Soldier's mom protests near Bush's ranch

[Faeden]

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) -- The angry mother of a fallen U.S. soldier staged a protest near President Bush's ranch Saturday, demanding an accounting from Bush of how he has conducted the war in Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan holds pictures of her son as she leads an anti-war march near President Bush's ranch.

Supported by more than 50 demonstrators who chanted, "W. killed her son!" Cindy Sheehan told reporters: "I want to ask the president, 'Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?"'

Sheehan, 48, didn't get to see Bush, but did talk about 45 minutes with national security adviser Steve Hadley and deputy White House chief of staff Joe Hagin, who went out to hear her concerns.

Appreciative of their attention, yet undaunted, Sheehan said she planned to continue her roadside vigil, except for a few breaks, until she gets to talk to Bush. Her son, Casey, 24, was killed in Sadr City, Iraq, on April 4, 2004. He was an Army specialist, a Humvee mechanic.

"They (the advisers) said we are in Iraq because they believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, that the world's a better place with Saddam gone and that we're making the world a safer place with what we're doing over there," Sheehan said in a telephone interview after the meeting.

"They were very respectful. They were nice men. I told them Iraq was not a threat to the United States and that now people are dead for nothing. I told them I wouldn't leave until I talked to George Bush."

She said Hagin told her, "I want to assure you that he (Bush) really does care."

"And I said if he does care, why doesn't he come out and talk to me."

Sheehan arrived in Crawford aboard a bus painted red, white and blue and emblazoned with the words, "Impeachment Tour." Sheehan, from Vacaville, California, had been attending a Veterans for Peace convention in Dallas.

The bus, trailed by about 20 cars of protesters and reporters, drove at about 15 mph toward Bush's ranch. After several miles, they parked the vehicles and began to march, in stifling heat, farther down the narrow country road.

Flanked by miles of pasture, Sheehan spoke with reporters while clutching two photographs, one of her son in uniform, and the other, a baby picture, when he was seven months old.

She said she decided to come to Crawford a few days ago after Bush said that fallen U.S. troops had died for a noble cause and that the mission must be completed.

"I want to ask the president, `Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?" she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "Last week, you said my son died for a noble cause' and I want to ask him what that noble cause is?"

White House spokesman Trent Duffy said response that Bush also wants the troops to return home safely.

"Many of the hundreds of families the president has met with know their loved one died for a noble cause and that the best way to honor their sacrifice is to complete the mission," Duffy said.

"It is a message the president has heard time and again from those he has met with and comforted. Like all Americans, he wants the troops home as soon as possible."

The group marched about a half-mile before local law enforcement officials stopped them at a bend in the road, still four to five miles from the ranch's entrance. Capt. Kenneth Vanek of the McLennan County Sheriff's Office said the group was stopped because some marchers ignored instructions to walk in the ditch beside the road, not on the road.

"If they won't cooperate, we won't," Vanek said.

From Here

[Deaths Hand]

does she truely not know what her son died for? he died for the freedom of iraq. geez.

[Conspiracy]

he died in a war that shouldn't have happened

[ALNA70]

IMO, he joined the military knowing full well that he may die for his country.

Although his mother deserves and gets mt full sympathy, what does she expect?

It's not like he was drafted or "snatched up" into the military.

[4dplane]

It's not like he was drafted or "snatched up" into the military.

That is one way we could get people to join the Military unwillingly. Another way is to say, “there could be a mushroom cloud in NYC, which would cripple our way of life as we know it, will you fight for us?”

[__Kratos__]

Or even better... "We need people to fight for the way of life, freedoms and democracy every citizen should have."

"They (the advisers) said we are in Iraq because they believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, that the world's a better place with Saddam gone and that we're making the world a safer place with what we're doing over there," Sheehan said in a telephone interview after the meeting.

The world is a better place and it the things that we are doing over there are great for the Iraqi people. You don't see a soldier give a child shoes, a mother food or helping the father learn to protect his family on the news at night... you see all the gore, pain and suffering that feeds the networks the dollar bills.

"They were very respectful. They were nice men. I told them Iraq was not a threat to the United States and that now people are dead for nothing. I told them I wouldn't leave until I talked to George Bush."

She goes there to protest her son... the people that "killed him" are respectful and nice men? Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.

Edited August 7, 2005 by __Kratos__

[ALNA70]

It's not like he was drafted or "snatched up" into the military.

That is one way we could get people to join the Military unwillingly. Another way is to say, “there could be a mushroom cloud in NYC, which would cripple our way of life as we know it, will you fight for us?”

777037[/snapback]

Actually, I was just repeating what my fiancee's brother said about the article.

He's currently a combat engineer in the Marines and a willoing volunteer before the Iraq situation started. He knew the risks of joining the military.

[wunarmdscissor]

does she truely not know what her son died for? he died for the freedom of iraq. geez.

debatable.

however he was a soldier. im sorry but they join up knowing full well the consequences of what theyve done.

[Faeden]

I think some people here have missed this ladies point. The soldiers in Iraq are now dying for no reason, Iraq was never a threat, and still isn’t a threat. Saddam is gone, so why are people still there dying ? Its not helping American freedom or Iraqi freedoms for that matter, because more are being killed, more grudges are being created, more hatred and anger is building up, and there is no better way to lose your freedom that creating more of that.

America and Britain is only there because they do not want to appear weak, or to admit they are wrong, and look like they are being told what to do, so its best for there ego and pride to stay there, to tell all its critics that we are right, and we wont back down, which is a shame because as the woman is protesting about, people are dying because of Americas and Britain’s stubbornness and pride.

Or even better... "We need people to fight for the way of life, freedoms and democracy every citizen should have."

Real democracy is a great thing, but maybe some people do not want other peoples values imposed on them.

The world is a better place and it the things that we are doing over there are great for the Iraqi people.

Look around, do you really believe that Kratos?

She goes there to protest her son... the people that "killed him" are respectful and nice men?  Nothing like shooting yourself in the foot.

The people that killed him are no better or worse than what her son is, they are all someone’s children, they all have families, and are all fighting for what they believe in, they both joined up as a soldier, and both went to war. I sympathise with this woman, because it is often the case that people only realise just how evil and wrong war and violence is when unfortunately they have become victim to it, but of course by then its normally to late just as it was in this poor woman’s case.

All the best

Faeden

Edited August 7, 2005 by Faeden

[Hans Dolbrook]

this whole thing has been a violent quagmire since day 1.we could end up losing 10,000 troops over there before we leave that hell on earth called iraq.

[girty1600]

My thoughts and prayers are with Cindy Sheehan and her family. I'm also thankful that we live in a country where this woman can speak her mind freely and work through her sorrow without being gunned down by the government for protesting. Perhaps in a few years she will realize that men and women fought and died in a similar manor to give her those freedoms. I'm not saying what she is doing is right or wrong, its not for me to judge, but I understand her sorrow.

[iaapac]

IMO, he joined the military knowing full well that he may die for his country.

Although his mother deserves and gets mt full sympathy, what does she expect?

It's not like he was drafted or "snatched up" into the military.

777011[/snapback]

Let's compare that to an automatic death penalty for killing a policeman. Didn't the cop know what he was getting into when he signed his application?

[__Kratos__]

The world is a better place and it the things that we are doing over there are great for the Iraqi people.

Look around, do you really believe that Kratos?

777223[/snapback]

No... I was just saying that for s***s and grins.

Read in the back pages of the paper and go online and find some soldier's blogs... they are doing a ton for those people. If you notice they people are helping to... their army is growing... police is growing... common little things we take for granted they are getting now. Granted it is not perfect now cause of the rebuilding but hell it is a good start.

[bathory]

Look around, do you really believe that Kratos?

why does everyone want to see results now now now?

we won't be seeing a huge change (if things continue to get better) until something like 5 - 10 years from now.

The coalition is helping to build the foundations, the Iraq we see now is essentially the messy construction yard you see before the house is built (heh)

Edited August 8, 2005 by bathory

[+joc]

Exactly! It is also worth mentioning that it took years to defeat the Japanese insurgency after WWII. And Germany wasn't a walk in the park either. Some people just want the world to exist as they see it through their rose colored glasses....it can't..it is a real world with real problems and simplistic answers just don't cut it. W has the resolve to take on the terrorists and I applaud him and any mother of a soldier who wants to take that approach is just misguided that's all. As Clinton said...I feel her pain...but let's take a valium or two and get a grip...

[Sunlit_Coyote]

Hmmm Tough thing........ I for one am in the military and I dont want to die but if it means bringing peace fom terrorists I shall do that, My Father is proud of what I do and what I have accomplished He Knows the risks I take So my children in the end will live a happier and better life..... I pray there is no more terror attacks , But If there is I will be ready to fight to stop it even its your children. I am willling to die for them.

Sunlit_Coyote

Edited August 8, 2005 by Sunlit_Coyote

[bathory]

it would be interesting to see if she eventually ends up talking with Bush, in reading interviews of other families who have lost loved ones that he has met with, he really appeared to care. Though i guess it could be a political landmine since she is quite hostile to him and the grieving mother card is a big one to the media.

[Sunlit_Coyote]

Maybe she is blaming him,,,,,,,,, Its sad really I would of thought her son had a choice to serve or not serve. they dont force you into the military,,,,,,,,,,,,Well some are if they have been problem children and the courts made them seve Jail time or join,,,,,,,,,, I know several guys that joined just to get out of jail time for stealing,,fighting etc.....

[wunarmdscissor]

America and Britain is only there because they do not want to appear weak, or to admit they are wrong, and look like they are being told what to do, so its best for there ego and pride to stay there, to tell all its critics that we are right, and we wont back down, which is a shame because as the woman is protesting about, people are dying because of Americas and Britain’s stubbornness and pride

yeah and just pulling out would be a masterstroke faedan.

[bathory]

yeah and just pulling out would be a masterstroke faedan.

hehe who cares about the Iraqis, we need to show that evil american empire whats what!

[wunarmdscissor]

lol yeah i love the bleeding heart centre (mind am a leftie) and theyre deperate wish to leave iraq.

if we left then they truly would understand what a quagmire is.

we let an idiot of a man (bush) get us into a mess in Iraq, but we would make it a million times worse if we just up sticks and buggered off.

[bathory]

we let an idiot of a man (bush) get us into a mess in Iraq, but we would make it a million times worse if we just up sticks and buggered off.

whilst i disagree with part of that:P the end message i do agree with haha

[iaapac]

What makes America believe that people in other nations want democracy or can accept it as a governmental system? In many areas the concepts of demoncracy clash with historic culture. Women in Afghanistan marched against the idea of equal rights or feminine liberation.

[bathory]

What makes America believe that people in other nations want democracy or can accept it as a governmental system? In many areas the concepts of demoncracy clash with historic culture. Women in Afghanistan marched against the idea of equal rights or feminine liberation.

maybe its time modernise the middle east and make things a little better?

[Magikman]

it would be interesting to see if she eventually ends up talking with Bush, in reading interviews of other families who have lost loved ones that he has met with, he really appeared to care.

778457[/snapback]

Oh, but she has spoken with the president, last year. Her story has taken a dramatic turn for some reason. CLICK HERE

Edited August 8, 2005 by Magikman