Cindy Sheehan

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.

Slideshow.

By Cindy Sheehan

Brilliant, funny and pretty damn cute, Stephanie Miller, is filling in on MSNBC in the old Don Imus slot.

I will be on the air with her at 6:30 am eastern day light savings time. (yes...that's 3;30am in Calif for you insomniacs).

Watch Stephanie, then tell MSNBC how great she is!

By Cindy Sheehan

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect."
~Chief Seattle~1855

Last night, at the annual White House Correspondent’s Dinner, we did not get the usual “stellar” comedy performance from George Bush in deference to the Virginia Tech tragedy. Who can forget that “uproariously hilarious” bit he did looking for WMD under the couch in his office in 2004 shortly before my son was killed in Iraq by this joker in chief? How nice that George reined in his comedic impulses for the families and friends of the murdered VT students…because I can assure you, their families are finding nothing funny right now.

From Camp Casey Peace Institute

MOTHER OF A MARCH

The time for being polite to our war-mongering politicians and organizations which support them is over.

We mothers have to stand up and put our bodies on the line for peace and humanity. We must look into the best parts of ourselves that make us mothers willing to care for and protect all children of the world, not just our own. We need to access our hearts and souls to lead from a place of compassion and love not from war/fear mongering, hatred and disgraceful threats and use of bullying force.

Watch Cindy Sheehan at Traprock Peace TV (CounterPunch "website of the day"):
http://www.traprockpeace.org/traprock_video

In this powerful and moving video (28:38 minutes), Cindy Sheehan calls for nonviolent revolution, encourages activists and shares her emotions about this war's senseless killings of Iraqis and US soldiers. This is a question and answer session that she gave after her talk at the 3rd Annual Midwest Peace and Justice Summit held at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, on April 13, 2007.

Keynote Speech for the Omaha Peace and Justice Expo
By Cindy Sheehan

If you have much, give of your wealth; if you have little, give of your heart.
Arabian Proverb

I recently discovered an incredible woman: Jeannette Rankin. She was the first Congress woman, in 1916…she was from the state of Montana and besides beginning the debate on the 19th Amendment to finally give women our long overdue right to vote, she was an uncompromising and sassy peace activist (like me) for her entire life. In her Congressional roles, she voted “Nay” on World War I and II.

Slideshow.

By Cindy Sheehan

Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few -- the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.
And what is this bill?

This bill renders a horrible accounting. Newly placed gravestones. Mangled bodies. Shattered minds. Broken hearts and homes. Economic instability. Depression and all its attendant miseries. Back-breaking taxation for generations and generations.

http://www.peacetakescourage.com/campcaseyeaster.wmv

By Cindy Sheehan

On a weekend where 10 American troops and dozens of Iraqis were sent to an Easter grave, Camp Casey was once again open for protesting business.

At a time when my sharp, stabbing pain of loss is turning into a dull constant ache and I am surrounded by hundreds of people who support the work of peace and help me carry my burden, 10 more American mothers are in a daze of shock, horrible agony and unbelief that her son is not coming home alive from the mess that George Bush put her child in. No matter what date Easter falls on in the future, these family’s Easters (and other holidays) will be broken forever.

By Ava Lowery

This past Thrusday my Mother and I traveled to Austin, TX for a Camp Casey Family Reunion. We attended the Camp Casey Peace Awards and I was honored to accept the Camp Casey Peace Institutes first Young Activist Peace Award. I was especially inspired by being in the company of so many great people working for Peace including Willie and Annie Nelson and Ann Wright. The award ceremony was a great reunion of some amazing activists and wonderful musicians who played some awesome music. Our plan was to leave the next day on the last flight out of Dallas. We had flown into Dallas and driven from there to Austin. After realizing that we weren't going to be able to make our flight we pulled off onto an exit from the interstate and realized we were a matter of minutes from Crawford, TX. After checking to see if we could find another flight out in the morning, and making a quick stop to stock up on more batteries for our camera, we made a decision. We would be taking a detour to Camp Casey and join the camp-goers who were holding a demonstration on Prairie Chapel road - the road which leads to Bush's ranch.

Wire services

Prominent Iraq war opponent Cindy Sheehan urged President George W. Bush to "end this madness" in Iraq on Friday in a march toward Bush's ranch.

Sheehan, a vocal protester of the war since her soldier son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in 2004, also expressed disappointment with Democrats in charge of the U.S. Congress for failing to stop the war.

Sheehan led dozens of protesters to a security checkpoint near Bush's Texas ranch, set up a makeshift altar, and read out names of some of the US dead in Iraq.

By David Swanson

Last night in a bar in Austin, Texas, we held a family reunion for the peace movement. The occasion was the presentation of the Camp Casey Peace Awards. Much of the evening was devoted to the incredibly powerful anti-war music of Carolyn Wonderland, Emma's Revolution , Hank Woji , and Jesse Dyen, each of whom had a crowd on their feet and moving as well as sitting and feeling like crying. Carolyn sang Willie Nelson's "What Happened to Peace on Earth" beautifully with Willie and his wife Annie sitting ten feet away and cheering.

By David Swanson

We're in Austin and headed to Camp Casey in Crawford. Looks like Unitary Executive Bush is coming.

President Bush headed to Central Texas
NBC

President George W. Bush is expected to land at the Texas State Technical College Airport in Waco to begin his Easter weekend in Central Texas.

President Bush will spend the holiday at his Crawford ranch while on a six day spring break from Washington.

By Cindy Sheehan

Three years ago today I was a “normal” American mother with four children, a marriage of almost 27 years and a boring 8 to 5 job. On April 3, 2004, I went to a nearby mall and bought a new outfit for work and two c.d.s: Evanescence and White Stripes. I was dreadfully worried about Casey, but I didn’t know that my world was about to be turned upside down.

Three years ago today, my oldest son was deployed to a war zone in a conflict that never should have happened and because of the illegal invasion and immoral occupation, was soon to be killed. My oldest daughter, Carly, was excited about transferring to university soon; my 2nd son, Andy, was doing well as a surveyor’s apprentice; and my youngest daughter, Janey, was on spring break in her senior year of high school.

By Cindy Sheehan

“We must keep raising our voices in peace---and the harder that becomes, the more necessary it is.” Kim Gandy, President, NOW

“There can be no compromise with war; it cannot be reformed or controlled; cannot be disciplined into decency or codified into common sense; for war is the slaughter of human beings, temporarily regarded as enemies, on as large a scale as possible.” Jeannette Rankin, First female Congressperson

KCEN

A nationally known anti-war group in Mclennan County has lost its corporate status with the state, and a former member is calling for an investigation.

Officials in the Texas State Comptroller's office said the Crawford Peace House hasn't handed in required paperwork in nearly a year.

The Crawford Peace House is no longer an organization in the eyes of the state, and why that's happened is coming into question by former members.

By Cindy Sheehan

The Camp Casey Peace Institute is pleased to announce the recipients of the First Annual Camp Casey Peace Awards.

The individuals/or groups that are receiving the honor have made significant contributions to the success of Camp Casey, Crawford, Tx AND to the peace and justice movements in general.

Willie and Annie Nelson were chosen not only for their generous support of Camp Casey, but for their tireless work for the environment, farmers and Vets. I met Annie and Willie last May when I did a speaking event near their main home in Maui. I stayed at their lovely home when I was there and we have been friends ever since.

By Cindy Sheehan, Gold Star Families for Peace

THE DEMOCRATS ARE FUNDING IRAQ ESCALATION: The Democratic leadership has proposed $100 billion of supplemental funding for an increased troop presence in Iraq. The leadership opted for the "slow bleed" policy over a month ago. This extends the occupation for at least another 18 months, and allows permanent placement of troops thereafter for “training” or “combating terrorism”. It also will permit the Bush Administration to initiate a war with Iran without Congressional oversight. The surge of 20,000 troops recently increased to 30,000 and will likely increase to 100,000 by year-end. Will the hapless Democrats then claim, “If only I knew then what I know now” as they have for the past year?

By Cindy Sheehan

I have about had it!

The Bush Criminal Mob is asking Congress for $123 billion more dollars to fund their total demolition of Iraq and their future crime sprees in such places as Iran and perhaps, Syria.

Despite the notable and courageous actions of such Congress Reps as Barbara Lee (D-Ca), Lynn Woolsey (D-Ca), Maxine Waters (D-Ca), Dennis Kucinich (D-Oh) and John Lewis (D-Ga ), it looks like the supplemental bill is going to sail through Congress with the backing of the Dem leadership who blocked the adding of any amendments reining in Bloody George to the supplemental funding.

By Cindy Sheehan

I have long suspected that Blackwater Security and L. Paul Bremer (what’s his nickname? Scooter? Pookie?) were responsible for the insurgency in Iraq and subsequently the death of my son, Casey. I am reading Jeremy Scahill’s new book: Blackwater and it is doing nothing to decrease my suspicions, only confirm them.

Bremer arrived in Iraq in 2003 to oversee reconstruction and the occupation as the Assistant Fuhrer to BushCo and the war profiteers. He surrounded himself with a virtual small army ("Praetorian Guard", as Scahill calls them) of Blackwater security personnel; two helicopters; armored humvees; and armored SUVs. He traveled from place to place heavily guarded, as a hated, marked man, while Casey (a motor pool driver and mechanic) was sent to do battle in the back of a wide open trailer.

By Cindy Sheehan

When pilot-boy, George landed on the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which was moored a few miles from San Diego on May 1st, 2003, he declared an “end” to major combat in Iraq. Imagine, even after all of the havoc already wreaked in Iraq, how relieved that I, a mother of a soldier was. Little did I know how much more havoc George still had up his sleeve.

We all know (although a few still refuse to believe) the lies that led us to this illegal and amoral occupation of Iraq. If we didn’t know on March 19, 2003---when George went on national news and told us that the invasion had begun and for the people of Iraq to make sure the oil fields weren’t damaged, we know now. We know that the VP, Doomsday Dick, gleaned nothing but forged and misleading intelligence from cowed lower-level CIA operatives who handed over to their high-level visitor anything that he wanted.

By Cindy Sheehan

A few days ago, I sent out a frustrated email to a small listserv that includes some major peace activists in the nation, including Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich. My email reads as follows:

With the impending invasion of Iran, which will probably turn nuclear (or “nukular” as some say), why is no member of Congress introducing Articles of Impeachment?

We live in a rogue state…who will stop them?

Dan DeWalt

Cindy Sheehan