your village voice

Bush Refuses Mother's Pleas

Since this Saturday, Cindy Sheehan has been waiting outside of US President Bush's Crawford vacation home pleading to have her voice heard. Since then many other protestors have joined her vigil, demanding some time of the President away from his advisors. Cindy had this to say earlier in the week:

The president says he feels compassion for me, but the best way to show that compassion is by meeting with me and the other mothers and families who are here.

All we're asking is that he sacrifice an hour out of his five-week vacation to talk to us, before the next mother loses her son in Iraq.

Bush not only refused this plea, but again found it an occasion to pontificate on his resolve in sending more troops to the slaughter:

I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan. She feels strongly about her position. She has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America. She has a right to her position. And I've thought long and hard about her position. I've heard her position from others, which is, `Get out of Iraq now.

And it would be a mistake for the security of this country and the ability to lay the foundations for peace in the long run if we were to do so.

I think the only mistake Americans are waking up to is in re-electing George W. Bush. It is sad that it takes a grieving mother to make any kind of impression in the mainstream media. That it takes over 9,000 US deaths later for the US public to take notice. But these desperate times require desperate measures and the actions of those who have lost more than their pride. I salute you, Cindy Sheehan.

If you have a loved one currently in active service in Iraq, donate to or become a member of Gold Star Families For Peace. If you want to protest or help current Crawford protestors, check out the Crawford Peace House.

posted by the prisoner @ 5:10:00 PM