The Case Of Cindy Sheehan

The Case Of Cindy Sheehan

Cindy Sheehan is the mother of a US soldier lost in Iraq. She was, by all accounts, a loyal mother, a good mother who still mourns her son. Much has been written the past few weeks about Ms Sheehan, both good and bad, but one thing is obvious: Cindy Sheehan is mad.

Casey Sheehan voiced his opposition to the war in Iraq to his parents but said he would serve his tour without complaint because it was, he said, his duty. Both of his parents were in opposition to this war and voted against George Bush. So does it surprise anyone that as the numbness from Casey's death wears off, anger towards Dubya takes it's place?

For anyone who hasn't read a paper in the past two weeks, Sheehan is camped about three miles from Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas where he is currently taking a five week vacation. She has requested a meeting with the president saying that she wants to ask him what "noble cause" - Bush's words - that her son died for.

I can understand her frustration, in fact I share a portion of it. This war was not based on facts, it was based on anger. 9-11 was chanted like a holy litany to prompt support for the invasion. The US population, intent on extracting revenge for the attack on America, followed a leader who swore he would bring the guilty parties to justice.

But somewhere along the way, we allowed Bin Laden - the real culprit behind the attacks on 9-11 - to escape and focused our attention on a more visible target: Saddam Hussain. The untruths that have emerged since 2003 show either a path of deliberate lies or the worst example of intelligence collecting and communication that America has ever seen. I choose to believe that our intelligence organizations are not that inept, especially now that documentation has surfaced that the administration received warnings prior to the war that the administrative spin placed on intelligence reports was not being presented correctly.

SO yes, I can understand Cindy Sheehan's anger.

But realistically, should the president meet with her? As much as I'd love to see her have that opportunity, the answer is "no".

Bush is struggling in all polls. He is at his lowest approval level yet. His political power in the house and senate is faltering among republicans worried about reelection.
Meeting with Sheehan would only weaken his position more. He can't admit to her that he was wrong. Doing so would neuter any political power that remains. He would be ineffective as a president and as the virtual head of the GOP.

Make no mistake, I do not uphold the actions of George "God talks to me" Bush. I believe the future will show him to be the worst president in history. I think the quagmire of Iraq will destroy our global reputation, negate any pull we have with other countries and take us years to recover from both the social and financial difficulties it has formed.

But we need a leader for the next three years, until we can go to the polls and undo the mistake that was elected in 2004. For better or worse, that's George Bush. If our elected representatives in Congress come to their senses and limit his destructiveness themselves, then YAY, the system works as it should. But Bush himself can not be the instrument of his own demise.

God be with you, Cindy Sheehan. Your pain is noted and respected by, I hope, the majority of Americans. Your son truly is a hero. I hope your vigil brings you some comfort and that somewhere congress is listening to your cries.