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Cindy Sheehan Speaks Out About Her Arrest-Sustained Injuries
What a wonderful world the world-wide-web is, eh? Well, wouldn't you say so?First off, many thanks must go to our good friend in Texas, Pokey Anderson for her original heads-up. For those who haven't heard her yet, Pokey is co-host of KPFT 90.1 FM Radio's 'Sunday Monitor' programme - 6 to 7pm E.S.T.
Via her connections within the internationally acclaimed & well respected Code Pink- Women For Peace group, Pokey was pleased to point we old pair to the wonderful web site of the widely supported, throughout the United States Gold Star Families For Peace.
Once there, we found what follows. It comes straight from Cindy Sheehan herself as she lays recovering from injuries, in her bed -- just another victim of the needless and inexcusable, wanton brutality of - to use Cindy's own words " .. a federal agent and the NYPD .. ".
We were tempted to call this cowardly & callous act yet another clear case of man's inhumanity to woman. But we won't. Instead we'll simply sit back and see how many of you can resist the same temptation. That way there's no danger of us being branded just a biased bunch of Old Brits.
Erm ...... is there ?
So here's today's hook -- in case anyone already reading here needs hooking.
There Are Criminals, and Then There Are CRIMINALS
by Cindy SheehanMarch 10th, 2006
As I lie here in bed recuperating from the injuries that I received from a federal agent and the NYPD in front of the US Mission to the UN (USUN) the other day, I have had time to reflect on the experience, the state of our union and its descent into a fascist state.
When the four of us. Missy Beattie, Rev. Patricia Ackerman, Medea Benjamin, and I, were arrested the other day, I was singled out for federal police brutality.
The other three ladies were picked up, noth gingerly, though, and I was dragged across the pavement and treated very, very roughly—having both arms wrenched out from beneath me. I looked to my doctor as if I had been beaten.
My daughter, Janey, asked if I had been resisting arrest, I told her if one considers going into a fetal position and saying, "Please don't hurt me anymore!" resisting, then I guess I was.
So, as This Old Brit & Richard shut up and shuffle off to sip a cup of tea - or more like two or three - you can see for yourself what else Cindy Sheehan said.
Well, by now, we all know that you all know, it's time to hit
posted by Richard at Sunday, March 12, 2006
32 Comments:
I know I'm gonna catch hell for this but here goes. Cindy Sheehan annoys me to no end. Cant stand her voice face or anything about her. Her only redeeming quality is she is giving bush a hard time quite successfully. I don't have any sympathy for her losing her son. Her son chose to join the army and go murder innocent people. Her son got himself killed as a direct result of his willingness to do that. Its called karma Cindy, and it just bit you on the ass. If Cindy and her son had but scratched the surface of the Big Lie told by bush and cronies they would have seen what a load of you know what it was and buddy might not have been so gung ho to go murder the innocent. He couldn't be bothered. Like millions of Americans he swallowed the lies hook line and sinker, then went back and asked for more.
As for you getting your ass beat by the cops, now you know how protesters around the world have felt for decades – where was your sense of outrage then Cindy ? Oh wait it wasn’t happening to you personally so you didn’t give a damn. I personally have been there done that on more than one occasion. I’ve been to anti fascism demonstrations, anti road demonstrations, anti logging demonstrations etc etc for the past 15 years. Getting your ass kicked by the cops, security guards whatever is par for the course. If you go to a demonstration be prepared to meet the true face of government. The one dressed in riot gear with truncheons and water cannons and plastic bullets and tear gas. So your son died Cindy. Guess what, over 200,000 Iraqi’s have died in this illegal war. During the oil for food program 500,000 Iraqi children died Cindy. Where was your sense of outrage at this brutal murder perpetrated by your own country ? Oh wait, it wasn’t your family so you didn’t care. If it wasn’t that you were successfully being a thorn in the side of bush I’d go to the US and tell you to your face to shut the hell up. Your sense of compassion only happened when it was you who was on the receiving end of your governments lies. Before that I doubt you could find Iraq on a map let alone care your government was responsible for the murder of 500,000 innocent children and countless other innocent IRAQI'S.
You make some valid points here, Malamute, but I think you're being a little harsh on Cindy and also possibly making some questionable assumptions about her (and her son Casey's) motives. I admit that from what I've seen and heard from her, I also find her somewhat annoying and a little too self-righteous. However, I am also all too aware of the ability of those in power to manipulate the media and cast people in one light or another, and so I would reserve such judgements as you are making until I had a much more complete sense of Ms. Sheehan. I mean, do you have any specific evidence of her alleged disdain for the Iraqis who suffered under the oil for food program? Many people, I am quite sure, deplore all sorts of things that happen in the world, but feel powerless and too frightened to speak out. If some later event or circumstance so affects them and moves them to action, it isn't necessarily fair to cry hypocrisy. And as to finally getting beaten by the cops, well... everybody has to learn sometime. We are all newbies at one time or another.
The society survey found that only about one in seven -- 13 percent -- of Americans between the age of 18 and 24, the prime age for military warriors, could find Iraq. The score was the same for Iran, an Iraqi neighbor
I must regretfully admit that before my son was killed, I didn't publicly speak out against the invasion/occupation of Iraq. I didn't shout out and say: "Stop! Stop this insane rush to an invasion that has no basis in reality – don't invade a country based on cherry-picked, prefabricated intelligence and contemptible scare tactics!"
- Cindy Sheehan
“That’s all he wanted to do was serve God and his country his whole life,” Carly Sheehan said. “He was a boy scout from age 6 or 7 and an Eagle Scout. It was kind of a natural progression to go into the military from that. He said he was enjoying the military because it was just like the boy scouts but they got guns.”
— Associated Press
Casey had a gentle but firm commitment to family, church and country, re-enlisting after the war started and volunteering for the rescue mission in which he and six others were killed last year.
- the yahoo link to this is dead
Fair enough she has a right to grieve. To me this is a case of too little too late. How can a person stand by and say nothing when they know the war was unjust ?
This is my personal opinion only but I think this is a case of mothers regret. If she had any qualms about the war speaking up before hand was a better time to do it. Yes she is helping to wake Americans up – a good thing, but she isn't taking any responsibility for her own actions and those of her son who volunteered to reenlist in the army after the war started. My sympathies lie with the dead Iraqi’s. Not the trained killers who chose to go over there. If a person in the US army has moral qualms there is a thing called conscientious objectors status. Casey Sheehan never took that option. His choice.
Well, I guess I can't in good conscience align myself with anybody who claims to serve God by marching off to war. Nor can I defend anyone who espouses such a claim. I stand corrected.
So we're both going to hell. ;-}
No youre right in a way. I am being overly hard on her. What bothers me is more weight is given to dead American soldiers than dead Iraqi babies. I cant abide that.
And I have one thing to say I can not judge the mother of a dead soldier, or abide that she be roughhoused. I also can not judge Casey- he was working as a mechanic- he did not have time to participate in some of the crimes that have gone on since 2003.
And yes, it is criminal that the Dead Iraqis should also be counted on the news- not just "American Soldiers".
On another note- a peacekeeper Activist as killed this weekend- and that did not make the news Either., or the number of other activists and dead contractors. and the WOUNDED IRAQIS, ESP WOMEN and CHILDREN...
Actually Casey died in combat – in a firefight to be precise. As a mechanic he fixed the vehicles used to kill innocent Iraqi's so ya he shares part of the blame. To me there is no difference between the Nazi concentration camp guard and those who gave the orders to kill. Some things you just cant participate in. Its called morals, use them or lose them. A lot of what the US is doing right now in Iraq is right up there with the Nazi Germans in WW2. If you participate in that in any way shape form or fashion you are guilty of it. Anyone who thinks the Iraq war was a war of liberation is seriously deluding themselves. Americans are very quick to jump on the bandwagon without knowing where the bandwagon came from or where its going to. Ignorance is no excuse to me. Educate yourself and don't take anything a politician says on face value. Otherwise all you are doing in following the herd.
Should the police have roughed up Cindy Sheehan. No they shouldn’t. The police are not on your side. They're paid for and owned by the state. Anyone who believes differently is deluding themselves. A far too large majority of Americans are brainwashed and completely unaware of what is going on around them in their own country and outside it. This is the sort of ignorance that will be the death of their country. “I didn’t know” is not an acceptable excuse to me. The information is out there, all you have to do is take your blinders off.
I’ve been to many demonstrations as I have said. What happened to Cindy Sheehan is all too typical of what happens to those who don't say “baaaaah” like good sheeple when they're told to. Remember the demonstrations in Seattle against the WTO ? Remember how everyone blamed the protesters for the actions of the police ? Where was the out cry then ? The examples of this are all over the place in every country in the world. Cindy Sheehan had better get used to being assaulted by the police if she continues to protest. One of the police tactics is to be as brutal as possible to keep as many people at home as possible. I don't agree with this but it’s the reality protesters have faced for decades. Don't expect it to change any time soon
You won't win anyone over with block judgements malamute. Not with such vicious outbursts either. Uncntolled outbursts like yours are guaranteeed to lose more support than they attract.
You should think before you hit your keyboard. Infighting is what the other side love to see. Sure you're entitled to you views and thoughts like everyone buy ultra liberal site like this old Brits [with true liberal regulars]isn't the place to air the kind you're expressing. They should be aired alright - but on a righties site.
Ever hear 'United we stand - divided we fall'.
I understand your outrage and get your message loud and clear, but you've hijacked the wrong vehicle to use spreading your own extremism. Whether you realise it or not.
I'm just sayin'....
hey malamute, wrong place wrong time.
all americans are not the same ... don't you realise that? sure you're entitled to you views and opinions but they'd better directed at righty sites..
you'll loose more support than you'll gain ranting and unloading in the wrong places.....
righties love to see liberal infighting ... you know ... united we stand .... but dived WE FALL
think about it brother .. or sister.... blast away ... but get the right target in your sights first
plenty good, decent americans post here ..... it's not one of them anti american sites ...... at least never has been
i'm not double-talking... first post didn't show up as accepted at first
That’s hardly a viscous attack. Its reality. Had the Germans Soldiers refused to work the concentration camps there would have been no holocaust. Had the American soldiers refused to back bushs was there would be no 200,000 dead Iraqi’s - this time around. Its up to each individual to stand up and show some morals. “I was just following orders is a failed excuse. Just ask those as the Nazi war crimes trials.
I'm not here to win arguments. I'm stating my point of view and when you are unable to state a point of view you might as well move to camp bush as that is what he is doing. I wont be self censored by politically correct non sense.
Again my sympathy lies with the victims, not the oppressors. If Americans find it uncomfortable to hear reality and take responsibility for their own war crimes too bad for America. I'm not here to kiss Americas butt and make it ok for you to engage in what are in fact war crimes. Its up to Americans to behave in a way that is acceptable to world standards decency and morality. America isn't doing that, and its individual people who share the blame. I'm sick to death of stories of torture rape and murder perpetrated by Americans. Cindy Sheehan’s son was a part of that. Yes he was lied to to get him to fight and yes he could have learned the truth easily had he but looked. Fault is his not mine. Don't blame the messenger for the message. Blame the shooter for the murders. 200,000 and counting. Or do they not count because they're not the mighty white christian master race ? At what point does America and Americans accept responsibility and then ACT ? If you don't know what is really going on, and you don't actually take responsibility for it and FIX IT then you are doomed to repeat it. I’ve been to the US many times I know what Americans are like. Taking responsibility for their actions is not the American way on average. My sympathy will never lie with America in this issue. Dead or living soldiers are trained to kill. Children and elderly and all in between in Iraq are the innocent here. They have my sympathy. America never will.
I too have sometimes found Sheehan somewhat annoying in her demeanour. But she's developed into an articulate speaker and more importantly: there's very little in what she says that I can't wholeheartedly agree with. I find her clear and passionate at the same time: a rare combination. She underpins her ideas well: it isn't just about mourning Casey anymore and hasn't been for a long time.
No doubt her injuries were sustained by an over-zealous officer who felt now had come the time to vent his pro-war/pro-Bush feelings.
The right hemisphere of blogs will already be buzzing with thoughts like: "wish they'd beaten this "traitor" to death, not just injured her". Go googleblog for it, it's there alright...
malamute, you're getting carried away and venting your anger on the wrong person.
Richard: good piece!
Ooo-er.
Good post, Brit.
No further comment.
Thanks for this, RIchard. I saw something somewhere - a headline - about this and then it slipped away.
Cindy can be annoying, but where are all the ladies with their hands folded in their laps and speaking in well-modulated voices? Sometimes it takes a pain in the ass to get the ball rolling. I admire her guts. She seems fearless, and that is what is required here.
First of all, malamute, you have to understand the pre-war climate in the U.S. Believe it or not, a lot of us were fooled into thinking that we were doing something right.
Your judgment of Cindy Sheehan is unwarranted. It's human nature to wake up only when we are struck directly by violence. Would you say the same things about the protesters that took the streets in Amman following the terrorist bombings there?
Would you say, "screw you, guys, where were you when Iraq was being invaded? Who cares about the relatives you lost? You only grieve when you were touched by this directly!"
It's not at all simple. You sound as though Sheehan's son deserved to be killed. Nobody deserves to die like that, no Americans, no Iraqis, nobody. Period.
If we are really going to embrace the culture of life (and by that I do not mean the BS that George Bush regularly feeds us as he attempts to shut down abortions in this country), we must value all life.
Educating people about the needless deaths of thousands upon thousands of Iraqis does not have come with the added caveat of blasting the likes of Cindy Sheehan and her son.
A lot of people are currently entangled in this mess. Don't come into this conflict with your ax swinging.
To be fair, CofaM did warn us in a previous thread that malamutes are highly aggressive within their own pack.
lol Stiff Mittens, your comment made me giggle. Yes I can be savage when provoked. =)
Natalia said:
"Would you say, "screw you, guys, where were you when Iraq was being invaded? Who cares about the relatives you lost? You only grieve when you were touched by this directly!""
I count the weight of 500,000 dead Iraqi children plus another 1 million dead Iraqi's in the food for oil scam plus another 200,000 dead in the current conflict to be worth more than the death of any American who joined the military to be trained to murder people (and this is just Iraq, add in Central America, South America, SE Asia and you have quite a large amount of blood on your hands). Don’t kids yourself that is exactly what it is. Did Casey Sheehan deserve to die ? No, but then the 500,000 Iraqi children murdered by your governments policies never got to grow up and be trained to be soldiers – or anything else for that matter. Think about that one for a while. Then the next time your government shouts about sanctions don't just sit there and do nothing. People are dying so you don't have to change your unsustainable lifestyle.
Again, the "I didn’t know" argument wont work with me. Americans have lived with blinders on for many many years. Your history is filled with wars of aggression and genocide. Your own education system fails you. It leaves the majority of your population ignorant of what the world really thinks of you and it leaves you ignorant of what is really going on in the world. You are doing yourselves and your children a great disservice by having an education system that doesn't give them any information about anything that isn't American. Change is possible only if you actively work to attain it. It wont happen when you sit on your butts doing nothing.
The Iraqi’s have a right to defend themselves from your aggression. People die in wars, this isn't a Hollywood movie. This isn't a video game where you can hit reset. Casey Sheehan joined the military of his own free will. He chose to re-enlist in that military. The brutal reality is: you play you pay. It’s a brutal reality to be sure, but it is a reality you need to come to grips with. No amount of poor pitiful me is going to bring back the millions of people slaughtered by your governments foreign policies and a population too busy watching t.v. to care . Want the killing of American soldiers to stop ? Then stop creating wars of aggression. On my blog there is a link to the right called How the US got Involved in Vietnam. Read it. It was written by an American serviceman who did two tours of duty in Vietnam. It was based on the Pentagon Papers that your own government tried to hide behind the vail of national security. It may open your eyes to the fact that the US has been creating wars of aggression since its inception as a nation. Who is to blame ? Americans are. Its called taking responsibility for your actions and inaction’s. Try it some time. We outside America are sick to death of cleaning up your messes and burying OUR dead relatives while there is nary a peep from your government or people. The list of countries you have played silly buggers with is long indeed. The list of the dead as a result of your government and your peoples lack of caring is longer still. Yet you in America give the impression of not giving a damn in the slightest because it keeps happening.
Yes it sucks for Cindy Sheehan to have lost her son. It’s a very high price to pay to have your eyes finally open. Let her stick it to george good for what george has done. But don't fool yourself. America isn't through with wars of aggression and domination. I make no apologies for my feelings on this. Its called karma. If the US wasn’t such an aggressive nation (and your people tolerant of it) then your children would still be alive. So would countless other innocent people around the world. But until you as a nation and people accept your own responsibility for what you as a nation and people have done things wont change. Since the end of WW2 I can’t think of one nation off the top of my head that has had freedom brought to it by your country. Tin Pot dictators and brutal regimes yes, but no democracy in sight. Fool yourselves all you like, but eventually you will have to pay for such acts of omission and outright self deceptions.
Again, the truth is waiting for you to look at it. Its right there in your face. Why is it through all of this no one in the US has asked the question WHY. Why is it that your country is so hated that people are willing to strap explosives to themselves simply to take a few of you with them when they go ? Why is it that terrorism came into being ? People don't just wake up one morning and think “oh I think I’ll start hating the yanks today for no good reason”. They get that way because of what you as a nation and as a people do. Its called institutionalized injustice as a foreign policy. Its called a lack of a meaningful voice able to effect change in their own countries. Its called having no meaningful future while your multinationals take the crème of another countries resources and labour of their people. Don't blame them for defending themselves and wanting more out of life than working for your multinationals for peanuts a day with no rights whatsoever. Blame yourselves for creating the conditions in the first place that allow extremism to grow and thrive. That extremism is happening isn't a surprise. It is in fact a natural extension of the conditions they have been forced to live in so that you in America can sit on your butts living the good life. Now you as a nation are starting to pay for that. People like Casey Sheehan and many others. Until you show some respect to the peons your nation has deliberately created your children will continue to pay for it.
Don't blame the messenger for bringing you news you don't like. Blame yourselves for your own actions and inaction’s.
I think you've made your point now, malamute.
Malamute I don't know what your problem is, and I don't know if you just enjoy venting and hating all Americans- Soph and I have been trying to be reasonable and explain the FACTS to you. You are wrong about Casey, so on behalf of Cindy I have to say something. ( Read her book and you will learn Casey didn't kill anyone- you are dead wrong).
My other complaint is this, Rick was trying to pay tribute to a mom, a person he clearly respects. And you bascially come here all-pissing-vinegar-on-fire, and if you hate Americans that much and want to vent that much go get your own blog, and rant away....don't do it at Ricks- it's Disrespectful to Rick and the others that come here to read HIM.
As a mom I am so offended by your lack of respect, I can't help but wonder would you want someone talking about your mom they way you verbally dissect Cindy? She is and was a good mom, she loved her son. What the HELL is so wrong with that ??!!
And just to let you know they are arresting moms and grannies here for a wide range of Crap- it is Fucking scary and sad- why the hell do you get off on it ? What is wrong with you? NOT ALL AMERICANS LIKE WHAT IS GOING IN ...and ARE TRYING TO FIGHT BACK-= you want them BULLIED AND ROUGHED UP TOO????
Has the World Divided so much that it Acceptable to Attack Mothers at Random- if so, then you are no better than the Police you so freely criticize.
Shame on you Malamute.
( I apologize Rick, but as a MOM he crossed the goddamned line on this one....)
I'm sorry have I missed something here? What exactly has Cindy Sheehan done to deserve these attacks? She lost her son and then her husband (through divorce) and gets gutted almost daily by the US right wingers. Her son as a former Eagle Scout wanted to serve his country and probably felt it was his duty to do so. As an enlisted man he cannot pick and choose his battles. I know the area she is from - Fairfield, a true garrison town. I am sure that Casey thought he was doing something noble by enlisting and until we know otherwise we must assume that he was an honourable soldier. I am unclear as to how Casey died, though as a mechanic he was probably assigned to a supply company. Nevertheless he is dead and it is Cindy's right to grieve as she chooses. Her vigil outside Crawford was a thorn in the Administration's side. I am sorry COAM that you cannot find the compassion to 'cut Cindy some slack'. Presently I think Cindy is a little lost. The link Richard provided sounded more like a political hit piece rather than a narrative.
WTF?
You all are too polite. That man is spewing pure hatred. Pages and pages of it from what I see, though there's so much (mainly)repetiton, I scrolled straight past most.
I would be wary here. This looks like personal "issues" and personal "agendas" time _ to me.
email me my addy is on my blog and Ill be more than happy to set you straight. But I wont comment on here about sheehan as per Richards wishes
HEY RUDE DOG:
"PER RICHARD" S WISHES" so did he tell you to stop? or do you have a conscience ? Oh, I see you have offered to "SET US STRAIGHT".You could not pay me to email you. But you should apologize to the moms here. I repeat as a MOM and American , why would any of us email you- you should apologize for being rude and attacking and offensive to so many here.Cut the Crap and grow up, you are being as Arrogant and Rude as what you "say" you hate.
Americans are and have been trying to fight back, you have not a clue what America is going through at this point or what is like to live in a Police State, and we didn't choose this Crimimal Administration and the Goons that go with it. As a mom , yeah I have been arrested and roughed- does that make you happy??? How far does your sadism reach???
or are you just a Misogynist ? Or do you just have problems with Moms caring about their kids.
Oh, yeah, about my arrest- I went to a city council meeting in a small town where I lived and asked how Federal Funds were being spent or mis-spent. Within 24 hours an arrest warrant was issued...Welcome to America.
Are People scared - shit, yes. People have been fired for having Kerry Bumper Stickers...People have been jailed FOR NO REASON, people have BEEN DISSAPPEARED. WE KNOW WE ARE IN TROUBLE.
YOU SIT AND SPEW YOUR HATE AND WRATH BUT HAVE YOU OFFERED ONE SOLUTION OF WHAT THEY HELL YOU WOULD DO IF YOU LIVED HERE???
NO....OF COURSE NOT.
Everything I said above stil stands- I guess you are just a Heartless Arrogant SOB. Look in the Mirror, and tell the TRUTH...would you talk like this to your own mom....or a mom you cared about....
Shame on you.
You owe some decent people here an apology.
Again Rick, my apologies, but as a mom I will not let Cindy or other American Moms be trashed by some self righteous Troll.
I recently became an American, a few months ago, actually.
I traded in my status as a Ukrainian citizen and I couldn't be happier with my decision, 'cause I wasn't born into this world of Western privilege, quite the opposite, actually.
Don't tell me who I am, what I think, what I do, and how I got here.
I am not the generic "you" you spew about when you write bigoted, self-righteous posts. Americans are no monolith you can project against during your pseudo-intellectual hissy fits.
As a Canadian, you are just as privileged as the rest of us. Grow up.
1./ Welcome Natalia, I hope you stay with us. From what you said I look forward to any future insights you choose to share. Particularly in view of the personal background you've already chosen to share.
2,/ Thanks as usual to our more established 'crew' for their continued & valued contributions.
3./ On another point, related to this particular blog post, I hope a previous comment proves suffice.
"No monolith" is exactly right Natalia.
Just as if 300 million individual people are all the same - anywhere.
Paranoia, malamute?
Malamute fails to realise that many people join the department of Defense - not offense. When the govt. sends these armed men for offensive actions then the govt. should be held accountable.
Incidentally I read the article at Michael Moore's site.
I recommend people to read Moore's "Stupid White Men."
Glenda, you're welcome. Thanks for your heads up, too.
Thanks for your link also, anon. (Unfortunately it won't work. But there's a link to MM's site on my links' list for those who need it.
I've nothing much to add, except Cindy is a hero.
Micheal Moore's other book is "Will they ever trust us again" It is a collection of letters he recieved from soldiers, and it is sad, and eliminating- and let's people see that many soldiers ( and their families) are ashamed and horrified of the Iraq situtation....and do not support the President and his cronies. Thought maybe folks should know about it.....it might help.
Omg, glock. Don't gonna argue wit gunboys like you.
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