Cindy Sheehan has asked President George W. Bush to listen to her—to walk or drive down the road of his ranch in Crawford, Texas, to stand or sit beside her and hear what she has to say about her son and the war in Iraq in which he died. We all know how that's turning out. Cindy Sheehan has now been waiting at the gates for 10 days and counting.
What is this president so afraid of? What could possibly be the downside of listening to another human being—in this case, a mother who lost her son in a war that President Bush led us into. Is he worried she'll haul off and hit him? I'm sure he can rely on his Secret Service agents to protect him against personal assault. Is he worried that she might ask him a question he has no answer for? That might be a reasonable concern, since Bush seems a bit short on answers these days, especially where it concerns the Iraq war. But that still doesn't justify refusing to meet with Sheehan in person and hear what she has to say, which is all she's asked for.
Whoever holds the office of president of the United States has, in essence, entered into a relationship with the American people. Relationships thrive and grow on communication. When they fall apart, it's usually not because people weren't talking, it's because they weren't listening.
When someone is heard, when they are given open and generous attention for what they have to say, they feel validated and respected. It's one of the most profound ways we have of dignifying one another. President Bush stood in front of microphones rather than in front of Sheehan and said he respected her viewpoint. But it's a hollow response coming from him since he hasn't shown her any respect.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8987871/site/newsweek/
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