Posted on 08/22/2005 8:50:40 PM PDT by tgslTakoma
VACAVILLE, Calif. - A caravan proclaiming support for U.S. troops began a tour through California on Monday, stopping in the hometown of Cindy Sheehan, the anti-war mother who gained national prominence during a vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch.
Conservative activists and military families embarked on the tour they call "You don't speak for me, Cindy!" They planned rallies in several California cities before heading to Crawford, Texas.
About 30 Bush supporters staged a rally outside the offices of the Vacaville Reporter newspaper.
"It's time to lay down the anger. We need to continue to uphold those people over there, to uphold those men and women with their boots on the ground," said Deborah Johns of the Northern California Marine Moms, who helped organize the caravan, which is sponsored by Move America Forward, a Bay Area-based group.
Sheehan began a protest vigil Aug. 6 on the road leading to Bush's ranch, an act that has encouraged anti-war activists to join her and prompted peace vigils throughout the country. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq.
A verbal confrontation erupted when the caravan arrived in Sacramento and was met by anti-war protesters chanting "Bring them home."
Sheehan supporter Dan Elliott, 71, confronted caravan members by waving a sign reading "Death is not support" and heckling Johns as she addressed the crowd.
"You are ruining the morale over there," responded Greg Parkinson, a Bush supporter.
Some caravan members called the anti-war protesters communists and said they were "aiding and abetting the enemy." Those comments enraged Sheehan supporter Dee Ann Heath, who said she has two sons serving in Iraq and another preparing to leave.
"I don't support the war, but I support my sons," she said. "I simply want them to come home."
In Vacaville, Toni Colip, 50, said her son, David, went to high school with Casey Sheehan and is now in the Marines, although not in Iraq. She said her son opposes Sheehan's activities and has asked her to support his military service even if he is injured or killed.
"He said, 'Don't dishonor me, don't walk on my grave,'" Colip said.
The pro-Bush caravan plans to join fellow supporters who have set up their own camp in downtown Crawford as a reaction to the Sheehan-inspired vigil. Bush was in Salt Lake City on Monday, where he spoke to a national veterans group to rally support for the war.
Sheehan vowed to remain in Texas until Bush agreed to meet with her or until his monthlong vacation ended Sept. 3, but she flew to Los Angeles last week after her 74-year-old mother had a stroke. She is expected to return to Texas in a few days.
Several of those in the caravan said they understood Sheehan's anger but disagreed with her protest.
"This is not the way to honor her son," said Lori Judy, 49, of Vacaville, whose son, Tim, served in Iraq.
August 22, 2005 11:01 PM
Oh crap! My bad!......My wife's name is Cindy (only she spells it "Cindee").
I don't think you are missing anything but the mom sure is.
I sure hope she doesn't lurk behind you like my husband does to me. You may be in trouble lol.
Ah..yeh, and it is the deaths of thousands of Americans they are there fighting for you leftist idiot. YOU are the ones supporting DEATH!
Not very much. She gets too pissed at the "Cindy Sheehan type stuff". Maybe it's a good thing you have your own "moderator".
Well, gotta let the dogs out to chase the racoons from the chicken house.
nite!
The Fresno rally tonight was SPECTACULAR!! Look for report.
Maybe AP has decided there really is no upside to ignoring half of America.
Yeah, he says he just watches so that he knows when I drift too far right and need reeling back in:') Night.
You are, thankfully, missing the mindset of the left. They hate ANYTHING that is Mom, apple pie, and the flag. I'd say you're doing just fine...
How can she support her sons .. but not the work they do?
Ron, do you know this person?
Related (but funny) thread by Doctor Raoul: Guess Cindy's Not Taking News Of The Divorce That Hard
Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.
I think these boys are going in to get away from their whacky mothers.
I would if I were them.
How do you feel now, Cindy?
SACRAMENTO (AP) — U.S. military authorities began investigating whether a California National Guard unit was established to spy on U.S. citizens, as about 30 demonstrators outside Guard headquarters confronted officials backed by armed soldiers.
U.S. Army veteran Dan Elliott and other protesters marched to the headquarters of the California National Guard in Sacramento, on Wednesday. By Rich Pedroncelli, AP
# Dan Elliott says:
May 23rd, 2005 at 12:13 pm
Rep. Cynthia McKinney of GA is widely regarded as the most outspokenly progressive congressional opponent of the Iraq war, but the Pelosi leadership has refused to restore her old committee assignments which she lost due to the successful campaign by AIPAC and allies to unseat her.
Why haven’t I heard anything from PDA (Progessive Democrats of America) about this outrage?
Thanks,
Dan Elliott
Sacramento CA
cuibono@rcip.com
fax 755 256 1356
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