Chicago Sun-Times: 'Disconnected' Bush started grieving mom on mission

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

'Disconnected' Bush started grieving mom on mission

August 14, 2005

BY MARTHA MENDOZA

http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-mom14.html

Normal life ended for Cindy Sheehan when her oldest son, Casey, 24, was killed. First, she says, ''I was a mom in deep shock and deep grief.''

Two months later came what she considered to be a disturbingly placid meeting with Bush. While she found him to be a ''man of faith,'' she also said later he seemed ''totally disconnected from humanity and reality.'' And when she later heard him speak of soldiers' deaths as ''noble,'' Sheehan felt she had to do something. ''The shock has worn off and deep anger has set in,'' she said.

Tensions flared Saturday at the protest site outside Bush's ranch, with one heated exchange between a Bush supporter and a veteran who opposes the war in Iraq. When the veteran shouted about his war experiences and yelled, ''I earned the right to be here!'' several of his fellow protesters pulled him away as he sobbed and his knees buckled.

Sheehan has vowed to remain in Texas through Bush's August vacation, unless he meets with her. ''My whole family would rather I was home more than gone,'' she said. ''Some people have tried to discourage me from doing what I'm doing, but I can't be discouraged, I can't be stopped because I know what I'm doing is so important. It's a matter of life or death.''

[SpiralHawk]

1. A matter of life and death

Memo to George W. Bush: This is no time to be AWOL again. Go and speak with this woman - a dialogue, not a propaganda monologue. Listen to her. Look at the crosses for our fallen sons and daughters. Go to at least one soldier's funeral. Be a real man.

[rodeodance]

2. the mantra--a left wing pawn-is so nauseating!!!1

.......I think it is disgraceful'

Critics have started calling Sheehan a left-wing pawn. Some conservative groups, talk show hosts and even some of her own extended family accuse her of shifting her position and say she is lowering troop morale.

''To be perfectly honest, I think it is disgraceful,'' said bookkeeper Diana Kraft of Vacaville, whose son is in the Navy. ''I don't know the loss she's feeling to lose a son because, thank goodness, I haven't had that, but we're in this war, and we have to support the troops.''

Other friends, neighbors and church members argue she is a hero, and say they're proud of what she's doing.

Dozens of people have joined her, and others have sent flowers and food. Other ''Camp Casey'' demonstrations and vigils are springing up around the country, with signs calling on Bush to ''Talk to Cindy.''.........

[kweerwolf]

3. ''totally disconnected from humanity and reality.''

Now there's the best summation of the * presidency I've ever seen!