Cindy Sheehan

By Cindy Sheehan

The other day I came out of my short retirement due toyet another Bush flagrant abuse of power. We decidedthat we would walk from Atlanta to DC to gather apeople’s movement for humanity. The longer BushCo arein office the less chance we have of recovering theheart and soul of our nation, saving our soldiers andthe people of Iraq and Afghanistan, and saving theplanet from corporate and individual waste andpollution. Impeachment, removal from office, and in aperfect world: incarceration for the criminals againsthumanity, are urgent and necessary steps that need tobe taken today.Since the announcement of the Walk, circumstances havechanged. Rev. Lennox Yearwood is not going to have hishearing for Conduct Unbecoming until the end ofAugust, and we were going to begin our walk after hishearing on July 12th in Macon, GA.

By Cindy Sheehan

Call out the Instigator
Because there's something in the air
We got to get together sooner or later
Because the revolution's here
You know it's right!
Thunderclap Newman

I'm not backing off. I tried to remove myself from the
political realm of the US, what BushCo is turning into
an Evil Empire, but the blatant audacity of George
commuting Scooter's sentence (he's not ruling out a

By Steve Cobble

Near the end of the 3-day national conference of United for Peace and Justice, Camp Casey and impeachment activist Barbara Cummings of San Diego got up and went on stage to alert the crowd to the upcoming gathering at Camp Casey, July 6-8.

"We owe a lot to Cindy Sheehan for the impact on the antiwar movement that Camp Casey provided, so we're going there for a third--and maybe last--time in July, where we'll also celebrate Cindy's 50th birthday," said Cummings. At that, the delegates rose to a standing ovation, a thank-you to Cindy Sheehan for her work, and the work of the Camp Casey volunteers, which helped bring us several steps closer to ending this occupation.

BY Brad Friedman, Brad Blog

Former Los Angles newscaster turned progressive talk radio host, Bree Walker will be purchasing Cindy Sheehan's 5-acre property near the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, The BRAD BLOG has learned.

Walker, currently a resident of San Diego, was previously a television news anchor in Los Angles and New York. She confirmed the news to us moments ago, in an exclusive interview, that she intends to keep the property "as a ground for freedom and peace" and is considering erecting a memorial there for troops killed in Iraq. She hopes to create a meditation garden on the grounds and to keep it open to the public.

By PA Farruggio

Many have heard the saying in the activist movement " Speaking truth to power." Well, who can we use as a better example than dear Cindy Sheehan? Here is a woman, a homemaker, not overly well read or researched, who became a symbol of something wonderful. Cindy is the Everyman/Everywoman of 21st century America- perhaps the entire world. Simply put, she ' spoke truth to power'. I might add, that she accomplished more in a few months of activism that this writer has in 33 months of standing on that street corner in Port Orange, Florida. Yet, Cindy and I are both 'anti occupation' spokespersons. We ' speak truth to power'. Notice how we refuse to call this mess in Iraq a ' War ', rather: An illegal, immoral invasion and occupation of another sovereign nation. Cindy's impetus was the losing of her son Casey, who died while serving in Iraq. This writer's impetus is multi- faceted.

From the Iraq Freedom Congress (IFC):

Cindy: Do not say good-bye
The U.S. needs you, not the criminals and thieves

Dear Sister Cindy Sheehan, Greetings...

I have read your article ("Good-bye America... you are not the country that I love anymore"), in which you declared resignation and your plan to stay away from the arena of struggle against war and the occupation of Iraq.

We met twice, the first time in Washington during the "Eyes Wide Open" event in May 2006 and the second time in December 2007 at the US Labor Against the War (USLAW) rally. On both occasions, we supported and emboldened each other, and pledged each other to continue the struggle for humanity in the United States of America and Iraq, in order not to repeat the tragedy of yours and thousands of other mothers in the U.S. and Iraq. Retreating at this particular time means that the U.S. Administration and the blood-sucking corporations are victorious in this battle. The U.S. Administration today is suffering under the blows of the anti-war movement in your country where you are one of its leaders, figures and symbols. How can you proclaim today the withdrawal from this battle in which our victory will benefit mankind not only in the United States of America, but in Iraq and all over the world?

By Sunsara Taylor

This is not a story about a woman who raised four children, sent one off to war, and collapsed one day in a fit of screaming at the news that he was dead.

This is not a piece to describe how that woman tried to stay awake for the next three days so as not to have to scream like that again after waking and then remembering that news.

There will be no attempt in this piece to comprehend the maddening indecency of the overgrown frat-boy president who sent her son to kill and die for lies and still had the gall to call her “Mom” and sits day after day-- to this day --as the self-appointed, unrestrained king of the world.

At the end of last night's morbidly titled "THIS WEEK AT WAR," CNN host Tom Foreman dramatized the importance of the 2008 Presidential election by deeming it a war-time election. He beseeched viewers to watch CNN's upcoming Presidential debates. The Democrats will air this evening, June 3rd and the Republicans follow Tuesday, June 5th.

Mr. Foreman stressed, with theatrical flair, the precarious state of our world, then challenged those who view the debates to ask TOUGH questions of the candidates.

I respond to Mr. Foreman with similar flair, and offer the same challenge to CNN, and to all media venues as I've been doing for a very long time:

Once and for all, ask TOUGH questions of the candidates. Not trivialities about haircuts and personal residences which undermine the seriousness of the debate. Be adult. Be professional. Ask the candidates who want to control this nation what PERSONAL sacrifice they're willing to make on its behalf.

By Ted Glick

“It is so painful to me to know that I bought into this system for so many years and Casey paid the price for that allegiance. I failed my boy and that hurts the most.”

I was relieved to hear Cindy Sheehan say this morning on Democracy Now that she does not plan to retire from the struggle for peace and justice. Instead, she will be taking a well-deserved and needed break to reconnect with her family, deal with serious economic and health issues and figure out how she can best utilize her skills and talents going forward.

By DEMOCRACY NOW!

Peace activist Cindy Sheehan has announced she is stepping back from her role as a leading campaigner against the Iraq war. We take a look back at how she helped galvanize the antiwar movement over the past two-and-a-half years following the death of her son Casey in Iraq.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/30/1343243

"We Will Retool...and Come at it from a Different Direction" - Cindy Sheehan Says She Will Return After Stepping Back as Antiwar Leader

By Deidra Lynch, CODEPINK Orlando

Also posted at Code Pink DC

First and foremost, please let me thank you for all you have sacrificed, your son, your family and your life to help show America that this war is wrong. And it is so wrong. And the American public's apathy is so wrong. And those who have tried to tear you down are so wrong.

Dear Cindy,

We of the peace community on Cape Cod where you first inspired us when you were starting your crusade for the truth, salute you. It is with sadness that we read of your disappointment in being reviled by the right and castigated by those who should be your allies on the left. The left is often its own worst enemy. Divisiveness, ego, turf control and doctrinaire attitudes have ruined many a progressive movement. Let it be a lesson to us all.

By DEMOCRACY NOW!

Protests against the Bush administration and the Iraq War continued across the country over the Memorial Day weekend. Today we spend the hour looking at how presidents from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush sold wars to the American public. Media critic Norman Solomon and the Media Education Foundation have released a documentary titled "War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death." The film is based on Solomon's book of the same name. The film features extended commentary by Solomon and is narrated by Sean Penn.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=07/05/29/1322235

On Wednesday, Cindy Sheehan will join us for an exclusive interview to talk about her decision to step down from her role as a leading campaigner against the Iraq war. She made the announcement in a letter released on Memorial Day. Cindy set up Camp Casey outside President Bush's Crawford estate in August 2005 in memory of her son Casey, who was killed in Iraq in 2004. If you have any suggested questions for Cindy, please email them to askcindy@democracynow.org

By David Edwards and Muriel Kane, RawStory

On Tuesday, peace activist Cindy Sheehan appeared on The Ed Schultz Show to talk about her recent declaration that she is leaving the anti-war movement.

Sheehan starts off the radio interview sounding tired and dispirited. She explains that she has kept pushing herself because "I can't say no, especially when people are dying" but that the recent failure of the Democrats to vote against the war caused her to conclude, "I think I've gone as far as I can in this movement."

By Joanne O'Neill

Dearest Cindy,

The past week has been hard on those who truly thirst for peace and justice. As I sit here with tear filled eyes, knowing all too well how you are feeling, for I too, faced harsh realizations the past week.

When reading your resignation I couldn't help but think I was reading my own, with the exception, I lost a loved one and close friends in a war 40yrs ago.Someday Cindy, you will have to tell my husband, Tim, I had nothing to do with helping you write your letter of resignation, he swears it was my words, especially the ones initialized below in your letter, for he has heard me express the sentiments hundreds of times in the past year.

http://www.petitiononline.com/peacemom

Thank you Cindy for all you have done to bring peace & justice to this world!

When your son Casey was killed in the illegal Iraq War you took a strong stand to bring it to an end. You actually camped outside of Bush's house & jump started the whole movement.

We organized Camp Casey's all across the country in support of your courageous action.

By Cindy Sheehan

I have endured a lot of smear and hatred since Casey was killed and especially since I became the so-called “Face” of the American anti-war movement. Especially since I renounced any tie I have remaining with the Democratic Party, I have been further trashed on such “liberal blogs” as the Democratic Underground. Being called an “attention whore” and being told “good riddance” are some of the more milder rebukes.

Click above for YouTube version, or click below for...

Code Pink Mother's Day Picnic and Protest at White House - Uncut Director's Version WMV

Videos by Barry Student.

May 26, 2007
Dublin, Ireland

Dear Democratic Congress,

Hello, my name is Cindy Sheehan and my son Casey Sheehan was killed on April 04, 2004 in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq. He was killed when the Republicans still were in control of Congress. Naively, I set off on my tireless campaign calling on Congress to rescind George’s authority to wage his war of terror while asking him “for what noble cause” did Casey and thousands of other have to die. Now, with Democrats in control of Congress, I have lost my optimistic naiveté and have become cynically pessimistic as I see you all caving into as one Daily Kos poster called: “Mr. 28%”

Ireland, Part II
By Cindy Sheehan

On the very early Saturday morning, eight days before Casey was killed in Baghdad, I received a phone call from him. He was still in Kuwait. He talked about the heat; about heading to Baghdad the following week; he was on his way to mass; then he told me about stopping in Shannon Airport, Ireland on the First Cav’s way to Kuwait.

My doomed son told me about an employee that he met there who saw his name badge “Sheehan” and she told him about the origins of the name and where it was located in Ireland. After some sleepy expressions of love and for him to be careful, we hung up and that’s the last time I heard Casey’s dear voice. If I only knew, I would never have let him hang up.

By Cindy Sheehan

We have an old saying in my adopted state of Texas and you may have it in your own state too: “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” America is not unique for perpetuating a history that was founded on genocide and where violence is constantly relied upon for problem solving, but this is our country and how can we finally learn the lessons of war and corrupt regimes?

By Cindy Sheehan

When we left Lafayette Park yesterday there were 3396 Americans dead in Iraq. When we got to the Capitol about 45 minutes later, the count was up to 3398 and when we got out of jail 8 hours later, 3401 were gone.

Three-hundred amazing Americans joined us yesterday in The Mother of a March which was sponsored by The Camp Casey Peace Institute and supported and co-sponsored by many other peace groups.

Listen Here.

By Matthew Cardinale, Atlanta Progressive News

(APN) ATLANTA – Renowned antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan is considering a run for US Congress in 2008, Atlanta Progressive News has learned in the process of interviewing Sheehan about her upcoming rally in Washington, DC, this Mothers’ Day weekend. Sheehan became an activist in 2004 after her son, Casey, was killed during the US Invasion of Iraq.

(And the Beat Goes On)
By Cindy Sheehan

My son, Jon Michael, is the best son a dad can have. He will always be my pride and joy.
George Tenet: Former Director of Central Intelligence
Page 520 of his book: At the Center of the Storm

I had difficulty making the purchase of George Tenet’s new book. With a multi-million dollar advance already, I didn’t want to contribute to someone who has already profited so obscenely from other people’s dead children. This self-congratulatory, buck-passing book was even more difficult to read. But when I came to the last paragraph and read the above quote about Tenet’s precious son, Jon Michael, I began to cry in my uncomfortable airplane seat.

It is time we stop business as usual in Washington, D.C. and demand that legislation be passed that ends this war, brings home all the troops and takes care of them when they return.

We will be a visible peace presence in the halls of congress, meeting with members of congress, attending hearings, conducting protests, sit-ins and media events, all to throw sand in the gears of government until real legislation is passed that ends this war. Plan to come for a few days or a few weeks - - we promise an effective, productive, energizing and fun experience! Learn, work and experience your own power. Before another season passes with more senseless loss of life, freedom and opportunity, come for the Summer of Action. Let it not be said that each of us didn’t do everything possible to end this madness.

United for Peace & Justice & Grassroots America invite you to a Summer of Action to tell congress, "No more business as usual" until they end the illegal occupation of Iraq. Actions include visits to congress, Sit-ins, Organizing, Media Events and Workshops

All to throw sand into the gears of government.

By Cindy Sheehan

This is the keynote address Cindy gave on May 04, 2007, at the commemoration of the Kent State Massacre.

First of all, I would just like to say that I am not only in favor of impeaching George Bush and Dick Cheney, but of trying them for war crimes and locking them both up in Guantanamo for the rest of their lives! I also agree with Tom (Hayden) that an “anti-war” movement is basically a self-destructive movement, because when our objectives are achieved, the movement is over. That is why we must call ourselves a “peace” movement so our movement will never end. There will always be a need for people who commit their lives to peace as strenuously as they commit their lives to the anti-war movement.

By Cindy Sheehan

May 4th, 2007 will be the 37th year since the Kent State, Ohio, massacre where four anti-war protesters were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen during a protest against Richard Nixon’s announced escalation in Vietnam.

On that day in 1970, anti-Vietnam war sentiment in the entire nation was high as hundreds of soldiers were coming home in flag-draped coffins every week and we were bombarded daily with images of burning villages and screaming Vietnamese children. The images were harsh, but what was even harsher was the Nixon regime escalating a war in a Johnsonian way when he had promised that he would end the quagmire in Vietnam if elected.