Home > Cindy Sheehan: Bush a "maniac & a war criminal!

Cindy Sheehan: Bush a "maniac & a war criminal!

by Open-Publishing - Tuesday 16 August 2005
31 comments

Edito Wars and conflicts Governments USA Cindy Sheehan

End the War Culture & Corruption!

Why I must tell the president to stop the war
BEFORE ANOTHER SON DIES NEEDLESSLY

By Cindy Sheehan

I will never, ever forget the night of April 4, 2004, when I found out that my son Casey had been killed in Iraq.

I will also never forget the day when we buried my sweet boy, my oldest son. If I live to be a very old lady and forget everything else, I will never forget when the general handed me the folded flag that had lain on Casey’s coffin, as his brother and sisters, standing behind me, sobbed. I think of Casey every day as I wait outside President Bush’s ranch in Crawford, Texas, determined to meet with him.

I want to let the president know that I feel he recklessly endangered the life of my son by sending our troops to attack and occupy a country that was no imminent threat to the United States. And I want to let him know that millions of Americans believe that the best thing we can do — for our own security, for our soldiers and for the Iraqi people — is to bring the U.S. troops home from Iraq now. Just because it’s too late for Casey and the Sheehan family, why would we want another innocent life taken in the name of this ever-changing and unwinnable mission in Iraq?

I did get to meet with President Bush 2 1/2 months after my son was killed, but I never got to say any of these things to him. I was in deep shock and grief at the time, and all I wanted to do was to show him pictures of Casey and tell him what a wonderful man our son was. But today things are very different. My shock has worn off, and now I’ve got a lot of anger along with my grief.

I’m angry because every reason the Bush administration gave for the invasion of Iraq has been shown to be false. The Sept. 11 commission report concluded there was no link between Iraq and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The weapons inspectors gave up searching for weapons of mass destruction and wrote in the Duelfer report that there were none to be found. From the Downing Street Memo, we learned that the Bush administration ``fixed’’ intelligence to justify the Iraq invasion.

And after every supposed milestone in Iraq — the capture of Saddam Hussein, the transition to Iraqi rule and most recently the Iraq election — things just don’t get better. U.S. soldiers and Iraqis continue to be killed in greater and greater numbers, the cost of the war skyrockets and there’s no end in sight.

Last week, after 30 U.S. service members were killed, the president reiterated his pledge to complete the mission of our fallen soldiers. But that mission originally was to protect the United States from a lethal attack by Saddam Hussein — with weapons it turns out he did not have. Anyway, I don’t want the president to use Casey’s memory to justify continuing this war, which will end up only needlessly killing more wonderful young men like him.

Many people have been streaming in to Crawford to support my vigil and persuade the president to listen to the people who want an end to this war. We are camping out in a drainage ditch, in 100-degree weather, but it’s worth it.

If and when I do meet with the president this time, it will be for all of the Gold Star Families for Peace that lost children in this war, for all of the mothers and fathers and husbands and wives who are grieving and who want to tell the president to end this devastating war.

No one else — not one more mom — should have to lose her son in Iraq.

CINDY SHEEHAN is the mother of a fallen Iraq war soldier and the co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. She wrote this article for Progressive Media Project, which is affiliated with Progressive magazine.

End the War Culture & Corruption!

Kissinger likens divisions over Iraq war to Vietnam

Ireland Online, Ireland

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has drawn parallels between the sliding scale of support in the Iraq and Vietnam wars.

He said he had a “very uneasy feeling” that the same factors which damaged support for the conflict in Vietnam were surfacing over concerns for Iraq.

“For me, the tragedy of Vietnam was the divisions that occurred in the United States that made it, in the end, impossible to achieve an outcome that was compatible with the sacrifices that had been made,” he told CNN.

There is growing uneasiness over the Iraq war in the US, fuelled recently by a sharp increase in soldiers’ deaths. The majority of Americans no longer believe the US will win the war, according to latest polls, while more than half believe the Bush administration deliberately misled the public about whether Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.

The latest CNN/USA Gallup poll, taken earlier this month, found that 54% of those surveyed thought the 2003 invasion of Iraq was a mistake.

Kissinger stressed that the US should withdraw troops that were not necessary to the goal of stabilising Iraq.

“But we cannot begin with an exit without having first defined what the objective is,” he added.

“If a radical government emerges in Baghdad or if any part of Iraq becomes what Afghanistan used to be, a training ground for terrorists, then this will be a catastrophe for the Islamic world and for Europe... reluctant as they may be to admit it, and eventually for us.”

President George Bush said last week that pulling troops from Iraq would send the wrong signal to insurgents. He said he had “heard the voices of those who say pull out now,” and had thought about it.

“I just strongly disagree,” he said.

End the War Culture & Corruption!

Cindy Sheehan: Bush a "maniac" and a war criminal

( WorldNetDaily.com )

As she continues her anti-war protest, Cindy Sheehan is labeling President Bush a "maniac" and a "lying bastard," and she’s vowing not to pay her federal income tax.

"My son was killed in 2004. I am not paying my taxes for 2004," Sheehan told an audience of Veterans for Peace. "You killed my son, George Bush, and I don’t owe you a penny. ... You give my son back and I’ll pay my taxes. Come after me [for back taxes] and we’ll put this war on trial."

According to VFP, Sheehan said she had two main points to tell Bush should she be able to meet with him.

"Quit saying that U.S. troops died for a noble cause in Iraq, unless you say, ’well, except for Casey Sheehan.’ Don’t you dare spill any more blood in Casey’s name. You do not have permission to use my son’s name.

"And the other thing I want him to tell me is ’just what was the noble cause Casey died for?’ Was it freedom and democracy? Bullsh—! He died for oil. He died to make your friends richer. He died to expand American imperialism in the Middle East. We’re not freer here, thanks to your Patriot Act. Iraq is not free. You get America out of Iraq and Israel out of Palestine and you’ll stop the terrorism," she said.

"There, I used the ’I’ word ¨C imperialism. And now I’m going to use another ’I’ word ¨C impeachment ¨C because we cannot have these people pardoned. They need to be tried on war crimes and go to jail."

Yesterday, Bush defended his decision not to meet for a second time with the Vacaville, Calif., woman whose son was killed by Iraqi insurgents last year just days after his arrival in Baghdad.

"But whether it be here or in Washington or anywhere else, there’s somebody who has got something to say to the president, that’s part of the job," Bush said. "And I think it’s important for me to be thoughtful and sensitive to those who have got something to say. But I think it’s also important for me to go on with my life, to keep a balanced life."

End the War Culture & Corruption!

http://burnbush.blogspot.com

Forum posts

  • True i agree with Cindy Sheehan

    • I wonder if the lady remembers the day that her son volunteered to become a soldier?

      If one joins the services of the USA they must expect to be trained for their duties in peace and war.

      From her reported actions and quotes in the various newspapers and her husband’s recent action to file for divorce I have concluded that she has gone over the edge.

    • This can happen when you loose a child.

    • THANK GOD FOR SOMEONE LIKE YOU GOD WILL BE WITH YOU ALLWAYS

    • Cindy Sheehan "gone over the edge"? On the contrary: she has woken up to the very ugly truth. It takes courage to face such a truth. Where is your’s? US imperialism is on public display for all the world to see. Americans at home have already started to pay the price of the Bushista cabal’s political agenda in many ways, and this is just the beginning even for Bush supporters. If you don’t think Ms Sheehan is right, then how about Scott Ritter, a former marine and UN weapons inspector who desperately tried to prevent the war before it got started. The US or any other country is entitled to defend it’s own soil by international law and I presume that most humans living on this planet would agree. Tough luck for America that it’s financial interests are on a global scale. You keep getting sucked into wars while at the same time decent jobs at home evaporate in the name of the almighty $. When Americans learn to live for decent values and clean their own house then I hope you will be welcomed back into what could be a prosperous international community. Until then we all lose, big time.

    • If the rock that you crawled out from under isn’t too heavy, crawl back under it and stay there for the rest of your unexamined miserable life. To die for a just cause is one thing. But to die for a lying, scheming greedy bunch of businessmen for no reason other than to line their pockets is something else entirely. With mentally challenged losers like you running about, it’s no wonder that the civilized world despises Americans.

    • I agree with Bywydd in that no one coerced Stacy to join the Military. But those who join, rarely do so with the intention of fighting a misguided war effort carried out for the sole purpose of advancing the personal wealth and agendas of the friends of the President and the Vice. They lied about the war, and it is making us and the world even more vulnerable to future violence.

      If all of the various legislative branches were not in the Republican hands, I’m sure that both Bush and Cheney would be impeached for the reasons stated by Cindy.

      I applaud her courage. If her efforts and courage to oppose the war help save one life, I’ll be gratified. But what Cindy has achieved so far already at such personal risk is admirable to me.

    • Well said!!!

    • He volunteered to defend his country and the Constitution, not the Bush- Carlyle Cartel....obviously Casey didn’t get his bravery from his father. His daddy runs like Dubya when the heat is on.....talk about cowards...

      Where is a strong man when they are needed? His wife is vulnerable to the ravages of O’Reilly, Hannity and all Dubya’s Bubba’s who know nothing about nothing, but love war. Shame on him..maybe next Cindy and this country will get a REAL man.

      Thank you to all the men who do stand up for Cindy, you are the real tough guys

      "Progressive Men Make Better Lovers" Conservatives are deviant AND selfish.......ask Bolton and buddies about Plato’s Retreat (the sex club they frequented in the 70’s)

      "Piss off a Conservative-Share"

    • When he signed up he was under the impression that the president would be sane, that the nations lawmakers would not give in, and that he wouldn’t be sent into someone else’s home to hijack oil, shoot children, and imprison innocent people without trial. A mistake anyone could make.
      Why don’t you sign up, Punk?

    • Her son joined the army so idiots like you could call his mother "over the edge" and for her to call your
      Predident the lying, war criminal that he is. Obviously, you have no idea of what America is really about.

    • American men are just the Taliban with one big difference, the Taliban men are not all coward big mouths all drugged out, or drunkards addicted to porn, violence, and viagra. They do have one big thing in common though, their hatred and fear of women.

      That maniac that drove over Cindy’s crosses was drunk and high on testostrone. That gave him the courage to attack Cindy....American style.

    • If Stacey should have expected to kill Iraqis and die himself, why did we prosecute thousands upon thousands of Germans after WWII for the same thing?

    • You just don’t get it, do you? This is not your ordinary war, this is a war based on lies. And the murderer in the white house is using our children to do his dirty work for him—his bloody killing. There is nothing just about this war, nothing good about Bush. There is something wrong with anybody who thinks like you do. Wake up to reality! Get de-programmed from the lies you’ve been fed and apparently believe!

    • It is certainly true that once one volunteers to join the military, that person is duty bound to follow superior’s legal orders. However, it is also a responsibility of political leaders to employ that loyality carefully. The trouble with the courrent administration is that no one really understands the sacrifices military members make and, especially, the impact of fighting and killing for a cause that turns out to be worthless later.

      We went through this with Vietnam. The soldiers fought well, but in the end, North Vietnam won. The only benefit that Vietnam gained from our intervention was that the NVA was sufficiently toughened by resisting the US that it was later able to kick China’s butt. The situation in Iraq is beginning to look a lot like Vietnam with less water and a smaller chance of eventual stability.

      The bottom line is this. Right or wrong, people tend to blame or honor returning military members on the basis of how well or poorly the war was, regardless of the wisdom of the war or the manner in which their leaders prosecuted it. I saw this happen at the end of the hot Korea conflict and the end of the Vietnam War. After Desert Storm, there was great praise, though many returning soldiers found their jobs gone, their famlies weakened, and their prospects few. But, at least, they weren’t treated like dirt.

      This current war was poorly chosen and is being badly prosecuted. However, it is likely to be the soldiers, who did their best with what they had who will take the brunt of the criticism — if they make it back, that is.

      On top of that, in any war, win or loose, there will be soldiers who will carry the guilt of killing another human being, others who will live in constant apprehension, and others that will suffer loss of limbs or other physical injuries. All of these things require good high-quality medical care and the current administration’s reluctance to fully provide such care is a disgrace. The subsequent cost to them and the society that will have to support them will be immense. We still have Vietnam vetrans who have not re-entered society.

      I can fully appreciate Cindy’s objection to President Bush’s use of her son’s death for political purposes. It is highly offensive for a man who evaded military service at a time when most young men in the US were liable to be drafted and who is currently suffering no personal sacrifice to make the claim that the sacrifice is worth it. Note that his father, who did make such sacrifices, refused to squander US lives in this way. It is also presumptious for a man who never met her son to claim that he knows better than her what Casey would say now. The President owes Cindy and the rest of us an explaination. She has not gone over the edge, but reminds us all that the President has.

      John Mullen

    • nice try georgie, but you are the one over the edge.

    • Yes, Sheehan’s son volunteered to protect his country, but this war has absolutely nothing to do with the protection of our country. We were all lied to, and to send our brave and trusting soldiers to Iraq to die for Bush’s lies and revenge and oil is murder.

  • The sad fact is that if U.S. troops are kept in Iraq, the rest of the world is safer. Withdraw troops from Iraq and who will will be invaded next? The U.S. forces of conquest and oppression must stay there until their ranks are decimated and demoralized.
    Retired U. S. Gen. Barry McCaffrey recently reported about weaknesses in the U.S. armed forces caused by the war against Iraq to a U.S. Senate committee:
    "4th - "The other shoe" - a war with North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, Iran, or Cuba that draws away U.S. military forces and political energy."
    http://www.foreign.senate.gov/testimony/2005/McCaffreyTestimony050718.pdf
    Be careful in calling for an end to the war against Iraq; your home may be the next bombed by the imperialists.

    Sincerely,

    kb from AZ

    • If you really believe in this unjust war ,you should join the service and go to Iraq and fight this war for Bush. But before you go make sure you take plenty of armour and equipment to protect yourself as the administration doesn’t seem to think they should make sure our troops are taken care of ,after all Hilleburton needs to make a hefty profit why waste that money we pay them to care for our kids when they can line their pockets with more blood money.

  • YOUR SON NEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN HE JOINED THE SERVICE. GO BACK TO CALIFORNIA AND MICHEAL MOORE

    • This doesn’t even merit a response. However, it gets this one: Cindy Sheehan has every right to protest. Were the president to have a satisfying rationale for the Iraq war, there would be no dissent. Just wars gain near universal support. Unjust wars gain the scorn of the world. That this war is going in that direction, and indeed, never had the strong support of our allies, is indicitive of its moral bankruptcy. That a mother who paid the ultimate price, sacrificing her child, and now wants to call into question the reasons behind the war - that is the essence of free speech, liberty and democracy. That the president can’t meet her eye-to-eye and defend his decisions, that is the essence of cowardice.

    • buy some gas today you fool and see what bush is doing to you and the american people bush is stealing gas out of the middle east as we speak. he is selling it to china and raising your gas prices to rod you too. wake up fool.
      floyd

    • Everyone who joins the Service now, that the Cheney, Bush, agenda have been esrablished, SHOULD know what they are doing. As it is obvious that this group wants perpetual war, as this means, perpetual income for the (Haliburton, et al). The worst crime of all is putting these soldiers in harms way so that they can all become wealthy and powerful, all the while while you and I are paying billions for it!
      If Cheney etc. weren’t in it for the $$$$ why weren’t the Iraqi’s given the contract’s, instead of Haliburton? Why didn’t the US accept help from other countries(who wanted a part of rebuilding contracts)? Why did they go in when the weapons inspections were working?
      Even if they weren’t impeached for lying to us, killing, profiteering, they certainly ARE incompetent!
      If my Manager was ever so reckless in handling a crisis situation , I certainly wouldn’t be expected to follow their orders. They didn’t send in enough troops, still don’t have enough body armor for the troops, let all the existing Iraqi police go without enough soldiers to replace them, didn’t guard weapons cache’s (they were too busy guarding the Oil Ministry!
      The truth is a HARD pill to swallow, and becoming harder and harder as we hear less and less of it! Face the truth, these are the worst kind of criminals and will sacrifice ALL including YOU... for their personal gain, they have NO conscience!!
      They will however, face their own judgement day and will not end up spending eternity in the same place as Casey and all the thousands of others they have killed!

    • I heartily agree with you 66 254. Anyone joining up now should know exactly what s/he is fighting for - a handful of warmongering chicken hawks who are waging aggressive war for pure greed. In ancient Rome, the legionnaires were promised and received the "spoils of war." American soldiers going off to war are just spoiled (used up) and have to fight an indifferent administration just to receive their basic veteran benefits, that is, if they survive.

    • I doubt that her son knew what he was doing when he joined or remained in the military under George Bush’s command. The Iraq war is not one for the security of America and I believe that is what most members of the miitary sign up for—the defense and security of the U.S. Perhaps you should take a closer look at what this government is all about or have you too been boondoggled/bushwacked?

  • Cindy Sheehan is absolutely correct in her statement about Bush. He took this Country to war based on lies and he is still lying. The hole he is digging for himself gets bigger every day and someday he will have to pay for getting all of these soldiers killed based on lies.
    valerie

  • Your son fought a noble cause to protect this and other nations and to try to bring freedom to countless Iraqis among many other things. How unfortunate that you cannot recognize his accomplishment and the passionate investment of others like your son to advance this utopian vision. But by all means, let’s advocate the withdrawal of all troops post haste. While you’re at it though, don’t forget to advocate the reappointment of Saddam Hussein, the Baathists, and/or Al Qaeda back in the saddle and order up some extra gas for the corpse-chippers, new bricks for the rape rooms, and blade-sharpeners for beheadings... after all, it was an illegal war and we should not have intervened. Let’s patch things up and resurrect the status quo to the best of our abilities. It’s the appropriate contrition, right?

    • Our government used Saddam for years. we even gave him the weapons, he was our pawn. Boy george and boy daddy george both have killed more people then Saddam ever thought about killing. Boy george is pretty good at torturing people also, by his using zio-nazi agents for this.
      You should either double your dosage of medicine or make an appointment with your psychiatrist, join the real world. If this is such a noble cause why aren’t you overthere, I guess you are like the rest of the Repugnent Party, a sofa warrior or jewish?

    • Ah yes, ad hominem away. Good to see you’ve surrendered already.

      I presume then, since you appreciate a good "chickenhawk" meme, that you’re donning a suicide vest on the streets of Baghdad to contest the oppressors? If you’re going to play that card, be prepared to have your hand called.

      It would be nice if the world was as black and white as you suggest re arming particular countries and supporting one government over another. To the minimal extent to which Hussein was armed by the U.S. (and other countries armed him considerably longer and with more vigor) to, among other things, stem the tide of radical Islam in Iran, many around the globe were complicit. The world is always in flux and responsible people’s make difficult choices based on myriad issues to minimize risk. When Hussein became the most oppressive regime in the region and invaded its neighbors, the world reacted... and reacted appropriately. The problem was that so few were willing afterwords to terminate his rule when he was clearly so vile and had no intent on changing his behavior. In fact his brutality grew. Blame the U.S. all you want but it, and the coalition, retain the moral high-ground despite your enunciations to the contrary. No land is perfect but at least some strive for it. It’s quite illustrative that many in those imperfect yet freedom-loving lands lament the disposal of regimes so ensconsed in brutality... and yet they pontificate from a secured pulpit. Were they to preach in the land they supposedly support, their message would likely be met with a bullet in the head. It’s a shame they would also prefer a return of its constituents to the same pit and punishment. But hey, why not? They don’t have to suffer the consequences of their advocacy either.

      I await another round of ad hominem. I’ll even set up a glass for you while the dealer shuffles the deck.

    • Afterwards, not afterwords.