The last time I saw Cindy Sheehan.

In late March, Cindy's long belt of road-bound activism brought her to Boston, where she spoke at a rally commemorating the four-year anniversary of the war. My bar is a favorite spot of hers, and I brought her and some of her friends out that night to have a beer and relax for a bit.

I'd brought her to my place twice before, and both times I saw the same woman of passionate energy and committment who sat in a Texas ditch until the country could no longer ignore her, or the war. The light was in her eyes, the hope things could be changed was in every word she spoke, and as ever, the sorrow from her loss was there like a shroud. She was motivated, optimistic, cynical, tired, inspired and resolute at the same time.

This last March, however, I saw a different Cindy.

I would not say she was broken or in despair, but she was not the same. Health problems had robbed her of the energy that once crackled around her, one arm was in a sling because of tendon damage, and she was tired. Bone-tired. Tired in soul and spirit. I began that evening looking forward to the kind of rollicking talks we'd always enjoyed together, but wound up spending most of the night pleading with her to take some time off and rest.

Cindy hadn't really stopped, you see. Never left the road, never surrendered to exhaustion or sadness, never allowed the barbs from enemies and so-called "allies" to deter her or discourage her. But sitting there, I could see how much of a toll her efforts and sacrifices were taking. The treads on her tires were worn down to the radials, so to speak.

Seeing the announcement of her withdrawal from activism today, therefore, came as no real surprise. Everyone has limits, and Cindy's inspired and determined sacrifices took her farther past any limits most could imagine. The last time I saw her, she was so tired, so worn, so discouraged, so sad, and worst, so convinced of the futility of the cause, that she was a shadow of the hard-case I'd come to know and love.

Anyone who calls her an attention-whore is a total fool, absolutely ignorant of what real sacrifice looks like and feels like and requires and costs.

Anyone glad for her departure from activism is celebrating a disaster, is celebrating the loss of a face and heart and soul that brought this war into the living rooms of this TV-dulled nation in a way that no other effort or march or activism had before.

But anyone surprised that she's going home should have been with me in march, and seen her condition of body and spirit.

Cindy, you have done enough. You have done more than anyone else. You have honored your son, you have changed the way this nation looks at this war, you have inspired...and you have done enough.

Be well, hero. Rest. We'll take it from here as best we can.

She is a true hero and has sacrificed so much. I still stand with Cindy.

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 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
info@bendermansbridge.org

way back during Viet Nam, I have been saying for far too long now that it's time for a REVOLUTION!

IMO, simply signing petitions, writing letters to the editor or Congresspeople, or making phone calls IS NOT going to do one DAMN thing! THEY ARE NOT LISTENING!!!!!

I also think, as it was back during Viet Nam, that it's going to take THE SOLDIERS fighting this horrible war to TAKE A STAND and SHOUT IT OUT! It's how it started in the beginning with Viet Nam. It WAS THE SOLDIERS who said "We've Had Enough, NO MORE!"

How do I know this?? I grew up as an Army brat in a place called Killeen, TX, home of Fort Hood, TX where my father was stationed and I went to school. I saw the upheaval start there, Jane Fonda came there and the TROOPS were on her side then! I don't care what history has reported and said about her, THEY DID follow her and she was one of those who stuck her neck out for America back then!

I truly understand about Cindy and how worn out she must be... I consider myself a political activist for a very long time, but can't come close to measure up to what Cindy did. But I also feel the WAY SHE FEELS! The wind is gone from my sails, and I'm terribly apathetic. Most days I wake up in a "bad mood" and of late am trying NOT TO LISTEN to the News Of The Day!

It sickens me to hear it over and over and I'm sick of the FEAR-MONGERING of BFEE!! Of course, this is what they want, but I'm at a cross-road now too... It's time for the younger generation to recruit and "fight the fight!"

My generation not only is caring for children of our children, but we are are the ones who are having to take our parents into our homes and care for them. My mother-in-law has severe Alzheimer's and has been living with us for over 8 years now... I'm getting tired too! I truly want to see this country RE-COVER from this Nightmare we have been living, and while I will still try to stay active in many ways I know the feeling of frustration and failure!!

Democrats have been getting ROLLED in Congress for far too long, and there is very little ACTION that I see. They too seem only to care to cover their OWN ASS!!

If it comes to REVOLUTION, I will MARCH... but I don't see any return on my past efforts to rid this nation of THE CORRUPT ONES!!

PEACE TO YOU CINDY, & THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE!! I'm glad I got to shake you hand at least once in D.C.! So many of us admire you!!!

proud to K&R

Most of the armchair critics wouldn't know a real hero if that hero were trying to save their very lives and country.

Oh that's right. She was.

Thank you Cindy. Thank you for everything.

:loveya:

A great tribute Will

as always. I admired Cindy and have been truly dismayed by the venom toward her here at DU.

A big thank you to Cindy for her many sacrifices and to you as well, Will.

I'll never forget the things she's done for her country and OUR cause.

If only those of us here on DU that criticize her, and those of us here that support her, including myself, could ever hope to dedicate so much to this movement that she has dedicated. Or sacrificed as much to this war as she has sacrificed.

Attention whore. You people that called her that should be ashamed of yourselves.

she has worked and suffered long enough. And for those that call her an "attention whore", they have completely missed the boat. She never wanted to be an activist or anyone's hero, she's a mom. A mom who lost her son to this monster's war. Those of us who activists need to let her rest while we take up her banner.
NW

Bless her for her efforts, she is an American hero. I am so sorry she has suffered this much physically. Emotional and spiritual losses are impossible to stand when physical strength goes too and she has had far too much. :cry:

Cindy got busy when she was still dealing with a major trauma. It is a testament to her strength and love.

Hopefully, if she gets some rest, she'll be back.

/oops

Maybe she will return after she gets the time to herself that she needs. She jumped into this without really being able to deal with her loss. I hope she will get some counseling or whatever she needs to get her through. Then she can come back stronger.

and I could barely get out of my chair for a long time. Even now it's hard to have a small fundraiser for her scholarship. I could never have done what she did. Most of us couldn't have.

to set the record straight. Thanks.

We will take it from here

:applause:

Amen.

?

Post #35: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=986803

Post #15: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=984754

Notice the low post counts, hmm...

:shrug:

Yep.

tracking system the moderators can keep up on. You know, when someone seems to post nothing but divisive & destructive comments, they should either tag that user as a "disruptor" so people can chose whether or not they want to see those asshole's posts or not.

Look at the bottom left side of your post. We have a system.

....

I saw her speak only once, outside Chicago, but I could tell that she never got caught up in the star-f**king machinery. I was in the media for a long time, and I picked up on that immediately. In other words, she remained human, which is a tough thing to do in the spotlight.
It requires an incredible will, and sooner or later one's will runs out.

I find it hard to describe how bereft her leave-taking has made me. I wish her well.

Oh, and thanks to Will Pitt, for his lovely words. Always enjoy your posts, Will.

obviously from heartless trolls :mad:

but never got to meet her. i saw her speak in culver city...she is to me a true hero, and a woman who has made history and will go down in history as the catalyst to the movement to end this abominable war.

but i have also lost a child to homicide. cindy not only needs but deserves some time to grieve. nothing worse can happen in a parent's life than to survive her child, nothing.

i just wish i could give her a big hug.

Anyone who calls her an attention-whore is a total fool, absolutely ignorant of what real sacrifice looks like and feels like and requires and costs.


Cindy gave so much to an ungrateful nation--and peace movement. We needed her, but we surely didn't deserve her.

:loveya:

I agree with your praise for Cindy, I spent the morning with her in March before she spoke in Northampton. She was on fire for that talk and the energy still cracked, on point for the impending war supplemental vote, The outcome of that vote had to be devastating.

Frankly I've never understood the disdain that is sometimes felt here on this board for Cindy,
one of the antiwar movements most earnest figures and history will prove her so.

subconsciously for a reason to leave the Anti-War Movement.

Making a grand, public gesture that implicitly encourages other people to leave the Democratic Party wasn't appreciated by some people here on DU.

And there are those who think she was most effective as an apolitical citizen protesting the war.

Whatever. Just another reason to frequent DU even less often.

Ciao.

congratulations on the unintentional irony.

edit- except I am not leaving DU or the Democratic party and wouldn't encourage others to do so, either.

I just assumed you weren't going to be back and said ciao, how is that the same as calling Cindy an attention whore?

and they get be last and heavy especially when they come from "your" side. That's my experience in labor organizations, anyway.

Thank you, Cindy, for everything.

Activists' burn-out, I guess. I feel it, myself. Especially after last week and the huge disappointment we were handed from our Dems and everyone else who somehow has to rationalize continuing to fund the war. I'm still feeling sucker-punched, and I should talk in comparison to Cindy Sheehan. She's lost her precious boy to that fucking war. I'm merely another mom - who hasn't paid that extraordinarily heavy price. Losing a child is beyond the worst loss I can imagine - in any circumstance. But to lose a child to a war BASED ON LIES is just dizzying. Makes me sick to my stomach, and I'm really just a bystander by comparison.

All I can say to anyone who disses her is HOW FUCKIN' DARE YOU??!??!!?!?!?!??!!??!!??

And I don't blame her for wanting to let go. For Christ's sake, she's been through ENOUGH. She's suffered ENOUGH.

Rest easy, Cindy. Know that we love and support you, still! And hopefully, come back to us if you can.

And yeah, catrose - good point. You'd think we'd all be on the same team. Makes me nuts sometimes.

stepping into her subcoscious mind to assume that DU is her reason for leaving - consider the weight of her fight and that she even had to be let down by a group that is supposed to be on the same side.

I think people on DU are being very stingy with their understanding and intolerant of tiny things if they really examined why they are messing with her.

Some posts are troll posts -serious, planned, scheduled, and coordinated work by trolls.

To parallel trolls, to assist trolls in their work is really crummy.

Perhaps people who accuse her of attention grabbing are grabbing attention.

I wonder, how many of us, could have, or would have been willing to do what she has done...
wb

That's painful.

I've seen it a lot. It isn't an isolated incident.

There have been quite a few very hostile posts.

I feel sick that this happened here at DU -- that DUers contributed to Cindy Sheehan's pain and suffering.

I have met Cindy Sheehan, and our local VFP chapter has supported her from the first time she came to Arlington West here. She is a gallant, courageous, wounded human being. She deserves our support, not vicious random attacks.

Shame on the DUers who piled on.

Thank you Will for your OP explaining what happened.

Hekate

But the sentiment was always the same, as were the "faces." Do a search and see how many times Cindy has been trashed on DU. You'll be in for a rather unpleasant surprise.

I do not take her comment for it's face value. First, we are identified with this group. So by association it is not improper to mention that group out of convenience.

Also, under the circumstances she finds herself in, I think all criticism is more painful that it could be.

She is doing this as an individual. It's Cindy versus a large group of citizens and corporations. Any time a group of allies shows any dissent, I imagine it's magnified in Cindy's mind.

I think there are a lot of reasons why she spoke up about only a few replies. I don't find it unusual.

I hold her in the highest of esteem. Her goal is the most noble of all.

And quite frankly, if I were to open my mouth in public, I would achieve a hell of a lot more criticism than she ever did. For what that is worth.

My only wish is that her efforts come to fruition, and that she may find satisfaction and peace.

I only have love for her. She speaks for me. And even for those who do not know any better.

by some on DU? I honestly can't understand it. Is it jealousy? I look at Cindy and see nothing but courage and suffering. Your personal account of her rings true to me. I am sorry she is so worn out, and most of all sorry that she has lost hope.

I shook her hand and thanked her for her work.

She looked tired and frankly, ill. If I didn't know who she was and had just been walking by her in the concourse I would assume that she was a woman with major health problems.

I guess that's what grief looks like. Anyway, I considered it an honor that I was able to meet her, and I hope that her health problems clear up soon.

She is a woman who has been consumed. I'm quite sure her health, both physical and mental is not good. She needs to rest and recuperate. All leaders must do that. It's unfortunate that it had to be this way.

My granddaughter, then 11, now almost 14 watched Cindy's story and sat here at this desk, wrote her a postcard, we took it to the post office and maild it to her in Crawford Texas.

I read later, that many of the cards an letters never made it to Cindy. I want her to know how much she has influenced just this one little girl. Kendra has gone on to write many essays in school, supporting the Anti-War movement. She is a member of the National Honor Society. She has marched with us in many protest marches. Cindy's work inspired her. She will keep Cindy's story within her forever. I send her most of the letters Cindy writes.

Thank you Cindy Sheehan! We love you!

and embarrassed to be associated with any of the hate that has come from here

...paragraph is spot-on. K&R from me.

But you wrote a piece where you called everyone at DU that disagreed with you about Don Imus...FASCIST

REMEMBER!!!! I sure as hell do...and I won't forget.

Why are people kicking this crap?

for kicking this crap.

:rofl:

Replying isn't the same as 'recommending'...but then again, you had problems figuring out back 2004 which one of the Bonesmens we were suppose to support.

Hell you were supporting Kerry when the chumps numbers were a tick above Gephardts. At least you predicted that one right.

But Karl is still loose...!!

YOu complained about us kicking this thread by........................kicking this thread! Haha!

Oh, and get over your bad self.

:rofl:

You are both inspirations.

Anyone who fights for truth and justice the way she has deserves nothing but support from those of us who oppose this criminal regime and their unjust war.

When I saw the "I'm leaving the Democratic Party" thread, it didn't even remotely surprise me. There were more than a few long term DUers who posted the very same thing over the past couple seemingly disheartening weeks.

I didn't read that thread as I could well understand her sentiments and motivations for having done so.

With a vast majority of the the American People now against this illegal occupation, and mostly void of any true representative leadership, who can blame her for that. She contributed so much selflessly to raise awareness and speak the truth to power against outrageous odds.

I wish she'd just of euphamistically said "Mission Accomplished."

When I saw the thread about her leaving the anti-war movement, that didn't surprise me either, but I thought "OMG, she's earned a well deserved break and been an amazing catalyst to shift public opinion back to a place of reason."

I didn't read that thread either.

When I saw that someone from this site had actually and wrongly called her out as being "an attention whore" I thought, "how can some people be so cruel and insensitive to a grieving mother on Memorial Day no less?" Where the heck is the humanity in that?

i just spoke with the only Gold Star Mom I know yesterday.

She apologized to me profusely for having been out of touch. She had been devastated during a radio interview with a local RW * apologist and shill who had attacked her and had scarcely spoken to anyone for several months.

I told her if I was upset with her at all, it was because she didn't consult me to find out what a low life the interviewer was and probably still is, before he got to roast her.

No one can compare pains really. That would truly be a futile effort to measure the immeasurable. However, as the mother of an only son, and knowing several parents who have lived through a myriad of tragically premature deaths of their children, no pain I could ever sense in others would be comparable to the depth of the wound I sense in them.

Anyone who exhibits anything less than compassion for these grieving people, especially those who do it for a political posturing is no one I ever care to meet or interact with.

Thanks for sharing your perceptions Will.

One of her friends who I know has been deeply concerned about how she'd been burning it at both ends for far too long. Her ordeal of last summer, might have slowed lesser human beings down. But not Cindy.

Hope she is refreshed and restored very soon, that her naysayers get a clue, and that someone with oodles of cash buys her property in Crawford for far more than it's worth to perpetuate her noble efforts or maybe even start a "Neocon theme park" on the side to illustrate just how a free people should never be governed and all the terrible blunders they've wrought upon our once and perhaps future great nation.

Whether she remerges on the National Stage over time after some well deserved R & R or leads a more quite life from now on, she fully deserves tol go down in history as one of the only truth telling, courageous heroines of our time.

Goddess bless her soul and recharge her spark.

she already has.

Her position in history is already secure and she shares the stage with some really amazing people like Martin Luther King, Jr and Ghandi. That isn't why she did the things she did but neither was that why the others did the things they did. She is a better human than most of the rest of us but she is still all too human. She needs rest now.

had a great program. Howard Zinn had a group of personalities on a stage reading the words of various American heros and heroines from times past. They included Cindy's speech on the launch of her fight with slight mention that her speech was recent, but deserved to be included (something like that). It fit with the others.

Everyone who is attacking her should really examine what they find objectionable then measure it for importance and whether it should be brought up to her if speaking to her in person.

The Monday Dem Now program is worth listening to.

We are worth listening to - with more generosity.

We should measure what we find objectinable and see if it's worth it. We should be dissecting candidates for office. She was fighting, not running for office.

I'll just add that IIRC, today was Casey's birthday. Coupled with Memorial Day it probably didn't put her in the best frame of mind to be called an 'attention whore' on a site that for many represents the face of the Democratic party.

I do believe that she's exhausted. I also think she's just had enough of the bullshit from both sides.

That vignette from my favorite movie seems to sum up Cindy's resignation. She is indeed running on empty and seems to have been fueled all this time by the loss of her son. At some point she would have inevitably have had to return and accept the loss. Sad but inevitable.

Dear Cindy,

You placed yourself against a biased media juggernaut, hoping that maybe if our country could put a face to the grief and hear the truth, we might begin to end this most ghastly of national nightmares. For your heroic efforts I applaud you and thank you for all you've done. For your genuine grief I cry with you and again thank you for turning something so personally sharp and painful into hope for the rest of us. Thank you, take your deserved rest. If you can, return to fight another day. We need you. Thank you.
:kick:41!

I have nothing but deep respect, admiration, and compassion for Cindy - for her personal pain and for her sacrifice for what she believes.

DemEx

:hi:

be well Cindy, be well. You have earned a lengthy rest :loveya:

Well done, Mr. Pitt.

Heck. MAIL it to her. Maybe we all should.

To put onesself through what she has been through, and then to have people, especially democrats not just criticize her, but malign her, well I can't even imagine.

nominated

She is burnt out and needs to regroup. But she has a big future and probably can name anything she wants and she will get it. She's built up built up a huge following. I should think her next step would be elected office. She is a natural leader - to the manner born.

She is a woman of courage and integrity. She was a beacon for peace. I wish her nothing but the best no matter what she chooses to do with her life from here on out.

Thanks, Will, for a wonderful tribute.

TC

for so graciously saying what I believe the vast majority of DUers feel about Cindy.

and thanks to Cindy for standing up and fighting against this war. Don't ever let anyone tell you that your motives were anything but bringing a stop to this madness.

And your many friends THANK YOU for all you have done!
William's message echoes from the many here...
Be Well, Hero. Rest.
We look forward to your return...:hug:

And THANK YOU CINDY.

every once and awhile. She didn't do that. But she has to. People need to keep in contact with her and keep her spirits up if possible.

And emotionally spent.

we needed this, the right tribute to a wonderful person.

I hope the "attention whore" posters take the time to read this. But, my guess is most of them won't.

It's too bad she is stepping away.

It's another example of how the RW is able to demonize and wear-down those opposed to them.

O8)

to offer your gratitude as well as that of the rest of us who feel she has contributed above and beyond what anyone else has in these dire times.

Cindy -

In case you read this thread, please know that that you gave 10,000's of us hope of being heard in our opposition to the war when we had little hope. I was proud to donate to Crawford Peace House within a day or two after you sat down in the road. I was proud to listen to you talk about your friendship with Chavez, proud to see you stretch the limits of what truth was acceptable to tell in the corporate media and in the mainstream media.

Perhaps, with a little rest, you will come to realize that you mothered many in the modern peace movement -- and that, as you so well know, there is a time to nurture, a time to lead, a time to scold, a time to praise, and a time to let go.

I pray that you spend wonderful, healing time with your sister and your children.

Namaste.

Add this to some great comments about what's the latest DU explosion regarding Cindy and the mixed feeling some of us are feeling right now about her and the activism.

Cindy served as a "link" in a long, but seminal chain. One that needs people like Cindy or Rosa Parks or Marian Anderson and so on..."regular" people who rise up at a moment in time to wake up people to an issue and serves to draw attention to a problem. They're a symbol more than a messanger...and in Cindy's case, it was how we could relate to her loss combined with our hate of this invasion. She made it possible for many of us to find a common point...a place to start from on the "long, hard slog" that's ensued over the past 3 years. For a moment in time, she and her story tugged at many heartstrings and it she became a gateway for those who needed a face and a means to speak out to do so.

Since then, the scope of the anti-war movement has moved on. The blogs have become the new "Camp Casey" and other faces and voices have emerged with similar passions, but their words or egos or whatever have clashed with hers or that her own actions, done with what surely were sincere intentions, were done poorly. Cindy became a media star and, unfortunately, she chose poorly in who she thought she could work with to get her message.

However, her main message had remained the same, and still does...the need to get this president to answer the simple question: "Why??". After nearly 4,000 needless deaths of people like Casey, we gotten nothing but contempt from the person who doesn't have the decency to be straight up and answer "Why". But now it's just not why about Casey, but many other Caseys and many other things besides the Iraq war. It's a wholesale destruction of our society for greed and power.

Cindy's role was not to be a messanger...but just a symbol...and I mean that in a positive way. She put a human face to a war that had been portrayed like a video game. Unfortunately, time and this ugly war moved on and Cindy's moment began to pass. She started people asking why...and we're still asking.

The corporate media turned Cindy into a cartoon figure...a one-dimensional prop to symbolize "anti-war" when it was "cool" to berate those who didn't kiss the booooosh brass ring. The cartoon Cindy soon became fodder on Faux noise and she ran into opportunists on the "left" who saw her media moment as theirs as well and soon overpowered her. The moment had moved on and sadly, just like her inablility to put Casey to rest, she couldn't put that moment to rest either.

Rest well, Cindy...you deserve it. Maybe, as Will submits, you need the rest...the time to heal in all ways and finally reach a peace it appears you have been running from for a while. Be assured many here have appreciated the sacrafices you've made, but now's the time for others to step forward...and that the small group that first huddled in the ditches in Crawford now number in the majority.

:toast:

When she started the majority of Americans supported the war. Now a majority of Americans do not support this war and want an end to it. She can be very proud of what she has accomplished. She shined a spot light on this issue and helped change public opinion. Now it's up to the American people to put pressure on politicians to do the will of the people.

cry for Cindy and for the whole damn thing.

Everyone needs a rest..even Cindy Sheehan. She can come back full tilt or not. She's done more than enough for one person to stop the bushits' misbegotten War On Iraq and Humanity!

What an elegant post, thank you, Will Pitt.

Take a break, Cindy; your ripples continue spreading outwards.

I never have criticized you. I wouldn't even think about it. I have always appreciated your work and said so.

Please take care of yourself!

I'm sending healing and positive energy your way!

Texas - she inspired me and 2 other friends to do so. I don't know what we expected to find, if indeed we expected anything. I made signs for the back & side windows of the car. Passing cars waved and gave us a 'thumbs up' as we swept down the interstate. We were compelled to go and glad we went. It renewed our frayed invasion indignation; we all went on to more involved protests. I found my local Vets for Peace and MFSO and joined in their activities. One of the women I have gotten to know, her son recently returned from Iraq and we all breathed a bit easier.

I have seen Cindy twice since that August. Once, at the Episcopal Church in Pasadena, she signed her book and we chatted about what an armpit crawford is in August.

Each time I have seen & heard her she has renewed my inspiration. I have marveled at her energy, determination and dedication. She has accomplished much since her spontaneous decision to 'camp out in Texas.

Thank you, Cindy. You deserve a long quiet time. All those you inspired should be able to carry on from here.

And Thank you Cindy.

I watch the news, and wonder--wonder much too often, if my daughter who spent a year in Afghanistan, then left the army after 9 years, if she would have gone with her unit to Iraq-- I wonder-- I play the "what if" game in my head, well over a year later. What if I would have lost my daughter? What if she was one of the maimed, paralyzed, damaged, one of the too many soon-to-be-forgotten hero's?

My admiration for Ms Sheehan, I can't really describe. Because I also play the "what if" game about myself. Would I have had the guts, the courage to do what she did? I doubt it. And if I did, would I have latest this long? No doubts there, I wouldn't have.

As far as I am concerned, she has made the ultimate sacrifice... and some day we will all stand together around her... to tell her why her son died... so that we would learn to wage war no more... and that lesson began with us, today and forever...

Take the hand held by your brother
Every victory gonna bring another

Carry it on, arry it on,
carry it on, carry it on

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/Carry_It_On.htm

The rest of us will have to keep on keeping on.

with your INSIDER INFO!

It's always good to hear from you. How is Las Vegas these days?

Was it?

I have not, thank God, lost a child, as Cindy has. But I know, in some small way, how she feels. With Congress acting as it is, not listening to a public roaring its disapproval, it feels as if it's time to give up. Maybe she feels like the proverbial "voice crying out in the wilderness." I know I do whenever I speak out against the insanity that is now permeating our country.

Take care, Cindy. We'll keep on fighting.

But I'm learning not to be surprised at anything.

With tenacity as her only resource... she accomplished much in relatively short period of time.

I wish her well.

...and she can always change her mind.

I have nothing but love and respect for Cindy. She lives with her pain and has done more for the antiwar movement than we can ever measure.

She's flesh and bone and lots and lots of heart. If she needs to step back and take a break to evaluate and decide a few things, I commend her for the decision.

Cindy got this anti-war movement rolling. :patriot:

--IMM

Hard thing to empty my heart into words they just don't fit the bill. Peace Cindy, and thank you.

power. She was one of the first to bring home the fact that the swaggering boy emperor was without clothes.Fame in America is a dangerous thing. It can consume as quickly as it illuminates. It would seem it has taken a terrible toll on Ms. Sheehan. Anyone who understands the history of the unraveling of the Bush image, must give huge amounts of credit to her for pulling on the threads when very few were willing to.
Thanks for the post, Will.

I stand with her and support here, but do not expect her to do it all for me. Have a rest, we will continue in what you have inspired us to do. And don't let the nasty name callers get to you too much.

Earlier today as I read a couple of the insulting posts in response to Cindy Sheehan's letter, I was so shocked that I closed my browser window and went to Daily Kos to see what was going on. I was glad that, upon taking another peek at DU tonight, I saw your post.

Cindy Sheehan is not incorrect in ANYTHING she asserts. Although I never met her personally, I feel what I guess is love for her. I'll never forget her courage and determination. She is a true hero. It pains me to see such a kind spirit dishonered on this site.

Comment ça va?:hi:

When activists were jailed, ridiculed, threatened, beat up, tear gassed, and shot on college campuses.

Thank you Cindy for putting your efforts into helping to stop the madness. I will venture to say that she has helped to shorten this ghastly invasion and to save the lives of many. Time will tell. She fought the good fight.

When activists were jailed, ridiculed, threatened, beat up, tear gassed, and shot on college campuses.

Thank you Cindy for putting your efforts into helping to stop the madness. I will venture to say that she has helped to shorten this ghastly invasion and to save the lives of many. Time will tell. She fought the good fight.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Take a well-deserved break and let others carry the torch for a while, although could carry it as high as you did.
Please ignore the ungrateful bastards, whether they are Conservatives or pretending to be Liberals. Thank you, again!
:patriot:

I love Cindy Sheehan more than words can ever express!!!!!!!!I have begged her to take time off but she is still trying to end this war and this dictator government.
Yes she is tired,and in a lot of pain and has never taken the time to grieve for Casey as long as there were people who needed her.
Now she needs to heal and let others take up her cross!!!!!!!!
Because of you Cindy this world is a much better place and altho you dont hear the people saying thank you for being here ,believe me you are loved by many many people.
Go spend some time with the kids and lay on the beach and take time just for you

And what gets in the way, we decide that what we value most, Cindy's presence stands out because in the world of greed, life doesn't matter when your sitting on top calling the shots, no skin of your shoes so the saying goes.

But within every one of us we know, no matter how well hidden among our illusions, we are one and the same, life, our essence.

Whats in you wallet.

has endured. Any time a person takes a public stand, especially a pubic stand in direct opposition to the powerful rw spin machine, there is going to be hell to pay. Cindy did it anyway, because it was never about her. It was always about Casey. I am sorry for all she's gone through, and sorry that there are people on the left who haven't been entirely sympathetic. She deserves better. Thanks for the reminder, Will.

post. It is lovely.

Nonstop attacks are hard to take. I hope she recovers quickly.

:patriot:

You've done well, Cindy. Take care of yourself.

inspired me and continues to inspire me.

She scared the shit out of george bush, a feat the entire Democratic Party has been unable to duplicate to this day.

She gave hope to the whole globe in our darkest hour.

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Will.

While she is currently retired, she is still the face that turned tide of sentiment firmly against this awful war. If she never does a single other thing, she has done more than anyone else.

I'm sorry that she has to leave in such anger but it seems that there was no other way for her to get the rest and recovery that she so desperately needs.

those who call Cindy an "attention whore" haven't done much at all for the cause.

....

pnorman

Bush's war last weak are despicable & unworthy of office.

That is probably the worst aspect of the internet.

It's a lot harder to go out and actually DO something that makes a huge difference in the lives of others.

Cindy was a DOer.

But, I always worry about those who have lost so much, found a just cause to channel their life's passion, then walk away--however temporary as I imagine it will be for Cindy. This kind of emotional roller coaster is very hard on both mind and body.

To your restored health and resilience, Ms. Sheehan. With great love and admiration. You've made Casey and so many more very proud...

"If I were a media whore, don't you think I'd fix myself up a little?" I wish Cindy a good and rejuvenating rest.

yourself and let someone else pick up the banner. Hopefully, it will be the majority of Americans.

As far as I am concerned she did a heroic job and brought a great deal of attention to the peace movement. But she isn't a robot and with all the energy and emotion she put into it she just ran out of gas when she reached her physical and emotional limits, which were probably 10 times higher than the average person's to begin with.

I hope she will be back, perhaps in a different capacity, once she has a chance to heal and rest a bit.

There are times when one HAS TO get away from the phones, the e-mails, the faxes, the computers, the speaking engagements, the rallies, the road tours, the whole shebang. Go out and hike, ride a bike, swim, loll in a hot tub for days on end. Write, meditate, more writing, etc.

Cindy'll be back. Probably sooner than we think.

:patriot:

many, in days to come will wish they could have helped her more.

So many give so much effort trying to do the right thing.

It's truly an inspiration.

keyboard brigades?

She deserves a break -- she's done so much. I just hope once she's had some time to rest and spend with her family, she'll come back stronger than ever.

Thanks, William. Cindy fought the good fight and got up off the mat more than once; and did more to bring the atrocities of this war to our living rooms than the vast majority of activists here at DU (or anywhere else for that matter have done).

She was the catalyst for the anti-war movement in the U.S. and a personal hero of mine.

"Attention whore"? They can kiss my pimpled, white ass.

Cindy, you are not alone. Thanks for all you have done.

Thanks Wll.

:kick:

where the 1st Division's 4th Combat Aviation Brigade resides.

The protesters were Vietnam and Iraq/Afganistan war vets, demanding that the troops be brought home. They were not necessarily welcomed by their fellow soldiers:



I'm glad to see veterans taking an active role, as Cindy has for so long, in attempting to stop Bush's insanity. Their efforts may not be appreciated by their fellow vets, as perhaps with Cindy and other democrats, but to hell with that. Bush is wrong, and the war is wrong, and people are dying and suffering. Stopping the WH's insanity is what matters, second to preserving one's health.

If Bush were a European leader, his leadership would have ended a long time ago. Unless the American masses start showing some awareness of their own situation, they're going to be dealing with the realities of a home-grown dictatorship soon enough. A handful of activists like Cindy can act as America's smelling-salts for just so long.

I,too, last saw Cindy Sheehan on Boston Common at the end of March. It was a sunny,breezy,
beautiful day. There were several very good speakers from the Veterans for Peace,as well as Ms. Sheehan.
I was struck by several things, first that the right-wing loonies that were here last year marching
around and around the circumference of the crowd, big american flag flying, deliberately running into people in the rally, were not here. There had been only about a half dozen anyway. This time it was three Young Republican types with a badly written cardboard sign with something about 'Cindy the Traitor'
who did place themselves close to the speakers stand, they left pretty quickly when they weren't getting the attention they seemed to be seeking. Ms. Sheehan spoke movingly as always and I was struck with
with the new confidence in her public speaking. I attended the rally,as I always do, because it is important that people show up; attending an 'e-rally' or standing in front of your suburban shopping center is not the same, it is laziness and has no impact in the media. Cindy Sheehan was the turning point for the anti-war movement;we finally started getting some real media attention. She enabled many
to really think about the Iraq War. For many it was first thinking of the human cost in American
service people such as Casey Sheehan, really thinking of individuals, the costs in lives, money and
the good name of our country. All the way back to, WHY?
Cindy Sheehan has done a great noble thing in her anti-war work , has given so much for two years, everyday. She must be so tired.
For all of you angry because she is stepping down, she can't do it for you.
When there is a large anti-war rally planned in NYC , Boston, DC, etc, go to it.Be counted
by being there. Thank-you Cindy Sheehan for being there.

about Cindy and her efforts, but always admired them. I hope she can take care of herself and any family issues and one day still contribute to the cause. Either way she deserves much better than some of the name calling that has transpired, that is such a low blow and uncalled for in light of her efforts and her families sacrifices.

:kick:

We don't always agree but you're a good man,and I really appreciate this thread.