Cindy Sheehan: "The Secret Service is Trying to Intimidate Us"

[WebeBlue]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1990029&mesg_id=1991113

I realize there are several threads on Cindy Sheehan at Crawford, but not yet enough voted to make it to front page on DU. The above is my thread on Cindy, started early today (the first one I think) and I'm trying to keep it updated, as well as my blog Dying to Preserve the Lies http://dyingwarriors.blogspot.com/ .

I don't care which thread gets voted to front page, but I'd like to see something on Cindy Sheehan at front page. This will be ongoing story; she's not leaving.

from AfterdowningStreet.org
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/1208

Cindy Sheehan called After Downing Street moments ago at 10 p.m. ET to report that the Secret Service is trying to intimidate her and members of Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Veterans for Peace into leaving their protest near Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch.

This morning Cindy led dozens of protesters as close as they could get to the ranch; they were stopped by local police about five miles away. Cindy and others plan to stay there throughout Bush's five-week August vacation until he agrees to meet with her and other family members of soldiers killed in Iraq and answer their questions about the war.

Throughout the afternoon and evening, however, the Secret Service has been telling protesters that if they stay there they may be hit by Secret Service vehicles. Cindy says, "They've told us this at least ten times. There isn't much room between the side of the road and the fence, and they go zooming by far over the speed limit." Cindy reports the Secret Service already ran a mother and her six year-old off the road. She believes the Secret Service's actions are a clear attempt to coerce her and the other protesters into leaving.

Cindy and others are asking to meet with the Secret Service and local police to ensure the safety of everyone involved. In the meantime, she asks that anyone who can contact the media to alert them to the situation.

If you are able to do this, media contact information can be found here. Please politely let them know what's been happening with the Secret Service, and encourage them to continue covering Cindy's efforts to meet with President Bush.

[uppityperson]

1. wow

martyr Cindy? Be careful there now.

[rodeodance]

2. yes, whow. Be careful down there.

[Melodybe]

95. Be strong and keep video cameras rolling at all times!

get those bastards on film doing that shit and you are covered.

[ncanadianlee]

125. Video

Right on. Plus that will stop another Government Waco like attack.

[BamaBecky]

3. Kick for Cindy!

[wli]

4. more like they're trying to kill her

Martyrdom needs PR, and the reich wing owns the media, so she'll never be a martyr.

[ChiciB1]

127. And THEY WILL NEVER Be Held Accountable!

It's ALWAYS Ultimate SPIN! OOOOPS, Humpty-Dumpty fell off the wall! I can hear it now!!!

[SunDrop23]

128. I thought the exact same thing...

[DesEtoiles]

5. use media blaster under Campaigns right here on DU

[DesEtoiles]

7. tell the White House WE KNOW: [e-mail]

[rateyes]

6. The darkness cannot stand the light...

come on *, for once in your miserable life, show some real guts, meet with Cindy...quit being such a damned coward!!

[NJCher]

8. where's the media contact info?

They sure hide the address well at my daily paper.

Don't we have a list here at DU? Help me out, somebody, by posting it.

Where's the media blaster?


Cher

[Lars39]

12. Bunch of addresses in this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=106&topic_id=8816&mesg_id=8816

[Why Syzygy]

9. brave woman

but those expectations would indicate that he actually has any idea what peace is. He doesn't.

But she needs to do what she needs to do. Insanity has no answer.

[patrioticliberal]

10. omg

[Dylan Garcia]

11. I just got off of the telephone with Cindy

SATURDAY NIGHT UPDATE FROM CINDY SHEEHAN

By Buddy Spell
Upbeat Defiance.com
LOUISIANA ACTIVIST NETWORK

August 6, 2005

Briefly, I just got off of the telephone with Cindy at 10:58 PM (CST).

She’s on the side of the road with six (6) other activists. They expect others to arrive from the VFP convention in Dallas to spend the night with them tonight.

Cindy says that the SS says the protesters will be killed if they stay the night. “We’re not letting them intimidate us. If we get killed out here, know that the Secret Service killed us.”

She asks that we all light candles in solidarity and looks forward to more company in the days ahead.

Folks, the time has come today!

Peace out.

[patrioticliberal]

14. this is scary shit

[DesEtoiles]

17. Media blast this info now-keeping in mind that emails have a time stamp

GOD FORBID any bad thing happens. Let's all hope and pray for the safety and peace of all.

[AmBlue]

18. And THIS is how * treats a mother...

....whose son paid the ultimate price for this country and *'s very own corporate war for oil??? Despicable. He should be ashamed of himself. He should be rolling out the red carpet for her if he has any honor or decency. This is the ultimate in chickenhawk behavior. BWAAAAWWWKKK-BAK-BAK-BAK (we need a new chicken smiley)

[Contrary1]

28. Our Chicken in Chief:

[I Have A Dream]

33. I think that this is a chicken smiley...

and I think that this is another one

[KyndCulture]

19. It's time to RISE UP!!!! How dare they say that?

That they will be killed.

[ClayZ]

22. Hoping the night has a thousand eyes!

Candles lit here for Cindy and the other patriots in Crawford!

[KyndCulture]

23. candle in front and back windows here in MN for Cindy... nt

[ray of light]

98. keep the candles away from curtains and flamables and kids

[txindy]

29. And an excellent video camera!

Document everything.

[windbreeze]

32. Candles lit in Wash. State for Cindy

and all those very brave souls....hope they stay safe...
windbreeze

[Karenina]

87. Candles lit in Hessen

and NRW so far, Berlin and München coming up!

[leanin_green]

50. Or should we just say, "A Thousand Points of Light." (G.H.W. Bush)

Sorry, but the irony was just to good to pass up. This is serious and I don't wish to make light of it. It may just take many more instances like this to get people in this country riled up enough to do something about the gestapo tactics of this puppet administration.

[ClayZ]

53. I bet there are thousands of candles lit tonight for CINDY!

One Mom
One Son
One Country
One World


And THOUSANDS of CANDLES!

[fooj]

56. My candle has been lit for hours...

Peace.

[ray of light]

99. can we make that FLASHLIGHTS? They're much safer!!!

[DesEtoiles]

31. Is Cindy contacting any members of the media directly, real time?

[Dylan Garcia]

13. TIME HAS COME TODAY!

[WebeBlue]

115. Like your sign Dylan; 'Ditched the Veterans again, too...

excerpt; from an article I wrote today as invited guest author to Washblog at Pacific Northwest Portal, inspired by report from Texas MFSO family who accompanied Cindy to Crawford;

Proud veterans, disabled veterans, military families, and military families who have lost their loved ones in Iraq along with Cindy, Mother to fallen soldier in Iraq, Casey Sheehan, made their pilgrimage consigned to a ditch alongside the the road, at some place 3 feet high with brush. Contrast this with the full blown regalia of the President's inauguration replete with a show of the military in formal dress and the supposed support of the troops for the CIC, the War President.

I don't need to posit the questions, they should come to you as you image the contrast. But to borrow from my friend, Sherry's statement, this administration ditched the veterans again

:patriot:

[proud patriot]

15. Well then the secret service needs to slow down

:grr: BASTARDS

[nolabels]

45. Gee and so brave running pedestrians off the side of the road

To serve and protect who? Have to remember that is their job and who is their boss. Of course one must also have a clear sense that the POTUS approves of these tactics otherwise how could they go on :shrug:

The fish rots from the head first

[SammyWinstonJack]

61. The little worm probably told the SS to run them down if they

got the chance. It's something he would say.

[Cha]

65. And..

"Fuck them if they can't take it".

[tsuki]

16. Since when did the Secret Service become a partisan arm of

the Conservative Movement?

[lastknowngood]

66. During the Regan admin. I talked to several retired SS agents

and they told of a org being transformed into a political wing of the repug party. The pros being replaced with political and the management being put in place to ensure it never would change.

[bobbieinok]

81. if so, did this affect secret service actions regarding Clinton .... and

Monica???????

[KansDem]

94. Remember in Moore's "F9/11" how the SS showed up to question Moore?

...when he and a cameraman showed up across the street from the Saudi Embassy in DC? All Moore and his cameraman were doing was standing across the street looking at the building when a couple of SS agents pulled up to see what they were up to. I thought "So the SS protects the President, Vice-President, and Saudi Embassy?" Someone in the Embassy would have had to call the White House, who in turn would have had to notify the SS. Or do the Saudis have their own line to the US Secret Service?

[KyndCulture]

20. Someone should stay in contact with her until more people get there.

I am scared for her safety.


There is safety in numbers and it sounds like more people won't be there for a few hours.

We can bounce this around the blogs all night long and keep her voice out there.

[seabeyond]

21. i was starting with emails to congress, but none would go thru

i must have a bad list. this pisses me off so. i am willing ot send a thousand emails, telling people a citizen is being threatened by our president, thru his people. so much with bush has been unacceptable, but this is just too much. i want to send emails to repugs and dems alike. does anyone have a list of email addresses of our senat and house. after that i am sending emails to media. but i want congress to have to deal with this too.

lets make THIS the big deal. because it is a big deal, our government threatening this womans life and all other protestors. this will turn the american people faster than anything, with the mood they are in

[patrioticliberal]

24. They're all on recess too n/t

Yes it is a big deal but with no proof the media establishment won't believe anyone

[seabeyond]

25. gonna keep quiet, i am not keeping quiet. do they turn off email

because they are on recess. do you think that is why the first three to senators werent able to be delivered?

[Dylan Garcia]

27. Rumors of a CODE PINK hunger strike

Anyone have a source on this?

[MaineDem]

59. I read that on DU somewhere but I haven't heard from CODE PINK yet

They're usually good at getting this out to their email list.

[DesEtoiles]

26. media blaster located under Campaigns link above & Media forum too on DU

[seabeyond]

39. thank you

havent check out media blaster, sounded complicated for computer illiterate me way back when. but i am motivated on this one.

[seabeyond]

40. i am going to go back in and explore some more, just another

thank you. i spend a lot of time here and just on the board. i havent really explored this site. man, there is tons of stuff. i love du. appreciate the shove to see all this wonderful stuff

[ArthurRuger]

30. hiding in Crawford from one brave mother

The only way he can stop his popularity slide is to go into hiding.
With every public word he utters, Mr. Bush only slides further along the slimey slope.

There's not much left. Popularity and clout down to 38%.
He's hiding in Crawford from one brave mother whose son died in Iraq.
And he says "We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq."

Today Dahr Jamail published the following thoughts from those who've been there in uniform and done that. ANTIWAR.COM:

I see this guy in the most prestigious office in the world, and this guy says 'bring it on.' A guy who ain't never been shot at, never seen anyone suffering, saying 'bring it on?' He gets to act like a cowboy in a western movie…it's sickening to me."

"I don't think Bush will ever realize how many millions of lives he and his lackeys have ruined on their quest for money, greed and power," he says, "To take the patriotism of the American people for granted…the fact that people (his administration) are willing to lie and make excuses for you while you continue to kill and maim the youth of America and ruin countless families…and still manage to do so with a smile on your face."

Taking a deep breath to steady himself he continues as if addressing Bush first-hand; "You need to resign, take the billions of dollars you've made off the blood and sweat of US service members….all the suffering you've caused us, and put those billions of dollars into the VA to take care of the men and women you sent to be slaughtered. Yet all those billions aren't enough to even try to compensate all the people who have been affected by this."



Proof that the office conveys no wisdom in and of itself is now so bittersweet and beyond any tragic humor. The leader stands alone and those holding up his pedestal seem to be struggling to get a handhold that does not crumble on contact.

[Dylan Garcia]

34. CODE PINK hunger strike

Code Pink is sending out a national call for its
members to have a hunger strike until George Bush has an honest meeting with Cindy. Cindy's sister Dede has joined that hunger strike. Please keep Cindy and all of our folks in prayer. This is stand for the honor and memory of our kids and the soul of our nation.

peace be with you,
Celeste Zappala
co-founder Gold Star Families for Peace (gsfp.org)
Mother of Sgt Sherwood Baker, KIA 4/26/04"
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/6/174227/7875

[jonnyblitz]

58. good post! welcome to DU...

:hi:

[napi21]

35. That's pure intimidation! They're not going to run over anybody!

Think about it for a minute! Headlines..."SS agent hits mother of Marine killed in Iraq!"

I happen to know 2 SS agents. They are very well trained drivers, that's part of their job! This is just a tactic to get Cindy to go home.

[dissent1977]

116. Let's hope you're right...

Your argument certainly makes sense, but I worry that these people don't have any sense left in them.

[DesEtoiles]

36. Houston Chronicle-news tips: 713-220-7491, [e-mail]

E-mail:
[e-mail]

Phone:
713-220-7491

[Why Syzygy]

37. Some of the media is on it

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&q=Cindy+Sheehan

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said {sic}response that Bush also wants the troops to return home safely.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/08/06/bush.peace.mom.ap/

There is no freakin way to believe that. Just keep digging, Mr. stolen president.

We're gonna win this. Peace on earth. Lose the war crowd!

[I_Make_Mistakes]

38. I agree with Napi

Can you imagine the bad PR if something happened? Do you actually think Bushes nos. wouldn't go down even further. Remember his lazy butt is on vacation, so if something happened more people would pay attention to this sloth.

[Why Syzygy]

42. exact-o

but what I've seen from the wingers is they just hide their faces or shoot off their mouths. Or both.

They are trying very hard to pay no attention. Let's pray for them while we weep for the world they insist means nothing to them.
Do not get it.

[TankLV]

80. Even if it DID happen - if nobody is allowed to report it, who would know

and who would care?

[ArthurRuger]

41. And it's only Saturday night

Still a whole Sunday to go with word of a presidency dancing away from an American mother who has all the moral authority on her side.

They can only look dumber and dumber the longer they try everything but truth.

Hoping for Cindy's stamina and encouragement to anyone within sunday driving distance to join her.

Hoping that as the word spreads, we see sunday caravans to Crawford in increasing numbers ... like the Sioux at Little Big Horn ... and George Armstrong Custer Bush in danger of a mini last stand here.

Come out of hiding sir, or more will come.

[Why Syzygy]

43. One news account

indicated that the Vets for Peace will be arriving when their convention wraps up. Nothing finer. They know what the fuck is up with this. Solidarity. Yes. Let's do.

And welcome over here at DU. :hi:

[ArthurRuger]

49. Hard to Swift Boat a Mom

Who could do the hatcheting other than freeper bloggers and masters of the talk-show stampedes.

Smearing the mother of a soldier isn't the same thing as smearing a candidate or a veteran or even a protesting soldier.

Busheviks and rethuglicans are so far below Cindy's moral high ground that an attempt would expose a lot of glass jaws to a lot of haymakers.

[dissent1977]

117. Hard yes, but I wouldn't put anything past these people...

It honestly would not surprise me if they went out and tried to claim that her son had abandoned her years ago or some crap like that. These people will smear no matter how despicable that smear is.

[jillan]

52. Did you see that one of the articles on Google is from France?

Hey power hungry asshole - the whole world is watching you!
And you don't look very powerful right now!

Spread your f-d up democracy right there in Crawford.

[TankLV]

79. The criminal WHO STARTED THE WAR IN SPITE OF EVERYONE ELSE

wants to end it - the war HE CHOSE TO START against all evidence, a war BASED ON HIS LIES?

And the whore media report this as if it were a fact, without need for explaination.

[zulchzulu]

44. I dealt with the Secret Service before and they were pretty cool

During the pre-First Debate preparations for Kerry in Spring Green, Wisconsin, I was a driver that moved various Kerry and other personnel to locations within the "compound", and the Secret Service folks were pretty cool.

Our tax dollars paid for their service and they did a very respectful job protecting the candidate, the staff and others at that time.

This disappoints me that they would politicize the events near Crawford. It needs to be reported and they need to change their method if that is in fact what they are doing.

[Ellipsis]

46. Time for a little Buffalo Springfield, 1967.

How can they harrass a mother of a dead soldier? They won't. Thou maybe Max Clevland and a few others SHOULD join her in her vigil. Like a modern day Magnificant 7?


Lyrics for: For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound)

 

There is somethin' happening here
and what it is, aint exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
tellin' me, I've got to beware

I think it's time we
Stop,
Children,
What's that sound?
everbody look what's going down

There's battle lines being drawn
and nobody's right, if everybody's wrong
young people speaking their minds
and getting so much resistence,
from behind

I think it's time we
stop,
Hey,
what's that sound?
everybody look whats going down

What a field day for the heat
(ooo-ooo-ooo in background)
A thousand people in the street
(ooo-ooo-ooo)
singin' songs, and a carrying signs
(ooo-ooo-ooo)
mostly say, hooray for our side
(ooo-ooo-ooo)

I think it's time we
Stop,
Hey,
What's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life,
it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
You step out of line,
the man come and take you away

We better stop,
hey,
what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

Stop,
hey,
what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

Stop,
now,
what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

Stop,
children,
what's that sound?
Everybody look what's going down

[mikelewis]

47. when isn't it time for Buffalo Springfeild?

[Ellipsis]

48. good point!

;-)

[seabeyond]

51. i spent two hours sending emails to senators and media

this bothers me

[WebeBlue]

110. seabeyond, thank you for spending the time emailing senators and media

it looks like the combined efforts of blogosphere and Citizens moved Cindy's story to the media and it is getting coverage. Now for action to move Congress to Stand Up and Act with the courage of our troops and their families. Thank you for caring, seabeyond and every one else who has taken time to take action to support Cindy. I like to say 'we are all Cindy now', :)

[orleans]

54. I just sent several emails out to senators:

Please Help This Woman!

Dear Senator,

I'm sure you agree that a dead vet's mom should not have to walk in a ditch.

Have you heard what Cindy Sheehan is doing? She's in Crawford, trying to talk to Bush. And she needs some help. I found this article on AfterDowningStreet.org.:

"Cindy Sheehan called After Downing Street moments ago at 10 p.m. ET to report that the Secret Service is trying to intimidate her and members of Gold Star Families for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Veterans for Peace into leaving their protest near Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch.

"This morning Cindy led dozens of protesters as close as they could get to the ranch; they were stopped by local police about five miles away. Cindy and others plan to stay there throughout Bush's five-week August vacation until he agrees to meet with her and other family members of soldiers killed in Iraq and answer their questions about the war.

"Throughout the afternoon and evening, however, the Secret Service has been telling protesters that if they stay there they may be hit by Secret Service vehicles. Cindy says, "They've told us this at least ten times. There isn't much room between the side of the road and the fence, and they go zooming by far over the speed limit." Cindy reports the Secret Service already ran a mother and her six year-old off the road. She believes the Secret Service's actions are a clear attempt to coerce her and the other protesters into leaving.

"Cindy and others are asking to meet with the Secret Service and local police to ensure the safety of everyone involved. In the meantime, she asks that anyone who can contact the media to alert them to the situation.

"If you are able to do this, media contact information can be found here. Please politely let them know what's been happening with the Secret Service, and encourage them to continue covering Cindy's efforts to meet with President Bush.

Please help her."

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/1208

[dmr]

55. KICK

:kick:

[bejammin075]

57. Increase the density of citizen cameras!!

We need cameras rolling 25-8 down at Stepford TX!

[MaineDem]

60. BBC World news carried this story this morning

At least someone's paying attention.

[liberalitch]

62. When we take the whitehouse back we need to reorganize the SS....

from the way in which they failed to demonstrate their loyalty during monicagate and the way in which they are "protecting" the idiot king..... it is clear that the secret service has gone over to the dark side and can not be trusted to protect a future progressive leader....
YOU'VE SHOWN YOUR ASSES BOYS AND GIRLS!!!!

[TankLV]

82. Totally. agree - and not just the SS.

I don't care if they are a cook or a maid at the WH - everyone is NOT to be trusted - ESPECIALLY if they have manged to avoid being fired with all the OTHER longtime non-partisan staff this long!

ALL WH personell should be containted to and sequestered from any new DEMOCRATIC President until such time as they ALL can be replaced with trusted DEMOCRATIC personnell. And any future Democratic President should not be afraid to explain why!

[bobbieinok]

83. Linda Tripp and Luciane who hated dems were kept in Clinton adm, ???

low level positions working to discredit democrats and Clinton specifically

[KyndCulture]

63. Just waking up here, is there any news this morning?

[GoBlue]

64. Just an aside...

but when I click on the link in your sigline I get sent to
(http://www.microsoft.com) because you have an extra 'http' in the URL.

[ArthurRuger]

67. Hadley reminded her that the Iraqis could now vote.

From TXsharon (Daily Kos)

Hadley reminded her that the Iraqis could now vote. She showed him Casey's pictures, told him that she had give birth to him after carrying him for nine months. That she had nursed him for over a year. She said a few more things about Casey then asked Hadley if he thought she had gone through all that so Iraqis could vote.

Mr. Hadley, you mean to say that responding to 9/11 by militarily forcing the freedom to vote was the ultimate aim of wisdom from your crowd? Why didn't you guys say that in the first place instead of all the crowing about WMD's?

I swear, when one of them talks you don't need to listen to any of the others - it's all the same nonsense. These clowns haven't polished talking points to a fine art. They're demonstrating talking a worthless point to a finite conclusion of uselessness.

Ask any republican to use "patriotism and nobility" in the same sentence in a coherent and meaningful way and the moral high ground just slips away from them.

Blog blog blog.
Comment to every media outlet you read.
And email the elected officials about the reckless bluffing and intimidation that supposedly comes from a mean stare and an earphone from a fast car.

Help Cindy keep that moral high ground.

[usregimechange]

68. Nominated with a !

[usregimechange]

69. video

http://thebillboardproject.blogs.com/the_billboard_project/files/DSCN0983.MOV

[WebeBlue]

70. 9:25 AM, Sunday, Just talked with MFSO family with Cindy in Crawford

Update; my time here = 9:25 AM, PST. I tried calling Cindy twice this morning, voicemail and bad connection. My colleague of Military Families Speak Out (MFSO at www.mfso.org) just phoned me to give report of yesterday's events. Sherry Glover and Margaret Davis, both MFSO in Texas went with Cindy's Peace Bus yesterday and Sherry reports as follows:

-- initially sheriff's office discouraged Cindy and delegation from going to Crawford indicating the sheriff's office could take and deliver the message.

-- when Cindy and delegation would not be dissuaded, Sheriff escorted to a left turn in the road with instructions to park there, in the sun. Other vehicles, ie, media were permitted to park in the shade.

-- next instructions were that group had to walk off the road, in a ditch, sometimes 3 feet deep full of brush that was knee-high. Sherry indicates that with disabled veterans as part of the delegation, the vets have once again been 'ditched' by this administration. She says for some of the disabled vets participating in the walk to Crawford ranch, the navigation in the ditch was difficult for them.

-- next, some of the delegation went back to the parked cars to get water and supplies. Sheriff's office attempted to prohibit them from returning to the group, attempted to split the group up.

-- while the delegation walked in the ditch, media was permitted to walk on the road.

-- Sherry describes the 45 minutes of exchanges with Sheriff's officers and Secret Service in which Cindy expressed her mission to ask the President why he killed her son. The chanting began 'Bush killed her son'. With the expenditure of energy from the walk in the ditch, the peaceful confrontations with those who attempted to inhibit and the chanting, people in the delegation began to feel the toll of drainage and dehydration. Some felt faint, Sherry says she felt faintness coming on and that she might pass out. Sitting down helped.

-- Sherry says representatives from GSFP, IVAW, VFP, MFSO, Code Pink, walked with Cindy and stayed with Cindy until the oppression from the heat and peaceful confrontations took their toll.
Might I interject that our troops in Iraq are fully clothed with the 40 lb packs, kevlar jackets (for those that have them) and in full gear in temperatures hotter than those in Crawford, Texas yesterday. As Sherry indicates, that thought is what kept many of them going, knowing our troops face conditions of desert heat daily.

-- Sherry says that Cindy is okay, people are looking after her, bringing her food, water, and making resources available to her as the needs are known. Sherry says that Cindy was seen by doctor last night and is doing okay, and that Cindy did stay and sleep in a tent provided by perhaps Code Pink last night.

Ask me questions, so I can remember to ask them of my MFSO colleagues or remember to post them.

Lietta Ruger, member family http://coastalrain.tripod.com/wmfso/">MFSO, Pacific Northwest chapter
military family with 2 Iraq Veterans facing second deployments to Iraq under Stop Loss orders.

[eleny]

76. Senator Allen, R-Virginia, was just on CNN with Blitzer...

He asserted that the president should meet with Cindy, invite her to the ranch, out of a sense of decency.

[faithnotgreed]

78. many thanks webeblue

[WebeBlue]

105. faithnotgreed, tx appreciated but it's an honor, really to support Cindy.

I've been at this for 2 + years as military family and a little less than that as member family of MFSO. Cindy started her work founding GSFP approx Jan 05 and has been at it non-stop, it seems, ever since. It is gratifying to see her appeal with citizens from all walks of life and her message is so straightforward, no holds barred, yet with dignity.

She transcends partisan politics, and I've long believed the war in Iraq as an issue does transcend and has capacity to be a uniter, not the divider this administration's 'framing' has forced upon us. Framing being a nice word for fixing facts to fit the policy (afterdowningstreet.org) or just out and out lies ....

[faithnotgreed]

124. well we are sending love your way

and in that sense its for cindy too

thanks each of you so very much
we surely (and sorely) need more like you

yes - she is a powerful symbol and we are honored to stand with her

[BeTheChange]

120. Anyone have a pic..

of the protesters in the ditch with the media on the road, both in the same shot?

[JawJaw]

71. "Mr Bush..

..TEAR DOWN this pig-farm fence !!"

There's somebody out here that's got something to say to you....

[ArthurRuger]

72. Secret Service intimidation looks like deliberate political action.

As an MFSO member and actively involved in MFSO Pacific Northwest,
and with two family members trapped in a military situation of vulnerability to the demonstrated foolishness of the republican leadership, I have yet to suffer the kind of loss Cindy has suffered.

But the longer I follow this story in Crawford and share information nationwide through our Texas and national MFSO contacts, the more my own sense of outrage flares up.

If my family is asked - perish the thought - to pay the price Cindy has and is paying now, my reaction would be as hers. But I do and will continue to speak as a father and as a veteran who is totally embarrased that of all the talented baby-boomers of my generation, the shallowest and baddest political apple of my time has risen to the top.

When my political and moral sense were more intertwined in the 90's and I felt embarrased by Mr. Clinton's foolishness with Monica, I also hoped that another boomer would come along to demonstrate more the wisdom that came out of Viet Nam and the sense that an American electorate, when aroused, will replace incompetence with compentence.

In retrospect, I'd drop George and take Bill or Hillary or any other boomer in a heartbeat. In 2008 it won't be hard to find another boomer more capable than George - if the electorate is willing to take a chance on another boomer at all.

This morning we spoke with contacts who were in Crawford yesterday. When we read about Cindy and her veteran companions being forced to walk and stay in a ditch, we are talking about what was called a "barrow pit" in Idaho where I grew up. It's why in wet seasons water will flow alongside the road rather than across.

In Texas, (and I lived in Houston and South Texas for 8 years) it's also where water moccasins congregate.

There's nothing patriotic, considerate or exmpliary of acting in the national interest by sober-staring, earphone wearing suits who are supposed to insure the president's safety with one hand on their earphone, the other on their gun while they watch a woman their mother's age and disabled veterans try to negotiate what really is a ditch and not just a recessed area alongside the road that can serve as a "trail."

There's nothing noble in this situation where a president hides, where his entourage stands guard at the vacation parapets and ventures out in his name with talking points that have gotten to be so dull that they resemble ping pong balls rather than darts of logic.

There's nothing noble in a refusal to step out and meet Cindy face to face, thinking on your feet and expressing the wisdom a president and commander-in-chief is expected to possess.

Except this CIC hasn't demonstrated an ability to think on his feet, off the cuff and respond intelligently without coaching. Cindy would not be a hand-selected audience which makes it doubly difficult.

Cindy is not intimidated nor are the veterans representing the real military victims of republican corruption.

I'm told from Texas today that news media is not required to travel down in the barrow pit but that Cindy, the Vets and her supporters are.

Why is that?

Whoever made that decision owes us a justification.

Don't let go of this ...
Blog blog blog ...

This is the real noble cause.

[AuntPatsy]

77. Inspiring words. One can hope enough people take heed.

[wovenpaint]

85. excellent post!

Very inspiring. I truly wish that I lived closer to Texas-or had the funds to get me there-I'd go stand with this patriot in a heartbeat!

However, I CAN go to the CodePink website immediately to donate funds in support of Cindy Sheehan and the people that are with her.
:thumbsup: :patriot: :kick:

[frictionlessO]

86. Post this as its own thread, pretty please!

Seriously this should be its own thread, a great rallying cry indeed.

I'd defintely nom this on its own. Let me know if you want to.

[ArthurRuger]

88. "Post this as its own thread, pretty please!"

Done.
In GENERAL DISCUSSION POLITICS as The REAL "noble cause."

Thanks for encouraging me to stay mad.

[frictionlessO]

92. Glad you did its on the Greatest now, hopefully more votes will pile on.

Truly one of the best solidarity posts I've seen in a while.

Thank you for what you are doing. Stay strong. angry and determined there are millions on your side. Including me... count on it.

[WebeBlue]

90. Arthur is my husband, and I agree, post it as your own thread

and thanks to DUers for seeing the value in his powerful words and encouraging him to post for himself. Arthur, when you do post your own thread, give us the link here...thanks! And thank you dear veteran for speaking from your veteran voice. I am a mother, military brat and wife to a veteran and I speak out in my Mother voice, and you are a father and a veteran and as I keep telling you, your voice is different than mine and as necessary, sometimes more necessary!

[ray of light]

73. kick and recommend for Cindy and all military & families.

[KyndCulture]

74. thanks for the update!!

[Janice325]

75. Another kick

and another recommendation.
Be careful, Cindy!

[senseandsensibility]

84. kick

Please contact the media. We CAN do something to help Cindy and the troops. She's caounting on us.

[WebeBlue]

89. Another DU thread with transcript of Cindy speech VFP conference Saturday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x145548

to read her speech as given to Veterans For Peace conference before Cindy and delegation made the pilgrimage to Crawford.

Disclaimer here; I don't want to 'steal anyone's thunder' just want a good collection of information on Cindy as this momentous event unfolds and really want to see something, some thread on front page at DU.

Hey, DUers several 'Cindy' diaries at Daily Kos have made recommend front page at DK since early yesterday. Nothing yet on front page at DU. Come on folks, DU can do it too, let's get it done. Rate one of the DU threads up till it gets to front page at DU.

[JaneGat]

91. Do "they" really want a Tiananmen Square incident on U.S. Soil?

Not to mention in front of the pResident's house?

[roguevalley]

93. if they hit someone, nothing in their charter will prevent them from a

prosecution. Also, by telling them over and over ten times, they can't claim accident. They actually laid the groundwork for pre-meditation. they better be careful and so had crawford. They could be known as the place where they kill gold star mothers for sport.

[Tsiyu]

96. What is this, some freaking Banana Republic?

If this doesn't show the holdout Repukes (the ones who believe ** is really a Texan, not a Connecticut frat boy) that their Fearless Leader is a coward, a fascist and a man who DOES NOT support the troops, they are competely brainwashed and should all be committed to mental institutions.

Why would any "gentleman" force the mother of a slain soldier to walk in a ditch? Would Jesus send out his goons in the SS to intimidate a woman like Cindy? ** claimed that "God talks through" him. Did his god tell him to treat this woman so despicably?

These people haven't a shred of decency left. Nada. Zilch. They are the scum of the earth, and I just wish every day that the pain they have caused millions will be heaped upon their lives starting TODAY. That every manner of tragedy and trauma strikes the BFEE and all their friends and supporters. Karma is a wicked contender and it needs to start giving these monsters back what they've been giving.

I wish that the "real god" if there ever was one, would heap plagues, locusts, pestilence and disease on the whole lot, and that the good people of this nation - those like Cindy Sheehan and her supporters - could finally watch the destruction of this evil, corrupt, soulless bunch.

Those SS and sheriff's deputies ( and the sheriff, though I defended him yesterday til all the facts were in) are cursed wretches to treat her this way. Shame on them. Nothing but Mafia types, pimps for their Whore President. Again, I am ashamed to be an American.

And for the first time ever in my 46 years, I wish I was in Texas.

[Kire]

97. It's getting dark out again.

I just lit a new candle.

[AuntiBush]

100. You're Bottom Blog Link take Me Straight To Microsoft.com

Are you aware of that? What's up with that one - not intended for you.

[WebeBlue]

104. AuntiBush, Thank You, right you are, my link wasn't working!

Appreciate you pointing it out, the bottom link to my blog. I think I fixed it. Dying to Preserve the Lies http://dyingwarriors.blogspot.com/

[AuntiBush]

130. Don't Feel Bad, WebeBlue.

Way back when, I accidental placed a link to what I thought was a cousin's website, which turned out to be a XXX site.

[Kire]

101. kick

[MeDeMax]

102. kick -- n/t

[WebeBlue]

103. Phone call with Cindy and Cindy's own blog, Camp Casey

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/7/171338/7578
Camp Casey

and I think there is another thread at DU citing her blog, so just updatingg this thread.


Cindy Sheehan posts her own diary at Daily Kos, read her own written account and thoughts. Also lots of new photos being posted to her blog at DK.

I reached Cindy on phone early evening, she sounds like she always does, you wouldn't know she's under any pressure and I don't know how she keeps her so friendly attitude, but she surely seems to do it. Said 'hi sweetie, how are you'. I said, 'No, Cindy, how are YOU! Everyone wants to know, wants to help, the support is amazing.' She said 'I know, I've been hearing and I'm fine, getting lots of help here' I was wanting to impress on her just how great the support is and she seems to be hearing about it. She said 'I'm getting calls globally'.

Told her wanted her to know the support for her from our Pacific Northwest region and said we (MFSO Pacific NW) are brainstorming a support vigil and encouraging communities to stage their own Vigil to Support Cindy in Crawford. Told her a banner theme might be 'George Talk to Cindy' and she said thanks and there are t-shirts that say something like that at online website, Cafe Press.

we ended the call.

[The Doctor.]

106. Sorry to take some of the steam out... but even the Secret Service would

not be so foolish as to risk such a high-profile incident as a vehicle accident involving pedestrians in front of so many witnesses.

This is nothing more than intimidation.

What the protestors should do is wait for one of their intimidation attempts and wheel an unoccupied baby carriage right in front of the speeding vehicle.

That way the vehicle's speed would be on permanent forensic record, and the papers would have a field - day with it.

Ok... just kidding. Don't do that. It would be almost as irresponsible as driving at high-speeds on a road populated with peaceful protestors and their children.

[WebeBlue]

107. Thank You DUers! We got Cindy to front page at DU.

:yourock: :applause: Thanks to every one of you for getting Cindy to front page at DU. There are many excellent threads about Cindy's Vigil in Crawford, and well worth reading. My intent was that one of the 'Cindy' threads get to front page and this thread made it, and looks like a couple of other 'Cindy' threads are front page now. Hurray, Cindy, you go, Dear Lady, the support is here for you among your DU friends! :woohoo:

[yojon]

108. There is no way the bastards could slime her

She is above that.

[WebeBlue]

109. An MFSO family, AZ goes to burn unit in Texas, sees their burned Marine

Last week another military family in AZ had reason to travel to Texas to visit their Marine friend who suffered severe burns in IED explosion in Iraq and was taken to burn unit in Texas. She phoned me after returning home and dissolved into tears of despair having seen the burn unit victims and the young soldiers minus legs and arms. She said it is indescribeable, and every American ought to see first hand what is happening to our soldiers. She said they would all march to Crawford, Texas to demand an end to war and to bring our young home now.

She describes a proud young Marine, completely covered in gauze and the indignity of lying exposed with only a towel to cover his privates. She describes 'the babies without limbs' and in my confusion for a moment, thought she visited also a children's ward, which she clarified as 19-20 yr olds, limbless now as their adult lives are just beginning. She said she wanted to take a trip to Crawford and drag the President to see first hand what she just saw at the burn unit in Texas. She could say no more, only cry the tears of heart-wrenching horror.

All who can, please Go to Crawford with Cindy and the GSFP, MFSO, VFP,IRAW, Code Pink, and Crawford House delegation and give real support for our soldiers and their families. And if you can't go to Crawford, stage a support Vigil in your own community in support of Cindy. I hope this steps up a notch the action steps our movements are taking in their long vigilant efforts to end this craziness BUT they cannot do it alone, folks. We need the American public in step right along with us all in our efforts.

Speak for military families, speak for the troops because sometimes the emotional toll is so great the families are left without words to express what is unexpressable. And it ain't yellow magnets that will do the job, and it ain't divided camps of pro or anti war in Iraq, and it ain't media who pits military family against military family in their little segments of 'balanced' news reports. I know from my own experiences and those of our other military family members experiences, that the average citizens do care....deeply. It matters, believe me.

Cindy, and delegation, if you are arrested and jailed, I'll make sure to find a way to travel to Texas!

Lietta Ruger, member family of MFSO (www.mfso.org)
with 2 loved ones, Iraq veterans facing 2nd deployments to Iraq under Stop Loss.

[mvd]

111. Cindy is a hero

:loveya:

We've been talking about people standing up to them, and it is happening as we speak. I don't feel worthy after what she's done.

[WebeBlue]

113. mvd; it took Cindy, all the work of everyone matters but it took

someone like Cindy, a military family, speaking out, honoring her fallen soldier son. Many military families have been speaking out, and many citizens have been working hard to speak out, but I have long thought it was going to take military families with the courage Cindy has shown to get us all to the tipping point. We're there now, at tipping point, and I'm sure your own actions along the progression have been just as worthy as Cindy's efforts.

We all need someone like Cindy, to give us inspiration. Believe me, I've fallen into the pits of despair at times these past 2 + years in my own efforts and felt sometimes like the deck was just too stacked against us.

Truth to power and Cindy has the ultimate truth that empowers her to speak truth to power. We can follow the example she is setting, and find our own unique ways to speak truth to power.

[mvd]

114. Thanks - your post is very inspiring

I do believe we're reached a tipping point. I am ashamed at how long it has taken America, but our situation is still salvageable. :hi:

[Gyre]

112. Secret service =s American Gestapo; GFY

Heil Chimp! (heel click)

Gyre

[dissent1977]

118. Please tell me someone is filming this whole thing...

I see a great documentary in the making.

[fighttheevilempire]

119. Cindy, YOU are the one doing the intimidating...

You're the one who's making the Whitewash House awfully nervous. It's your power, and dont ever forget it. They're trying to scare you because they're truly scared for their political lives. For every one person there with you there are hundreds, even thousands more who are there in spirit. The American public supports you, veterans support you, and so do I. Stay strong, hold your head up high, and give it to them!!

[nigelthebrit]

121. This confirms what I thought about you 5 years ago

Remember Betty Lou Beets, do you George? The abused wife whose death you decreed for killing her husband? No, of course not - but I stated then and state now that she has an infinitely greater dignity in death than you'll ever have in the whole of the rest of your life.

The treatment of Cindy and her followers just proves that, George. Long after you're gone and forgotten, I hope they'll put up a plaque to her and her followers.

Didn't Arthur Miller write in The Crucible that "...we are what we always were...", George? You are what you've always been - a nobody.

[myrna minx]

122. Welcome to DU, nigelthebrit.

:hi: Cindy is a true hero.

[xxqqqzme]

129. welcome to DU.

Privilege, power & money has paved the way 4 this serial killer 2 completely escape the punishment he gleefully imposes on others. W/O the money & power, he would B just another sorry ass loser executed 4 his crimes.

[volitionx]

123. Yeah, they're a bunch of thugs...

Of course they'll try to get Cindy to leave. They know this is bad for the "president".

The longer she's there, the more the pressure grows on Bushmaster to do something, and the worse he looks when he finally does meet with her.

Have you ever put off dealing with an embarrasing conflict? The longer you wait, the less you want to deal with it. When it finally comes time to take care of it, it's borderline unbearable.

Of COURSE Bush and his puppetmasters are discussing this shit around the living room at the ranch. They're stratgizing, like they do with EVERY single facet of Bush fake presidency.

[WebeBlue]

126. Cindy Sheehan to Be Arrested Thursday

Thread at DU and already at front page on DU, follow it there
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1685852


Also at Daily Kos, follow it there
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/8/8/124941/6758

[WebeBlue]

131. to Opposite Reaction; Thank you for the Star.

I think DUer, Opposite Reaction is responsible for my having a star and giving me more accessibility to the DU functions. A special thank you to Opposite Reaction, and I'm seriously remiss in realizing this months later than it was gifted. Embarrassed.

[WebeBlue]

132. I may be flying to Texas this week; and this thread

looks like it has served it's purpose and function, helping to get attention to Cindy Vigil in Crawford to DU front page. Lots of other threads now on Cindy at front page and throughout DU so I don't mind if this thread drops off now.

I'm working on arrangements to fly to Texas this week to stand as a military family with 2 Iraq veterans in support of Cindy's Vigil in Crawford. Events happening so fast now with Cindy, that what was true an hour ago may not be the same situation by tonight.

Latest update is that Sheriff has come and said cars, vehicles, tents off the triangle piece of land, supposedly privately owned. That comes on heels of the Cindy to be arrested Thursday. As threatened by Texas legislator talking to Cindy and indicating arrest was possible if she was still on the road when caravan with Condi Rice and Rumsfeld come to Crawford ranch; could be a national security issue.

Suggestion; if you can't go to Crawford, set up your own 'Camp Casey' in your own community, town or city to support Cindy. She is calling her tent camp 'Camp Casey'. Get local media attention to your own Camp Casey, let's see if we can push media big and small to report on this single issue of Cindy Vigil and give it daily updates. They can do it with the Michael Jackson trial, and every other celeb or infotainment issue, so why not daily reports all day long on Cindy...smile.

Keep up the amazing work DUers, in a weekend you've all worked to make this a DU cause and it's getting mentioned at other places with referrals to DU Activists for people wanting to do something to support Cindy.

If this thread has reached it's end, I'm well satisfied. Thank you all.

Lietta Ruger, MFSO family
military family with 2 Iraq veterans facing 2nd deployments to Iraq

I don't want to be Eligible to become member of Cindy's Gold Star Families for Peace. Qualifications, a loved one killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Cindy knows none of us wish to become members of her organization and she speaks with her heart so we don't have to suffer her pain.