In the classic novel Frankenstein, Mary Shelly wrote of a scientist who created a monster. That monster eventually turned on his creator. An updated version of that story is occurring as we speak.
When Cindy Sheehan first came to our attention, she was a mother grieving over the loss of her son Casey in Iraq. She was anti-war, she claimed, so that other mothers would not feel the pain she was. She was everywhere and on TV nearly every night. The Democrats courted her and she fell for them in a big way. She became obsessed with publicity.
Then something funny happened, Ms. Sheehan showed what her true thoughts were. She was seen kissing and hugging Hugo Chavez, she camped out in Crawford, TX and she became a near parody of what most thought she was. She got away with it all thanks to her enablers on the left and her "absolute moral authority." Other military moms were not so quick to follow her lead.That was the point at which Democrats realized they had an election approaching and Sheehan was no longer an asset politically, she became a liability.
Cindy Sheehan took her anger out again yesterday, but this time it was directed at the Democrats on their first day back in power (video here):
"We didn't put you in power to work with the people that have been murdering hundreds of thousands of people since they have been in power," Sheehan said. "We put you in power to be opposition to them finally and we're the ones who put them in power."
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., cut the press conference short when protests drowned out his voice through a dozen microphones set up to record his comments. Emanuel said Democrats would go back to the caucus room and return later.
This question has been asked myriad times, including by me, What direction will the Democrats take? They were brought to power on an anti-war wave, will they ride that wave and pull out of Iraq, or will they take the realistic long view and finish the job. Cindy Sheehan could make them very uncomfortable should they not choose the former.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. One more example of what we all know, but don't like to remember: politicians say what they think the voters want to hear so they can get elected. Once they are in office, their goal is to dig in and reach their own goals and offer lots of excuses as to why they can't come through on promises made. Reminds me of preschoolers.
txmom at 8:58AM on Jan 4th 2007
2. As a Army Sgt. wife i would like for this disgraceful person to shut up and go home if she has one left, she has disgraced her son's galent memory with a short lived I care attitude that he was the reason she stepped out on the firing line and maybe we should send her to Irac to see first hand what they are doing. Let her earn the right to live here since she doesn't seem to remember the price already paid for her big mouth.
Patsy Alexander at 9:07AM on Jan 4th 2007
3. Now that the Democrats are "in power"( they are no more in power that the GOP was), why doesn't the media glorify them as the ones to get the job done in Iraq? The media could turn around this whole thing by present to the world a united USA that will stop at nothing to help a nation in trouble. This should satisfy the media.
Have you really listened to the politicians?? they sound like children. Each has to be right event to the detriment to the country. How mature!!!
How Manure!!!
If the Dems decide to pull out of Iraq without the job being finished, I think those resoonsible should be beheaded like the thousands that will meet that fate as we pull out. If I were an Iraqi, I would not support the US because we have a history of starting something and not finishing the job and letting those who supported us take the brunt. In the me now generation, we cannot sustain anything. Our presence may have to be there for generations. How long have we been in Korea, Germany, Bosnia??
All politicians are out for themselves. We have no statesmen or stateswomen. They are all dead. Bill, I did't have sex with that woman, Please. Al, He played on our fears, Good Grief. Jesse, I am somebody, Not a chance.
God will need to bless America because unless we get a glass stomach, we will be in deep Poop for years to come
Jim Wiederhold at 3:13PM on Jan 4th 2007
4. The democrats wanted this loony.Now they have to deal with it.
wayne at 11:59AM on Jan 4th 2007
5. There is no honor on either side. Sheehan is a disgrace to her son's memory and the Dems. are just more of the same.
Mike at 9:27AM on Jan 4th 2007
6. Cindy Sheehan has milked her 15 minutes of fame to the point that the cow has turned inside out. Apparently, she feels she is the only one who ever lost a loved one. Yes, it's sad her son died. The question that needs to be asked, but cannot be asked is: How did her son feel about being in Iraq? Would he agree with his Mom? Or would he have a different view?
Sharon S. Taylor at 11:40AM on Jan 5th 2007
7. I think that Cindy Sheehan is right about the Democates and the Republicans they are both the same, they tell you one thing and do another. I
have two sons in the military, and one of my son's when over to Iraq for 16 months, and when he came back, he was not the same kid that went over there. He's lost his sense of being. He's seen more than I can ever imagine. And I Pray to GOD above that NO more of our fathers, mothers, sons or daughters have to go over there and fight. We have lost so many, and the ones coming back are lost also in some way or another.I love this country but something has to give.freedom, liberty, and justice for all is our way. But the ones who run our country needs to get their heads out of the sand and see what their doing.
mom of 2 in service at 9:33AM on Jan 4th 2007
8. What Cindy Sheehan and a lot of others seem to forget is that the politicians, no matter which party, have made promises to so many special interest groups that those that got them elected, such as the religious right or the anti-war groups, don't matter because to much is owed to the interest groups that provided the money to get them in the race and elected.
W. Lacey at 9:57AM on Jan 4th 2007
9. Cindy Sheehan is a disgrace to our military and to our country and I'm sure her actions made Casey turn over in his grave. I'm with Wayne, them Dems wanted her now they have her. I hope she becomes a bigger thorn in their side.
Maji Miles at 9:38AM on Jan 4th 2007
10. the best thing that the democrats can do for themselves is kick that sheehan looney out the door. she's a digrace to her son who i'm sure is shedding many tears looking down at her.
harry kaplan at 9:42AM on Jan 4th 2007
11. the best thing that the democrats can do for themselves is kick that sheehan looney out the door. she's a digrace to her son who i'm sure is shedding many tears looking down at her.
harry kaplan at 9:40AM on Jan 4th 2007
12. Cindy Sheehan refelects the views of thousands of Socialist Professors on our campuses across the country.
John Weidenhof at 9:45AM on Jan 4th 2007
13. I can't believe how cruel these statements regarding Cindy Sheehan are. I can't believe that you can't see that the media controls everything we see and whom gets their "fifteen minutes". Why are you blaming this woman? She was a grieving mother who did what she needed to do to deal with her grief. The media is reponsible for how much this has snowballed. Aren't we still allowed to speak out freely in this country or are we just becoming like all the countries we are supposedly helping?
Chris at 9:51AM on Jan 4th 2007
14. Now, now, now my dear people, breath in-breath out and relax. True Sheehan has become a liability to the Democrats b/c she will put them in the spotlight to hold true to their campaign promises. I voted predominantly for the Democratic Party in our most recent elections and am very happy with the eventual outcome. I think that a good portion of our voters are aware that campaign promises are rarely kept but in this instance I truly believe that a vast number of voters chose to cast their ballets in favor of Democrats in order to effectively end the presidency of this lunatic that is occupying the White House as we speak. As I stated earlier, Sheehan is in many ways a liability and nuisance, but maybe for the right reasons. Her constant media coverage will not allow politicians to disappear in the shadows, so to speak, without exposing them for violating their campaign promises. Sort of a checks and balances system, you know, something that's been missing in Washington for quite some time.
Lawrence at 9:56AM on Jan 4th 2007
15. Whatever happened to compassion? For all human beings? I can't believe there are sooo many people out there who are so hateful, I guess that is why this country is in so much trouble!! I thought this was a Christian nation, did't he teach compassion and love? Glad I am Pagan!!
N. Gallagher at 10:03AM on Jan 4th 2007