The Sheehan Family

Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish.

Thanks, Cherie

In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford Texas issue: Sheehan Family 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.

Sincerely, Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

via Drudge

Comments

[MrsJimiHendrix]

thanks dan

i was not surprised when i found out where she lives

[bobo]

why?

[JustMe]

That took a lot of courage and I salute Casey's extended family for saying it.

Casey was not drafted into military service. He made his own decision. He knew the potential consequences of enlisting.

I grieve for Cindy Sheehan and I pray for her and the repose of Casey's soul. But Cindy needs to go back to California and learn to mourn with dignity.

[Taylor]

Freedom ISN'T free. :( God Bless the Sheehan Family.

[MCMCM]

Mourn with dignity? I think Cindy has every right to ask the questions that she is asking. She is not a terrorist, she is the mother of an American hero who wants to feel that her son's sacrifice was for a just cause. The president should talk to her in private. NO CAMERAS!

[Isanah]

Bravo for the Sheehan family to speak out. Very brave thing for them to do.

MCMCM,

President Bush did personally talk to C. Sheehan after his death in 2004. This is an absolute disgrace in the memory of her son.

[Ashleigh]

I feel Mrs. Sheehan is being used, and she dishonors her son who freely participated in the military. She invalidates his noble sacrifice for his country, and for others, so they may be free. Mrs. Sheehan is tragically misguided and I applaud Casey's grandparents and family for honoring the life and courage of this wonderful serviceman who gave his life in duty.

Shame on Mrs. Sheehan and shame on those who are using her to promote world tyranny and Jihad.

[annie]

I feel Mrs. Sheehan is being used, and she dishonors her son who freely participated in the military. She invalidates his noble sacrifice for his country, and for others, so they may be free. Mrs. Sheehan is tragically misguided and I applaud Casey's grandparents and family for honoring the life and courage of this wonderful serviceman who gave his life in duty.

Shame on Mrs. Sheehan and shame on those who are using her to promote world tyranny and Jihad.

Posted by: Ashleigh | August 12, 2005 02:12 AM

I agree Ashleigh. I feel for her, but agree that she dishonors her son and his love for his country.

[stellartrack]

As was stated, the President already spoke privately with Mrs Sheehan. How many times is this expected of him. She is a puppet in this, and the strings are being pulled by Move On.

She needs psychological help at this point imo. That will do more for her well being than anything.

[satchmo]

Noble sacrafice?

Whatever the motivation for a person who joins the army, is it a noble sacrafice when a politician trumps up lies to justify the illegal invasion of another sovreign state to steal their oil, and then sends many people to their deaths? Hitler used lies to justify invading Poland to start WWII; Johnson trumped up the Tonkin bay incident to justify kicking up the Viet Nam war another notch;, and Bush did the same thing.

Sounds more like murder by government to me.

[clintcarter]

I do not agree that it took 'guts' for the sheehans to speak out. Come out on the side of the President and the military and the war? Sounds scary, right?
And that Mother standing done there mourning her son the way she sees fit, now That would be a coward, would it?

[stellartrack]

She isn't there to mourn her son. She has stated this herself. She is there to speak to the President. That is her sole reason for pitching a tent.

A puppet only being manipulated by Move On.

[MrsJimiHendrix]

god it never ends
bless you dan for bringing up a valid point
no matter how it is recieved

[okoj]

His death was for the creation of an Islamic Republic in Iraq. Sorry :(
Was that noble?
When the Shite majority join Iran and the axis of evil, those brave men who served will surely spin in there graves.
Mrs. Sheehan passed her bravery gene on to her son. Looks like the rest of the family are p*ssies.

[iremember]

makes me want to support cindy.....must be tough having your whole family aligned in criticism of your stand.

I totally support the men and women of our armed forces, and am proud to be an american.

americans can take issue with the decisions of the govt. and the war in iraq is not ww2 if you know what i mean

strength and peace to you cindy.

[SupportOurTroops]

His death was for the creation of an Islamic Republic in Iraq. Sorry :(
Was that noble?
When the Shite majority join Iran and the axis of evil, those brave men who served will surely spin in there graves.
Mrs. Sheehan passed her bravery gene on to her son. Looks like the rest of the family are p*ssies.

Posted by: okoj | August 12, 2005 04:32 AM

And if her son were here to speak for himself.......You are out of line with your last sentence. Who are you to judge or futhermore, question a dead soldier's genes? Have you served your country?

"For those who fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know."
-- Willie "Bo" Nelson, Mancelona, MI

[SupportOurTroops]

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
-- John Stuart Mill

[NYMom]

She should be respected as a mother in mourning in a country with free speech. She is being taken advantage by those political opportunists who are using her.

[FloridaPatty]

Freedom isn't free.
God Bless America.
God be with our troops.

[DennisAOK]

I thought the invasion of Iraq was a mistake. Sadly, my expectations have been realized. Nevertheless, this woman now comes across as a professional left wing agitator and dishonors the memory of her son.

Satchmo,

Please look up the definition of "murder" in the dictionary.

[Kris]

What a disgracefull family! They should be ashamed to put such a comment out there about the mother. This woman is tortured and grieving and she has every right to do what she damn well pleases. The family are cowards who are afraid of what some high folks would do to them or Bush so they quickly release a statement. What a bunch of evil lowminded people, I hope Cindy doesn't want to have anything to do with those people anymore, if it was me, this was not my family anymore.

Go Cindy go!!!!! You say and do what millions of people around the world want to say and do!!!!!

Respect!

[okoj]

Posted by: SupportOurTroops | August 12, 2005 05:05 AM
And if her son were here to speak for himself.......You are out of line with your last sentence. Who are you to judge or futhermore, question a dead soldier's genes? Have you served your country?

Thanks for your reply. Please read my comments again. I was actually honoring Cindy and her son. The statement of the extended family, most of whom probably never changed the diaper of that brave fallen hero, was the target. Cindy's son died for my right to comment. Also I have as much war service to my country as the man who sent Cindy's son to an unfortunate and more than likely meaningless death.

Cindy has as much rights as Beth Holloway to find answers in the name of their children. Conservatives were pro family not too long ago. I believe they can be once again.

God Bless America! Support Our Troops!

[Michael_adj]

I think the President should meet with her again(in private, no cameras) let her speak her mind. The people behind her want a photo-op and are exploiting her.Let her speak her peace and move on.End of story.

[P in S.E. Asia]

Some of u in here are jsut so two faced.

Beth has the 'leeway' to do n say anything because it's her daughter but this noble lady has lost her son and feels agrieved by it n u chose to belitle her grief n focus on what u allege to be her political agenda.

Some of u people need a serious head examination. when u guys are done examinin ur head, examine other body parts too, the infection from other areas may be spreadin to ya'll brain.

The agression against the people of Iraq can never be justified inthis lifetime.

- do u have drinkin water in ur home?
- dou have electricity in ur home?
- do u have ease of access to medical care?
- do u have freedom to walk aroun most parts of ur hometown?

jsut a few questioins to ponder. Look at the Iraqi situation wrt the above, before n after the start of the agression.

Better or Worst?

Disgusting

[letfreedomring]

Andy is a good friend of mine that served and retired from the USMC. He wrote this and sent it to everyone that subscribes to his Semper Fi Newsletter:

This is what I think Spc Casey Sheehan might say to his mother if he were able. Of course I can't say that for certain, but I do know one thing for sure - it's what I would say to MY mother if I were in his place:

Dear Mom,

I, along with the rest of my buddies, have been following what has been going on in Texas - and I want you to know a few things before you go any further. First of all, please remember that I joined the Army of my own free will. I was not drafted. I also knew that the purpose of the Army is to fight our nation's wars, and that it could be dangerous. Even so, I reenlisted when my time was up - because I felt it was the right thing to do. I know you are hurting right now, but would it have been any less painful for you if I had died fighting for our independence in the American Revolution, freeing the slaves during the Civil War, or while saving the world from the Nazis during World War II? I know that you love me very much, as I love you, but you shouldn't allow your emotions to cloud your judgment. I saw the recent terrorist attacks in London, and it reminded me of why it was that I joined the military. I did it to protect you, and Dad, and Andy, and Carly, and Jane, and every free person who wants to walk the streets of London, New York and even Vacaville without having to worry about a terrorist attack. I didn't want to die, but if I didn't stand up for freedom, then who would? Thousands and thousands of good people have died protecting our way of life over the past 230 years, and without our sacrifices you would not be free today. I was only in Iraq for two weeks before I was killed, but I saw a lot in that time. If only you could have seen the gratitude on the faces of the Iraqis, you would know that I did not die in vain. Mom, the people we are fighting are the very same ones who attacked the USS Cole, bombed our embassies, cut off Nick Berg's head, knocked down the twin towers, and perpetrated numerous additional acts of terrorism. I am now among the people who perished in those attacks, and every single one of them has thanked me for my role in fighting the terrorists. Every one of them has a mother just like I do, but none of them are there with you in Crawford. The reason should be obvious. Please go home and deal with your grief, and let the President do what he must. To pull out of Iraq now would make my death pointless, and more importantly, it would make the world less safe for our family and friends.

Love,
Your Son Casey

P.S. - Stop hanging around with people like Michael Moore. He doesn't have your best interests at heart, only his political agenda. Remember, I can see everything from up here.

Semper Fi,
Andy Bufalo
"The Storyteller of the Corps"
MSgt USMC (Ret)
http://www.usmcstories.com

[PRNDL23]

I am wondering, and too lazy to research this..but are the same people on here who support Cindy Sheehan's televised antics also in support of Beth Holloway's televised visits to the Kalpoes and the VanDerSloots? Or not?

Cindy Sheehan is not suffering any more than any one else who has lost a son, husband, or father in the war, or by any other means of death. (Yes, I have lost almost everyone I ever loved, so I do know grief.) She is not going to bring her son back with any of her public displays and outbursts. If she has spoken to the President, then she needs to "move on". (Intentional play on words).

[NewYawkGirl]

That took a lot of courage and I salute Casey's extended family for saying it.

Casey was not drafted into military service. He made his own decision. He knew the potential consequences of enlisting.

I grieve for Cindy Sheehan and I pray for her and the repose of Casey's soul. But Cindy needs to go back to California and learn to mourn with dignity.

Posted by: JustMe | August 12, 2005 01:25 AM

Simply and concisely put
amen

[letfreedomring]

I mourn for Cindy's son, but I also mourn for every life lost as a result of terror attacks. She has had her say with our President. It was gracious of him to see her. She does need to go home and be proud of her son, grieve his loss, and support our troops.

Rest in Peace, Casey. Thank you for protecting our fine country and our freedom.

[coconuttree]

When are we going to see the sons of Republican senators in Iraq. I can tell you now. Never!!!. It are the have nots who are doing the dirty work for the people in power and the people who critize Mrs.Cindy Sheehan.

[Long John]

Cindy's husband and children support her efforts in Crawford. What her in-laws think doesn't matter.

Silver

[k.jeanne]

Let Cindy Sheehan do what she must. If in some way it comforts her, then it's worth while. I am sure her son would be disappointed to see her in this radical situation. After hearing her interviewed about her "2.5 mins with the President," (they had 5 mins. half went to her husband as they are divorced) I think she is an unsettled person with many battles to fight. When the cold winds of winter blow across Texas, she will go back to California.

[neil]

Instead of just copying the drudge letter, why didnt you actually do some of the research and digging around that you have admirably done in the "natalie" saga...you may find some more information about this "Cherie"...she is apparently an estranged "sister in law" and doesnt infact speak for any of the rest of the family...dont just accept stuff on face value pls.

[satchmo]

Interesting to see the division on this issue.

Remember that 1/3 of the American population supported King George in the American revolution while only 1/3 supported the revolution.

Remember that it was brother against brother in some cases in the Civil War, and the nation was divided to the point of hatred. If they had nuclear bombs, they surely would have used them against one another, and both sides thought that they were fighting for freedom.

There are some who have analyzed patterns in history and are predicting a civil war or revolution in the US in about 15 years. If you are one of those who wraped yourself in the flag in this discussion, you will probably be with the government like the supporters of King George should this come to pass. Should be an interesting period in history to say the least.

[TheAlamo]

First, let me say I always have supported our soldiers, no matter where they have been sent--because they do not decide the politics of the agenda, they just go and do they dying. They always deserve the utmost respect.

But the criminals that send them to places like Vietnam, Iraq etc?
You have the audacity to state they are protecting your freedom? How ignorant.
READ the "patriot act"--your freedom has been eviscerated by the very liars that say we are defending freedom. Hell if they were interested in defending freedom, we would be fighting the Chinese and Russians.

Your freedom is being assaulted all right, but not from Islamic terrorists. It is being assaulted by your own terrorists in Washington who have absolutely NO respect for the Constitution or YOUR freedom, and those who truly gave their lives in the fight for freedom in previous wars.

Not only that, just how are these "terrorists" going to conquer the USA? They have no army, no navy, no air force. So just how do you think they will take your freedom? Get real. IF this government was sincerely trying to stop "terrorists" why are the borders wide open? WHY is Bush trying to give illegals amnesty? And IF the "terrorists" were not in on the whole program...the first thing they would do is blow up oil wells in Iraq and the Afghan pipeline. But....they are never attacked. I guess the "terrorists" are just dumb. Yeah right. Who is dumb?

BTW until you have read the "patriot act" and the US Constitution, don't bother with this "rah-rah support war for freedom" stuff--you just show your ignorance.

As for Cindy Sheehan, she has the right to do what she wants to do as long as she harms no one else, nor destroys the property of others. Whether you, or I agree with it is irrelevant. Totally. Why not pick on Natalee's mom the same way? The double standards in here are amazing.

[okoj]

This has happened before. I think this Iraqi war will go down in history like these other questionable wars:
1. Vietnam 1964-1973
2. Spanish American War 1898
3. War of 1812
4. Philippine-American War 1899-1902

Does anybody know what was gained out of these wars? Patriotism and honor would be my guess as the cause.

Did you know we invaded Mexico in 1914? Just to show you this Iraqi thing will get brushed into history's past.

[New Creature]

My husband has served in the military for over 15 years. If he died in combat, I would honor his life, and his committment to his country. He is an honorable man. A man full of integrity and love for the America that has given him so much! We are thankful for his opportunity to serve.

Don't belittle the plight of those who go voluntarily, or you may be sending YOUR sons and daughters kicking and screaming.

[satchmo]

These days being in the military is a paid job, one that is chosen by those who join.

There are plenty of jobs that are dangerous, much more dangerous than being in the military. We don't go around giving these people some special status or saying that they are giving us anything special or serving us.

This is propaganda driven delusion to think that people who work in the armed forces are deserving of an more honor than a farmer or fisherman, or for that matter anyone else who takes money for his labor. The government bends your mind so that when they decide to go to war most do not object to being forced into "service" and being sent to a meaningless death.

My take is that people who are willing to do the bidding of corrupt governments like ours are deserving of scorn, not support and adoration.

[New Creature]

Satchmo- I'm thankful that generations of people like my husband have made it possible for you to say things like that against your government.

[Texas Joe]

I personally think it is disgracefull that this woman is using her son's death to promote her (Michale Moore's) agenda.

Bush is the President of all Americans, all 300 million of us. No individual,has the right to demand a meeting with him. He was elected to faithfully uphold the Constitution of the United States while exercising the responsibilities of his office. Not to meet face to face with any one individual who disagrees with his policies.

As a mother of a fallen soldier she has already met the President in a group meeting. She has also met face to face with several senior members of the Bush cabinet. That should be enough!

This woman's views are well known. Her association with Michael Moore
shows us exactly where she is coming from. Michael Moore in his Fahrenheit 911 film showed absolutely no sense of objectivity or balance. His twisted libelous account was nothing more that the worst political hatchet job ever. He hates America and all that is stands for. Why doesn't he leave!
SO knowing that this woman is in Michael Moore's camp why would George Bush consent to meet her? How productive would that be?

This woman is dishonoring the memory of her son. She is a disgrace!

[TheAlamo]

There are some who have analyzed patterns in history and are predicting a civil war or revolution in the US in about 15 years. If you are one of those who wraped yourself in the flag in this discussion, you will probably be with the government like the supporters of King George should this come to pass. Should be an interesting period in history to say the least.

Posted by: satchmo | August 12, 2005 11:25 AM

I think you are right on the money. I believe this is just one component of why the borders are wide open. You have millions entering this country that know nothing of our heritage, constitution etc.,...and could give a damn. At the same time you have Americans convinced that we are a "democracy" and that majority rules--even when wrong. Bush is doing his damndest to give these illegals legal status. Why? Vote power. Real Americans are getting sick of the lies and duplicity, and some would probably fight, even today. As things worsten, there will be more who wake up. There is nothing like economic failure to bring on civil strife, and they are busy about finishing off the economy as we speak. Gas prices are the beginning--watch, as everything else goes sky high in price, but production and income does not keep pace. (this is exactly what happened in Germany in the lead up to WW 2) Unfortunately, most Americans get 100% of their news from the MSN. They are told how to think, what to think, and who to believe. Even though the country continues its slide, no one pays any attention. Why? Because the media tell them everything is wonderful, it's just roses and peaches! Woe!

Although this government already totally ignores the law, they are still afraid of the 2nd amendment, which is why things are not worse--yet. But if they can get Americans to fight each other in a civil war, then at the right time "savior" government comes in and stops the "rebellion." Of course, after it is over...it will be totally back to King George, (actually much worse) as you allude. Then one can REALLY wonder why our soldiers died.

[TheAlamo]

Bush is the President of all Americans, all 300 million of us. No individual,has the right to demand a meeting with him. He was elected to faithfully uphold the Constitution of the United States while exercising the responsibilities of his office. Not to meet face to face with any one individual who disagrees with his policies.

Texasjoe.

Where in the HECK do you get an idea like that? "no individual has the right ...?"
I got news for you man. The MOST important person in the United States is NOT the president, it is the basic American citizen. You obviously have been denied the truth via your public school education.
This idea that these people are somehow above you is totally insane, and for sure Un-American.
Politicians are not a "special class" above you. IF you think they are better than you, then my guess is that you need some work on your self image. We not only have the right to meet with these clowns, we have to obligation. To look at them as diety, as so many now do, is pathetic.

I strongly urge people to go back and study the true founding of this nation, via Jefferson, Madison et all. (exclude Alexander Hamilton though)

When ANY individual is placed upon a pedestal as you do with the president, or some congressional member, then we are in danger of losing our freedom--not from war, but from within. Why? Because you already think they are better than you, so you just nod your head in agreement, get in step, shut your mouth and march on down the road to oblivion, while they steal you blind--which is EXACTLY what is happening in America today (save Ron Paul).

[satchmo]

TheAlamo,

I am with you in your thinking. You "Patriot Act" post is right on as is your take on economic strife fueling social unrest.

Related to social unrest, if you are not familiar with the "Peak Oil" concept and its ramifications, you might find it interesting to do a google search on the topic. Also Richard Duncan's ideas under the topic of "dieoff". The esential idea is that once oil production peaks, it will decline at a minimum of 2 or 3% per year; we are right peak now, give or take a few years, which is the real reason for current oil price increases. This may not seem significant except that only about 1 or 2 billion people can be supported on the planet once oil is not available, and at 3% delcine we are out for all practical purposes in 30 years; some think that the decline rate will be closer to 8% because of recent advances in oil production techniques that get oil out quicker, at the expense of later production. We will not need to wait 30 years to see the results because once oil production starts to decline the economy will collapse. Having seen these type end of the world themes come and go I was at first dubious, but I have done the math on human population trends myself, and have come to the conclusion that 1 billion is a lot closer to a sustainable population, not the current 6.5 billion. If you are thinking that economic problems will bring on civil unrest try massive worldwide starvation (including the USA) starting soon after the peak in oil production and continuing for 30 years.

[splash]

As a side note;
How would Tom Cruise advocate dealing with this kind of depression.

[okoj]

A second american civil war is definitely a possibility. As with the first, the two views of what america really stands for is the key issue. Back then it was Slavery and States Rights vs The Free Market and Centralized Government. Both ideas existed at the time as valid american systems. This time the battle lines are not quite formed. Just like last time there will be compromises which will delay it for decades. In the end the one thing all americans will die for is to directly protect our way of life.

When the Iraqi war vets finally return home look for the signs.

Blue or Grey? Or should I say Blue or Red?

[Wake Up America]

Wow, you all are so scary. Yes, Bush did meet with Ms. Sheehan once, and while clamoring into the room, declared with his trademark sneer, "Who are we honorin' today?" Is your faithfulness to an individual or ideology more important than your faithfulness to your country? Amendment I of the constitution specifically states Congress shall make no law...prohibiting the...right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Would you deny anyone in this great country that or any of the other rights dilineated in the first or the other amendments?

If you are receiving your information and opinion from Malkin, Drudge, or O'Reiley, you need to actually read what is going on with that media machine trifecta. Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, has drawn significant media attention for staging an anti-war protest outside President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, where she is demanding to meet with the president. On August 8, Internet gossip Matt Drudge posted an item on his website, the Drudge Report, in which he falsely claimed that Sheehan "dramatically changed her account" of a meeting she had with Bush in June 2004; Drudge attempted to back up his false assertion by reproducing Sheehan quotes from a 2004 newspaper article without providing their context. After the story appeared on the Drudge Report, it gained momentum among conservative weblogs and eventually reached Fox News, where it was presented as hard news and in commentaries. Media Matters for America will examine how one false story on an Internet gossip site ended up the focus of prime-time cable news coverage.

Drudge's August 8 item claiming that Sheehan had changed her story used quotes from a June 24, 2004, article in The Reporter of Vacaville, California, where Sheehan lives. The Reporter article described a meeting that Sheehan and 16 other families of soldiers killed in Iraq had with Bush in Fort Lewis, Washington, earlier that month. Sheehan's son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq in April 2004.

Drudge quoted Sheehan seemingly speaking glowingly of Bush: "'I now know [Bush is] sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis,' Cindy said after their meeting. 'I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he's a man of faith,' " and, "For the first time in 11 weeks, they felt whole again. 'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' Cindy said." Drudge contrasted these quotes to Sheehan's statements on the August 7 edition of CNN's Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, in which she said, of the 2004 meeting with Bush: "We wanted to use the time for him to know that he killed an indispensable part of our family and humanity."

Drudge, however, took Sheehan's quotes from The Reporter out of context in falsely claiming a shift in her position. The June 24, 2004, Reporter article also quoted Sheehan expressing her misgivings about Bush and the Iraq war:

"We haven't been happy with the way the war has been handled," Cindy said. "The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached."

The 10 minutes of face time with the president could have given the family a chance to vent their frustrations or ask Bush some of the difficult questions they have been asking themselves, such as whether Casey's sacrifice would make the world a safer place.

But in the end, the family decided against such talk, deferring to how they believed Casey would have wanted them to act. In addition, Pat noted that Bush wasn't stumping for votes or trying to gain a political edge for the upcoming election.

Moreover, Sheehan was not referring to her meeting with Bush as "the gift the president gave us." She was actually referring to the trip to Seattle, as Reporter staff writer Tom Hall noted in an August 9 article responding to Drudge: "Sheehan also said the trip to Seattle helped connect her family to others that had lost a son or daughter in Iraq. Sheehan said sharing their story with those families was rewarding, as was the time she got to spend with her own family. 'That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,' she said in the story. Drudge included that quote in his Monday morning report, but didn't explain that it referred to sharing time with her family, not the president."

Reporter editor Diane Barney also responded to Drudge in an August 9 column, in which she said that Sheehan's positions on Bush and the war have not changed since June 2004. "We don't think there has been a dramatic turnaround. Clearly, Cindy Sheehan's outrage was festering even then," Barney wrote. "In ensuing months, she has grown more focused, more determined, more aggressive. ... We invite readers to revisit the story -- in context -- on our Web site and decide for themselves." An August 8 Editor & Publisher article quoted Barney further clarifying the paper's position: "It's important that readers see the full context of the story, instead of just selected portions. We stand by the story as an accurate reflection of the Sheehan's take on the meeting at the time it was published."

Throughout the day on August 8, Drudge's false story needed little time to spread to conservative weblogs:

Drudge posted the Sheehan item on August 8 at 10:11 am ET.
Right-wing pundit Michelle Malkin posted the item on her weblog one hour later, at 11:22 am ET.
At 12:40 pm ET, the Drudge story appeared on C-Log, the weblog of the conservative news and commentary website Townhall.com.
At 2:33 pm ET, MooreWatch.com posted the story.
At 3:23 pm ET, William Quick of DailyPundit.com posted the story.
Fox News then picked up Drudge's distortion of Sheehan's quote. On the "Political Grapevine" segment of the August 8 edition of Special Report with Brit Hume, guest anchor and Fox News chief Washington correspondent Jim Angle highlighted Sheehan's supposed contradiction:

ANGLE: Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq last year, who's now camped outside President Bush's Crawford ranch demanding to see him, said yesterday on CNN that a private meeting with President Bush last year was offensive, insisting, quote, "He acted like it was a party. He came in very jovial, like we should be happy with that. Our son died for the president's misguided policies."

But just after that 2004 meeting, she gave a very different account, telling her local paper, the Vacaville Reporter, quote, "I now know the president is 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." She added that President Bush, quote, "gave us the gift of happiness of being together."

By August 9, various journalists and progressive bloggers revealed Drudge's distortion. On Salon.com, journalist Eric Boehlert noted on August 9: "Put in full context, Drudge's claim of a flip-flop is easily dismissed." RawStory.com, a progressive news website, noted that Drudge "grossly took Sheehan out of context."

Nevertheless, Drudge's distortion again popped up on Fox News -- this time on the August 9 edition of The O'Reilly Factor. Host Bill O'Reilly made Sheehan's nonexistent contradictions the focus of his "Talking Points Memo" segment:

O'REILLY: The fascinating saga of Cindy Sheehan. That is the subject of this evening's "Talking Points Memo." Mrs. Sheehan is protesting in Crawford, Texas, trying to convince Americans the Iraq war is wrong and the president should be impeached. She is doing so because her son Casey, an Army specialist, was killed last year in Iraq. No one has the right to intrude on Mrs. Sheehan's grief. That's number one. She's entitled to her opinion on a situation that has deeply affected her. And she's angry at the White House.

[...]

Well, here's something very strange. Two months after her son died, Cindy and her husband Patrick did meet with President Bush, as she said. After that meeting, Cindy was quoted by a California newspaper as saying, "I now know [President Bush] is sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis. I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss." So Mrs. Sheehan has apparently changed her mind about the president.

[...]

In an editorial today in The New York Times, it says, "Mr. Bush obviously failed to comfort Ms. Sheehan when he met with her and her family. More important, he has not helped the nation give fallen soldiers like Casey Sheehan the honor they deserve." Well, let's go back to the California article. Cindy Sheehan was quoted as saying, "That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together." It sounds like comfort to me. What say you, New York Times?

O'Reilly then introduced his guest to comment on Sheehan -- Michelle Malkin, who proclaimed that Sheehan's "story hasn't checked out," to which O'Reilly readily agreed:

MALKIN: I mean, the New York Times editorial board is all too eager to prop her up as some sort of martyr and to buy her line when, clearly, her story hasn't checked out.

O'REILLY: Yes, her story hasn't [sic] changed.

MALKIN: And so I think -- and I think that angle you're emphasizing is absolutely right here, which is the mainstream media just lapping this up and perpetuating myths and inaccuracies when they know it's not the truth.

O'REILLY: Yup. They don't identify -- in the New York Times editorial today, it was obvious they did not say her story has been inconsistent. And they did not pinpoint that she is in bed with the radical left.

On the August 10 edition of his syndicated radio program, The Radio Factor, O'Reilly continued to assert that Sheehan had contradicted herself, stating, "In her first meeting with the president, she was happy with him, and we read you the article that the Vacaville paper -- where she's from in California -- printed."

Ms. Sheehan herself has stated, "Still putting out the O'Reilly fires of me being a traitor and using Casey's name dishonorably, my in-laws sent out a press statement disagreeing with me in strong terms; which is totally okay with me, because they barely knew Casey. We have always been on separate sides of the fence politically and I have not spoken to them since the election when they supported the man who is responsible for Casey's death. The thing that matters to me is that our family -- Casey's dad and my other 3 kids are on the same side of the fence that I am."

Whatever your politics, this woman has a right to peacefully assemble and state her case, as you are all doing here. When the leaders of a country you love are so wrong, it is not wrong to question them. Someone above stated that Bush is the president of all 300 million citizens. Well, so was Clinton, and that certainly did not stop so many from maligning him. Don't be blinded by blind loyalty.

[geegee]

RE: "Freedom ISN'T free."

God... that's moronic. Freedom isn't free it costs a buck-o'five. What drivel, what garbage.

I think the National Guardsmen currently in Iraq, who thought they would be pilling sandbags in Iowa to shop the Mississippi river from overflowing its banks, should announce that they are gay and get the hell out ("hey, sarge... I'm gay").

I certainly would not want get my legs blown off for the stupid end-game of turning Iraq into yet another oppressive Islamic state (like Iran).

HINT: The last man standing in Al-Hadithah with a fifty-caliber machine gun wins and that's not going to be the US Army and it's not going to be those ex-patriot carpet-baggers from London now running the Iraqi puppet government.

[TheAlamo]

That coincides with the UN plan for population control. The claim that the planet can only sustain 1 billion is probably correct--using a socialist political system for world governance.
They...having nothing but control and power in mind, have absolutely no concern for the individual, nor any group even--save their own.
Anyone who cares do the research will find that the earth can easily support the current population if free markets and free men were left alone to grow, invent, and trade. But alas, those in control think THEY are destined to rule the globe.
Easy way to do it is dumb down the people, tell them how wonderful the government is, (use specific planned situations) keep them busy earning a living or playing, and wallah! Slaves that don't even know they are slaves! Ingenious, and it is working like a charm.

There may be an oil shortage, but there is not a creative shortage. We have to be fools to think that oil is the only source of energy, when other possibilities abound. But we hear nothing of them.

Oil, wars and famines will be the excuse to consolidate governments into the UN scheme. Of course, they don't mind if 2-3 billion die along the way because it fits into their game plan for THEIR future. The hell with yours and mine.

As far as Cindy and this thread. Isn't it amazing that you see both the far right, and the far left on here, and they totally agree? They both take opposite sides, but both support a totalitarian position of WHO gets to decide. Forget the Bill of Rights, its just who is "right" and who has the most power at the time. Ingenious plan...and it works as you can see!

[MCMCM]

"There are plenty of jobs that are dangerous, much more dangerous than being in the military. We don't go around giving these people some special status or saying that they are giving us anything special or serving us."

Satchmo-

This statement is true. However, there aren't many jobs where you know that if you are called to fight, your life might be sacrificed for the "greater good". I do believe that this gives them a special status, and should be honored. But I would hope that if my life was going to be sacrificed, there would be LOTS of people like Cindy Sheehan discussing why this might not be the right fight instead of just blindly being manipulated by the government. This is why America is a great country.
God Bless the troops!

[satchmo]

okoj,

I don't think the North was advocating free markets. They North was more industrial than the agricultural South. Special interest in the North wanted import taxes on manufactured goods, which they got. Foreign countries retaliated by imposing taxes on goods coming from the US, which goods were principally agricultural products from the South, hence economic conflict between the North and South. Slavery was in the beginning stages of ending in the South as a result of reduced need for agricultural labor from invention of labor saving farm equipment, although the South was not ready to abolish slavery at the time of the war.

The idea that the Civil War was fought over slavery was something that was injected by Lincoln well after the war started. He was afraid that France was going to join the South in the war, and he wanted to make the South look evil in world opinion, hence he seized the slavery issue and tried to make it look to the world that the North was fighting to end slavery and the evil South wanted to perpetuate it. It was slick on his part, but it somehow got into the history books written by the victors, hence the myth that the civil war was fought to free the slaves.

Interesting that the individuals fighting in the South believed they were supporting the ideals of freedom developed during the American Revolution and the fighters for the North thought they were fighting to preserve the freedom embodied in the Union as created by the American Revolution. Guess both thought God and morality was on their side.

[geegee]

RE: "gives them a special status, and should be honored"

Lame. the bulk of the military is made up of Lynndie England types. If they weren't in the military they would be unemployed or working the third-shift stocking shelves at Walmart. Even here in America, when they get off-base they do little more than get drunk and look for a 'fag' to beat up. Over in Iraq, they get to pretend they are men by randomly machine-gunning Iraq civilians. This is the high-light of their whole lives; after killing a few 'hajis' they can go back home to their crappy little town and their crappy little jobs and 'demand respect' from all the other losers they hang-out smoking pot with.

This military-worship fest is getting old. I could never understand the kind of people who give other people "special status" and "honor". But then, I don't write fan-letters to actors or musicans eather.

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