President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in their vacation finery, happily enjoying the Texas sun at the president's ranch, comes in sharp contrast to the heartbreaking photograph on your Aug. 7 front page of the coffin of an American marine from Ohio who was killed in Iraq, a coffin flanked by his sobbing family and a fellow marine.

No wonder Cindy Sheehan is maintaining her courageous vigil.

George F. Nelson
Greenport, N.Y., Aug. 12, 2005

[Bumblebee]

1. This is like the 3rd or 4th day in a row that they have so many

letters about Cindy, and they always run absolutely overwhelmingly in her favor. It has struck a nerve, big time!

[Bozita]

2. Bill Maher said the other night that the NYT is like the smart kid in the

... class. Everybody copies from him.

Here's hoping.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. Thank God, cause I just read 3 really evil ones against her.. and had to

reply:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/jamieson/236483_robert13.html

http://www.thereporter.com/search/ci_2936053

http://www.thereporter.com/letters/ci_2940865

I was heartbroken for Cindy when I came across two
pieces in your paper about her that show no compassion
for her situation in any way. (Nancy Smith 8/13 and
Catherine Moy 8/12)

So to balance that I am writing from all the way over
here in Maine to tell you all that I love Cindy
Sheehan. I heard her speak at a Fair here in my area
and when she read the poem her daughter wrote in
memory of Casey I couldn't hold back my tears.

The local women who wrote about Cindy had a lot to say
about her, none of it good. But have they met her?
Spent time with her? Do they know the good she has
done in the world as a youth minister or how the son
she lost followed in her footsteps to also do good in
the world?

How can they uphold her noble son and yet excoriate
one of the people most responsible for molding him
into who he was? They should thank her for raising up
such a wonderful young man. Then they should grieve at
his passing with her. Even if they do not agree with
her questions about his death (and what loving mother
would not ask "Why?!") is it really necessary to trash
and degrade her in this way?

[Bozita]

4. kick

[Bozita]

5. kick