Cindy Sheehan

WHO: The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) was formed for individuals willing to engage in nonviolent civil resistance to protest the war in Iraq and pressure Congress to withdraw all troops. NCNR organized a demonstration on the Pennsylvania Ave. sidewalk outside the White House on Sept. 26, 2005 and three hundred and seventy one activists were arrested and charged with demonstrating without a permit. Cindy Sheehan and others from around the country exercised their First Amendment right to petition the government by placing the names of the dead from Iraq on the White House fence in an attempt to convince George W. Bush to end the Iraq War. It is believed that this was the largest number of arrests in U.S. Park Police history. The government then conducted four trials in U.S. District Court in order to deal with all of the arrests.

By Cindy Sheehan

Once, before I camped out in Crawford, Tx, I was speaking at a venue in DC and I called George Bush a “lying bastard.” This was in May 2005; right after we discovered the revelations of the Downing Street Minutes which we believed was the smoking gun that would bring down BushCo in short order.

We held hearings in June of 2005 that Congressman John Conyers convened (in a crowded basement room in the Capitol) that exposed the deceit of the “yellow cake uranium from Niger” lie and the fact that Dick Cheney and Scooter Libby made many trips to the CIA offices to “cherry-pick” intelligence. Along with myself, Ambassador Joe Wilson, and ex-CIA analyst Ray McGovern: Constitutional Attorney John Bonifaz wrapped up the panel to explain how and why the criminal Bush regime should be impeached and imprisoned.

By Matt Gonzalez

1. Your recent announcement that you intended to run against Nancy Pelosi came as a surprise to many who see the Democrats as the leading force against the Bush regime and against the Iraq War. Why are you running against the Speaker?

I am running against Nancy Pelosi because I do not view the Democrats as any force against the Bush regime or the Iraq War. Since the Dems won a majority in both Houses of Congress in November '06, the occupation of Iraq has just become worse. 2007 was the worse year for American casualties and 56,000 Iraqis were fleeing the American induced violence per month. The Democratic House supported the surge and has given George Bush billions of more of our tax dollars to fund the continued mistake.

By Cindy Sheehan

Today as we celebrate and commemorate the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, we must also acknowledge the violence of his death at the hands of the machine that has only grown more powerful and rapacious over the years. We must also acknowledge the violence of the inconceivable racism here in America that recently raised its demented head in such places as Jena, La and in the toxic soups in disadvantaged and mostly black neighborhoods of the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans and in my own backyard: Bayview-Hunter's Point, San Francisco.

By David Swanson

I had been to Nancy Pelosi's office in the Cannon House Office Building before. In fact, I'd been there several times and usually had a pleasant stay, often very quick and efficient, other times prolonged by everyone's enjoyment of the songs my friends in pink were singing, and as often as not resulting in new friendships with fine officers of the Capitol Police who accompanied us out. This time was going to be different.

By Donna Norton, Sonoma County PDA

This Is What Happened--And It's Disturbing

The event was very low-key and "normal." On Monday, January 14th, Cindy Sheehan brought the impeachment letters (over 8,000) she had collected in 8 or 9 large bins and displayed them symbolically on a table in front of the Federal Building in San Francisco. There wasn't much going on, only a few people entering the building. Cindy's table was to the side and away from the door, nothing was blocked or being disturbed. There were a few people with signs, some non-MSM media, and I don't know, maybe 30 people had come for presenting the letters and petitions. It was a week-day morning, so most people were at work. Cindy, Cynthia McKinney, and a few other local officials and figures spoke. (Let me emphasize, it was NOT rowdy, disruptive, or disorderly IN ANY WAY. Could have been a Chamber of Commerce group holding a press conference to announce their presentation of an award to a government official.)

By Cindy Sheehan

Once, when my children were young, one of them rushed into me and said: “Mama, so-and-so, said the ‘K’ word.” I don’t remember which one of my children was the tattler, or which one was the tattlee, but I remember the ‘k” word. I could never figure out what the “k” word was, because neither of the children would say that very naughty word.

If all one did was listen or watch the corporate media, one would think that “Impeachment” was a naughty word. I did appear on some cable shows over the summer (before my activism transformed into a Congressional campaign) and was able to outline the rationale for impeachment, but since then, there has been a virtual black-out on the word, or concept.

By Cindy Sheehan

Today on the 6th anniversary of the opening of a black stain on the soul of America, Guantanamo Bay prison. I was going to write about the necessity of the base being closed and the prisoners charged, tried, or released, but another stain has been nagging at me today.

The hidden stain of female members of the military being abused by fellow soldiers, Marines, or sailors is one that is regularly ignored or glossed over by a corporate media that rejects all bad news stories from war zones and reports Pentagon propaganda like it is fact: until today, that is.

By David Swanson

Dear Nancy. Cindy asked me to write you a letter and promised she would deliver it. So I picture the two of you in your home over tea as you peruse this and a four-foot stack of similar missives, and I hope mine catches your eye, and I hope there are no more of those annoying poor people out front, or that you're able to have them arrested quickly and quietly.

I know that there is good in you, Nancy, and I know that you are extremely smart. I can tell by the skill with which you've hidden from us that aforementioned good. But I'm concerned about how you will be remembered in history. Specifically, I'm concerned that you may not be remembered at all. If you were the leader who ended the wars, made peace, and impeached criminals, you would be remembered and quite possibly elected president some day. Attempting to impeach a president for an illegal war seemed to work pretty well for Congressman Lincoln.

By Cindy Sheehan

…Hillary Clinton! For phoniest display of belated emotion in a Presidential campaign!

Hillary’s recent emotion at the tanking of her multi-million dollar; mass pandering campaign reminded me of a scene in Mike Myers’ Wayne’s World where he, as Wayne, throws water on his face and emotes about something while “Academy Awards Clip” flashes on the screen. Hillary Clinton does not do anything that is not coldly, if not icily calculated. However, seeing her ambitions and life’s work of becoming the first female president go down into the primordial-primary ooze may be something for which she might exhibit a little emotion.

By Cindy Sheehan

Say you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the street
Singing Power to the People
John Lennon

Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.
--John Quincy Adams

The founding fathers never intended for the US of A to be a true representative democracy. The Constitution (which we find ourselves in an odd position of having to defend, now) was written off the backs of black slaves and with the tears of such women as John Q’s wife Abigail, a budding feminist, who pleaded with JQ to “remember the ladies” when writing the new code of law. The eventual “new code of law” excluded women entirely and counted slaves as “three-fifths” of a person in a compromise to guarantee ratification by the Southern States. The Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2) states that Treaties are the “Supreme law of the land” and the Federal Government broke every treaty ever signed with our indigenous populations. So are we surprised that BushCo has gotten away with breaking UN treaties and the Geneva Conventions?

In my article on New Years Eve (http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/29684), the night before the Pasadena Rose Parade and our White Rose Coalition's (WRC) unauthorized PEOPLE'S PARADE FOR DEMOCRACY, I questioned whether media would step up patriotically to broadcast our message to IMPEACH Bush & Cheney and END THE WAR. We were well aware that media would already be present in huge numbers, since it capitalizes handsomely on Rose Parade revenues every year. But we also knew, through previous disappointments, the difficulty in getting corporate press to broadcast negative public sentiment toward Bush, Cheney, and War.

With our Democracy in decline, an immoral war raging on, criminals and cowards controlling our government, and H.R. 1955 and S. 1959 threatening our First Amendment freedoms, our White Rose Coalition believed it had a duty to begin 2008 with the clarion call to Americans that this is the year to RISE UP. After weeks of strategizing under the inspired and frenetic leadership of Los Angeles National Impeachment Center (LANIC) Director, Peter Thottam, we ventured forward with our action. With visuals in tow, our group of 350 to 400 patriots from a dozen pro-peace/pro-impeachment organizations, embarked on our mission to usher in 2008 with THE WHOLE WORLD WATCHING.

Much to the delight of our 2008 White Rose Coalition, a substantial number of media actually did turn out. While the coverage was no where near what we would have liked, it exceeded our expectations.

Here's the follow-up report to my article: "Will Media Broadcast THE PEOPLE'S PARADE At The Rose Parade New Year's Day?":

By Cindy Sheehan

Since the conquest of Poland three hundred thousand Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way ... The German people slumber on in their dull, stupid sleep and encourage these fascist criminals ... Each man wants to be exonerated of a guilt of this kind, each one continues on his way with the most placid, the calmest conscience. But he cannot be exonerated; he is guilty, guilty, guilty! — From the second leaflet of the White Rose. [5] ”

Here's a little puzzle to ponder. Consider these two American institutions... then guess which institutions they are??

One institution is over 200 years old and the product of passion, commitment, creativity and pain-staking labor. It is present every New Years Day in Pasadena, California, but it is NEVER seen.

The second institution is a spectacular floral extravaganza, over 100 years of age. It is also the product of passion, commitment, creativity and pain-staking labor. It, too, is present every New Years Day in Pasadena, but it is ALWAYS seen. The vision of the second displays its majesty. The majesty of the first displays its vision.

The first, much older UNSEEN institution allows the second institution to be seen. Without the presence of the first and older institution, the younger institution might not be.

Can you guess which institutions these are? Allow me fill you in.

By Cindy Sheehan

For many people, 2007 started as a promising year: The Democrats had regained both Houses of Congress and we finally had a female Speaker of the House. I, however, had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when this female Speaker took impeachment of the devils, Bush and Cheney “off the table” even before she picked up the gavel.

My organization, The Camp Casey Peace Institute gathered dozens of activists from all over the country to convene in DC on January 3rd because we felt strongly that just because the Democrats were now in “charge” that we would not be able to even slack off a little from our pressure on Congress.

Washington DC -- Congressional candidate Cindy Sheehan has called upon Silvester Reyes to subpoena Nancy Pelosi to testify before Congress on her knowledge of the CIA torture tapes. Reyes, head of the House Intelligence Committee has issued subpoenas to acting CIA general counsel John Rizzo and the former head of the National Clandestine Service, Jose Rodriguez, to testify on January 16th.

"Nancy Pelosi knows what is on those tapes. She should be subpoened to testify to the specific use of torture on the tapes. The public deserves to know why the Bush administration and Ms. Pelosi would both be motivated to have the tapes destroyed," said Sheehan.

By Cindy Sheehan

Once upon a time in a land called California, there was born a beautiful baby named Casey.

Casey’s Mom and Dad knew from the minute he was born that he was a very special baby. He had dark hazel eyes that seemed to penetrate into the hearts of people who met his intense gaze. He was a cheerful baby that grew into a cheerful, yet shy boy.

Casey loved baseball; video games and playing make believe games with his younger siblings. He was a loving and fun big brother to his sisters and brother. Casey grew close with each sibling in different ways. His bright and mature sister, Carly, was his confidant and closest mischief maker. With his brother, Andy, Casey would wrestle and play endless video games, huddled closely on the floor in front of the TV set. Casey would carry his youngest sister, Janey (the baby) to bed each night and tell her a bedtime story, kiss her goodnight and make sure there were no monsters in her closet.

From www.cindyforcongress.org

US Congressional Candidate Cindy Sheehan today called upon Nancy Pelosi to respond to a story printed in the December 9 Washington Post which claims that the Speaker of the House was present in a 2002 meeting where four members of Congress were given a virtual tour of the CIA's overseas detention sites and torture program.

According to the CIA, no objections were raised by any member of Congress present in the meeting, even though waterboarding, the interrogation technique profiled in the meeting, is illegal under international and US military law.

By Cindy Sheehan

Is peace just an absence of war?

That question begs another question: What is war?

Is war a “hot” conflict with bombs raining down on civilians? Is it covert action with undercover agents fomenting unrest and electoral rebellion? Is it crippling sanctions that target unarmed and un-protected civilians who become desperate for medicine when their child is dying of dysentery or hungry for food to fend off starvation?

By Cindy Sheehan

While leafing through a women’s fitness (Body, Mind, and Spirit) magazine, I came across an Army recruitment ad that had the headline “Are you Army Strong?” Above the headline is a picture of young females in a line doing push-ups with a male standing over them, watching, I suppose.

After recovering from my disgust that a magazine which refuses cigarette and alcohol ads would help the military prey on its young female readers on two valuable pages of advertisements, I noticed that the ad contained the “Seven Core Army Values.” It struck me deeply that the Commander in Chief of the Army, and indeed all the US armed forces, would not be able to pass the “Army Strong Test.” Even though the military keeps upping the age for its recruits, at 61 George is too old. With the pathological way that he exercises, he may be able to pass the physical test, but, unfortunately for George, the military has been giving a record number of “morality waivers” but there is no way that he would be able to adhere or conform to the Army Values (always glorified by capitals).

By Cindy Sheehan

It is absolutely flabbergasting to me that our world will be soon commemorating the 5th year since George Bush announced that the US had commenced “Shock and Awe” against Iraq.

Millions of people marched against the impending invasion all over the world on February 15th, 2003 in one of the most touching and amazing show of solidarity against global aggression ever seen. Since then, the pro-peace/anti-war demonstrations have been mostly disjointed with not so much solidarity.

Please pass the word, we have received over 6000 letters to encourage the Speaker of the House to open investigation and impeachment proceedings against Dick Cheney---in affect, allowing HRes 799 (which was HRes 333) to go forward from the House Judiciary Committee.

Pelosi's office has denied the rumor, but that should not mean we abrogate our responsibilities as members of this so-called Representative Republic. This will put the ball back in her court and she will probably miss and fail us again, but that does not mean that WE STOP TRYING!

By Cindy Sheehan

Recently the Canadian Supreme Court refused to hear appeals on the denial of refugee status for two US military Iraq war resisters that were among the firs to flee to Canada: Jeremy Hinzman and Brandon Hughey. I have had the opportunity to meet both of these brave and honorable young men on my many trips to Canada imploring the government and the people to accept our war resisters as our Northern Neighbors have done in the past. With 64.6% of Canadians supporting allowing our Iraq war resisters to stay, this situation is another example of how governments simply refuse to listen to their citizens.

By Cindy Sheehan

This pattern of immunity for presidents must stop. Impeaching George Bush for lying to get us into war will not only protect us from him, but also send an unmistakable message to future presidents: Never again. Elizabeth Holtzman, former Congresswoman in the forward to: Constitution in Crisis by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Staff

I was recently given an award by the Cranbrook Peace Institute and the ceremonies were held in Detroit, the hometown of Rep. John Conyers. I was pretty surprised that he agreed to introduce me at the event considering that the last time I saw him I was being hauled out of his office in DC in handcuffs and I have been very outspoken about the Democrats failure to hold BushCo accountable. I must give the Congressman a lot of credit to always show up to events where he knows he is going to be harassed about impeachment and he gave me a nice introduction reading part of my testimony in Congress regarding the Downing Street Minutes that Rep. Conyers conducted in a cramped room in the basement of Congress on June 16, 2005. In the intro he called me the “mother of the modern peace movement.”

By Cindy Sheehan

There were two reports on CNN this morning that I found especially relevant to the human condition in the USA today. The first item was a very sad story. Many years ago a couple in Florida lost a son that was kidnapped and murdered by a man who is scheduled to die in Florida’s death chamber today. The execution is questionable because he would be receiving the “cocktail” of lethal chemicals that has been determined as “inhumane.”

By Cindy Sheehan

The greatest purveyor of violence in the world today:
My own country, I cannot be silent.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is the day that our nation "celebrates" Veteran’s Day. For most people it is a day to sleep in and catch up on shopping, chores and other errands. For me, and too many others, it is just another especially hard day in an endless litany of hard days since Casey was killed in Sadr City on April 04, 2004.

Dear Friends
Instead of sending your Impeachment letters for Dick Cheney to Nancy Pelosi's office, send them to my office so we can get an official count.

Please send them to:
Cindy for Congress
RE: Impeach Dick Cheney
1260 Mission Blvd
San Francisco, Ca 94103

Please pass this around and have them sent by Friday, November 16th and we will have them delivered to her office in San Francisco before Thanksgiving.

By Cindy Sheehan

“America is a nation without a distinct criminal class; with the possible exception of Congress"
Samuel “Mark Twain” Clemens

Today, November 6th, Dennis Kucinich exercised a Congressional privilege and introduced his bill, H Res 333 on the House floor to impeach Vice-Criminal Richard V. Cheney. Some people question the timing of introducing the resolution today. Was it just motivated by the proximity to the Iowa Caucuses? Is Dennis actually concerned with our Constitution and preventing a seeming impending attack on Iran? Either way, a resolution to impeach any, or all, of BushCo has been long overdue and was supported by many of the progressive base which is clamoring for peace and accountability.

By Cindy Sheehan

This week is “Green Week” on MSNBC. Today is “Paperless Monday.” We viewers have been treated with attractive women telling us how we, as citizens and consumers can go “paperless” (the amount of unsolicited junk mail I receive in my mail box infuriates me), and how we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels (oil is only growing more precious and gas more expensive) and recycle, etc.