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.
Yep. Mommy couldn't stop them from going to war, so she's just going to stop the whole dang war. That'll teach 'em!!
Maybe they are telling HER something, too, huh?
Uh huh. Like they are doing now? Why does it take a "next time"? It took less than a week after 9/11 before some of them were saying we deserved to be hit. These people need to shut up or get out of the way. I don't want a "next time".
You call this a clash?
Oh, please. Hasn't that story been debunked already?
Socks don't go missing in the dryer. If they did, you'd find them in that kitchen junk drawer. (Heck, everything else ends up there.)
Loose socks mate in the washer and give birth in the dryer. It's not that a sock is missing. There's an extra one so it just looks like one is missing.
Good for him - more of us need to treat these "journalists" like the left wing scum they are and just refuse to have anything to do with them. Make 'em invent their lies about us from the ground up instead of giving them quotes they can twist and strip of all context.
These MSM reporters are never going to like us conservatives or treat us fairly, no matter how polite we are to them. So we may as well openly treat them like the fifth columnists they are and give them no quarter.
That Dee Ann Heath woman has to be an even bigger barking moonbat than Cindy Sheehan, if that's possible. She has two sons in Iraq, another soon to be there, and she's doing everything she can to encourage the terrorist thugs, the ones who will be shooting at her sons!
I starting to wonder if some of the people who are parents today got hold of the brown acid at Woodstock and we're seeing the tragic results many years later.
Peace through strength! It's the only thing the terrorists understand.
What does ROFLMAO stand for?
I was also at the event. The cameras seemed to be glued to the war protestors. I didn't get to see the coverage on Ch. 10 or anywhere else? Was it balanced? And I met Greg Parkinson -- an awesome young man, and a soldier just back from Iraq for a 14 day visit. He came to the event in Sacramento to surprise his mom -- she was coming to the rally and then was planning on going with them to Crawford.
I asked him what I could do for him while he was fighting in Iraq for our country. He said, "Just what you're doing right now." He really touched my heart.
i had to think about that one a minute - that was funny.
Never.
The other two:
1) we were invaded on our homeland,
2) 100% volunteer army
BTTT! :)
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT! If our young men and women are on the front lines, literally laying their lives down for our country and our protection - in 140 degree heat and sandstorms, then we can fight the battle here - consistently, persistently, loudly and always! I am with you on this! They will never do again what they did to U.S. during the Vietnam era. Never Again! We will not be silent!
Interesting, huh?
Very.
I am not agree with something my son wanted to do, but because he is my son I would respect his choice. And respecting his choice would mean that I would not go around publicly criticizing his choice -- and using him to do it, to boot.
Period.
Rolling on floor laughing....Do an FR (on the top of your page) Search, A helpful FR Dictionary for Newcomers. :)
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