Posted on 08/08/2005 3:36:09 PM PDT by kristinn
A year-old article in a small California newspaper suddenly became one of the hottest media stories in the country today, generating wildly different interpretations from supporters and detractors of the Iraq war. This afternoon, the newspaper posted a story on its Web site, along with its original story, which may only add fuel to the fire.
The dispute is inspired by the ongoing protest vigil by Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year. Sheehan, whose son Casey was an Army specialist, remains camped out near President Bush' ranch in Crawford, Texas, determined to get a meeting with the commander-in-chief.
Today, at a press briefing about Air Force One en route to New Mexico, reporters asked repeatedly about Sheehan's request. White House spokesman Trent Duffy suggested the meeting was unlikely, since the president met with her last year. "And he was glad to meet with her at that time," Duffy said. "We always mourn the loss of every life."
He also pointed out that the White House had sent two top officials out to meet with her this weekend, and said she "expressed on more than three occasions that she was very appreciative for them coming out."
But it is Sheehan's meeting with Bush last summer in Seattle--and an alleged change in her opinion of it--that sparked controversy earlier today.
At the time of her meeting with Bush in June 2004, Sheehan's hometown paper, the Vacaville Reporter, covered her reaction. As charges flew this afternoon, David Henson, author of the original story, told E&P this afternoon, “I stand by my full report as an accurate reflection of the Sheehans at the time of the interview. I wouldn't want to speculate about Ms. Sheehan's point of view. My article accurately reflected her position at the time.”
For months, Sheehan has strongly criticized the president on the war, adding that she was disappointed in his demeanor -- he allegedly acted like he was at a party -- and comments during her 10-minute meeting with him. This morning, The Drudge Report published quotes from Henson's Vacaville story (which at that time was no longer on the paper's site). This, Drudge suggested, showed that Sheehan had changed her account of that meeting radically.
Drudge quoted Sheehan saying at that time about Bush, “I now know he's 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.”
He also noted that Sheehan had taken comfort from meeting. “That was the gift the president gave us, the gift of happiness, of being together,” Sheehan said, referring to the benefit to her family.
But liberal Web sites quickly pointed out that the original story also revealed that Sheehan and her husband, Patrick, had debated before the meeting whether to ask pointed questions about the war and whether to vent frustration over their son's sacrifice. Ultimately, the Sheehans decided not to criticize Bush in the meeting.
"We haven't been happy with the way the war has been handled," Cindy said at that time. "The president has changed his reasons for being over there every time a reason is proven false or an objective reached."
In re-posting the original story on the paper's Web site, Editor Diane Barney said: "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.'”
Didn't the MoveOn ad say, "Help us air Cindy Sheehan's ad, send money." ?? THat means to me that she got paid to make the ad, right??? So she is making money off her dead son. Classy.
Absolutely! Great job FR!
So kristinn do you get the "Buckhead" award or do you share it with the other poster (sorry I forget who)?
Mark Levin had a couple of such fathers on his radio show today on WABC in NYC. They were great, God bless 'em!!
C$ndy $HOULD $end any ill-gotten $$ to Sean's Freedom Foundation for the children of fallen troops. But on second thought, they'd probably not want it and I wouldn't blame them.
Sean wouldn't want any of her tainted $oro$ monies.
You're so right. This whole thing is disgusting.
It is so disgusting.
Here in N California we keep hearing that her younger son wants to join the military, and she and her husband are now separated due to her vile attacks.
I doubt that she is, personally. On the other hand, some left-wing group is probably picking up her travel expenses and paying her some kind of per diem for her "services" with the media.
The real money, though, is being made by the left-wing group that is sponsoring her. Moveon.org? They are blatently using her grief as a fundraising tool. And, the more media exposure she gets, the more cash she rakes in for them.
So much of the left is about nothing more (nor less) than fundraising -- keeping the directors and general secretaries of the non-profits in Beemers and $500 suits.
Really? If you know more...do tell. This is the first I've heard of it. I've been wondering why her hubby isn't the campaign with her.
"The real money, though, is being made by the left-wing group that is sponsoring her. Moveon.org? They are blatently using her grief as a fundraising tool. And, the more media exposure she gets, the more cash she rakes in for them. "
"So much of the left is about nothing more (nor less) than fundraising -- keeping the directors and general secretaries of the non-profits in Beemers and $500 suits."
She has been a Golden Squawking Goose for Moveon.org, hasn't she.
Honestly, I don't. I consider her to be brainwashed. We need to make sure all kool-aide is kept well away from her.
That's easy to believe. She is actually saying that the American people are not worth defending! What is more vile than that!
"Here in N California we keep hearing that her younger son wants to join the military, and she and her husband are now separated due to her vile attacks."
'Really? If you know more...do tell. This is the first I've heard of it. I've been wondering why her hubby isn't the campaign with her.'
Go to the thread linked below and in the middle is the report that includes these two paragraphs.
Last night we were at a barbeque. The couple who hosted have a son, whose wife's parents live in Vacaville. They told our hosts that Cindy is a liar.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1459337/posts
"So, now we have Ms. Sheehan camped out at the President’s Ranch spouting her hateful vitriol to the glee of the MSM and the Democrat party. Her husband has left her because he disagrees with what she is doing. She is a pitiful figure out there in the heat in Crawford waiting for a meeting she knows will never occur for the entertainment and purposes of the MSM and Liberals. She has sacrificed her marriage for her campaign of hate. She has been seduced by the Moores, the Conyers, the Boxers, and the Pelosis. They are working on her anger to keep her from healing. It is a sad, sad situation."
"Now don’t get me wrong, I blame her as well. She is an adult and is therefore responsible for her actions. Her family should be intervening and helping her get over her loss, but the Left have managed to estrange her from those who could help her most. The depth of her hatred and anger leads her to make outrageous statements and in the process, she is dishonoring her son. She has stated that he died for nothing, something with which he would disagree, and basically did before he left on his deployment. Her remaining son is now toying with the idea of following in his brother’s footsteps and joining the service. In her interview with AntiChimp, she said that she blamed herself most for her son’s death, because she “didn’t teach him not to die for this country.” What a sad legacy to leave for her son."
Does anybody have a link for the original story in the Vacaville paper where this witch actually gave praise to GW?
won't be happy till she lites herself on fire screaming out Bush=Hitler and 9-11 was a conspiracy
I, for one, would be pleased.
Good Lord, what a vile creature. Thanks for the link, I'll head to it now. Thanks.
Her husband needs to go to court to petition to have her committed.
On the other hand, if my son were killed like that, it might just blow my mind, too. Attack her politics but, not her personally.
There are about 1800 or so mothers in the USA that have the same experience as this woman. How many of them are out there making up lies to line their pockets? This woman has disgraced the honor of her son for capital and political gain. Nothing more, nothing less.
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