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. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. I cannot believe the bickering from the American public. We, the people, waffle just as much as the politicans. Remember what the Presidents ratings were after 9-11 and going into war with Iraq?? They were in the high 90's at times.
WE THE PEOPLE lead this nation. WE THE PEOPLE need to have a strategy and goal..and stick to it. We just elect people and then walk away hoping they will do the right thing...This is our country..our military our decesion. Stop getting your superfisacl info from 30 second clips on CNN or FOX. BE ACTIVE.. Either let the Military do their job or PUll them out leaving only advisors..But remember WE PAT the price for this folly...Fanatics will be coming if we continue to waffle. GOD BLESS ALL OF US.
M. Hollett at 10:15AM on Jan 4th 2007
14. Sorry for the typo's...
M. Hollett at 10:18AM on Jan 4th 2007
15. What the Hell is a realsitic long veiw of failuire? What kind of dumb ar*e double speak is that? We invaded bushie's "soverign" country and delivered it's leader to the door of his masked killers. They didn't march him thru the streets triumpant. No they flew him because they knew they'd get murdred driving the streets. The American even flew the gangs there. There no safer in a country their suppose to rule. Wantta bet they even supplied the masks for the men at the door. Watch it'll come out these contractors were hired by some security company for big bucks to do this. But as I always said bushie will always do the most cowardly thing he can everytime. Remember that America.
George S. Davis at 10:19AM on Jan 4th 2007