Posted on 08/23/2005 1:48:17 PM PDT by BenLurkin
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Supporters of President Bush clashed with anti-war activists as they wound their way through California after rallying in the hometown of Cindy Sheehan, the mother who started a protest camp outside Bush's Texas ranch.
Conservative activists and military families embarked on the tour Monday, calling it "You don't speak for me, Cindy!" A verbal confrontation erupted when the caravan arrived in Sacramento and was met by anti-war protesters chanting for Bush to bring home the troops.
Sheehan supporter Dan Elliott, 71, confronted caravan members by waving a sign reading "Death is not support" and heckling one of the tour's organizers as she addressed the crowd.
"You are ruining the morale over there," responded Greg Parkinson, a Bush supporter.
Sheehan began her protest vigil Aug. 6 on the road leading to Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, an act that has encouraged anti-war activists to join her and prompted peace vigils nationwide. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq.
The pro-Bush caravan planned rallies in several California cities before heading to Crawford, where Sheehan opponents have formed their own camp.
"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 and addressed supporters outside the Vacaville Reporter newspaper in Sheehan's hometown.
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 Army, although not in Iraq. Colip said her son opposes Cindy 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.
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.
On Monday, Bush was in Salt Lake City, where he spoke to a national veterans group to rally support for the war. Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan, but a White House spokeswoman said he did not plan to change his schedule and meet with her. She and other families met with Bush about two months after Casey died, before she became a vocal opponent of the war.
Either way you look at it she is slandering the good name of her son. According to her he was just using the Military as a meal ticket. Is that honorable? She is despecable.
I still believe her son knew what he was doing and died fighting for freedom. She should be proud of her son but no she claims he died for a lie, he died so Bush's friends could reap profits, he died not for America or freedom he died for Israel. Does this woman have any sense of decency?
See my post #36.
True, true. :o)
I'm sure I am....but tell that to mommy. Sheesh.
And if that is the case, perhaps you can save us from Tom Cruise's evil plan.
I can't imagine that during our current War on Terrorism, anyone who enlisted after we went into Iraq wouldn't know exactly what might be required of them. They are willing to put their lives on the line for freedom and democracy, and to protect us against an enemy that wants us all dead.
"I remember the anti-war activists in the 60's"
My mom was one. My step-dad? Two tour Vietnam vet. Go figure. He straightened her out though. She's been a good conservative ever since the Reagan/Carter election.
heeyyy.... check out that one pair with LIGHTS! A must have.
Well, like I said above, I just don't understand how that happens.
Her sons join.
And she hates the military.
The ones that join for the benefits should be culled out.
Agreed.
Nope. Supporters of the military and the war did not rise up. Hence, the birth of the phrase "the silent majority".
[PS...I was a kid...really ;-)]
While Sheehan is a mere buffoon without an alternative plan to protect this country (like her other anti-war cohorts) the real villians here are the left wing press, using this to incite the far left and drive down the Presidents popularity numbers. It's the same way they started in 1967, turning on their own President, Johnson, forcing him to not run for another term. I was there. I served in the USAF 1968-72 and watched the specticle in SF and other major cities. The press egged them on the whole time and all of the correspondants who reported the news from then til now cut their teeth on the story. It gave us this reputation that we can be outwaited by an enemy and slowly bled until we lose all resolve . It makes me want to puke. I think of all of the names that honor our history...Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, San Juan hill, Argonne Forest, Pearl Harbor, Midway,Guadal Canal, Tarawa, Omaha Beach, Malmedy, Anzio, Chosan Resavoir, Khe San, Hue, 73 Eastings and Fallujah... and contrast that with Haight Ashbury, Woodstock, the NY Times, Time magazine, LA Times, SF Chronicle...ad nauseum. These people don't even realize that we lost more people in the twin towers than we' ve lost since. Patience people, we're in this for the long haul or we will be defeated.
"Many are simply uninformed or misinformed"
They are that plus remarkably immature and naive.
BUMP!
And I have more bad news: It's not Karl Rove stealing one sock out of your dryer every day. It's ALIENS!
So THERE!
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