Bush tells why he won't meet Sheehan

[Mickey]

If I detested a war, I wouldn't re-enlist to go fight it.  But that's just me.

 

409512[/snapback]

Which proves that you don't recognize the importance of duty and comradeship but it doesn't shed any light on what Casey Sheehan's views on the subject were.

Look, if you want to claim that you know this now deceased stranger better than his won mother, fine, I think readers here are able to see that claim for what it is.

[Mickey]

i would say she is getting so much coverage because people like Chris Matthews and Joe Scarbourough and Keith Olberman and Sean Hannity, and Alan Colmes and and and....who else?  Good Morning America, the Today show crew....etc...etc...etc....know that this woman is a train wreck waiting to happen and they are going to ride this "one trick pony flavor of the week" until something else comes along.  i don't think it has one ounce to do with anything you mentioned.

 

Sort of like the Karl Rove story....it kind of died out when John Roberts was nominated....then that story took a step back for Raf. Palmiero...then he took a step back for Mrs. Sheehan.....and in about 24-48 hours she is going to be gone when 100's of Jews die while being forced out of Gaza.....oh wait...no...that won't make the news....

 

as mentioned either in this thread or the other one about the same topic, this lady knows she is the ring leader of a 3 Ring Circus and she is enjoying her 15 minutes.

is she sincerely devastated at the loss of her son?  i don't doubt it for one second, but i don't think this "circus" is about that anymore.

 

when the camera lights finally dim and reporters all finally go home....this lady will never be heard from again.

409502[/snapback]

A lot of polls came out this weekend that show a pretty strong downward shift in the public's attitude about the war and the way this administration is handling it. To my mind, that means there is a far more receptive audience for what she has to say than was previously the case.

 

The Rove story heated up because there was finally something to report what with Miller going to jail and Cooper disclosing his source and so on. It will kick right back up again when there is something new to report. Right now all that is happening is more testimony before the Grand Jury with tid bits of what the latest witness might have said.

 

I agree that Cindy Sheehan's moment in the spotlight will be shortlived, at some point all news eventually becomes old news. I do think though that she has come along at the right time in terms of the war and the public's attitude about it having reached a low point.

 

On the left there seems to be a stampede to embrace this woman and her story while on the right, the "Swift Boat" forces are in high gear denouncing her from every angle 24-7. I think the level of attention from all corners is an indication that she has become a focal point even if a short lived one.

 

That's just my sense of it OG, I am thinking out loud here, not staking out a position.

[RkFast]

There's the Neocon definition of compassion, which is a quality that you say you have while you're giving a speech. And then there's the actual definition of compassion, which is a quality that requires real action. If you remember Marv's quote in this vein....

409478[/snapback]

 

WHAT about Roosevelt and "compassion"?

 

Open mouth, insert foot.

 

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/opinio...one_050816a.htm

 

From Michael Barone:

 

Meeting with the families

 

Many Bush-haters have been attacking Bush for not attending servicemen's funerals and for refusing to meet with Cindy Sheehan, whose son died in Iraq and who is camping out outside Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. But Bush has already met with Sheehan once and has met with many family members, off camera and without publicity, as this week's Newsweek story makes clear.

 

Did Franklin Roosevelt attend the funerals of any of the more than 300,000 Americans who died on active duty in World War II? I doubt it. But Roosevelt, like Bush, did meet quietly with family members of those who died. And he met, as Bush has done, with wounded servicemen.

 

In Hawaii in 1944, writes Hugh Gregory Gallagher in FDR's Splendid Deception, Roosevelt took the opportunity to visit the many hospital wards filled with wounded American men, including Japanese-American casualties wounded in Europe. The Secret Service advised Roosevelt not to see these Nisei soldiers on the grounds that one of them might prove disloyal to the United States and threaten the life of the president. FDR's one-word response to this was, "Nonsense!"

 

In the past, at hospitals, as at other public gatherings, Roosevelt had allowed himself to be seen in but two ways: standing or seated in an open car. Now in the presence of wounded boys the age of his own sons, FDR did a remarkable thing. He had himself lifted from his car into his wheelchair. And he had himself, President and Commander-in-Chief, wheeled on his wheelchair through the wards of amputees. He rolled slowly so that they could see him. He was as crippled as they were, and he wanted them to see that.

 

Roosevelt understood what these men were undergoing. He had gone through it himself. He was, by all reports, deeply moved by what he saw, and so were the men. The President had heard specifically of one man who had amputated his own legs in order to save his life. As he rolled up to this man's bed, Roosevelt said, "I understand you are something of a surgeon." And then, after a pause, "I'm not a bad orthopedist myself."

 

George W. Bush seems to be doing his duty in the same spirit. Let John McCain, speaking on Fox News Sunday, be the witness. "Look, I've been with the president of the United States when he has met with the families of those brave young men and women who have sacrificed. I have seen his compassion, I have seen his love, I have seen his concern. So any charge of insensitivity or uncaring on the part of this president, is absolutely false. He cares and he grieves. . . . I have seen him, I have seen his care, and I have seen him grieve. And I'm sure he wouldn't like to hear me say this, but I saw him afterwards. He was very, very grieved. And that's the job of the president of the United States. He fully appreciates the tragedy of the loss of these brave young Americans."

 

Question: How much coverage would the press have given a World War II-era Cindy Sheehan who camped outside Hyde Park or Warm Springs demanding to meet with President Roosevelt?

[VABills]

So the fact that this women already talked with Bush last year and had several hours at that time means nothing. You guys honestly believe she isn't being pumped and pushed by the Dean machine to be the pathetic thing that she has become.

 

I know see and understand how Al Qeada is able to recruit and make terrorists. Seems the Democrats are learning some new techniques. Using and abusing those that feel anger and slighted after a loss. What a bunch of hypocritical polical bull sh--.

[Reuben Gant]

I know see and understand how Al Qeada is able to recruit and make terrorists.  Seems the Democrats are learning some new techniques.  Using and abusing those that feel anger and slighted after a loss.  What a bunch of hypocritical polical bull sh--.

409719[/snapback]

Wait a minute, did you just compare Democratic recruiting techniques to those of AQ?

[VABills]

Wait a minute, did you just compare Democratic recruiting techniques to those of AQ? 

409732[/snapback]

Yes, I was actually thinking about this last night. I believe they are using those tactics. I believe if pushed they could probably turn this Sheehan women into their own little bomber if they wanted. Especially since her own loved ones, children and husband are all telling her to STFU and drop it and that she is wrong. Someone has obviously brainwashed and convinced her of a lot of things, and she is following the script to the tee.

[Reuben Gant]

Yes, I was actually thinking about this last night.  I believe they are using those tactics.  I believe if pushed they could probably turn this Sheehan women into their own little bomber if they wanted.  Especially since her own loved ones, children and husband are all telling her to STFU and drop it and that she is wrong.  Someone has obviously brainwashed and convinced her of a lot of things, and she is following the script to the tee.

409739[/snapback]

This is an observation, but you do realize this is a pacifist movement?

[VABills]

This is an observation, but you do realize this is a pacifist movement?

409746[/snapback]

Same tactics. And I don't think its a pacifist movement. I believe it a liberal ploy, and she is being exploited.

 

But way to ignore what I originally asked.

 

How is it that after she already had several hours with Bush last year 2 months after her sons death that she now feels she can pretty much demand an audience whenever she wants. Sorry she had her time and her 15 minutes.

[Reuben Gant]

Same tactics.  And I don't think its a pacifist movement.  I believe it a liberal ploy, and she is being exploited. 

 

But way to ignore what I originally asked. 

 

How is it that after she already had several hours with Bush last year 2 months after her sons death that she now feels she can pretty much demand an audience whenever she wants.  Sorry she had her time and her 15 minutes.

409758[/snapback]

I am not defending her. I don't think Bush should meet with her. But I also doubt that that she is either brainwashed or being manipulated. I don't think she is very coherent about what she wants. But I do think if she stopped tomorrow, their will be somebody to replace her. This war has not been popular from the beginning.

[Gavin in Va Beach]

The policy on negotiating with terrorists should apply with the Nutjob Mom here. You don't negotiate (meet with) this particular Nutjob Mom because then you'd have to negotiate (meet with) ALL the Nutjob Moms. Ergo you don't meet with ANY.

 

The news value of this annoying loon disappeared days ago, yet the media keep pimping her as a way to stick it to Bush. I'd have a government shrink declare her officially 'over the rainbow' and have her committed.

[Mickey]

So the fact that this women already talked with Bush last year and had several hours at that time means nothing.  You guys honestly believe she isn't being pumped and pushed by the Dean machine to be the pathetic thing that she has become. 

 

I know see and understand how Al Qeada is able to recruit and make terrorists.  Seems the Democrats are learning some new techniques.  Using and abusing those that feel anger and slighted after a loss.  What a bunch of hypocritical polical bull sh--.

409719[/snapback]

Riiigght. Republicans would never, ever, ever exploit anger and grief. Never.

[Mickey]

I am not defending her. I don't think Bush should meet with her. But I also doubt that that she is either brainwashed or being manipulated. I don't think she is very coherent about what she wants. But I do think if she stopped tomorrow, their will be somebody to replace her. This war has not been popular from the beginning.

409761[/snapback]

Look, see if you can follow this reasoning: Everyone who disagrees with the right is a left wing whacko or someone brainwashed by left wing whackos because otherwise, the possibility woud exist that every so often, Republicans are wrong and that my friend is blasphemy, pure crazy talk. It can not be. The Republican agenda is a holy agenda inspired by the bible which is the inerrant word of God so no other reasonable conclusion can be drawn.

 

Simple, see?

[SilverNRed]

Look, if you want to claim that you know this now deceased stranger better than his won mother, fine, I think readers here are able to see that claim for what it is.

409683[/snapback]

If I want to, I will. But I don't and I haven't, so I'm not going to start now.

 

Casey Sheehan joined the military and then re-enlisted to return to combat. His mother doesn't even think we should have gone to Afghanistan following 9/11. You can't reconcile those facts and say they were of one mind politically. And, yes, it's clear to me just from that that had a different political worldview.

[Gavin in Va Beach]

Look, see if you can follow this reasoning:  Everyone who disagrees with the right is a left wing whacko or someone brainwashed by left wing whackos because otherwise, the possibility woud exist that every so often, Republicans are wrong and that my friend is blasphemy, pure crazy talk.  It can not be.  The Republican agenda is a holy agenda inspired by the bible which is the inerrant word of God so no other reasonable conclusion can be drawn.

 

Simple, see?

409797[/snapback]

 

Are you being serious, or does your zeal for party/philosophy really make you this stupid?

[Mickey]

Many Bush-haters have been attacking Bush for not attending servicemen's funerals ..."

409714[/snapback]

Do me a favor and talk to Richio about his countless posts during the election skewering Kerry for not attending funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq. Would you consider him a "Bush-hater"? Hmmm...I don't seem to recall your being critical of those posts.

[Mickey]

If I want to, I will.  But I don't and I haven't, so I'm not going to start now.

 

Casey Sheehan joined the military and then re-enlisted to return to combat.  His mother doesn't even think we should have gone to Afghanistan following 9/11.  You can't reconcile those facts and say they were of one mind politically.  And, yes, it's clear to me just from that that had a different political worldview.

409798[/snapback]

How do you manage this schizophrenia? You say you haven't claimed to know her son's views better than his own mother in one sentence and then say that you do the next because "it's clear" to you.

 

Okay, you win. You don't claim to know her son's position on the war better than she but you are sure that his views are not what she says they are because it is clear to you. Makes sense, no contradictions there.

[SilverNRed]

How do you manage this schizophrenia?  You say you haven't claimed to know her son's views better than his own mother in one sentence and then say that you do the next because "it's clear" to you. 

 

Okay, you win.  You don't claim to know her son's position on the war better than she but you are sure that his views are not what she says they are because it is clear to you.  Makes sense, no contradictions there.

409809[/snapback]

Because I don't know her son's views but it's clear they were different from his mother's.

 

I don't know how different, but different. Because people who are against war in all situations do not join the military in the first place.

 

If this is confusing to you, I can't help you.

[Reuben Gant]

Look, see if you can follow this reasoning:  Everyone who disagrees with the right is a left wing whacko or someone brainwashed by left wing whackos because otherwise, the possibility woud exist that every so often, Republicans are wrong and that my friend is blasphemy, pure crazy talk.  It can not be.  The Republican agenda is a holy agenda inspired by the bible which is the inerrant word of God so no other reasonable conclusion can be drawn.

 

Simple, see?

409797[/snapback]

Not the way I would have put it, but, it is interesting to watch the political right squirm when anyone withholds their consent. (are they really so insecure in their beliefs that this loony little lady is such a threat)

[Mickey]

Are you being serious, or does your zeal for party/philosophy really make you this stupid?

409801[/snapback]

C'mon Gavin, don't bother with the issues, just start an insult war.

 

My experience on this board is that virtually every position ever taken that disagrees with the Republican one is quickly denounced as left wing whackery. There are two main explanations. One is that democrats are never even accidentally right or that the righties here reflexively, in Coulter/Limbaugh/Hannity like fashion, denounce every position of the "enemy" out of a conviction that they are always right. Take that along with the christian right's role in directing the Schiavo passion play, that creationism be taught in science classes and the public castration of Senator Arlen Specter and there is enough truth to the role religion plays in the ethos of the right to justify a little satire on my part.

 

As for my zeal for party, perhaps that explains why I supported the war, am against most gun control legislation, was against the addition of the prescription drug benefit, for drilling in ANWR and taken a number of other fairly conservative positons on a number of issues.

[Mickey]

Because I don't know her son's views but it's clear they were different from his mother's.

 

I don't know how different, but different.  Because people who are against war in all situations do not join the military in the first place.

 

If this is confusing to you, I can't help you.

409823[/snapback]

Right, mom says one thing about her son, you say another. Between you and her, I'm going with her on the off chance that she knows more about her son than you.