Posted on 10/05/2006 9:21:58 AM PDT by Impeach98
Mourning in America
Kathleen Antrim, The Examiner
Oct 5, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 25 of 5,546 articles
SAN FRANCISCO - Rarely does a book come along that touches the very essence of American culture. Even more rare is the book that does so while in the midst of that specific cultural phenomenon, as most are historical accounts of times past. “American Mourning” written by Catherine Moy and Melanie Morgan is such a book.
A personal story of two young men who worked, fought and died together in Iraq, “American Mourning” represents a nation torn by war. In this book, we find more than the personal tragedy of two families. We find a deep love of family and country. We find the very best in human beings and the very worst. And we find the conflicts created within the human condition when faced with loss, grief, love, heroism and fanaticism.
There is no question our nation is polarized by the war in Iraq and the war on terror. To this day, some don’t seem to understand the danger we face. Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson, the two young soldiers portrayed in “American Mourning,” understood the threat to our nation, our freedom and our way of life. Their understanding ran so deep, and their commitment so strong, that both made the ultimate sacrifice.
The emotions and course of action of the Sheehan and Johnson families after the death of each of their sons exemplifies, on an intensely personal level, the struggle of our nation. Within the pages of “American Mourning,” the reader sees one’s self, a brother, a sister, a mother, a father and a neighbor. There is a personal connection one can’t ignore, making the book impossible to put down.
We all would like to assume that, under the same circumstances of extreme grief, we still would operate with honor and dignity. Fortunately, that is true of some. Unfortunately, it’s not true of others. This book challenges the reader to turn the magnifying glass on one’s self while viewing the world through the eyes of these two young men.
In “American Mourning,” we follow the extremely different paths these two families take in dealing with such grief.
Casey’s mother, Cindy Sheehan, became an overnight media phenomenon, the most famous anti-war, anti-American activist since Jane Fonda. She figuratively spat on her son’s sacrifice and everything he stood for as she blamed President Bush for his death, and called the Islamo-Fascists who murdered her son “freedom fighters.”
Justin’s father, Joe Johnson, embraced his son’s heroism and vowed to honor his son and his son’s sacrifice by joining the war on terror himself and by avenging his child’s death in Iraq.
The Sheehan family shattered as Cindy profited from her son’s death by accepting money to speak against the war on terror. The Johnson family drew closer together, have refused any money, but speak freely about the war.
For over two years, Moy and Morgan researched and investigated the stories of Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson and the impact their respective deaths had on their families. This book follows Joe Johnson from Georgia to Iraq. And, with shocking twists, it exposes the real Cindy Sheehan as she parlays her son’s demise into fame from California to Crawford, Texas, and on to Washington, D.C. “American Mourning” hits directly at the heart of America. It’s an important chronicle of America’s pain as we fight an enemy that threatens our very existence.
“American Mourning” can be ordered now on Amazon.com.
Kathleen Antrim is a columnist for Examiner newspapers in San Francisco and Washington, D.C., is the author of “Capital Offense,” and writes for NewsMax Magazine. She can be heard regularly on Hot Talk 560 KSFO in San Francisco on “The Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan Show.” For more information go to: www.KathleenAntrim.com.
The DUngeon dwellers will love this book!
For 1 year Cindy Sheehan's story was the ONLY story the media would tell about those who lost a loved one in the war on terrorism. She was the "America's mother."
Ummm, no, she was a horribly anti-American woman who did real harm to national morale and the mission her son believed in and fought for.
But now the woman from her hometown paper (Catherine Moy of the Vacaville Reporter) and the woman who led the national push against her (Melanie Morgan of Move America Forward) tell the OTHER side of the story and report on the pro-troop Gold Star parents and also reveal all the till-now secret details on Cindy Sheehan and what REALLY was happening during her 'crusades.'
Oh and I think that also includes sex stuff too.
What a difference between Joe Johnson and Cindy Sheehan.
It is amazing how one family can continue to act heroically and patriotically, and at least one crackpot can lend her support to America's enemies.
The book is a fantastic look at the best and worst in Americans.
Maybe a couple posters didn't read the article. It's doesn't seem kind to moonbat-mom.
BTTT
It's a good news story, guys. The TRUTH finally being told. We can celebrate that :)
On this one we can also see Deborah Johns & Melanie Morgan as well.
"couple posters didn't read the article"
Ha! You got me. Always a knee-jerk reaction when I see that ....'s name.
Did you read the article? The writer takes basically a Freeper tack. I am befuddled by your comment.
In the early days at FR it was easier to avoid this pitfall, because the site had less articles. With more articles (as more people joined and the Internet exploded) there is more content and sometimes it passes by and we see something that catches our attention and think/say "oh damn, there's that evil ditch woman again!"
Have a good one!
bttt
See his posts right above you that he was posting at the same time you were posting :)
See #10 and #11 for the mea culpa!
Wow..pretty gritty stuff for that newspaper. It'll probably be burnt down tomorrow.
FWIW, you might want to post your mea culpa as a reply to your own post. First thing I did was view replies.
Revulsion at the name of Mother Opportunist is prefectly natural and healthy.
Anti-war people are so very peaceful. How could you say that?
...
Its About Time!
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