DUer Mari333's "rant" will be lead editorial on truthout.org tomorrow

[WilliamPitt]

Mari: I did a wee bit of editing to take your words from rant format to editorial format, but the essence is still very much there. This will be the third story on our list of ten in the email newsletter, and will be the top story in the editorial column on the webpage at about 10pm tonight ET.

===

A Mother's Rage
By Marianne Brown
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Tuesday 21 October 2003

http://truthout.org/docs_03/102103C.shtml

I am a mother, 52 years old, and my son is in the National Guard. They won't let him go because the National Guard has put a 'stop-loss' on all Reservists and National Guard troops who are legally supposed to be discharged when their time is up. They might send him overseas on Friday.

I'm mad. Of course I'm mad. I'm a mother.

...more...

[RobertSeattle]

1. Never get it the way of a pissed off Mom...

...And that includes, you, GW.

[Wetzelbill]

2. Hell yeah!

This is good stuff. Way to go Marianne, we are all with you. Every step of the way. You and your son.

[Mari333]

3. Thank you William Pitt.

You said what I said, minus my shaking hands when I wrote it.
I dont know how to thank you.
Marianne.

[WilliamPitt]

6. You already did

by writing this. I will keep you apprised of the responses we get. I'm sure there will be a few. Congratulations.

[prolesunited]

8. I can't even fathom what you must be going through

I hope your words touch other people's hearts as they have touched mine. We must stop this madness!

Know that we are all here for you to lean on if you need it. :grouphug:

[Furity]

46. You go, mom!

We're behind you 100%. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I'm a mom, too.

~Furity

[Zhade]

51. Thank YOU.

Reading that, it reminded me of how I felt when I first realized my father was sent into combat missions based on lies - and how close he sometimes came to never coming back.

You and Bobby are in my thoughts.

[progressiverealist]

54. Mari, I really admire you... I lost my Mom several years ago

It just kinda makes me feel better that there are still Moms like you around.

But mostly, I pray for your son's safety and for you to have as much peace as possible. Your love for your son shows in your writing. It is inspirational and I'll be thinking of it all day. There's hope for us all as long as the love of mothers is a force in this world.

Bless you and your son.

[mdmc]

71. welcome to du, realist!

:dem:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

60. Hey Mari

If Bobby wants to give W the finger and go live in a better place I'll be happy to help. If you or him dislike the idea please don't be offended for me to suggest such a thing, but extreme circumstances sometimes require extreme solutions.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

61. Update

[e-mail]

Put the surname of the dictator of Cuba where XXXXXX is. (Sorry for the obfuscation but I get enough spam already)

Cheers

[Mari333]

62. Im printing out this page for him

I hope he listens to every person here..and all the ideas on here. Ultimately, its now up to him, seems like we have exhausted everything else, every other option.

[itcfish]

66. I Felt I was Reading

about me. You put every feeling I have into words. I too had my first boy in my 20's. He is 20 and a brilliant student. My son wanted to join the military a few days after 9/11. I prayed everday that he would change his mind. My husband is from the Middle East and my children have very Muslim Names (althought they are Roman Catholic). I said to my son, How will your life be in the service with your name? You will always be under suspicion and if something goes wrong, all eyes will be on you. Well he changed his mind. Thank you again for sharing your feelings. I hope your son comes home in Nov.


O8)

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

70. WHEW!

That was close, eh? I'd advise you to print out Mari's article and show it to him if he ever entertains these suicidal thoughts again!

[itcfish]

72. I Did

that, just in case he has some second thoughts.

[alcuno]

4. Did you read the post about the phone call from Afghanistan?

chilling.

[nostamj]

9. yes.... very powerful

and I'm in touch with BeHereNow. there's a chance that her nephew will call into Guy James on Saturday. if he can't then BHN will.

a great follow-up to Marianne's call this past week.

[wryter2000]

5. Way to go, Mari eom

eom

[ronzo]

7. Very cool.

Big slap on the back for you, William.
I'm pleased this will get the exposure it deserves, Mari.
Well done.

[Loyal]

10. What a great piece

Thank you for writing it, Marianne.

[tom_paine]

11. Thank you both, Mari and Will

You deserve the thanks of an grateful nation for all you do to ensure the Old American Republic is restored.

Thank you...both.

[mhr]

12. We Are With You Marianne

eom

[stevedeshazer]

13. It was a heartfelt rant

Not the kind thing you can pretend about. That was real feeling. Thanks, Mari333 for posting it and to WPitt for taking it to a wider audience.

[arwalden]

14. Is "Stop-Loss" Constitutional?

Is there a provision for this somewhere that was already in place? Or is this just something that the Chimp executive-privileged into being?

-- Allen

[Nlighten1]

38. Well...

can you imagine the uproar from the right if anyone dare oppose this...

[JHB]

58. It's been in place for decades...

...at least since the end of the draft. Chim-Chim's just making unprecedented use of it because of the unprecedented way he's using our forces.

[patdem]

15. Talk about a 'Tear Jerker'...this is so VERY IMPORTANT....why are we

sending Mari333's son to die...'WE'...there is no 'WE' in this fight...just bush* and the cronies that will make a bundle on this war.

When people like Peter today asked the woman who said 1/2 of the nation is stupid...(ignorant is probably a better word to use) and when Peter questions her (us/the Democrats) we should ask back....why do 70% believe Sadaam had something to do with 9/11 when even bush* had to disavow that belief???

Or when Brian Lamb challenges people who say the multitude are brainwashed..and he comes back with oh, you think so.....

WHY DO 70% OF THE PEOPLE IN AMERICA THINK SADAAM HUSEIN WAS CONNECTED TO 9/11???

Ignorance sends people to die for ignorant people...and I do not want Mari333's son to die because Brian Lamb does not think people are brainwashed, or Peter does not think 50% of America is ignorant...because it IS THE TRUTH!!

[LeftofU]

16. Excellent rant...

My heart goes out to you.

[Clete]

17. Wonderful William.

Too bad we couldn't get it to go mainstream. The San Francisco Chronicle has a forum and so does the LA Times for ordinary citizens to vent.

[WilliamPitt]

18. What, truthout isn't mainstream?

:)

We're getting there.

[Clete]

19. I was thinking more like in print.

Yes, Truthout is mainstream and "numero uno" on the net.:-)

[bpilgrim]

27. now if you let me hook-you-up

with SLASHCODE you would not only be SYNDACATED you'd be SMOKIN ;->

slashcode is the best 'blog' software out there. if you are interested give me a shout.

peace

[Don_G]

50. "Truth" Is Mainstream

And we're getting there.

I just wish the only things we had to worry about were a Sox/Cubs World Series in the peace, prosperity and economy that Clinton left for the next "leader."

[WilliamPitt]

20. Kick for Mari

[G_j]

21. great choice!

right on! I hope it gets shared far and wide. It's real and it's important.

[ComerPerro]

22. Outstanding

This was a great piece of writing.

[Mari333]

23. This is why the american people are ignorant of the truth , also

http://www.msnbc.com/news/981889.asp?0cv=KB20
No one is showing the body bags. The Rove blackout is on.

[Solly Mack]

24. Thank you, William

You did a good thing and this military spouse applauds you.

[bpilgrim]

25. thanks!

great article :toast:

i hope more folks get a chance to learn of the PAIN and HEARTACHE this evil admin is putting REAL PEOPLE through.

peace

[gully]

26. Will that's great!

Thanks from another Mama. And thanks for sharing your story Mari333!

Thoughts/prayers are with you and yours.

[nostamj]

28. listen to Mari.....

here:

mms://66.40.9.62/theguyjamesshow.com/GJAMES031018.mp3

or, www.theguyjamesshow.com

she in the 10/18 show, comes on about 30 minutes into the show.

(me, I'm in the last hour)

[The Backlash Cometh]

29. MAGB == Mothers Against George Bush

Wish it could be snazzier.

[ronzo]

30. hmmm.

Mothers against W?
:shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

31. MAW

Definitely has a better twist.

[WilliamPitt]

32. MAWW

Mothers Against W's War

[The Backlash Cometh]

34. You win.

MAWW it is.

[lostnfound]

35. Where do I sign up?

I'm a toddler mom and in tears right now and mad as hell at W.

And I'm really, really sorry for what you are going through, Mari333.

[srpantalonas]

33. start a petition

and then a march. it's time to kick bush in the nuts and get these kids back home.

[jab105]

36. You are a good man Will Pitt!!

And you are a courageous lady Marianne!!

If only there were more people who weren't afraid to let the truth-out!

[maxanne]

39. what jab105 said

Marianne, thank you for writing about this. I'll be lighting a candle for him at my UU church on Sunday. Bobby sounds like an exceptional young man. It takes bravery to tell personal stories - and I know many many more will be moved by your story. (big hugs, too)

Will Pitt - once again, you prove to be a generous human. Thanks. :thumbsup:

[eleny]

37. Now this is what we call "Support the Troops"!

I'm so proud of Marianne and Will.

[Davis_X_Machina]

41. If you think about how Junta Boy's supporters...

...use the phrase 'support the troops', it works out in practice to:

I'm too busy, or too important, or too prosperous, to go and do it myself, so why don't you go kill some strange, dark, far-away people for me, so I can experience some vicarious thrill, some sense of superiority to someone, because no one takes me seriously at my job, or in my community."

It pains me to hear the phrase 'support the troops' so used by these mendacious bastards, because it keeps those of us who really support the troops from using it.

When Junta Boy and his regime are finally gone, the very language we use, as much as Congress, or the US Code, or the Federal Register, will need a thorough cleaning....

[WilliamPitt]

40. The essay is now live on truthout

[LibertyorDeath]

42. Kick

http://truthout.org/docs_03/102103C.shtml

[PartyPooper]

43. I have tears in my eyes after reading your story.

Marianne, my thoughts and prayers are with both you and your wonderful son.

Hugs!

Peace to you both,

PartyPooper

O8)

[Friar]

49. me too n/t

[WillyT]

52. Me Three

:hug::grouphug::hug:

[LibertyorDeath]

44. Kickin it

[Clete]

45. Another

:kick:

[seventhson]

47. Thank You Mrs. Brown

May your son be protected and peace follow him everywhere.

The hardest part for many of us is that an illegal pResident can send our children off to an illegal war fought only for illegal goals (to enrich the wealthy).

Your son is an honorable and heroic figure and represents the best of America.

pResident Bush represents the worst.

However please have some faith in the knowledge that there is goodness and truth in the universe and there is protection for the good.

Thank you for the courage to speak out for ALL of us who love peace and justice for all.

[aquart]

48. I sent the link to my little lists.

[DemExpat]

53. God, Marianne.....what a piece!

My son Tom is 19, so I can relate just a little bit.....

I think I would take my son to Canada......

:hug:

Keep us posted,

DemEx

[Darth_Kitten]

55. Really powerful.

Thanks for the link.

[Native]

56. Very Powerful . . .

Read Marianne's story last night before I went to bed. Didn't get much sleep. Didn't expect to. I hope that getting this out there makes a difference for her and her son. Will - if more people were looking out for others, as you have done, there'd be less heartache all around.

[catmandu57]

57. I wish for the best Marianne

For you, and your son. If I could I'd reach accross the world to bring him here safely to your arms, peace be with you.

[birdman]

59. Fantastic article, Marianne

and props to Will Pitt for putting it in Truthout.

[LizW]

63. Very moving

My sons are 9 and 11. Sign me up for MAWW.

Bush's war is not worth one drop of our children's blood.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

64. Why not PAWW?

Parents Against W's War.

Guys want to protect their kids too! :pals:

[Mari333]

65. Thank you again Will

I woke up this morning and realized I only have til Friday to send this out to every Senator and Congressperson I have the emails of..
and everyone else I know..its all I can do.
In the meantime, all the thousands of families like mine out there are going thru the same thing, and WORSE...No one is putting a human face on these kids or families. Thank you for allowing me to.
Please, send this out to every news source, Senator, Congressman, you want, anyone..I speak for thousands of mothers, not just me. There are parents looking at baby pictures of their sons and daughters now, weeping horribly, because they will NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN.
The madness has to end. It has to. Maybe if a human face is put on it, it will.

[WilliamPitt]

67. It was my privilege

You should know that truthout has a large readership on the Hill; we can track who forwards what to whom. Odds are this has already been read by a lot of staffers. Not to stop you from sending this, but to let you know that a few of your recipients will have already read this.

[October]

68. My boy is only 6

and I worry every day about his future -- especially since the 2000 theft/election.

People think that my worry is off-base or premature. They don't remember watching the TV news during the 70s. Well I remember. I remember waiting to see which friend's older brother would be called up next in the draft. I remember.

What you wrote went straight to my heart.

My deepest prayers are with you. I want your boy home too.

[October]

69. Kick

Kick for Mari's boy.

[salmonhorse]

73. I read Mari333's original post and recognize with a quickness:

...a Mother's Love. I know I miss mine. But her post left me with an additional form of saddness. A saddness born of this aspect: false advertising = buyer beware. I have daughters. They have been successful. Still & Regardless; we all care that all our children 'Be All That They Can Be'. Red, white & blue balloons are lofted up; while here not Ford Tough, Ram Charging, Chevrolet: The Heartbeat Of America trucks but non-descript, everday work trucks are bounced across a golden, range'y America The Beautiful sunrise with a novel little dust trail for no one in particular to eat raw as the notion of a professional, volunteer, peacetime armed force emerges which has appeal, a known quanity...reason. Affording them the means to bring their lives into adulthood along with a sense of corp di espri; Kodak Moments clad in a clean, pressed, and respectable uniform. But then something...odd...this way comes in the shape-shifting forms of D. Cheney, D. Rumsfeld, J. Poindexter and all is cast into the winds of war.

A great saddness indeed this way comes ~

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

74. Whoa ma'am

Am I too thick, too "not into poetry" or is your prose somewhat scrambled? :crazy:

Oh, and KICK.

[salmonhorse]

75. Prose ~

(prz)
n.
Ordinary speech or writing, without metrical structure.
Commonplace expression or quality.
Roman Catholic Church A hymn of irregular meter sung before the Gospel.
intr.v. prosed, pros·ing, pros·es
To write prose.
To speak or write in a dull, tiresome style.


The issue is in the end Mari333's heart ~

And yes: KICK again for her expression...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

76. Ha! I KICK you back!

So there! :evilgrin: