""A nation which has forgotten the quality of courage which in the past has been brought to public life is not as likely to insist upon or regard that quality in its chosen leaders ( BUSH) today - and in fact we have forgotten.""
John F. Kennedy
posted on May 30, 2007 11:06:45 AM
linduh, ""In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it.
John F. Kennedy
Boy....what a 'warmonger'. NOT. But neither has this President shrunk from his.
========================
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
John F. Kennedy """"
linduh, neither of those quotes mean we should go to war at the drop of a hat. Neither means war is the only answer. They have much deeper meanings which you, being a shallow slogan screamer, will NEVER understand.
posted on May 30, 2007 11:14:07 AM
Linda--Don't let the facts get in the way of your vitriole. Quote urban legends if they serve your purpose. I don't give a crap about politics, heroes, pro/anti war. HER SON IS DEAD. Can't you get that through your thick skull? You do not know how you will feel or how you will act unless that happens to you. A big part of the reason this war is ongoing is because too many people in this administration think like you. No compassion. No respect for loved ones blown up in this god-awful war. No respect for the people they left behind. I have one word for you----Karma.
posted on May 30, 2007 11:14:31 AM
The same ones that jumped on a contrived story are the same ones that have now been speaking for her son since Sheehan started her protest, and they are trying to tell others what he thought, sometimes even going so far as to say he would think unfavorably of his mother now.
It's all complete nonsense because no one knew her son or his thoughts and feelings. They are using a dead soldier who cannot speak out, at the expense of his grieving mother who chose to speak out, just to further their own agenda and it's sickening.
posted on May 30, 2007 11:29:06 AM
good...than at least we agree on ONE thing.
But he's received more support from those who see him as a hero than he ever did from his own mother.
That will not ever be changed.
She fought against, spoke out against EVERYTHING he believed in and gave his life for.
That's the shame of cindy sheehan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
Ann Coulter
[ edited by Linda_K on May 30, 2007 01:10 PM ]
posted on May 30, 2007 12:11:10 PM
zoomin - what I previously posted was from a review of the book by those who have actually read it, on Amazon.com. A couple of reviews on the book sheehan wrote and that they have read.
I also checked on urban legions and they state it is not so. They're not always, 100% of the time correct....but it does appear they were this time.
So I have no way of making a decision about what is truth and what isn't in this case.
======================
But it troubles me GREATLY that the liberals always make it about cindy....rather than her SON. The son who didn't hold his mothers political beliefs.
====================
And while re-checking Amazon.com's reviews of her book....I came across this book.
As many American's can see, different mothers handle their grief in different ways....but it doesn't HAVE to be in an anti-American way like cindy choose to make it.
And her political activism didn't just start after Casey died. Her un-American activism had long been noted.
=============================
Reviews
Review
"AMERICAN Mourning" is an elegantly lyrical book about soldiers and sons killed in combat.
The authors compare how two American families - the Sheehans and the Johnsons - reacted to the loss of their sons in combat in Iraq, and how they are in many ways a metaphor for the country itself. The story juxtaposes the grieving process of the two families - especially Cindy Sheehan, Casey's mother, and Joe Johnson, Justin's father, showing how each reacted to the worst news a parent can receive in radically different ways.
Cindy Sheehan directed her grief and anger not at the terrorists whom she called "freedom fighters." She said that she "did not blame the man who killed Casey" but instead blamed President Bush whom she holds accountable for the lost soldiers.
Joe Johnson's grief also flared as white-hot anger, and at age 45 he joined the National Guard determined to go to Iraq as a gunner and "kill the bastards" who killed his beloved Justin.
The media portrayed Cindy as "Mother Sheehan," a grief-stricken mother whose world had been destroyed and who wished only to be consoled by President Bush. But the authors recount a back-story that documents a massive, highly professional and well-orchestrated PR campaign backed by deep-pocketed sponsors like MoveOn.org and George Soros. At some point Sheehan morphed into an aggressive feminist who abandoned her family, ran off with another man and embraced the radical agenda that the anti-Bush movement used her to promote.
Joe Johnson trained hard, went to Iraq and patrolled the deadly roads laced with IEDs and ambushes. He resumed drinking after Justin's death and reportedly continues to seek solace in the bottle, though he has given up his mission of personally avenging his son's loss by killing terrorists.
Both Cindy and Joe put their spouses and families through additional stress by internalizing their anger and abandoning their families to fend for themselves.
Cindy left permanently, while Joe eventually came home to face --New York Post, November 19, 2006
Sean Hannity
The truth in this book will set you free.
Buzz Patterson
Their stories illuminate the hell that our servicemen and women face every day...
Mark Levin
...puts a face on two magnificent heroes whose great deeds and unimaginable sacrifices are all but ignored by the media...
James Dalessandro
I was soon moved to tears by both the Sheehan and Johnson clans...
New York Post, November 19, 2006
...a brilliant social essay of a defining moment in American history.
Book Description
American Mourning is the story of two American families whose sons died in the war on terror. Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson had been best friends since they first met at Fort Hood in Texas; they were killed within five days of each other in separate ambushes in Sadr City, Iraq, during Holy Week of 2004.
As the Sheehan and Johnson families have mourned their unimaginable loss, they have had little else in common and have taken entirely different paths as they mourned. Justin's father, Joe Johnson, followed his son to Baghdad, slogging through the open sewers of Iraqi slums to see where Justin had died and to avenge his death.
Cindy Sheehan wanted another kind of revenge. Blaming President Bush for Casey's death, she called the Muslim radicals who killer her son "freedom fighters" and brought an entourage of antiwar activists and a coalition of the willing press to the president's ranch outside Crawford, Texas. Demanding that the president meet with her in the sweltering Texas summer, she became a media phenomenon and America's best-known antiwar activist since Jane Fonda.
The Sheehans and the Johnsons represent the extremes of grief-stricken parents in war, both families reflecting the gap in how Americans view the war on terror. The Johnson family has bonded closer. Justin's parents have grown nearer; their faith has been strengthened; and their support for the war is stronger than ever. Meanwhile, the Sheehan family has fractured, and Casey's parents have divorced. Cindy says she is no longer a Christian, and her opposition to the war is deeper an dmore bitter than ever.
The bodies of Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson lie in their hometown graves. Justin's final resting place is decorated with handmade flags and miniature Uncle Sams. Casey's had no marker for two years to tell the world that he lived, fought, and died a hero.
Both Joe and Cindy are shooting at ghosts. Cindy still is. This is their story. The story of American Mourning.
posted on May 30, 2007 01:09:52 PM
What Cindy Sheehan has done in no way denigrates her son and what he did. He was brave and believed in his country. We have since found out about the lies and false pretenses under which this war was fought. When you have lost your son in war and realize in horror that he went to war under false pretenses, that is painful and would make anyone angry.
posted on May 30, 2007 01:12:49 PM
Well....I and all the others who see her and her actions VERY differently, will just disagree with you CC.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on May 30, 2007 01:42:43 PM
Cindy, explained:
Posted: February 6, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern
"My civil rights were violated. They – I unzipped my jacket. They treated me like I got – I took a weapon out. They were rough with me. I have bruises. I have sore muscles. They arrested the mother of a war hero who gave his life for this country.
"And why did my son die, if his mother can't even wear a T-shirt? And I'm going to file a lawsuit for – for defamation of character and because my civil rights were violated, hoping that it will never happen to another person, hoping that my son's death will count for something."
– Cindy Sheehan
By now everyone in America has heard from the infamous anti-war protestor Cindy Sheehan. How she likens President Bush to a terrorist that would make Osama bin Laden blush – not to mention Saddam Hussein. She has been rubbing shoulders with fine folks like Hugo Chavez and I'm sure would feel right at home with Harry Belafonte in his hatred for our president.
Unfortunately, I don't think most people have been paying close enough attention to what Cindy is actually saying. Her maniacal claims like, "George Bush is nuking Iraq," may be drowning out the words that expose her for the fraud she truly is.
Recently on "Paula Zahn Live," Sheehan was quoted as saying, "They arrested the mother of a war hero who gave his life for his country". "And why did my son die, if his mother can't even wear a T-shirt?" Sounds fair enough, doesn't it? Only one problem with all of this: Since Cindy started her protest against the war, she has claimed our president "murdered" her son!
Now either he died defending his country or he was murdered. It cannot be both. If a soldier is walking in downtown Philly and he is murdered by a thug, did he die defending his country? No. You can't have it both ways.
That is unless you are a pawn of the left and are allowed to get away with a double standard such as this by a left-leaning press. Why didn't Paula Zahn challenge Cindy about the obvious contradiction? I guess that would have ended the Bush bashing. Can't have that happen.
Casey Sheehan paid the ultimate price for his country and his mother. He died to preserve the rights of all of us to say whatever we want. But that doesn't mean what we say is necessarily correct. Casey returned to Iraq voluntarily for a second tour of duty because he believed what he was fighting for in Iraq was worth it. George Bush no more murdered Casey Sheehan than I did and for his mother to suggest otherwise is not only ridiculous, but also takes away from the true sacrifice her son made.
When Sheehan first showed up on the scene, we all grieved with her for her loss. No one wants to lose a loved one, especially a son. However, I have watched hundreds of families lose fighting men and women to the war and not call our president a murderer or terrorist like Sheehan has done. They have honored our fallen heroes with appreciation and respect.
Cindy Sheehan has made a cottage industry off her son's death and that is wrong no matter what side you are on. Look, it is her son and she has every right to handle it as she feels, but the press should take into account her inconsistencies just as they do her insane statements.
Cindy Sheehan has finally come full circle. She now will be the real heroine of the left as she has followed their tried and true clarion call – SUE! She is ranting, "I'm going to file a lawsuit for – for defamation of character and because my civil rights were violated, hoping that it will never happen to another person, hoping that my son's death will count for something."
Hey Cindy, you have no character to defame, therefore the judge will have to throw it out on the merits. I have no doubt that Casey Sheehan is in Heaven experiencing eternal peace, joy and righteousness. He has received his rewards. Casey, forgive your mother. She knows not what she says, apparently.
----------
Cindy Sheehan is a Glory-Hound
August 15, 2005 01:19 AM EST
No one made Casey Sheehan sign up. No one. Not even his mother could force him to defend freedom. Casey signed up for the armed forces because he wanted to sign up for the armed forces.
Now Mamma Sheehan is showing herself to be a shameless exhibitionist who is stroked by a summer-slow media read. Reporters don't have that much of substance to give out. So they play up this mouthpiece camped outside US President George W. Bush's home.
Of course, all the anti-Bush drivers are parading their vehicles as a show of support for Sheehan. She's glorying in the acclaim. Nevertheless, what Sheehan must surely know, being the age that she is, is that this too shall pass. And so shall the summer heat. And the gawkers giving her undo attention. And the reporters' pads folded up inside their yuppie pouches.
This is ridiculous.
Sheehan is a brazen egocentric who delights in getting attention because of her son's death. Yes, it is sad that her son died. So it is sad that the other defenders of freedom died. War is not a Sunday school picnic. People die. They sign up for the armed services knowing that this just might be the supreme sacrifice forthcoming. Those disillusioned by the ravages of war need not apply.
Once again the liberal rose-tinted eyeglasses of Sheehan shine off the liberal harangue taking place in Crawford, Texas. Ted Kennedy and Nancy Pelosi must be in their delight as Sheehan becomes their clone representative.
As if Sheehan is the first parent to shed tears over a child's death in wartime. Come on, Sheehan, do you really think that we realists are new to all this war kind of thing? Does your staging make it a first for speaking up regarding blood letting in order to cement the peace, establish a democracy, and protect our own shores by fighting the enemy elsewhere?
All this crooked straw-hat business on Sheehan's dome really irks me. That's just the liberal image we sane people have had to put up with for generations. Sheehan surely is the poster girl for the arch-liberal look if I ever saw one. And her monologue matches up perfectly. Empty heads. Cliches. Rants without reason. It's an old package, Sheehan, so pack your bags and go home.
As for the armed services personnel presently stationed around the globe on behalf of liberties personal, Sheehan is their enemy. She is not their friend. These liberals go on and on about peace and loving country while all the while their rhetoric belies their motives.
They are in this speech making for themselves. It's sheer show-off time in day care center mode. And all in the name of "peace" and "love" and "patriotism."
It's enough to make you want to throw a pitcher of cold water right over Sheehan's hot head in Texas.
-------------
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.George S. Patton
posted on May 30, 2007 01:53:12 PM
And NOW she finally wakes up to see that the liberal left, anti-war groups were only USING her to benefit their own agenda.
Didn't really MEAN what they said.
That, along with her son's death will be a very difficult reality for her to face. But it appears she's coming around NOW.
They've used her and now thrown her away. No longer needed by them....so they're slamming her now and she actually SEES that.
"While the democratic party complains about everything THIS President does to protect our Nation": "What would a Democrat president have done at that point?"
"Apparently, the answer is: Sit back and wait for the next terrorist attack."
posted on May 30, 2007 04:14:53 PM
"Cindy Sheehan, Casey's mother, and Joe Johnson, Justin's father, showing how each reacted to the worst news a parent can receive in radically different ways."
This sentence in your post, Linda, is what this is all about and why I am disgusted with the heartless reactions. Everyone reacts differently to losing a child. The death of a child often causes irreparable damage to a marriage---each parent trying to deal with grief in their own way. Some are angry, some terribly sad, some looking to blame someone or something, some blaming themselves. Grief can make you stronger, grief can make you lash out, grief can make you hate yourself or your spouse. Mrs. Sheehan felt helpless in trying to keep her son out of harm's way and then the very thing she feared most happened. Can't you put yourself in her place for just a minute? This has little to do with politics--more to do with psychology and emotions. FEELINGS. If Mrs. Sheehan's son were killed by a depraved serial killer and she got herself a gun, found the killer and shot him dead, you would have more sympathy for her. Keep your friggin' politics out of your brain for once and GRASP the fact that this woman is in terrible, helpless pain.
posted on May 30, 2007 07:45:25 PM
"GRASP the fact that this woman is in terrible, helpless pain."
So???
What exactly has this to do with anything? This is why you people are so confused.
The "9/11 survivors" are in pain too. This means they can hold up the Freedom Tower construction until the design is "safe"?
A subject which they know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about.
Maybe we could have a panel of psychiatrists determine the level of pain and the corresponding media attention after each incident.
Maybe we can empower a panel of whackos who drive 500 miles to put a wreath outside Virgina Tech to come up with some way cool transit ideas.
posted on May 30, 2007 08:11:09 PM
"What exactly has this to do with anything? This is why you people are so confused."
I assure you I am not confused. "You people" are so quick to jump on Cindy Sheehan with name-calling, insults and lies. You show not an ounce of compassion for another human being or even attempt to understand her anger. That is beneath a pseudo-patriotic, smug, empty shell of a person like you. Save your disdain for corrupt politicians, corporate greed and war. They will hurt you more than a Cindy Sheehan ever could.
posted on May 30, 2007 08:54:02 PM
Oh please. If her son was killed in a bus crash you wouldn't spend 30 seconds listening to her theories of world poltics let alone trot her around for a few months.
posted on May 30, 2007 11:49:18 PM
I really don't believe that Coincoach trotted her around....where DO you get your "information"?
Cindy Shehan was quite capable of speaking and trotting around on her own and her son died in a fiasco of a war, NOT a bus crash. She still, even under the bushit administration, has a right to speak out about anything she wants to.
It's wonderful that it bothers the carnage loving, blood thirsty, "violence is the answer to everything", neocons so much !
posted on May 31, 2007 12:30:11 AM
Of course sheehan made this death political.
Who are you trying to fool, CC?
As a 'regular', non-political non-war issue....her son's death wouldn't have made the news at all. Nor would ANYONE have given two seconds of attention to her.
The reason it did was because SHE chose to be the 'front' for the VERY angry, radical, anti-war left. Because SHE chose to link herself with the likes of chavez....and any other anti-American she could find to align herself with.
LOL @ it's not political....LOL LOL LOL
Won't be anymore, since she finally has woken up to how the radical LEFT used her.
Now maybe she can grieve without all the press she SO loved giving her more than her earned 15 minutes of fame. Her big smiles each time she was arrested didn't come from her grief. Get real. She was fully enjoying her newly found fame....all at the expense of her sons choices. Not from one thing she did. She USED her own son for her OWN agenda.
"Can't you put yourself in her place for just a minute?
No, I really can't. I would NEVER speak out against my country because I lost my son. I'd NEVER go around the world blaming my country for my sons death.....WHY???? Because I'm REAL clear on who our enemies are...I'm not confused like she was/is. I'd be one of the thousands of parents who have lost their sons/daughters/etc in this war who actually RESPECTED their choices.
Can YOU grasp that? LOL It appears not.
Oh, and just for the record, CC. I'll post what I feel like posting....whether it meets with YOUR approval or not. LOL
Such arrogance is usual from liberals like yourself....but you don't tell me anything about how I post or what I post nor IF I see anyone's actions/behavior as being nothing but politically motivated.
