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 2 of 4)
16. Cindy Scheehan should have been named Time Magazine's person of the year. Perhaps along with Congressman Mertha. I do not understand her embracing Hugo Chavez, but that aside, Who else was a stedfast voice against the war who probably helped the most to ovethrow the current regime in Washington.
Russell D. Joseph at 2:22PM on Jan 6th 2007
17. 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
18. 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
19. Cindy Sheehan's son died for her right to act the way she is acting. I do not hate her, unlike many on the political fringes who vehemently hate folks on the other fringe. I am a Gold Star son, my Dad having been Killed in Action in WWII. I have one son who is a 2LT in the Army and another in Air Force ROTC. I retired from the Army with 32 years of service. Soldiers are the last ones who want to go to war, but thank goodness we have men and women like Cindy Sheehan's son and my Dad.
Bob Meek Colonel AUS(RET)
Robert H. Meek JR at 10:29AM on Jan 4th 2007
20. I am sorry Cindy is still grieving. Like the other mothers that have lost kids, it is tragic. The venom spewed towards her is unjustified. Put the blame where it belongs, the ones that started it. I grieve for my fellow military brothers because I too served during a war and a lot of lives were lost unfairly but it was spun as patriotic. Tell that to the guys in whel-chairs without limbs or sight. You might get a different answer. We do our job, the government should do theirs. Protect our troops.
A.Dowden at 10:20AM on Jan 4th 2007
21. Sorry for the typo's...
M. Hollett at 10:18AM on Jan 4th 2007
22. Haahahaaaa go away Haahaaaa aww me or my. Don't you remember what happened outside bushie's (hahaa)ranch. Cindy and some Mother of Fallen soldiers had put some crdboard crosses in the ditch by the side of the road. Some bushie's drove big black suv's from Californa just so they could piss and run over these cardboard crosses. Oh, they took breaks for a swiggles of beer. Haaahaaaaa better yet was seeing their kids sitting in those big black suv waving little flags while their daddies did this. Mommie didn't let them get out for fear they might catch something. Go away after seeing bushie's silence is stranelr remindful of his silence to the sameful delivery of Saddum to the enemeies of America. Go away? Hell no it took a woman to raise a man willing to Honor with his life a commitment to defend the Country of his birth and so far thousands have answered that call will no such commitment from those who sent them or defend them. No she ain't quitting.
George S. Davis at 10:37AM on Jan 4th 2007
23. How about this.... When George leaves so will Cindy. She's got a point on everything she says.
George is incompetent
George is a coward
George is still AWOL
George is an idiot
You want proof then look at the way hes handled the war. Not enough troops. Too much chaos. Too much stealing by the neocons and Cheney.
And where is Bin Laden and those pesky WMDs?
RMWiersema at 10:37AM on Jan 4th 2007
24. There is no difference between the Repubicans and the Dems. They all want the same thing with a little different tack to achieve the corporate goals. It all boils down to business as usual, with Cindy Sheehan a tic on the neck of that dog.
I hope she sucks it dry!
Ken Bearhill at 11:00AM on Jan 4th 2007
25. If we pull out the troops like Sheehan and others demand, we will not only endanger the Iraqis left behind, but the troops themselves.
They will be subject to attack by terrorists as they leave the barracks and head for the airplanes. It will be even uglier than VietNam, which we would have won if we hadn't caved to the radical anti-war left.
We need to win this war. Otherwise, be prepared to fight the terrorists in our own back yard.
Anna at 1:24PM on Jan 4th 2007
26. Sure it's true that this country gives us the right to express our personal thoughts. However there is also the requirement to do it responsibly. Ms.SheehAN does not act responsibly when if fact they protest at a military funeral, let's remember Viet Nam. and how this type of action of people like Cindy and the professors, and the clergy and of course the MEDIA continued to support the enemy by disrupting this countries loyalty to our armed forces. It took 40 years for us to realize that a disgraced nation owed the men and women that lost their lives in that war and those that came home to the tune of being called murders deserved much much better that what was given them.
Are you going to do the same to these young men and women who see first hand the benefit of there sacrafice to those oppressed . I do not condone war but I certainly have enjoyed the freedom the wars have given this country as one who was classified as a war orphan of a world war.
Ray at 10:56AM on Jan 4th 2007
27. I am 100% with Ms Sheehan. These Democrats will not do a damn thing they promised they would do. I expect this, because at the end of the day, they are just like the Republicans, a bunch of crooked politicians who care about one thing only, saving their fat asses and making their fat asses fatter.Wake up people..Democrat, Republican, two heads of the same greedy monster.I also want to comment on these "families of Veterans" types who think everyone is just supposed to bow down to them because they have someone in the service. You have no right "an an army Sgts wife" or any other kind of any military wife to tell anyone to shut up.Who do you think you are. I am a veteran. I never asked anyone to bow down to me or to "shut up." People speaking their minds freely,THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ABOUT. So don't be telling anyone to shut up.
alvee at 10:59AM on Jan 4th 2007
28. I LIKE ANY MOTHER SYMPATHIZE WITH A MOTHER WHO HAS LOST A CHILD I DON 'T THINK ANYTHING CAN BE MORE DEVASTATING. I FACED THAT POSIBILITY WHEN MY SON JOINED THE MARINES. I TALKED ABOUT IT TO MY SON AND HE SAID THAT IF ANYTHING EVER HAPPENED TO HIM I SHOULD REMEMBER THAT HE WAS DOING WHAT HE CHOSE TO DO AND WHAT HE BELIEVED IN. HE ALSO ASKED THAT I RESPECT HIS DECISIONS AND NEVER DISGRACE HIS MEMORY. HE IS NOW A NARCOTICS DETECTIVE WHO OFTEN WORKS UNDERCOVER SO AGAIN I FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING HIM BECAUSE HE AGAIN HAS CHOSEN AN HONORABLE COURSE FOR IS LIFE BUT A DANGEROUS ONE. AGAIN HE HAS ASKED THAT I REMEMBER THAT HE BELIEVES IN WHAT HE IS DOING AND WANTS ME TO HONOR THAT DECISION. I SAY ALL THIS IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY SAYING TO ALL MOTHERS AND FATHERS IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS TO HONOR YOUR CHILDREN'S CHOICES AND THEIR MEMORIES IF THEY MUST PAY THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS RIGHT. I KNOW MY SON WOULD BE ASHAMED OF ME IF I DID NOT SHOW RESPECT FOR HIM AND HIS BELIEFS. MY GRIEF WOULD BE VERY REAL BUT I COULD NEVER USE IT TO PROMOTE MY BELIEFS JUST BECAUSE HIS DEATH MAY HAVE CAUSED ME TO RETHINK THEM. AS HE SAYS HE IS A MAN AND HAS MADE HIS DECISIONS OUT OF LOVE AND LOYALTY I MUST SUPPORT HIM NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. I HAVE PROMISED TO DO THAT SHOULD THE UNTHINABLE HAPPEN.
GLINDA at 11:00AM on Jan 4th 2007
29. All of the Christians who have blogged raise your hands...that's what i thought. Second...all of those who understand that America was founded on Freedom of religion...not as a "Christian nation" please raise your hand. N. Gallagher...don't pawn your lack of understanding of the Christian faith off onto those who have blogged as if they are all Christians and that America is a Christian nation. America was founded on a Judeo-Christian moral code, because every sustainable civilization throughout history has been. Don't use Christianity and a "Christian nation" as a scapegoat for the hate that has been spewed in these messages.
Stephen at 11:05AM on Jan 4th 2007
30. Cindy Sheehan, like soooo many others in this great country have forgotten that there have been many tens of thousands of gallent men and women who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and all of the freedoms associated with it. The politically correct, the bleeding hearts and the anti-war, anti-Bush vociferous idiots should remember where we came from and what price was paid for them to be able to voice these opinions. Then they need to sit down and shut up and enjoy the freedoms they have paid for in the blood of our forefathers and our young men and women still protecting these for them. Stop insulting the memory of those who gave all for you.
Dan Blanchard at 11:03AM on Jan 4th 2007