For Those Upset, Angered or Frustrated with Cindy Sheehan, a humble suggestion

[Totally Committed]

This morning, I read some of the resposes to Cindy Sheehan's letter to Congress of their re-funding of the Iraq War:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3286716

Her claim that she is leaving the Democratic Party seems to have angered some DU-ers, and frustrated even more. But, really, what did they expect? She is a woman who lost her beloved son to the very war this Party refused to defund, and set a definite withdrawal for. It's sort of like blaming a puppy for being cute, isn't it?

So, that brings me to not only THE War, but War, in general. There are many scholars who believe that the end to perpetual war around the globe may key on the eradication of poverty.

The UN has issued a sort-of call to arms on this very subject called The Millenium Project. According to the UN Millenium Project, the following are some general facts about poverty, taken from the end of 2006.:

More than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. In total, 2.7 billion struggle to survive on less than two dollars per day. Poverty in the developing world, however, goes far beyond income poverty. It means having to walk more than one mile everyday simply to collect water and firewood; it means suffering diseases that were eradicated from rich countries decades ago. Every year eleven million children die-most under the age of five and more than six million from completely preventable causes like malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia.

In some deeply impoverished nations less than half of the children are in primary school and under 20 percent go to secondary school. Around the world, a total of 114 million children do not get even a basic education and 584 million women are illiterate.

Following are basic facts outlining the roots and manifestations of the poverty affecting more than one third of our world:

**** Every year six million children die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday.

**** More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea.

**** Everyday HIV/AIDS kills 6,000 people and another 8,200 people are infected with this deadly virus.

**** Every 30 seconds an African child dies of malaria-more than one million child deaths a year.

**** Each year, approximately 300 to 500 million people are infected with malaria. Approximately three million people die as a result.

**** TB is the leading AIDS-related killer and in some parts of Africa, 75 percent of people with HIV also have TB.

**** More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day...300 million are children.

**** Of these 300 million children, only eight percent are victims of famine or other emergency situations. More than 90 percent are suffering long-term malnourishment and micronutrient deficiency.

**** Every 3.6 seconds another person dies of starvation and the large majority are children under the age of 5.

**** More than 2.6 billion people-over 40 per cent of the world's population-do not have basic sanitation, and more than one billion people still use unsafe sources of drinking water.

**** Four out of every ten people in the world don't have access even to a simple latrine.

**** Five million people, mostly children, die each year from water-borne diseases.

**** In 1960, Africa was a net exporter of food; today the continent imports one-third of its grain.

**** More than 40 percent of Africans do not even have the ability to obtain sufficient food on a day-today basis.

**** Declining soil fertility, land degradation, and the AIDS pandemic have led to a 23 percent decrease in food production per capita in the last 25 years even though population has increased dramatically.

**** For the African farmer, conventional fertilizers cost two to six times more than the world market price.

**** Above 80 percent of farmers in Africa are women.

**** More than 40 percent of women in Africa do not have access to basic education.

**** If a girl is educated for six years or more, as an adult her prenatal care, postnatal care and childbirth survival rates, will dramatically and consistently improve.

**** Educated mothers immunize their children 50 percent more often than mothers who are not educated.

**** AIDS spreads twice as quickly among uneducated girls than among girls that have even some schooling.

**** The children of a woman with five years of primary school education have a survival rate 40 percent higher than children of women with no education.

**** A woman living in sub-Saharan Africa has a 1 in 16 chance of dying in pregnancy. This compares with a 1 in 3,700 risk for a woman from North America.

**** Every minute, a woman somewhere dies in pregnancy or childbirth. This adds up to 1,400 women dying each day-an estimated 529,000 each year-from pregnancy-related causes.

**** Almost half of births in developing countries take place without the help of a skilled birth attendant.

http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/resources/fastfacts_e.htm

The Ten Key Recommendations of The Millenium Project:
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/resources/keyrec.htm

Millenium Project Q & A:
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/resources/qa.htm

For further reading on poverty issues and the Millenium Project, go to:
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org/
and:
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/endofpoverty/oda.html


To watch some great videos on the subject, our own SapphireBlue has posted these in the Political Video Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x32058


Instead of blaming those who have led us on ending this war, please remember what this war has cost us... not only in dollars and cents, but in the lives of our own young men and women who have died. We have a Congress who only sees fit to continue funding this war on their and our backs instead of addressing what could very well be the root cause of war in our lifetimes. How could anyone blame Cindy Sheehan for speaking out on Memorial Day, even if she does say she is leaving the Democratic Party? Perhaps she, and a lot of us see it as the Party having left us, not the other way around.

I urge all of you who are angry, upset, or frustrated with Ms. Sheehan to educate yourselves on this issue before casting any further aspersions on her or anyone for their own opposition and feelings of betrayal at the hands of our own Democratic-Party-led Congress. We fought like tigers to bring about their victories last Novembers and gave them a clear mandate to end this war. They chose to ignore us.

I also urge you to lobby anyone whose ear you can capture on ending poverty wordwide as a road to peace in our lifetimes. The Democrats have lost the moral high-road as a Party on this subject, and we as their constituents must find a way to lead them back to it. In my humble opinion, THIS IS THE WAY.

Thanks for reading this long post. I hope you found it worthwhile.

TC

[KoKo]

1. Many Thanks...a Wonderful Post for Memorial Day...

and think about the environmental degradation caused by war. The pollution of the planet by bombs and guns could outweigh the use of energy saving lightbulbs. Not that we shouldn't be reducing our energy dependence...but the pollution and degradation of the earth because of war should be added in.

[Totally Committed]

3. Our environment can truly be helped by the end to ALL war....

I would love to see everyone on Earth (I know, it's just a dream, though) focus on the POSITIVE things that can be done, instead of the NEGATIVITY of perpetual war.

TC

[LWolf]

2. K & R

Instead of anger and frustration over losing voters who are fed up with the Democratic Party, the party faithful would be better served by working to elect Democrats who will do the work that the current crew doesn't seem interested in or able to.

That would draw voters to the party, rather than drive them away.

[Totally Committed]

4. Well-said, and very true!

TC

[Monica Benderman]

22. On Responsibility --

Kevin and I have known Cindy for three years. We know the system, the politics, the games and the attitudes as well; those that stand to destroy anyone who isn't strong enough to see through the illusion -- and believe me -- Cindy's strength came from her grief - the illusion of strength coming from the power of not wanting to let go of her son, and that illusion finally lost its power.

It's time for everyone to stand back and think seriously about what is happening in this country - how - why - and be honest with themselves about their role in the madness.

Many people have criticized me for addressing the responsibility of the American people in the situation we now find ourselves in. I have heard from people blaming Congress, the administration, the military - but these same people write and tell me that the "American people" were hornswoggled - duped - misled. I would be ashamed to think that the American people were so ignorant that they could be so easily duped.

Ignorance comes from being willing to be led. Ignorance comes from being lazy. Ignorance comes from not wanting to make a single decision for fear of it being the wrong decision. By counting on others we put in "leadership" positions to make our decisions for us we always have someone else to blame if they don't work. But I can guarantee -- if this war had done what we were told it would do in the time we were told it was going to do it, 90% of the people now blaming Congress would be accepting credit for voting them into office.

There is a reason Kevin and I continue to tell soldiers and families -- DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE LED BY THE MOVEMENT -- make sure you take care of yourselves, speak as you feel you must, not allowing yourself to be led by the promises of those who only want someone else to do their work for you. DO NOT ALLOW THOSE IN THE MOVEMENT TO LEAD YOU TO DECISIONS THAT COULD EVENTUALLY DESTROY ALL YOU HAVE WORKED FOR.

That is what happened to Cindy -- it is what cannot happen to another American willing to step out and try to make a difference.

THIS COUNTRY is addicted to letting others do their work for them. That has got to stop if we want to make any headway at all in
a positive direction. This country is addicted to money, drugs, alcohol, and all the trappings - the superficial illusion of doing work -

The mistake Cindy made was in thinking that any of the people who claimed to be by her side were her friends. How could they be?? They never knew her. Cindy was and continues to be a grieving mother -- and this country, in its inevitable way of glorifying the macabre, lost sight of her humanity and her grief and used her in the most severe way possible.


Here at Fort Stewart this past month we are watching soldiers deploy for their third and fourth times. In one year between deployments there were 191 cases of child abuse due to combat related stress. In one year between deployments there were 138 cases of spousal abuse due to combat related stress. There are flashing signs proudly announcing 29 days since the last alcohol related driving fatality ON FT. STEWART -

My husband, Kevin Benderman, went to prison for over a year -- because he actually cared enough to write and speak about what the soldiers he served with were facing -- and neither one of us would shut up, even when threatened with all that we were -- horrific stories were related over two years -- even as Kevin was incarcerated in a Loss of Privilege bay to keep him from talking we still did found ways to tell the truth --

WHO CARED ENOUGH TO LISTEN???????????????

Kevin and I understand completely what Cindy was dealing with -- the American People haven't the first clue what it means to work hard for something -- to put everything you have into something -- only to realize you are doing it for people who just don't care.

Well -- it's time for things to change. It's time for those who do the real work to be given the credit they deserve -- because real work is being done - even when those who claim to be working are taking the credit they most assuredly do not deserve.

In February we began a project designed to bring real benefit to the soldiers who return so disheartened by the very same issues Cindy has discussed - an American public who never did care about their service.

Our soldiers join -- my husband joined -- because he believed in this country. He felt it his sworn duty to uphold and defend the LAWS of this country -- for it is by following the Constitutional LAW that we are all kept free. But even as he and the soldiers he served with went to war believing in defending our freedoms, we learned that was not what this war was. The American people quickly forgot the reasons our soldiers volunteered to serve -- and became enamored with the issues of the war leaving the humanity and trust of our soldiers by the wayside.

Every single soldier who is now serving, every single veteran who has died in that service -- serves, and has died, in vain until the American people wake up and figure out -- freedom means accepting the responsibility that is theirs -- to live responsibly, with common sense, and with the same commitment to the LAWS of this country and respect for their fellow citizens that they are now trying to hold our government accountable to.

We can work together to make the changes necessary -- but no one has the right to sit back and write letters of support to those on the frontlines of this movement and believe that is work equal to their effort. If that is the belief -- then it is a miserable failure of a belief.

We need the American people to work with us --- we can lay out a plan - we can show what our experiences have taught us is needed -- but we need people who make the promises of committing to help us to actually keep their word.

Kevin and I are asking the American people to stand up -- and to take the action necessary to see that the work gets done.

It is time for action -- of a very real kind.

Only the truly serious need apply -- and we have enough experience to know if you will keep your word.

http://www.BendermanDefense.org http://www.BendermansBridge.com

We need to do this for all those who have given -- and given -- and given -- and did so when they really had nothing left to give.

Monica and Kevin Benderman
[e-mail]

[LWolf]

23. I appreciate your heartfelt response.

I have felt that frustration over and over; the frustration that no one is listening when vital public services, and therefore people, are harmed by bad policy and corrupt politics.

I've been out of town for a few days; as I'm settling back in at home I will explore what you've offered further.

[judy]

5. Thank you TC!

This is very worthwhile, and somehow uplifting...

[mike_c]

6. excellent post-- K&R-- regarding Cindy Sheehan.....

Cindy Sheehan has worked tirelessly and selflessly to end the war against Iraq-- who could possibly be surprised by her anger and frustration with the complicit democratic party?

[Totally Committed]

7. I so agree with you!

Some of the reponses in that thread saddened me greatly.

It is time for us to take the ability to wage war in our names AWAY from those who see no other way for the U.S. to relate to the world, regardless of Party, imo.

TC

[bonito]

8. K&R thanks. n/t

[Cleita]

9. I don't support Cindy because of her political party but for

what she stands for. I believe since she has become a public icon she must stand up for her beliefs any way she can. And if the party who promised to bring and end to this war has failed her then she has a right to call them on it and not wish to be further affiliated with it. There is no fear that she is going to run off and become a conservative.

[Totally Committed]

10. I don't think she's gonna run off and become another Nader, either.

Some people are genuinely upset with that thought.

She is so entitled to her feelings of grief on this, of all days. As I said, she lost her son to this war, and the Democrats joined the Republicans to extend the war that killed him. I don't understand why so many are so non-understanding of this.

That having been said, we need to find a way to start to heal our planet... environmentally, economically, and with a real justice for every person.

TC

[Forkboy]

11. Thank you so much for this.

[Nite Owl]

12. No blame for Cindy

we were betrayed. We campaigned, gave our time and money to elect people who said that they would work to bring the troops home only to have them completely ignore us and then to pretend that they didn't, that what they did was some great step forward.

[sam sarrha]

14. i was about to quit the party but still support it.. i was REALLY frustrated and angry still am

[Nite Owl]

20. I' m not quitting

but I'm not in anyway supporting anyone that hasn't followed through on campaaign promises about Iraq or healthcare when that comes up. No more time, no more money.

[Lena inRI]

13. Hey-Hoo, TC. . .so this is where you've been. . .

all these months. . .realigning your politics from national to global.

I appreciate the list of FACTS to use with self-centered insulated Americans.

You know your realigned global view would be exactly what a Gore/Clark administration 2008-2016 would promote. They are the reformers within the Democratic Party.

GORE=CLARK2008

I haven't stopped dreaming yet. . .

:hi: :loveya: :hi: :loveya: :hi:

[Totally Committed]

17. Hi, Lena!

Never stop dreaming.

:hi: So nice to "see" you!

TC

[welshTerrier2]

15. causes of war

i saw a nasty response to your OP in another thread. the poster's angry point was that war is caused by racist imperialism or words to that effect and that your "poverty" theme was naive.

I'll respond in this thread.

If one views the motivation underlying "superpower" imperialism and all those wars it's been responsible for, sure, the underlying motivation isn't even racism but rather pure greed and a disdain for fundamental human values. imperialism is a morally bankrupt vision that exploits anything and everything without regard to the impact on people's lives. may they all burn in hell or any other place hot enough to get the job done.

Unfortunately, the poster's narrowness sits at the very core of the imperialism he (or she) disdains. there are all kinds of wars being fought everyday. many of them are intra-national struggles for power. many of them are not one country pitted against another. The poster's US-centric view is itself a very real part of the problem. I don't think he sees that.

Poverty and its impact, loss of dignity, loss of voting power, loss of democracy, loss of food, clothing and shelter, loss of hope, are very often the cause of war.

Sadly, this is lost on far too many. For some time, it has been my greatest hope that peace could be found between the Israelis and the Palestinians. For me, the solution is simple. The solution does not burden itself with all the ugly history. The solution does not "pick sides" and favor one over the other. The solution recognizes that peace must be found if either nation is to survive. There will be no winners if that which is continues. Can't they see that? The weapons and the devastation they will bring are growing stronger and more deadly everyday. Time is running out.

So, what is the solution? It is time for Israel and the US to build a real Palestinian infrastructure with the Palestinians at their side. Build water supplies. Build cities. Build roads. Build schools. When there is nothing but poverty, there is no hope. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict badly destabilizes the Middle East which, largely because of oil, is a critical region. Building a path out of poverty and creating hope for a real future among the Palestinians is the only way to bring peace. And still, fingers are pointed and nothing changes. To me, perhaps naively, it just doesn't seem that complicated.

Great post, TC. We are so often consumed in our own battles that we fail to step back to see what needs to change. k&r!!!

[Totally Committed]

16. Well, naivety seems to have been a fault of mine for a long time...

I naively thought most elections were fair and honest.... until rhey weren't. I thought I'd never see the day that our Supreme Court would step in and "select" the President of their choice as ours, until they did. I thought the U.S. was trying its hardest to eragicate racism, until Katrina. I believed the Democratic Party was the "good" Party -- not without its faults, but superior to the Republican Party, until they voted to extend a war they, only months before, were given a mandate to end.

This last few years has been one hell of a life lesson for me. My trust has been betrayed, and I can now clearly see how our "system" works. The best candidate isn't always elected. The candidate with the best ideas is not even considered as viable unless he or she is able to raise millions and millions of dollars. And, since it's easier to get big bucks in ONE place than little bucks in A LOT of places, when corporations hold out their $$$, they get the attention, not the voters. I saw poor people left to drown because they were poor and largely non-white.

Yes, I may be naive, but I'm not in some watchtower packing off my fellow citizens with a rifle as they walk by, I'm turning my attention to what I feel the root cause of war is -- poverty. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't write about it. I can't support most of the people running for POTUS on either side. I feel we have become as hardened and jaded as the other side in the way we treat people who have tried to do nothing but the best they knew how. So, if I naively champion poverty over politics... anti-war over pragmatic war... so be it. I am what I am.

Naive to the end,

TC

[welshTerrier2]

18. perhaps it is naivete

frankly, i applaud it. i see it as unyielding and courageous idealism in the face of so much corruption and cynicism and selfishness. it would be easy to succumb to the darkness.

i know you don't do that. you see things very, very clearly, TC.

as I said in a post a few days ago, "today, it is very hard to be a Democrat." What is needed is not bandaid solutions to our deep wounds. Are they better than no bandaids at all? sure ... but BIG CHANGES are needed. all our institutions have been compromised and corrupted. some are too fearful they will be labeled as "anti-American" to make the case. this is not some kind of radical dogma. those who put politics ahead of the country's best interests sit at the core of the problem. worse yet, they fail to understand the poverty of their own politics. it just might be the case that the party that calls for deep and meaningful changes, the party willing to take big risks to make the country better, the party not so afraid of its own shadow that it too often acquiesces to "perceived political pragmatism", might, in the end, be lifted to power for generations ...

instead, finger in the wind politicians, and their blindly loyal minions, do a disservice to the party itself, to the nation and to all mankind. i'm sure glad i'm not one of those.

[Totally Committed]

19. Thanks, wT2....

I appreciate that a lot.

TC

[kiteinthewind]

21. K&R! nt

:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[JNelson6563]

24. Good post, one key point

I don't really have any problems with Cindy Sheehan and believe we all owe her a debt of gratitude for her efforts to end this war.

On the "leaving the Democratic Party" thing though, don't you have to actually be with a group before you can "leave" it? She was never really a part of it so I find her announcement of "leaving" it to be rather misleading & inaccurate.

Julie