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Title: Our Crawford Visit
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Published: Aug 14, 2005
Author: Christine
Post Date: 2005-08-14 22:47:27 by christine
Keywords: Crawford, Visit
Views: 769
Comments: 61
Our Crawford Visit
Bill and I drove to Crawford to meet Cindy Sheehan this afternoon and to lend support to the crowd. When we arrived at the Crawford Peace House, there was a buffet luncheon of sumptuous Arab food which had been prepared for all by members of a group named 'Iraqis for Peace' (Iraqis who are American citizens) to honor Cindy and the veterans and their families who were there. I would guess there were 300 or so people in attendence. Cindy had been at Camp Casey, near the bush ranch, and arrived at the Peace House about 10 minutes after we arrived. She spoke for about 20 minutes. She said that she had been getting notes and calls of support from people from all over the world—much more support than criticism for what she’s doing. Although, she did lament that every word that she’s said and written is being scutinized and denounced by the MSM yet the man who lied us into this war is not and has not.
Cindy is a very warm and sincere woman whose only purpose in doing this, contrary to her detractors’ criticisms, is to get answers from this president. We spoke with her briefly as she was eating. I gave her some of my ‘Bring ‘em Home’ ribbons, two cases of Karl Schwarz’s book, ‘One Way Ticket to Crawford’ to give to her donators, and a generous gift of cash from Lodwick and from Bill and me.
I’m amazed at the sacrifices and hardship she is enduring. Her days are spent in the gawd-awful Texas heat and humidity just waiting, waiting. Her nights are spent in a little pup tent on the ground. She has access to a shower at the Peace House, but that’s it -- no other creature comforts. I sure couldn’t do what she’s doing. Camping out is not my thing even in the best of conditions.
There were two speakers—an Iraqi man and an Iraqi woman. Both were well-spoken and passionate, however, the woman was more firery. The man, who has lived in America since 1966 and said that he loves this country, spoke of the abhorrent conditions that the Iraqi people are forced to endure. He has many relatives in Iraq and communicates with them directly. He said that millions of people suffer with no or insufficient utility services, such as electricity and water. Some may have electricity for maybe 4 hours a day, but even that is not enough to allow for proper refrigeration of food or a cooling system to combat the 120-130 degree heat.
He said that waiting in gas lines can last for hours and that his cousin usually goes to get gas at midnight, always taking an AK 47 with him because conditions are so dangerous. The people are not allowed to carry gas in containers because they could potentially be used to blow something up or set fires. As such, they are forced to put gas in their cars and then, once at home, syphon the gas with their mouths out of the car’s tank to fill portable containers so that the gas can be used to generate electricity or for cooking. He spoke of the unsafe conditions that the children are forced to walk to school in and then when they arrive at school there is likely to be no electricity.
The woman who spoke was very passionate and brought some in the crowd to tears. She talked about the U.N./U.S. sanctions imposed upon Iraq that lasted 13 years and caused the death of 1.5 million children. She spoke of the current war that is killing and maiming innocent people, many of whom are women and children. She asked, “For what? The Iraqi people have never done anything to harm the American people!" She then answered her own question by saying, “So that the war profiteers can make $billions…..and all based on lies….Where are the WMDs?”
I understand that the MSM was reporting that there had been a large counter demonstration, but we did not see a single person today who was not in support of Cindy and her plight.
Alex Jones arrived just before Bill and I left. I’m sure he met and spoke with Cindy and will probably interview her on his show tomorrow.
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#4. To: christine (#0)
Interesting. Not a stupid costumed or spikey haired moron in sight. Every one of those people in those pictures looks like someone you would pass on the street during a bright and snny day in the local park. Perhaps the face of the Anti-war movement is changing to a more serious one and that is what worries the BOTs so?
The only costumes I saw were of the black shirt with white collar variety which were worn by two clergymen. A large number of the attendees today were 'VietNam Vets Against War' and their families.
Thank you for this first hand report. Thanks for continuing to force me to re-think things. I had said to someone over at LP that I respect what Cindy is doing but am concerned about the company she is keeping. As in- being associated with Michael Moore makes her an easy target and easy to dismiss by any mainstream Republican. It is not often that I watch TV anymore (other than sports and the occasional sci-fi), but I caught ABC's Homemake Over program this evening. Very touching and moving. A single mom with two kids who has given up everything in order to start a foundation, help others and continue a search for her chid that was kidnapped many years ago. Whatever the chain of events to get her on primetime TV tonight, she brought her message to millions of people. I couldn't help but draw a bit of a parallel to Cindy Sheehan. One mother who has given up everything in order to question what her child died for. And through whatever chain of events, she is getting her message out. So I am asking myself if it really matters in the big picure if she is associated with Michael Moore or CodePink. Alex Jones once said he didn't care if had to stand with a bunch of communists, anarchists, and socialists in order to question/protest what is going on because he would worry about educating them on freedom and liberty later. Just some random thoughts...
Thoughtful post. I hadn't heard that Alex said this, but I'm inclined to agree with him. If Cindy's message is hurt by associating with CodePink and Michael Moore, it is only because it gives the opposition something to grab onto and spend time discussing. Well, let them; we cannot reach those who call Cindy names like bimbo, antisemite, "grief pimp", etc. anyway. The problem has been getting any positive MSM coverage at all. Anyway that is done, is good. Cindy's message is very simple, this war is a crime; and it is now being heard. Partly due to the presence of a few supporters we don't agree with on other subjects. So what.
#61. To: robin (#21)
Alex has said that a few times. Was it New York he visited a year (maybe two) ago? I remember he was telling about how he was using his bullhorn to get his message out and he realized the crowd listening to him were mostly socialists, anarchists, communists and the lot. He noted that most of these folks recognize the government-military-industrial complex for what it is and they recognize government corruption for what it is but their answers were for more government control or the (total) absence thereof. He said he was happy to have people stand with him in protest and would worry about educating them on liberty, Bill of Rights, etc as a work in progress. I caught Glen Beck for a few seconds this morning. He unleashed the phrase "tragedy slut" to describe Cindy Sheehan. It wasn't much longer after that I found a good CD to play. Probably should have done that to begin with or stuck with the local sports talk station.
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#12. To: Pissed Off Janitor (#4)
Not a stupid costumed or spikey haired moron in sight.
#17. To: christine (#12)
#21. To: scooter, Zipporah, Jethro Tull (#17)
So I am asking myself if it really matters in the big picure if she is associated with Michael Moore or CodePink. Alex Jones once said he didn't care if had to stand with a bunch of communists, anarchists, and socialists in order to question/protest what is going on because he would worry about educating them on freedom and liberty later.
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