Cindy Sheehan decided to spend time in Crawford, Texas, protesting the war and her son’s death outside President George W. Bush’s ranch. She’s created quite a stir, and has become a darling of the media. Cable news has been working the story for a few days now, and the debate has reached a boiling point.
Recently, the Democrats have been defending Cindy, the mother of Casey Sheehan, the American soldier who lost his life serving in Iraq. Anti-war leaders hope that putting the spotlight on Sheehan will motivate Americans who oppose the war, creating a political force strong enough to compel the Bush administration to change course.
Cindy’s credibility has been in question ever since it was revealed that more than a year ago she praised Bush and fully supported his administrations policy on Iraq. She’s been quoted to have said the following:
“I now know he’s (Bush) sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis. I know he’s sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he’s a man of faith.”
For some reason, Cindy doesn’t seem to express the same feelings today. Many have wondered what might have caused Sheehan’s dramatic shift in her support of the White House.
All the while, Democrats and liberal groups have cried foul, complaining that Republicans are out of line regarding their complaints and criticisms of Sheehan. After all, how can any right minded person judge the motives of the mother of a dead American soldier? Her pain is unlike any other, and her protest is simply a respectful mourning of her son. Her honor should not be questioned.
But the fact is Sheehan hasn’t fully explained why she has turned against the president, and one can’t help but believe that her protest isn’t about her son Casey anymore.
Sheehan and her liberal supporters now have to face other family members. Today they issued the following statement:
The Sheehan Family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the the expense of her son’s good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan Family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect.
As of yet there hasn’t been any response from Cindy to her family. Nothing from her supporters either, but I suspect their own statement isn’t far away. Will they discredit Cindy’s family members? Probably. My guess is someone will float the idea that Republicans or administration officials are pressuring Sheehan’s family. What about the columnists who published editorials yesterday in support of Sheehan? This statement by the family has to put Cindy’s credibility in doubt.
The drama is far from over.
UPDATE: Cindy blogs for Ariana.
