Meeting with Cindy Sheehan
I met with Cindy Sheehan and three activist supporters here in my office at the DNC (two of whom were involved in the Presidential race) on Saturday after the rally. Some of you have met her, but for those who have not, I thought I would share my impressions.
She is a delightful person. She had not a drop of holier than thou zealotry. She is unpretentious and very clear. All this I expected, given the terrible sacrifice she has made, and her willingness to speak out.
What I was surprised at was her ability to be so comfortable in her own skin. After she became a phenomenon in Crawford, the Republican spin team realized she was a real threat. Cindy Sheehan, made a tremendous personal sacrifice. A sacrifice being made by too many American families who have had loved ones killed or maimed in this war.
Cindy has credibility the Administration does not have. Even the President tried to diminish her by saying that she did not believe in fighting terrorism. His minions, of course, did much worse, trying to make out that she was a media savvy manipulator -- and even spreading false rumors that she was anti-Semitic.
No one is untouched in the face of personal attack, but Cindy exudes an inner calm and a self-confidence which made it clear to me that she will not back down. I respect and support what she is doing in standing up and speaking out.
Whether you think the Iraq war is a good idea or not, all of us should support Cindy Sheehan. Perhaps the grossest disservice the Republican leadership has inflicted on our country is not the war, the huge deficits, or even the divisive appeals to the worst fears of voters. Rather it is the notion that it is unpatriotic to disagree with the most partisan President in our life time, and that dissent harms our country. Nothing could be farther from the truth -- we are a strong country because we have the right to dissent.
In fact it is the attempts of the Administration to fight dissent with personal attacks as they did during the Nixon era are that diminish our country in the long term.
Cindy Sheehan is honest in the face of a dishonest and corrupt Washington culture. She is plain spoken in an era of cynicism and propaganda, she in committed and idealistic in a time where our government has abandoned what is right for America in favor of what is right for the Republican party. We need more Cindy Sheehans.
Comments (58) «
As a devote Democrat, I am a little confused by the Democratic Party's strategy of late. We talk with anti-war activists, however we do nothing to end the war but flap our lips in the wind! Please excuse me, but it's time the DNC grew a pair and did something! Like the expression goes, actions speak louder than words. First of all, I put partial blame on the DNC for getting us into the war for believing Gov. Bush's lies. That's right, I call him Governor because that was the last position he was elected to serve! He lied and we followed him. Brings to mind a former President who lied about having oral sex and was almost impeached for lying.
As a Democrat, I believe if we're going to be there lets get the RIGHT equipment over there and increase the number of troops. Let's overwhelm the insurgents with numbers and power. Second, bring back the Iraqi Army. Bring the former Iraqi soldiers, not the Republican Guard, back into service, because retraining them will not take as long as a new recruit. Third, I find it hard to believe it takes 3 years to train an infantry soldier as this Administration has us believe that it takes that long to train the Iraqis. I'm sure the Iraqis have a far great mental capicity for learning than say, Mr. Brown. Our beloved Marines take the longest time to train their infantry and they still get it done within 9 months!
This administration has severed ties with Allies, but the the budget into a tailspin, have placed incompetent cronies in power, and have lied and been incompetent themselves. Then they try to compare themselves with great Presidents like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and FDR! How ridiculous!
Ms. Sheehan has a legitimate grievance against her Government and should be heard. The Constitution gives her that right, however Gov. Bush has little use of a document like that. He probably hasn't read that either! Ms. Sheehan is a voice of many concerned parents of our troops; troops that are being lead to the slaughter by this Administration because they would rather spend the resources needed to help Halliburton's profits. The truth shall set you free! That's from the Bible, something I'm sure Gov. Bush hasn't read but only looked at the pictures.
DNC, let's grow a pair and force this Administration to do what the AMERICAN people want and not what the Administration wants. If we stay in the fight, then help the troops survive! If we get out then lets help the Iraqis stand on their our feet first. Sometimes swallowing your pride, walking away and live to fight another day is more beneficial then letting you sons and daughters be sacrificed.
As a devote Democrat, I am a little confused by the Democratic Party's strategy of late. We talk with anti-war activists, however we do nothing to end the war but flap our lips in the wind! Please excuse me, but it's time the DNC grew a pair and did something! Like the expression goes, actions speak louder than words. First of all, I put partial blame on the DNC for getting us into the war for believing Gov. Bush's lies
Posted by rjohnson on September 27, 2005 at 07:34 PM
rj,
You have NOT been paying attention!
#1- It was NOT the DNC who got us into this war!
Do not confuse the DNC, with Democratic senators and Representatives! The DNC's job is to raise money and help campaigns
#2 - It has Only been Howard Dean out there on TV shows the last month, Railing against this administration's incompetence and Lies ! Where have you been?
Please get your facts straight.
Dr. Dean,
Thank you for your courage and leadership in expressing your unambiguous support for Cindy Sheehan. Of all the major Democratic leaders, only a few of the members of the CBC and you have shown Cindy the respect she deserves.
Even John McCain showed Cindy more respect than many of our party leaders.
I have personally been terribly unhappy to see Senator John Kerry, Senator John Edwards, Senator Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, Senator Ted Kennedy, Senator Barbara Boxer, Vice President Al Gore, Senator Harry Reid, Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senator Russell Feingold, and Senator Patrick Leahy among many, many others carefully avoiding any suspicion of support or endorsement for Cindy Sheehan. It is long past time that these individuals who purport to represent the Democratic Party were declared their support for those Americans who like Cindy Sheehan know that George W. Bush took this country into an illegal war of aggression against Iraq based on a pack of lies.
As a political party we can no longer afford to ignore our base. Cindy Sheehan speaks for the very real base of the Democratic Party today. Sixty-two percent of Americans now believe that the war in Iraq was based on lies. Democrats must recognize that fact.
Traitors to the Democratic Party must be publicly punished for their actions; senators Leahy, Kohl, and Feingold must not receive party support after disowning the party's clear position on a supreme court justice nominee who refused to answer our questions or disclose documents we requested.
Again, thank you for your clear courage and leadership in supporting Cindy Sheehan. I will pray that some of the weak and indecisive Democrats who are still unwilling to express a clear policy position take your leadership as a guide and at long last, take action.
Sincerely,
A post from Dr. Dean, is what the DNC really needed these days, and the subject of which...visiting with Cindy Sheehan.
People have been asking of late where are the Democratic Leaders?
I respect the fact that Howard met with Cindy on Saturday AFTER the rally, but imagine the message it would have sent to the People, if we saw him during the rally since the Media forgot to cover most of it.
I agree that it isn't the DNC that got us into the war nor is it Howard Dean's fault who was against the war.
However, the DNC does work with the grassroots to formulate a party platform. So, the question remains:
What will be the Democratic platform concerning the war in 2006 and 2008?
I hope that the party doesn't need to answer that question but it would help to start thinking it through. People will ask - where do Democrats stand on the war, it's an unavoidable question.
What will be the Democratic platform concerning the war in 2006 and 2008?
I hope that the party doesn't need to answer that question but it would help to start thinking it through. People will ask - where do Democrats stand on the war, it's an unavoidable question.
Posted by rjsnj on September 27, 2005 at 08:00 PM
I agree, the Democratic Senators and Representatives , many of whom voted for this war, MUST get together and make the decision to now publicly come out and Say , They were Lied to, and it is time to set a time table to get out.
Even Britain is now setting up their withdrawal! Bush's Stubborness, as well as the desire to get those 14 bases and the Satelites built will keep him from bringing any of them home, until there are almost none of them left!
There were Democratic Reps at the protest. Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee were there. There are now 68 members of the Out Of Iraq caucus including my Rep - Frank Pallone.
Robert Byrd and Russ Feingold in the Senate have called for withdrawal by end of 2006 the latest.
So, there has been some progress but I am sure not enough to satisfy those of us who are strongly opposed to this war.
I feel it's almost like the Vietnam era where we had to struggle to get politicians behind the people.
I think there is an easy out for Democrats - simply say that Bush lied about the reasons for the war, he did after all. Come out against permanent bases and support an objective to get out by end of 2006 the latest. I don't think anyone except a war hawk can claim that is a "cut and run" policy.
I remember watching the Downing Street Minutes hearing on CSPAN at which Cindy was a panelist-type person. I sensed her calm control, persistance and self-confidence that helped me with mine. I remember thinking, "wow, this is a woman who is going to take this thing as far as it can go and will not back down." It filled me with reassurance that justice would be done eventually.
Karen,
Justice will be served...it may take time, as a friend reminded me, but we have to be in for the long haul. I am.
Governor Dean,
Thank you for voicing your support for Cindy Sheehan. It must be tremendously difficult to get all of the Democrats (many with Presidential ambitions) to agree to one platform on Iraq. But you know what is right. "Well, we are there now" is no more of a platform then "Stay the course." We should convene a summit sponsored by the DNC of the smartest Democratic foreign policy minds in the country, Gen. Clark, Professors at major Universities, etc... and ask them to submit a Democratic plan on Iraq. And then we need to choose one, a clear strategy to fufill Cindy's wishes.
Thank you! I spent a month talking to folks via cell phone who sat in the ditch with Cindy in Crawford TX. There are some incredible stories from each person that was there. I commend your decision to meet with Cindy.
best wishes marie
Michael Brown doesn't have any credibility, considering his forged resume, being fired by his previous employer, and that his only qualification for leading FEMA is his connection with Bush.
So using Michael Brown to blame local government for all the weak response to Hurricane Katrina by the Bush administration is like slapping someone's own face for someone's own mistake, which is quite fitting.
This belated saving face gimmick is actually quite consistent with Bush's lifelong record. In Bush's adulthood, he has never achieved anything on his own right but by using his father's connection. The worst is that in all his failure, he has never had to face the consequence or pay any price, which all of us have to face or pay.
No wonder, for the past few years until now, we have had to pay all the prices for the mistakes a lousy president has made.
Cindy is a great woman. I wish I could join her, but I know that she speaks for me. She speaks for all Patriotic Americans who stand for civil justice, fairness, equality, and especially civil rights. We should support her, you may not agree with her on ending the war, but you should support her action to speak TRUTH TO POWER.
We have been lied to by Bush, support those like Cindy.
Chairman Dean,
I have been a proud Dean supporter since the 2004 primaries, and I appreciate all you are doing to support progressive candidates and issues and to help real democrats to win elections. I would surely appreciate a response, from you personally.
Thank you for meeting with Cindy, But here's the thing. I am used to you listening to the grassroots, and on the issue of the war, I think you are not hearing us.
Even though I am very aware you do not set DNC POLICY or LEGISLATION as the chairman, you should certainly be interested in the STRATEGY of diffrentiating ourselves from the opposition party on this issue. I would be so proud had Cindy been able to tell us that you had suported any of the things we are lobbying for. Failing that, I am red-faced before my friends as to why I continue to support you or even why I stay in the party.
1. What are our soldiers dying for? I would like you to join us as we demand that the president tell us exactly what we are fighting for ( And don't tell me it's to build democracy in Iraq-there are plenty of non-democratic countries we don't invade). I would like to know that you urge democratic congresspesons to join the "Out of Iraq" caucus, and to enjoin democratic senators to co-sponsor SR 171.
2. When will the dying stop? I ask that you join us as we demand that the president tell us how we will know when we have accomplished our goal and can bring our young men and women home. Encourage democrats to sign onto Homeward Bound (HJRes 55).
3. I ask you to support our demand that the US congress FUND no permanent US military bases in Iraq, showing our good faith to come home altogether. I would want to know that you are actively encouraging support of Barbara Lee's CR197.
4. I would like you to support our demand that the US Provurement office give all reconstruction monies to Iraqi citizens, who are well educated and unemployed, rather than to Bush cronies (war profiteers).
5. At the very least, as a physician, i would like to hear that you support our demand that returning US troops be routinely medically tested for radiation fron depleted uranium and for other damaging substances and that we commit to paying for physical and psychological treatment for our veterans and their families on a life-long basis. They deserve at least that much from their country.
6. And finally, as the parent of two teeneaged boys, I urge you to urge democratic officials to suuport HR 551, a change in the NCLB law that would require parents to "OPT IN" to allowing recruiters access to their children. My 14 year old boys had recruiters in their clarrooms, harrassing them when they refused to fill out surveys, even though we opted OUT. Opting out simply isn't strong enough protection for my childrens' rights.
Chairman Dean,
I have been a proud Dean supporter since the 2004 primaries, and I appreciate all you are doing to support progressive candidates and issues and to help real democrats to win elections. I would surely appreciate a response, from you personally.
Thank you for meeting with Cindy, But here's the thing. I am used to you listening to the grassroots, and on the issue of the war, I think you are not hearing us.
Even though I am very aware you do not set DNC POLICY or LEGISLATION as the chairman, you should certainly be interested in the STRATEGY of diffrentiating ourselves from the opposition party on this issue. I would be so proud had Cindy been able to tell us that you had suported any of the things we are lobbying for. Failing that, I am red-faced before my friends as to why I continue to support you or even why I stay in the party.
1. What are our soldiers dying for? I would like you to join us as we demand that the president tell us exactly what we are fighting for ( And don't tell me it's to build democracy in Iraq-there are plenty of non-democratic countries we don't invade). I would like to know that you urge democratic congresspesons to join the "Out of Iraq" caucus, and to enjoin democratic senators to co-sponsor SR 171.
2. When will the dying stop? I ask that you join us as we demand that the president tell us how we will know when we have accomplished our goal and can bring our young men and women home. Encourage democrats to sign onto Homeward Bound (HJRes 55).
3. I ask you to support our demand that the US congress FUND no permanent US military bases in Iraq, showing our good faith to come home altogether. I would want to know that you are actively encouraging support of Barbara Lee's CR197.
4. I would like you to support our demand that the US Provurement office give all reconstruction monies to Iraqi citizens, who are well educated and unemployed, rather than to Bush cronies (war profiteers).
5. At the very least, as a physician, i would like to hear that you support our demand that returning US troops be routinely medically tested for radiation fron depleted uranium and for other damaging substances and that we commit to paying for physical and psychological treatment for our veterans and their families on a life-long basis. They deserve at least that much from their country.
6. And finally, as the parent of two teeneaged boys, I urge you to urge democratic officials to suuport HR 551, a change in the NCLB law that would require parents to "OPT IN" to allowing recruiters access to their children. My 14 year old boys had recruiters in their clarrooms, harrassing them when they refused to fill out surveys, even though we opted OUT. Opting out simply isn't strong enough protection for my childrens' rights.
What we need to point out is this:
George W. Bush inherited the most powerful, efficient, effective, deadly military machine that this planet has ever seen.
He squandered it. That well calibrated near perfect machine is now bogged down in quicksand, is stretched to the limits all over the world, and isn't even meeting its recruiting goal at home. Anyone who might once have been intimidated by it, now is discovering they can tweak our tail just a big (the Iranians and the North Koreans being examples) and we are powerless to actually do anything about it (other than we could still bomb the crap out of anybody, but that is about all).
I'd think even conservatives would be more than a little concerned about that, but we need to have the guts to point it out.
Oops. Just a 'bit.'
Also-- I agree with those who are saying we should put the issue of permanent bases front and center. Building them, as planned, makes it very clear that the Bush administration's stated intention to withdraw from Iraq 'when the Iraqis are ready' is a bunch of hot air. And fourteen in a country that size makes it clear that there is a plan in place for further military adventures. This issue needs to be at the forefront of all anti-war issues.
Howard Dean, you never disappoint me. Thank you for speaking out and offering support to Cindy Sheehan. Her sincerity and her determination remind me of you, and our country is stronger because of both of your efforts.
Thanks for writing this, Governor Dean. Those of us who followed your campaign for so long know this is very typical of you....the kindness and gestures of appreciation toward others.
Cindy had a rough week, and the Daily Show topped it off with its snideness. The nice tone of this message was much needed.
Time and time again Howard Dean speaks for the rank and file memebrs of the Democratic Party while elected Democrats say and do the things that keep their next re-election bid "safe", speaking to the mythical middle which IS NOT the base of the Democratic Party.
Consider his statement about the next SC nominee:
"Those people are clearly not qualified to sit on the Supreme Court, and we're going to do everything we can to make sure they don't," said. "If we lose, better to go down fighting and standing for what we believe in, because we will not win an election if the public doesn't think we'll stand up for what we believe in."
How many elected Democrats have you heard make such a statement? Of those who have mouthed the words, how many have you seen put them into action?
Look at the DLC site. Look at the "values" of Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman, Joe Biden, et. al. National security, family values...Jesus Christ what's wrong with these people, anyway? How many election cycles do we have to lose before these idiots realize that pretending to be like Republicans doesn't get Democrats elected?
Howard - please...chuck the deal you made with these clowns, take us through this cycle, and run again. Run against entrenched power. Run against Wealth Crusaders. Run against the media. Make the media the enemy next time if they treat you like they did last time. Put together an agressive, populist set of proposals which will bring newly registered poor and lower middle class voters to the table and we will swamp Republicans. They have no new people to register among their constituency. When your economic policies help only the top 1% earners, you run out of voters pretty quicly. This is why they're enlisting black ministers to preach anti-homosexual hatred to find new voters. They KNOW that the next elections will be won by the party that brings the most new voters to the game.
Run, Howard. You're the ONLY Democrat with the credentials necessary to win a presidential election.
Run.
Chairman Dean,
thanks for your clear words. I do not know Cindy Sheehan personally and I trust your evaluation of her (you have that reputation, you know:-). You describe a person who will go far.
Thanks again
Yes, it's certainly nice to find a supportive statement about Cindy Sheehan's efforts to publicize the bankrupt policies of the Bush administration.
What would be really great is if her question, "What noble cause?" were taken seriously and actually answered.
IMHO, the reason many Democrats are reluctant to address it is because they have been complicit for decades in the effort to get a permanent military presence for the US in the Eastern Hemisphere and they are reluctant to reveal their complicity.
Perhaps if we started the discussion in a round-about way by asking the question whether the US plans to introduce nuclear weapons into Iraq we might get somewhere.
After all, I think the process of disengaging from Western Europe began when the placement of nuclear missiles on German US bases became a topic of public controversy during the Reagan administration. The rationale then was the need to counter the Soviet Union and then, when the Soviet Union collapsed, I suspect many people concluded that those weapons would be removed.
Probably hasn't happened yet. Who actually knows.
Problem with political candidates of both parties has been that they have been inspecting the lint in their navels while the neighborhood goes up in smoke. values=navels with the 'n' turned upside down
Great movements start in small steps by the most unlikely of people. The mother of a fallen soldier speaking out has the credibility that no slander campaign can diminish. Only the most callous and hardened in our society make excuses for her pain. I'm glad Dr. Dean met with her.
Eli, publicizing the Bush plans for permanent bases in Iraq is an excellent strategy for the '06.
Howard,
As I watch these current Democratic politicians again wimping out and now going to vote for Roberts, (My own Lieberman & Dodd, in a Blue State have said they will), I understand How very, very frustrating it must be for you, in your position, to have Democratic politicians who don't have a Gonad between them. Who are making decisions based on No advice at all, merely their own idiotic ideas. WHY isn't there someone who can organize and unite these guys into a Single Message on Each issue? The war, Judicial nominees, etc.
WHY don't they listen to You? Why is there no Leadership? This is the big problem. Get rid of the DLC crew, they are fracturing the party! They are the weak ones, looking for votes by selling out the Democratic Party Platform.
Mr. Dean, I'm glad you found someone who impressed you with her devotion to her values. But at the same time, while I'm a very sharp critic of how we got into the Iraq War. And I'm one of the few Democrats here that has actively challenged Republicans on their own blogs and Websites about their terrible policy that got America into the Iraq War, beginning with William Kristol's Project For The New American Century as far back as 1997. At the same time, Cindy Sheehan's goals to force a complete withdrawal of American troops without a stable government or military in place in Iraq is completely unacceptable.
I have nothing but bad to say about this war. But with both feet into the conflict, there is no other acceptable choice than to leave the situation stable enough not to leave the area in a state that could lead to an all out bloody ethnic civil war between the Sunni and Shiite and Kurdish groups, or to allow a weak government in Iraq unable to fend for itself, collapse under an intense insurgent war and become the worst haven for terrorism in the MidEast. Al Qaeda would make a real attempt to establish power in Iraq if given any opportunity.
Cindy Sheehan has every right to be angry about the death of her son. However it is politically dangerous for Democrats to actively embrace a policy that proposes leaving Iraq in such a state that a terrible outcome that creates much more MidEast bloodshed or allows Iraq to be overthrown and controlled by a militia group such as the Badr Brigade or an insurgent terrorist organization such as Al Qaeda. Imagine if Zarqawi's forces controlled Iraq, what terrorism problems the U.S.,Israel and the Middle East would then face.
In 1972, Democrats embraced the unrealistic policy of George McGovern to simply withdrawal from Vietnam, and allow the collapse of South Vietnam. They were crushed at the polls that year, where many who didn't even like Nixon, or his character rejected McGovern's goals, and voted for a Republican for the first time in their lives.
Equally dangerous for Democrats, is that many who are organizing the antiwar movements are the Workers World Party, a communist organization. And many of the persons who helped to organize the weekend antiwar event were associated with far left organizations of socialists and communists. The Democrats need to embrace moderate and middle of the road, reasonable and workable values. Any embrace of the far left is the kiss of death for Democrats.
The Democrats are in a difficult position right now. They don't appear to be offering any viable known policy alternatives to George Bush's or other Republican policies, but instead offer a type of "drive-by" politics, of hollaring "George Bush", hoping that mere anger against his policies is enough to suffice. Newt Gingrich had his "Contract With America". The Democrats so far have nothing similar to offer the voters of America. They are unable to capitalize from the free fall of George Bush, and are self-destructively toying with embracing the extremist politics of those far left organizations who support the immediate withdrawal from Iraq with no stable government or Iraqi military or police force in a position of real power. While the American presense does act as a magnet for terrorism in Iraq, at the same time it does bring enough firepower to prevent more violence. For every one roadside bomb that kills, one hindred more are found and destroyed by American soldiers. For every terrorist attack that succeeds, far more are stopped when insurgent bodies mount in American patrol efforts. Despite the problems in Iraq, the American soldiers are still the "thin blue line" that saves more lives of Iraqi civilians, and acts as a buffer between the far worse violence that would take place if American soldiers did not prevent it.
The Democrats have a huge challenge. They can begin to capitalize on the problems of George Bush and rebound nicely in 2006 and 2008, or embrace the far left, turn off moderate voters, and make Iraq into an even bigger problem then it currently is, and begin to go the way of the defunct Whig Party, by embracing the unworkale policies of the far left on Iraq. Most Americans oppose the Iraq War. However most don't want to see a bloody civil war or a terrorist state there. And voters will reject any party that allows that to happen, or supports such a policy goal.
The Democrats need to tread carefully and thoughtfully if they wish to regain lost power in 2006 and 2008. They cannot afford another electoral knock-out blow at the polls. With the loss of control of the White House, Senate, Congress and Supreme Court, as well as many governorships and state legislatures, the Democrats are almost on life support right now, and no longer competitive in much of the nation in elections any longer.
The Democrats deserve to be the party of the majority of voters, as well as the American party of "government" in America. How they were able to lose this much ground to Republicans, with their often very narrow base of procorporate and far right policies is far beyond me.
PROGRESSIVE VALUES
The issue here should not be about Cindy Sheehan. The issue is about leadership and the Bush administration willfully causing the death of 2000, and still counting, young Americans to establish, by no means certain, 'democracy' in Iraq.
The issue is that we cannot force the Iraqis or any nation to embrace our military dominance --- forget the Rovarian democracy argument...it's as phomey as their social security reform argument.
You can't force anyone to accept your view of the world...you can only give them an example to expire to and then let them work for it themselves. Diplomacy, economic aid, and forming aliances have alway been the only successful way to influence others.
The neocon imperialistic view of the world died the day Gahandi conquered the British empire...and became a very dangerous philosophy to push since developing nations like India and Pakistan showed they could acquire nuclear capacity without us.
We can stay in Iraq indefinitely, but we will never break them or make them a Christian republic. It's fruitless to waste so many lives and so much of our political/military energy on a flawed strategy.
Those that don't learn from the past, continue to make the same mistakes. How many Koreans and Vietnams can a weakened economic power afford with emerging nations fast on our heels...and China and Russia awakening to a new era of cooperation?
We are wasting time in Iraq...the rest of the world is passing us by.
Dr. Dean,
I am with you on Cindy Sheehan, she is a person that all in America should be proud of. I think you'll only find maybe 1% at the most of any Democrats backing the war in Iraq. Democrats aren't as easy to have the wool pulled over their eyes by lies from Bush about the supposed weapons of mass destruction. Republicans on the other hand seem to follow their leaders like sheep going to slaughter. They follow them blindly no matter the facts laid out in front of them. In the next short while, another supreme court judge will be picked. Their views could drastically change the freedoms and rights Cindy plus all of us have to protest. This was seen plainly the other day after the republicans had Cindy arrested along with the other protestors afterwards. We know it was done for spite as they made sure she was one of the very first arrested. They were arrested on a trumped up charge in my opinion as the 1st amendment protects us from what the republicans ignore on a daily basis. When it comes time for the new judge to be selected, please let all know we would rather see the fillibuster than to back down. Who cares about the nuclear option, that can be changed again once we take back control of the senate. If the republicans dare to do this, they will be cutting their own throats at election time. The American citizens whether Democrat or Republican would not stand for this. Matter of fact, I'd say we would have thousands of republicans side with us, and possibly change their poiltics like a few are now. We need to fight if we have to until our last breath is used. If we have to stop congress in its tracks, it's absolutely something that must be done. If you want to poll us here by starting a new thread on the blog, please do so to see our thoughts. We are standing behind you in true force and strong nerve. Please let our senators know what our feelings are and we will back them the same. Dr. Dean, keep up the great work you are doing, and don't budge an inch, no matter what is said.
Sincerely,
Will Matney, Lawrence Co., Ohio
Dr. Dean,
I am very pleased with your comments regarding your visit with Cindy Sheehan as far as they go. It would, however, have been useful to me to have a better understanding of your own position on exactly what our policy in Iraq ought to be at present. My current understanding is that you have taken a kind of "stay the course" position. Since I have sincere respect for the quality of your thinking, I would be interested in hearing your justification for your position (if I understand it correctly). Surely, you don't believe that we can stabilize a Middle Eastern, Muslim country by either force or diplomacy. I am ignorant of any historic precedent for that. To extend our stay at the cost of more lives and public treasure, only to have that country fall into civil war anyway would appear to be tragic.
I'm with a lot of people who blog everyday at this site.
Either put up or shut up!
It's time for the leaders of this party to come forward and tell the world they want our kids back home.
The majority of Americans are with us on this. Use this time now before it slips away from us!
Cindy has energized the anti-Iraq war movement. Now that's "Mission Accomplished!"
Dr. Dean;
You state "we are a strong country because we have the right to dissent"
That is one half correct.
The other half of why we are a strong country is that we have the right to determine by whom we are governed by ballot.
That is no longer true. We have let the Republican controlled Central Vote Tabulators count 80 percent of the national vote and the machines CHEAT.
It is imperative that as DNC Chair you educate yourself in this area. Your primary responsibility is to recruit viable candidates and GET THEM ELECTED.
Cindy Sheehan is an American Patriot in the spirit of the country's founders. Nice letter.
"Whether you think the Iraq war is a good idea or not"
This is what is wrong with the Democratic party.
I was in Tikrit, Iraq from 2/10/04 to 2/14/05 for OIF 2 with the rest of my battalion from Germany. I got out of the Army Memorial Day this year and now live in Utah with my wife and son and 1 on the way (due St. Patrick's Day 2006). I've always been a democrat and, judging by the current Republican administrationg, I see no reason I'd ever switch to the Republican party. Now, about Cindy Sheehan, I empathize with her 100%... though fortunately I did survive that hell otherwise known as Iraq so my mom didn't have the burden of my death from this waste of a war on her shoulders. I'm not going to waste time trying to blame anyone in the Democrat party for the war. Think about it, when it comes down to it, the decision fell on one person's shoulders... Mr. Bush. Of course it was a very easy decision for him, being that him and his administration came up with the outdated satellite images showing "WMD's" in Iraq--which as we all know was the apparent "reason" to go to war with Iraq. To me along with anyone in their right mind, it should be pretty simple to realize: outdated satellite images of WMD's in Iraq is not only a straight lie, it's definitely not a reason to go to war. In conclusion: I'd vote for any of the Democrats who throw in the hat for their candidacy in '08... Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama... any of them--but please be a bit more organized and focused than Kerry and Edwards were, it shouldn't be that much of a problem though since it looks like more and more Americans are realizing what a joke of a president Bush is (40% approval rating in the polls).
Oh yeah, just to clear this up, I am living in Utah but NO I'm not Mormon.
I was in Tikrit, Iraq from 2/10/04 to 2/14/05 for OIF 2 with the rest of my battalion from Germany. I got out of the Army Memorial Day this year and now live in Utah with my wife and son and 1 on the way (due St. Patrick's Day 2006). I've always been a democrat and, judging by the current Republican administrationg, I see no reason I'd ever switch to the Republican party. Now, about Cindy Sheehan, I empathize with her 100%... though fortunately I did survive that hell otherwise known as Iraq so my mom didn't have the burden of my death from this waste of a war on her shoulders. I'm not going to waste time trying to blame anyone in the Democrat party for the war. Think about it, when it comes down to it, the decision fell on one person's shoulders... Mr. Bush. Of course it was a very easy decision for him, being that him and his administration came up with the outdated satellite images showing "WMD's" in Iraq--which as we all know was the apparent "reason" to go to war with Iraq. To me along with anyone in their right mind, it should be pretty simple to realize: outdated satellite images of WMD's in Iraq is not only a straight lie, it's definitely not a reason to go to war. In conclusion: I'd vote for any of the Democrats who throw in the hat for their candidacy in '08... Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama... any of them--but please be a bit more organized and focused than Kerry and Edwards were, it shouldn't be that much of a problem though since it looks like more and more Americans are realizing what a joke of a president Bush is (40% approval rating in the polls).
Oh yeah, just to clear this up, I am living in Utah but NO I'm not Mormon.
The comment above stating that the DNC does not set policy is correct. The primary purpose of the DNC is raising funds. But Governor Dean can certainly make policy decisions about where to spend that money. I propose that no "Democrat" who supports the war in Iraq should get DNC funds, period. Senator Lieberman, I'm talking to you. It's past time for some good old fashioned party discipline. The RNC does it with abortion among other issues and it works.
The Iraq war should not be a contraversial issue within the Democratic party. The findings of Robb-Silberman commission vindicate everything Dean, Clarke and the rest of us were saying. It is a no-brainer that Bush lied about Iraq's WMDs, and it is a no-brainer that the invasion of Iraq was detrimental to US national security.
We've been proven right many times over. It's time to play hardball. Either oppose the war in Iraq and call for Bush's impeachment or lose all your DNC funding. That simple.
Sometimes, a person can suffer such a devastating blow that it seems like nothing could hurt you any more. I would imagine that Cindy Sheehan feels like that, having lost her son. The vicious taunts from the Bush pundits and partisans would feel like nothing, compared to the pain of losing a son. She is doing what she thinks is right, to help prevent any more deaths, to spare others from the pain she has felt.
I am inclined, however, to be concerned about what might happen if the United States pursued a quick and complete withdrawal from Iraq. I am concerned because it does not seem that we are getting the truth about who exactly are the insurgents: what percentage are foreign fighters? what percentage are native Iraqi's who want Americans out? what percentage are what? It does not seem that anybody but this administration's inner circle is given the privilege of this information, and I am sure they know. Who exactly is the group of "insurgents" who have no problem blowing up innocent civilians? (Yes, I know that the U.S. has done their share, and no words can describe how I detest the minimalization of innocent lives -- the easy way these lives are shrugged off as collateral damage.) However, some vicious group is making a practice of killing innocents. When I listen to Pentagon reports on C-SPAN, these groups are just referred to as "the enemy". But, who are they?
Knowing the dynamics inside Iraq right now -- knowing the truth, not what the Bush Administration feeds the American people -- is vital to making the decision about how to proceed. I don't know how we can get to that truth.
Bush had given Americans no reason to trust him in anything that he did, and I, along with so many others, was dumbfounded when Congress went along with giving this known liar powers to take this country into war, especially when they had telegraphed their intentions in the Project for the New American Century, and their pet "think tanks" were taking up the cause. However, if Iraq now has some element inside it that has no qualms about viciously killing innocents, I feel some responsibility to help put in place some governmental stability to prevent a blood bath. I don't think we could bear to see that. I would want to protect those, who through no fault of their own, would be subject to slaughter. I do not view this as saving face. I would feel that I would have an obligation to protect innocents from a danger for which my country shares accountability.
I just don't know who we are dealing with, and good media is finding it difficult to get a true reading on the players, too. With good information, we could make a better decision on withdrawal. Perhaps peacekeeping forces with a much lower American presence, preferably Arab peacekeeping forces, might serve to pacify those who just want Americans out, yet still protect the people from the violent element who would harm those left behind.
It seems like Bush is trying to draw a picture of "the enemy", as forces coming from Syria. I don't know if this is true, as I trust nothing that comes out of this administration's mouth. Over and over we hear the administration taking verbal shots at Syria, and linking them with this undefined enemy. While bodies floated in the Streets of New Orleans, we were engaging in a bloody battle along the Syrian border, with bases being erected in the area. All of our actions seem to indicate that we have no intention of leaving, including a massive American Embassy being build. Even the work of American building contractors working in Iraq is kept secret from the American people and our elected representatives. Do we have no right to know what our "democratic" government is doing, and perhaps endangering our security with aggressive, illegal actions abroad? No amount of homeland security, public white-wash relations, and fences will protect us if we are not acting ethically toward others. The best innoculation we can give ourselves to protect ourselves is to act with fairness and respect in our dealings with others.
Thank you, Governor Dean, for being true to form and engaging the opinions of others like Cindy Sheehan, and for respecting and encouraging diaglog. It is such a pleasure to hear directly from you.
I don't think we have to call for an immediate withdrawal (as Cindy Sheehan is doing). Unfortunately, the pacifist voice is the one getting the most attention, for two reasons. The first, of course, is that the TV media oversimplifies everything and runs it through its Vietnam-era sensationalist explanatory filter. The second is because, with the exception of Governor Dean, General Clark (whose name I misspelled above, sorry), Representative Waxman, Representative McDermott, and a few others, the centrist, hawkish Democrats have failed to step up to the plate. Even though there is no shortage of former intelligence agents, national security experts, and military members critical of Bush's actions, there has been a failure on the part of politicians to embrace and amplify that criticism.
I don't think we should immediately withdraw from Iraq. But we will have ZERO credibility with the Iraqi people until we admit that we were wrong and redress many of the wrongs we have perpetrated like the Bremer edicts (giving foreign companies carte blanche to profit from Iraqi oil production and exemping American and British mercenaries from Iraqi law), giving jobs Iraqis could do to foreigners, imprisoning Iraqis without due process, and suppressing Iraqi freedom of the press, speech, and assembly.
The Bush gang have tried to run the regime change in Iraq like the Cold War coups we sponsored in Iran, Guatamala, and Chile, despite the fact that those all turned out to be detrimental to American national security in the long run (not to mention American ideals). We need a government that will disavow the imperialist practices of the past in order for us to have any credibility at all when we talk about encouraging democracy abroad. That means not building permanent bases in Iraq and giving Iraqis control over Iraqi industry.
The consensus seems to be that most of the resistance are native Iraqi Sunnis but the suicide bombers are from outside the country. I don't have a good plan for rectifying that. Maybe some tweaking of the proposed constitution (by Iraqis, not by us) would help that, maybe not. But the current "plan" obviously isn't working, and the people who implemented it obviously don't give a rat's behind about the well-being of the Iraqi people.
By the way, whose bright idea was it that we could secure a nation of 26 million with a force of less then 200,000?
Okay,
Let me once again sound like the troll. I know a lot of you love me and respect me and will disagree. I'm just in the moderate stream of things, o.k.?
I don't fault Chairman Dean for meeting with Cindy Sheehan or giving her personal support. However, I would be less than honest if I did not admit that I was somewhat troubled by his posting his reflections on the blog. The reason for that is that his posting suggests an official Democratic Party position on the war of withdrawal and in support of Cindy Sheehan.
First, I support withdrawal from Iraq. However, will posting of a thread about Cindy Sheehan lead some repubs and Independents to conclude that she is just a shill for the Democrats and therefore they abandon their support for withdrawal?
Second, will it appear, by posting the thread on Sheehan, that the DNC is using her to undermine bush (that the DNC) planted her?
I think her movement has much more credibility as an autonomous grassroots action devoid of association with any party (or sponsorship by it) and the posting by the Chairman associates her with us, hopefully not to the detriment of her cause.
There is clearly a split in this party between those who are loyal to the Chairman and his brand of in-their-face type of politics and those who recognize that politics is an artform that sometimes requires guile to succeed. Our last two candidates have been men of great integrity and you see where that got them.
Finally, and this brings up my deepest concern, it seems as if the Chairman and the elected officials are not traveling on the same track. The DNC appears to be treated as irrelevant as party leadership makes their own pronouncements. I think there needs to be a serious sit-down between the Chairman and elected officials to craft a message that can identify those issues that the two factions share. I often watch the news and wonder to myself "who's in charge"? "what's the message"? It's troubling that the elected officials seem to ignore the Chairman. It's also troubling to me that the two factions don't work together.
O.k. Have at me. Going to cook dinner.
I oppose the invasion of Iraq, along with any attempt to establish more military bases there, economic exploitation, and any semblance of imperial ambitions in the Middle East.
But it doesn't look like we're going to see a unified Democratic Party platform like that in the near future. So, we should speak for ourselves and support candidates who speak for us. I like speaking for myself anyway! I never wanted to parrot someone else's talking points. If there was an "official" platform which we didn't like, we'd be in a more uncomfortable position than we are now!
Is there a presidential candidate capable of sound leadership in the Democratic Party? Sadly, I do not see evidence of even one.
I firmly believe Pres. Bush should be Impeached. We need to end this egregious war in Iraq. We need political leadership not afraid of saying so. Anything less is criminal.
Surely you don't read the postings and it is also sure that few that post in here don't know up from down! Don't you know you show your ignorance when you blast the Democrats for not doing something about war, Sheehan, and plans for, whatever? The Democrats don't have the majority, they are NOT in charge, THEY DON'T HAVE THE POWER? What do you suggest they do? Whatever you suggest, remember they will have to fight the Whitehouse, the House of Rep., the Senate, and yes, the Supreme Court. Every bit of power is in the majority, every bit of power is with the Republicans! All we can do is work to unite our party and to work for re-election and to try for more Democrats to be voted in. You get on my nerves because I have absolutly NO respect for Republicans and your lack of knowledge is the worse I have ever witnessed!Everything that is wrong with the USA Government is the Republicans fault, and everything good about our Government is because the Republicans hasn't cancelled it or let it expire, or maybe you can find something good the Republicans have done for our Government? But you need to stop interferring with the Democrats and let them do their job and you need to heckle the Republicans if you have to heckle someone?
It seems to me that we Democrats are loosing the great opportunity of articulating the position the majority of American's want on this war. They want the war to end. They feel lied to and manipulated.
For our leaders, including Governor Dean, to just say it is up to the administration to make an exit plan is a weak and a loosing position. It is not up to Bush. He can not , will not, does not want to, make an exit plan. It is up to the opposition, us, to make an exit plan.
For some Democrats to propose sending more troops is evidence of their not understanding the situation. The Iraqis want us out. We want out. Where's the problem. Just figure the best, fastest , safest way out and propose it.
Juan Cole, Professor of History at the University of Michigan, proposes leaving in some air force to help the Iraqi army avoid a real civil war. Perhaps that is a good idea. Perhaps there are other ideas that are better. But the Democrats, our elected leaders, have to sit down and devise an exit plan and propose it as the Democrat's plan. Why are some of us supporting Bush at all? Why are we not all speaking out against his lies, and fraud?
Please governor Dean, use your influence as the head of the party to bring Democrats together to think up as exit plan. The grass roots want out. A percentage of the public, both Republican and Democrat want out. The party that articulates this and has some sort of a plan to do it will win the next election. The country is crying out for leadership. Where is our Democratic leadership? It is not a time to sit back and let the Republicans shoot themselves in the foot. They already have. Now is the time for a new direction.
Check out Juan Cole, Professor of History at the University of Michigan, runs a blog called “Informed Comment.” It can be found at JuanCole.com.
Excellent valliant work Mr. Dean.
My perspective on the war is really not that different from Wes Clark.
I know how to solve this ridiculous war and get everyone home right away, however it means "giving up Dick Cheney's cronyism" aka Halliburton and this Administration's original plan for global oil domination.
So until that is given up, I don't see the plan getting traction except maybe through congress to force them into giving up.
But here it is:
"1- Give back every bit of oil that we stole, and work with OPEC to regulate a new energy policy in the Middle East.
2- Take away every single bit of troops from the area protecting the oil fields and replace every last one of them with NATO commandos, and translators, like the Iraqis have been begging us for.
3- Completely diffuse the escalating violent situation by removing any and all permanent bases right now. Any base that stays in Iraq should be approved by the U.N., this should be the stand of all democrats.
4- Cut a deal immediately with Venezuela and other countries which will give us the cheapest oil and fuel short term.
5- Move away from oil fuels on to natural gas, and sustainable energy like hydrogen and bio-diesel immediately. Make it a national campaign. Make this the core strategy for democrats aside from pointing to culture of corruption.
6- With the help of General Clark, General Myers and other leaders running for congress mark up a FULL UNCONDITIONAL WITHDRAWL DATE.
7- Try any generals who have broken the law for war crimes.
8- With the international NATO coalition, hold trials to find out why we got in the "war" in the first place."
There we go!! There's your stay the course, that means letting INTERNATIONAL forces take charge of the peace treaties.......Why the hell is America there? Guard all the oil for Israel etc. I see.....Well that's the ONE PART OF THE PLAN, ALL of us Democrats must denounce collectively and say "NOT ONE MORE!"
Then put in the alternative plan I outlined above, vote on it, boom we're out of the fire.
nick
By the way Dr. Dean,
I believe this is a plan all the democrats can agree on, so please zero in like a laser on getting everyone in the same page!
You're the best of the best at that. We all want the wars to obviously "cease fire" but we need one large coherant strategy. This above and General Clark's, will do the job.
Note that violence in Iraq will never dissipate, until troops BEGIN moving home. Even if we bring just a few back home and move NATO in the violence will subside. Iraq and Iran are so deadly because the Iraqi congress is corrupt and so is the American occupiers like General Ramsey.
Move just a FEW, and the whole thing will start.....Get the United International Forces into position, and they can stop the spread of violence and feed the Iraqi people and people of Tehran. Remember FEMA was the cause of out-stretched violence in New Orleans and Houston.
There's no reason at all to think the same thing won't happen here, so get every democrat talking about this and not forcing the US to try to keep this place for Oil and "sustainable government"...
nick
Hello from CA.
Thank you for meeting with Cindy Sheehan Howard!
There is a great website that has posters against the war. It is www.projectcensored.org
Thanks Howard for saying the things that Progressive democrats truly think. I'm so tired of the centrists that are too afraid to speak their minds.
I don't have any more thoughts. I need to digest this website first.
I am happy to know that Chairman Dean met with Cindy Sheehan.
The post upthread about worrying if she'd be seen as a plant/shill... my advice is "stop worrying."
As Chairman Dean has loooong said:
"Democrats need to be proud to be Democrats again."
We need to drop the mantle of seeming like we're afraid to stand up for anything. People didn't rush to Kerry/Edwards because they didn't REALLY seem to stand for anything. We all know this is true. We cannot make that mistake again. The last lines of this truthout piece say alot:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/100305I.shtml
Be proud that you don't support the war in Iraq. Anyone who volunteers for the Armed Services deserves our thanks for being willing to die to protect us and our country, but that is not what they are doing in Iraq. Our soldiers are being USED over there, and it's shameful and horrifying.
We need a clear, articulate, SMART timetable plan for US disengagement from Iraq. It was a mistake to go there in the first place, and I definitely fault the Democrats in the Senate and House for not opposing a US invasion as least until the UN be allowed to complete its WMD inspections. It is long past time to remove ourselves from that sovereign nation, give them assistance as deemed proper for our having destroyed their country, and bring the other nations of the world to the table to help truly address the issue of terrorism properly -- as a global issue -- as should have been done starting 9-12-01.
This is Cindy Sheehan's take on her meeting with Dean:
"In my meeting with Howard Dean, he told me that the Iraq issue was "hard" and the new Dem "Contract with America" is going to have 10 points and the first one is going to be "Universal Health Care." I told Mr. Dean that if the Dems didn't come out strongly against the war and against George's disastrous policies, we were going to become irrelevant as a party (which is already happening) and the "hard" issue should be the one that is worked on the hardest! I'll admit that the issue doesn't seem so hard to me: George and his sycophantic band of criminals lied to the world; too many people are dead for the lies; too many people are in harm's way for the lies; it is time to bring our troops home. I am just hoping against hope that the war is on the Dems' contract somewhere. George is always pulling out the old saw that what he does in sending our children to die and kill is "hard work." I hate to see that same adjective used to describe bringing them home. The war issue is not complicated: wrong to invade and wrong to stay. Bring our troops home. Simple.
I think if one is not speaking out right now against the killing in Iraq, one is supporting it. I believe that the members of Congress who have always been, or are now, opposed to this war, need our 100 percent support, admiration, and encouragement. Everyone else needs to be prodded in the right direction. I implored every member I spoke to this past week (and during our bus trip) to lead our country out of the desert. I believe that if they did, America would follow them through fire to bring our troops home."
This is Cindy Sheehan's take on her meeting with Dean:
"In my meeting with Howard Dean, he told me that the Iraq issue was "hard" and the new Dem "Contract with America" is going to have 10 points and the first one is going to be "Universal Health Care." I told Mr. Dean that if the Dems didn't come out strongly against the war and against George's disastrous policies, we were going to become irrelevant as a party (which is already happening) and the "hard" issue should be the one that is worked on the hardest! I'll admit that the issue doesn't seem so hard to me: George and his sycophantic band of criminals lied to the world; too many people are dead for the lies; too many people are in harm's way for the lies; it is time to bring our troops home. I am just hoping against hope that the war is on the Dems' contract somewhere. George is always pulling out the old saw that what he does in sending our children to die and kill is "hard work." I hate to see that same adjective used to describe bringing them home. The war issue is not complicated: wrong to invade and wrong to stay. Bring our troops home. Simple.
I think if one is not speaking out right now against the killing in Iraq, one is supporting it. I believe that the members of Congress who have always been, or are now, opposed to this war, need our 100 percent support, admiration, and encouragement. Everyone else needs to be prodded in the right direction. I implored every member I spoke to this past week (and during our bus trip) to lead our country out of the desert. I believe that if they did, America would follow them through fire to bring our troops home."
Dr. Dean,
Thank you for meeting with Cindy Sheehan. Regarding her account of your meeting and the
Contract with America that you mentioned to her with Universal Health Care as the first of 10 points, I’d like to suggest putting the War in Iraq as the first of the 10 points. While I certainly favor universal care and could understand putting it second on a list of 10 points, I believe that the issue most important to Americans is the War in Iraq. If the Democrats will not formulate a viable position on Iraq that distinguishes them from Republicans, I don’t think they have a chance in the world of winning coming elections. Focusing on domestic issues without addressing the horrible situation in Iraq will lose a lot of voters.
As a Democrat I received requests for support and surveys from Senator Hillary Clinton and Representative Nancy Pelosi. I was thoroughly shocked that Senator Clinton’s survey did not once mention or offer a question on the War in Iraq. I think I just threw that one away. Representative Pelosi’s survey did have a section on Iraq; however, the first section on
Leadership did not include Iraq. Again, I was very dismayed. Above all, I want to see leadership on the issue of Iraq.
I hope you will convey to the Democrats in Congress the concern of so many of us about the War in Iraq.
"If the Democrats will not formulate a viable position on Iraq that distinguishes them from Republicans, I don’t think they have a chance in the world of winning coming elections. Focusing on domestic issues without addressing the horrible situation in Iraq will lose a lot of voters."
Indeed, this was already demonstrated conclusively in last year's election. How many more times do we have to be proven right before the Dem leadership starts listening to us?
Bravo TruthSpeaker.... when will the Democratic Party start listening to those they supposedly represent?
It's sad to say the line between republican and democrat is becoming increasingly blurred.
I look at Washington as the largest corporation in the world... and just like any other corporation... they have employees (politicians) who are 'lifers'. And as in any other corporation... 'lifers' are complacent... contributing very little... never wanting to rock the boat.. simply waiting for retirement.
The republicans AND democrats both have too many 'lifers' in office.... doing very little... being complacent... not wanting to rock the boat... waiting for retirement... BUT, it is the american people who are footing the bill for their apathy.
America... its time for a change... the Democratic Party needs to listen, get on board... or we will be forced to join a new, 3rd party... which will only leave the Democrats and this 'New' party in 2nd or 3rd place.
I, and many other Americans WILL NOT be forced to vote for the lesser of 2 evils.
My wife has been disabled for ten years. She has fervently tried to exercise her "ticket to work" rights for years. The only thing this has done is to offer her "training" through 'for profit' subcontractors, who apparantly know nothing about the program, but are all to glad to "represent" her....to no avail, and probably at great cost to taxpayers. What the heck is the problem with a system that won't help a woman who WANTS TO WORK ??!?! We lost everything during Charlie, barely got into a living space after 107 days, had no assistance in restarting our lives and now have to listen as GW backpeddles and offers the world to Katrina victims for political salvation? Don't get me wrong, those survivors deserve everything they can get, of all people, we KNOW what surviving means. Yet do we, and other "lesser" victims fall into a secondary category because our disaster was not as politically devistating for our former Republican brethren? Does the complete annihilation of everything our lives had, including my job, deem less importance than those, who by disastrous government mishandling,have the ears and eyes of the nation for now? We have been Registered Republicans for over 20 years, yet now we see the light and have since re-registered as Democrats. There has to be a way for people who want to help themselves to get help in doing so without being the family or friends of politcal nepotists. We were rudely and abruptly ousted from our "luxiurious" 28 ft. travel tralor so that FEMA could rush it to the aid of those in need in La., yet it sits here still empty and unused, while we sit in a 20 year old trailor attempting to make payments without a job, and FEMA did not even bother to verify that we had alternate housing...we still have the key!! What is going on? We truelly moved heaven and earth do do our part for our fellow disaster victims...BEFORE WE WERE READY...AND the trailor still sits here empty?????????...3 weeks later???????
My lead essay, "What Next?" on my website, follows: (it's short)
What Next?
Katrina has finally done it. When the levees burst and New Orleans went under, the failure of President Bush and his cronies in that most important responsibility of government, protection of its citizens, became a matter of common perception. An immediate corollary effect was that the levees that the administration’s spinmasters and media flacks had erected to protect their masters were also breached. No amount of spin control could keep the unfolding tragedy from the public, nor mask the national shame at our government’s inadequate and tardy response.
Kerry lost the last election for many complicated reasons, but one simple way of looking at it is that Bush seized the offensive early on and held it. Kerry was too often perceived as playing catch-up, running a “yes, but…” kind of campaign. The public wanted the appearance of strong leadership more than they wanted anything else, and they got it in a sense, but now they have learned that strong leadership can be even worse than the alternative if the leader is leading in the wrong direction. And that perception is precisely what Katrina has accomplished.
This moment of national disillusion provides a rare opportunity for someone to step into the breach with ideas that promise not only corrections but also new directions. We must not waste it by frittering it away with finger-pointing and mutual accusations. The gang that got us into this mess is all too skillful at that. No, we need new leaders to step up with positive ideas for the country, and we need them now. The country is ready.
Here are some thoughts as to the shape these new directions might take. I render them as suggestions only.
1) A world at peace. No more imperial ambitions. We are one of the big players, but we believe in cooperation not coercion. More carrots, fewer sticks. We aim for an international order ruled by law. We support the UN and its efforts to keep the peace and mitigate human suffering.
2) A just and prosperous society at home. A society that helps its less fortunate members achieve dignity and decent living standards through such measures as an efficient national health insurance system, more funds for public education, and innovative programs to help in pockets of poverty. All to be funded responsibly, with taxes appropriate to the need and to the future economic health of the nation.
3) An economy that is sustainable environmentally. Cooperation with others in achieving global environmental goals. Domestic policies that support those goals, and act to preserve our national environmental heritage.
In all three of these major areas of concern—international, domestic, and environmental— George W. Bush has done just about everything wrong. His wretched neocon advisers have done us incalculable harm internationally, at enormous cost in prestige and influence as well as in blood and treasure. His domestic policies, based on helping his rich cronies, have divided the nation and beggared our economy. And his environmental policies have been exploitative and short term to put it mildly.
But I repeat, it won’t be enough to fight the next election on whether or not we want to repudiate our present leaders. Let’s have a real discussion of where we want to go. Let’s take these three major areas, international, domestic, and environmental, and put some clothes on them, specific proposals that can be debated. Then let’s go ahead with the next election, put the incumbent rascals into dishonorable retirement, and step out with our heads high, our ideals intact, and a new sense of purpose.
Carl Coon 9/8/05
My lead essay, "What Next?" on my website, follows: (it's short)
What Next?
Katrina has finally done it. When the levees burst and New Orleans went under, the failure of President Bush and his cronies in that most important responsibility of government, protection of its citizens, became a matter of common perception. An immediate corollary effect was that the levees that the administration’s spinmasters and media flacks had erected to protect their masters were also breached. No amount of spin control could keep the unfolding tragedy from the public, nor mask the national shame at our government’s inadequate and tardy response.
Kerry lost the last election for many complicated reasons, but one simple way of looking at it is that Bush seized the offensive early on and held it. Kerry was too often perceived as playing catch-up, running a “yes, but…” kind of campaign. The public wanted the appearance of strong leadership more than they wanted anything else, and they got it in a sense, but now they have learned that strong leadership can be even worse than the alternative if the leader is leading in the wrong direction. And that perception is precisely what Katrina has accomplished.
This moment of national disillusion provides a rare opportunity for someone to step into the breach with ideas that promise not only corrections but also new directions. We must not waste it by frittering it away with finger-pointing and mutual accusations. The gang that got us into this mess is all too skillful at that. No, we need new leaders to step up with positive ideas for the country, and we need them now. The country is ready.
Here are some thoughts as to the shape these new directions might take. I render them as suggestions only.
1) A world at peace. No more imperial ambitions. We are one of the big players, but we believe in cooperation not coercion. More carrots, fewer sticks. We aim for an international order ruled by law. We support the UN and its efforts to keep the peace and mitigate human suffering.
2) A just and prosperous society at home. A society that helps its less fortunate members achieve dignity and decent living standards through such measures as an efficient national health insurance system, more funds for public education, and innovative programs to help in pockets of poverty. All to be funded responsibly, with taxes appropriate to the need and to the future economic health of the nation.
3) An economy that is sustainable environmentally. Cooperation with others in achieving global environmental goals. Domestic policies that support those goals, and act to preserve our national environmental heritage.
In all three of these major areas of concern—international, domestic, and environmental— George W. Bush has done just about everything wrong. His wretched neocon advisers have done us incalculable harm internationally, at enormous cost in prestige and influence as well as in blood and treasure. His domestic policies, based on helping his rich cronies, have divided the nation and beggared our economy. And his environmental policies have been exploitative and short term to put it mildly.
But I repeat, it won’t be enough to fight the next election on whether or not we want to repudiate our present leaders. Let’s have a real discussion of where we want to go. Let’s take these three major areas, international, domestic, and environmental, and put some clothes on them, specific proposals that can be debated. Then let’s go ahead with the next election, put the incumbent rascals into dishonorable retirement, and step out with our heads high, our ideals intact, and a new sense of purpose.
Carl Coon 9/8/05
Chairman Dean,
I am dissappointed with your meeting with Cindy. Yes, you say she's a nice person, but you avoid the main issue! This is a letter I sent to the DSCC and is applicable to the DNC as well.
"Dear DSCC,
I donated to DSCC, planning to do more--believing that the DSCC strategy of taking back the senate is our best chance to help turn around our country. I now fear that I was wrong!!
It will accomplish nothing if the Democrats are only going to continue the status quo. Daily I hear statements in the press from Democrats that sound like they have nothing to say. I keep hearing buzz words and criticisms, with repeated requests for more money to give democrats control--but nothing concrete in terms of what Democrats would DO once they got control.
I am a life long democrat, and it pains me to say this, but like many other Americans right now, I am wondering why is there no strong national leadership apparent in the party now days? It seems everyone is afraid except for a small handful who get branded as extremists.
I am particularly concerned about the Iraq war. Over 60% of the people do not approve of how it's been handled. There is a growing anti-war momentum in this country, and where are the democrats? We have everybody twiddling their thumbs, hemming and hawing, and Hillary Clinton saying she would go in and bomb them even more! What on earth does it take for the democratic leadership to recognize a golden opportunity to demonstrate some leadership and courage on this issue! I'm sick of political posturing and gamesmanship. I want to see some specific action!
According to a 10-5-05 article in Wall Street Journal, even General George Casey, the top US commander in Iraq told Congress last week that the large American military presence in Iraq "feeds the notion of occupation" and "extends the amount of time that it will take for Iraqi security forces to become self-reliant." A growing number of top military commanders and civilian policy makers are concerned US troop presence is actually fueling the insurgency. Robert Pape's research on terrorism concludes that occupation creates terrorism. At this point in time, we are not freeing the Iraqi's, we are killing them and occupying their country, and for no good reason -- only a bunch of lies! We need to get out of Iraq now!
DEMOCRATS NEED TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO GET US OUT OF IRAQ, AND GET THE PARTY BEHIND IT WITH EVERYONE ON BOARD, INCLUDING HILLARY!!! Representative Lynn Woolsey has already started, bless her soul, and John Conyers as well. I hope you as Senators will join with them, and come out with a strong new direction. It would be a good first step-- and restore some faith in our elected leadership which is sorely lacking right now.
As for me, I will not vote for nor contribute to anyone who is not willing to stand up and speak out against this ghastly war. John McCain at least has the guts to stand up against Bush on the torture issue. Do you have the guts to be the party that represents the growing majority of Americans who want us out of Iraq?"
Strategic Thinker
Ashland Oregon
Dear Fellow Democrats and Chairman Dean,
We need an update on how Cindy Sheehan is doing with the Anti-War Protests. Also, we need to know what the protests of the Bush-Chaney war supporters are doing.
Since the Bush-Chaney war supporters are so much for the war, I think that the Armed Forces recruiters should attend those protests and sign those people (and their children) to go to Iraq and fight. Maybe they should also attend the Republican fund raisers and sign their children up for duty.
Cindy, keep doing what you are doing. You have created a machine that will not stop.
Chijioke
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