Why I'm marching against the war in Iraq this weekend

Last September I joined tens of thousands in DC to protest a war that many veterans believe was a broken promise that we'd never have a Vietnam again.

It'll be three years and hundreds of thousands of lives shattered by death and maiming of minds and bodies on both sides of the globe. The dead have the grave benefit of being put to rest but leave our parents, children, significant others and friends who will have a vacant spot they are supposed to have filled with remaining years of a loved one.

As our democracy erodes here in the US, as hundreds of billions of dollars are the cost; as opportunities are lost to better the lives of our middle class; improve care for our youth and elderly are squandered; and as we misdirect our angst and anger often selfishly on others (rights and equality issues), it becomes abundantly clear, my personal journey began by protesting this president and his war of lies and greed. He has betrayed his oath of office and our Constitution.

I will march this weekend in Newport, Providence and Boston. As a Marine veteran, I will be speaking for my brothers and sisters who are languishing in a purgatory of honorable duty on behalf of an administration that dishonors them with inadequate protection and poor leadership on Capitol Hill.

I put my professional career and large family on hold because I asked a basic question. "What would one life be worth if it was saved by my acts of conviction and measured defiance?" So the house is mortgaged and I put my billboard "Be Patriotic Impeach Bush" up.

I have been chastened by the Democratic Insiders, challenged by some Greens and ridiculed by the GOP right wing as I campaign for US Senate. The media ignores its balanced reporting responsibility. But the hardest part is so few people do more than share an "atta boy".

I wonder just how badly things have to impact each one of us before we again become united and actively engaged for the safety and protection of our communities and countrymen? How many times does somebody watch before actually acting on their own?

Have we all become so used to becoming spectators? Many have time to watch tv, go out for a meal or lounge, but to regain our country's future, arm chair quarterbacking both sides of the aisle is not sufficient action.

JFK and many great men and women got it right about asking not what our country will do for you..... What is a more noble cause than saving a fellow countrymen's life?

Carl
Sheeler for US Senate
www.carlsheeler.com

Democrats, not aristocrats.

:kick:

Thanks for this sentiment, which I hope you use in your campaign:

I will be speaking for my brothers and sisters who are languishing in a purgatory of honorable duty on behalf of an administration that dishonors them with inadequate protection and poor leadership on Capitol Hill.

If only it were twenty years ago, I was living in Mystic then! I would be able to do a lot more than send money and write supportive letters. Keep going Carl, you make me & so many other veterans proud, we know what are you doing & why you do it! Thanks!

I heard that more than 40% of Americans are on prescription medications. In Europe only 15% are. Don't know what percentage of that 40% are anti-depressants but it certainly seems as if a whole lot of folks are zombified or in survival mode and not paying attention.
It's exceedingly frustrating.

How can you march in three places at once? Are you a super hero or something? Kidding.

I'm sorry you're not getting more support from the party and love your tenacity.

Here's a thread that may brighten your gray Monday though.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x644081

My small check is finally in the mail.

KEEP THE HEAT ON THE STREET!

I'll be marching with a bunch of folks from my church on Sunday right after the service. I haven't yet decided what my sign will say. Probably not appropriate to have one that says "Fuck you right in the ass, Mr. Bush," so I'll try to think of something else between now and then.

There's a reason he's called "DICK". How about Dick and his Pet Rock "W".

Here's a compendium of slogans from the massively under reported and totally minimized (C-span said 500,000+) protest from last fall..

Some are very clever. Some are really juvenile.

"I can't believe we still have to protest this crap."

"If this war is noble, then let Nobility fight it."

"Real men know when to pull out."

"Make Levees Not War."

"Stop Mad Cowboy Disease"

"I voted for Kerry and all I got was this lousy Orwellian nightmare."

"The Rapture is not an exit strategy."

"G.W.B is a W.M.D"

"Exit Strategy: LEAVE !!!"

"Bush has Iraqtile Dysfunction."

"War is not Pro Life"

"George Bush: Category 5 Disaster"

"Bombing for Peace is like Fucking for Virginity."

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what your country is doing."

"My son was once an embryo, please don't send him to Iraq."

"Bush says it was faulty-NO SHIT"

"I drink Bordeaux . . .and I vote"

A guy was wearing a T shirt that read "This is what a feminist looks like."

Pics of Bush & Hitler "Same Shit-Different Asshole"

"George, you ignorant slut"

"Bush-Pull Out, Shore wish yo daddy had"

"Impeach Pres. Rove & his bitch Dubya"

"Bush has done so much shit I can't fit it on this sign."

"Difference between Iraq & Vietnam: Bush had an exit strategy for Vietnam."

"The National Guard is in the wrong Gulf."


(from the Billionaires for Bush-a satirical theatrical group who wear evening gowns and tuxes to these events and affect intense snobbery) "Make War Not Jobs"

Georgie Porgie
what a guy,
Dropping Bombs
from way up high.
When the kids
come out to play
George orders
bombs away.

Somebody categorized others as follows

Poetic: "George and Adolf sitting in a tree K-I-L-L-I-N-G"

Childish: "Kick Bush in the Tush"
(held by a 6 year old girl)

Theatrical: "I'd rather bomb in Hollywood than my son bomb in Iraq."
(this lady was wearing a cruise missile costume-on the back is said "Tom Cruise Missile")

Anglican: "King George the Incompetent"

Western: "Come on out, Crawford kid, you're surrounded"

Rhetorical: "Have we won yet?"

Philosophical: "Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?"

Blunt:"Bush is a motherfucker"

Fave: "George, Do not hit. Use your words."
( held up by a young boy)

Truest: "Democracy at gunpoint is tyranny."

And my code pink banner-

Was hoping to have a few Sheeler Impeach posters-

Bourne Rotary 12noon until 4p Saunday Mar 19th

You are courageous. But please take care, these things can be dangerous. (I remember the Viet Nam protests, especially Kent State.)