Letter to a Local Newspaper

To the Editor:

Your editorial criticizing Cindy Sheehan purports to offer advice to the peace movement (advice to dump Cindy Sheehan as a spokesperson). There are a number of problems with that.

First, you clearly do not want to promote the peace movement at all, but rather continue the occupation of Iraq. This makes the peace movement likely to distrust your motives.

Second, while Cindy Sheehan is one of the best spokespeople we have, the peace movement didn't choose her; the media did. When we hold rallies without her, you guys never show up. That may be a perfect solution from your point of view, but not from ours.

Third, the media chose Cindy because she was combative and confrontational. It then attacked her because she was speaking up for peace and justice. You could substitute someone else for her, but a year later they would have been thoroughly villified as well.

Fourth, the only substance you provided for your criticism of Sheehan was this quote of something she allegedly said: "How can you defend a government that tortures? How can you defend a government that has killed millions of innocent people? How can you defend a government that suspends habeas corpus?" Those, I think, are excellent questions. If you can either answer them or explain what's wrong with them, then we'll take you seriously and listen to your advice.

You did also complain that Sheehan "called those killing Americans in Iraq 'freedom fighters.'" She very well may have. But here's the point you seem to be missing: The U.S. military invaded and is occupying someone else's country. If the Iraqis had invaded and occupied the United States, some of us would resist nonviolently. Others would use violence. The Iraqis would call them terrorists. You would call them freedom fighters.

There's an old saying: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Iraqi people want us out.

David Swanson