akermanp@dailytelegraph.com.au IS ONE F'ed UP PERSON

People like this sicken me.

Flawed ideology comes to grief

May 23, 2006

CINDY Sheehan, pin-up girl for the loopy Left, global terrorists, and the anti-US, anti-Howard, anti-Iraq war push, is entertaining her addled fans in Sydney tonight.

It should be enlightening – not.

Using her soldier son Casey's coffin as a soapbox, Sheehan has become a counter-culture celebrity in the US, best-known for camping outside President George W. Bush's ranch and the White House and making herself available to the liberal media 24/7.

Expect to see her interviewed at length in the Fairfax Press and by the ABC's numerous competing news and current affairs programs.

Don't expect however to see any of the tough questions put to her.

Sheehan has been shrilly exploiting her son Casey's death for the past two years but her rambling monologues rarely reflect the reality that the former altar boy, Eagle Scout and church youth group leader was also a volunteer with the US Army's 1st battalion, 82nd field artillery regiment in Iraq in 2004 when he was killed.

Indeed, Cindy has herself been quoted in left-wing journals as saying her son told her: "Mom, this is what we trained for. I'm ready. It's my job. Because the sooner I get there, the sooner I'll come home."

Further, Casey Sheehan not only joined the military voluntarily in May, 2000, but when he also voluntarily re-enlisted in 2003, he was fully aware that he was most likely going to serve in Iraq.

And, as other heroic and conscientious soldiers have done throughout history, he selflessly died in an action he need not have been involved in, attempting to rescue friends caught in a firefight.

As Cindy Sheehan herself acknowledges, his sergeant said "Sheehan you don't have to go," because he was a mechanic, and, again according to Cindy, her son said: "Where my chief goes, I go."

With her callous desire to paint every aspect of the US involvement in the Iraq war as evil, Cindy Sheehan even claimed of her son's desire to volunteer for a rescue mission that he "and 20 of his buddies were sent into a raging insurgent uprising to rescue wounded soldiers".

Given Casey's decision to enlist, re-enlist and volunteer for a dangerous mercy mission, it seems unlikely that he would have warmed to either this characterisation or the manner in which his mother has so enthusiastically embraced a broad coalition of left-wing American groups including the Malcolm X Grassroots Organisation (which proudly labels those convicted of the murder of police officers as "political prisoners"), the International Socialist Organisation, or Code Pink, a group which sent money to those fighting US troops in the terrorist-held city of Fallujah.

For Cindy, who has claimed her son was "murdered . . . for lies and a NeoCon agenda to benefit Israel", giving terrorists and their supporters a boost has become something of a habit.

She has also praised "civil rights" lawyer Lynne Stewart who was convicted on five counts of passing on messages for her client, the notorious terrorist Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, also known as the Blind Bomber, who was jailed for his role in the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, to his evil accomplices in Egypt.

In fact a study of her web journal and reported remarks indicates that she is prone to taking one position one day, and a contrary position the next.

Thus, after first meeting President Bush in 2004, she said she found him to be a man of compassion, "sincere about wanting freedom for the Iraqis . . . I know he's sorry and feels some pain for our loss. And I know he is a man of faith."

Now, of course, she has radically recanted and believes her family's meeting with Bush was one of the most disgusting experiences of her life.

In our country she enjoys the support of lesser lights of the international Left like the Greens, Fair Go for Palestine, the Stop the War Coalition, the Evatt Foundation, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (Australia), and Stop the War Coalition Sydney, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and Sydney University's whacky Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

Cindy Sheehan will probably receive a warmer welcome from the disaffected Left who attend her public meetings in Sydney and Melbourne this week than she would if she visited members of her late son's family.

Last year, her husband Patrick was in the process of divorcing her and Casey's aunt and godmother Cherie Quarterolo released a statement on behalf of Casey's distressed grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins distancing them from Cindy's public posturing.

"The Sheehan family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving," the statement read.

"We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She appears to be promoting her own agenda and notoriety at the expense of her son's good name and reputation.

The rest of the Sheehan family supports the troops, our country, and our President, silently, with prayer and respect."

Cindy Sheehan is fortunate that she is visiting Australia, a generous, hospitable and freedom-loving nation, not unlike her own, and not a country controlled by the terrorists who would gain the most should our troops – or America's – cut and run from Iraq as she and supporters would like.

It is only countries like ours in which intolerant ideologues like her are tolerated.

akermanp@dailytelegraph.com.au

I had to email them and stand up for my friend Cindy Sheehan.

You sure are filled with hate! People like you are the reason why we are killing and torturing so many people, because you live in fear.


You are one F'ed up person! I'm proud of my friends Cindy Sheehan, Carlos Arredondo and all the other parents who are standing up to the killing machine of our government for the greed of power and money. And most of the country stand with them also. It's people like you who bring our country down!

Divided we stand
Cindy

Melida Arredondo also emailed this person and forwarded me a copy

Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 13:36:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Melida Arredondo Subject: When you know grief, you may judge grief To: letters@dailytelegraph.com.au CC: akermanp@dailytelegraph.com.au

To the editor of the Daily Telegraph:

This letter is directed to the writer of the story "Flawed Ideology Comes to Grief."

Madam or Sir, have you ever had a child die? Have you ever had a child die violently be it from a murder or during warfare? Have you ever had to hear day in and day out how other kids just like your own are dying the same way without any end in sight?

If not, I find your deep insight into the psyche of Cindy Sheehan as someone whose "remarks indicate that she is prone to taking one position one day, and a contrary position the next" not just an indicator of a lack of compassion but also truly judgemental.

The whole world had been provided different information as to why the war in Iraq began in 2003 versus the knowledge that exists today. The US president and journalists knew this knowledge prior to re-election. The American public did not.

However, per your analysis of Cindy Sheehan's mindset, "she has radically recanted and believes her family's meeting with Bush was one of the most disgusting experiences of her life." Government lies have been exposed publicly yet US fellow countrymen excuse those in executive power from any culpability. Those lies have led to 2459 US deaths just like Cindy's child. This is maddening to anyone but, Cindy's level of grieving and loss are incomprehendible. If anything, she is channeling her grief into peace.

For a war parent, the loss does not end. It's not like a broken leg. The goal of "recuperation from grief" is to somehow learn to live without a very essential piece of one's puzzle. I describe such grief as similar to losing a leg. Often the person feels phantom pains forever. However, that person may learn to walk, even run and do many of the things a two legged person can do. Yet, that pain lingers inexplicably. The brain does not comprehend.

Perhaps its because your own perspective is jaded. My guess is you have not experienced a similar trauma, have no empathy and no experience writing on this topic. You believe that there must be some political motivation to Cindy's actions. You do not comprehend Cindy's loss of a son and, indeed, her whole life as she knew it. Casey volunteered not just to fight but also to defend the freedom's that his Mother is exercising.

Semper pax, Melida Arredondo, Roslindale, Massachusetts


UPDATE: I received a return email from this person

Cindy: I don't live in fear. I am a community volunteer, I am listed in the telephone book, I walk openly where I wish to. Why would you think I am afraid? I don't hate. Why are you so angry? I suggest you get some psychological assistance before you harm yourself or others. Best wishes Piers Akerman

Piers - You are afraid. Anyone who would slam a mother who's son was murdered by her government is afraid. You buy into the "terrorist are out to get you" theory. Thus, you live in fear.

Don't lie to yourself. You are full of hate. Anyone that writes crap like you wrote
"CINDY Sheehan, pin-up girl for the loopy Left, global terrorists, and the anti-US, anti-Howard, anti-Iraq war push, is entertaining her addled fans in Sydney tonight.It should be enlightening – not." is full of hate. To say things you did about a woman who you don't know, who you have only read about is full of hate. And, I have to say, you got a lot wrong about my friend. You better check your facts. Stop listening to the killing neocons. They make up more stories about people, oh wait, you are a neocon, aren't you? Yeah you are because only the neocons are hateful-hurtful people who say vile things about other people who they don't know to make themselves feel better.

I am angry because people like you spread lies to flame the killing machine. How much death is OK with you? Cindy Sheehan, Carlos and Melida Arredondo are standing up fighting so that other children like theirs aren't murdered. Melida also sent you an email. Her husband, my neighbor blew up the government van when they brought the news of his son's Alex's death on his birthday. When you live in their shoes you can write such hateful things about another parent, until then, keep your oppinion of Cindy and others like her to yourself.

Thank GOD your not in this country. We have enough of your kind here.
May peace beinside all of us,
Cindy

UPDATE AGAIN:

Cindy: Get a life! Eighty eight Australian kids were killed when they were on holiday in Bali. Not even in a war. Just holidaying, they were killed by people who Cindy Sheehan and her lunatic followers have supported. Am I afraid? Only of idiots who haven�t a clue of what goes on beyond the limits of their own comfort zones. Peace be with you, Piers Akerman

See, you are filled with hate!

Like I said, you are one FUCKED UP PERSON!

I have a life- thank you very much. More than I can say about my friend Carlos. His and others like him will never be the same because of your hate and fear.

All these emails are getting posted on my blog and being sent to Gold Star Families. Want to send me more?

Divided We Stand
Cindy

UPDATE: Another email

Cindy

I do hope you hope these responses on your blog because they illustrate the utter mendacity of your mindless movement.

I am amused by your resorting to gutter language and the defence of those who oppose liberty, equality and freedom for others. Please disseminate this as widely as possible.

Best wishes

Piers Akerman

Piers - Ah, you didn't get that I called you Fucked up in my first email.
You are heartless. Like I said, THANK GOD you live there and not here.
I, Cindy Sheehan, Carlos Arredondo and others like us are the meaning of liberty, equality and freedom. We fight for it everyday. You on the other hand can only write vile things about a good person. Both of our true colors are showing. Yours filled with hate and condoning killing, mine fighting for my friends and life of others and truth.

I hope you find some love in your heart for other humans before it destroys you.

Now, Go away - play with others. I'm done with your nonsense.
Cindy

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Do you know how many today as you go about your day?
2,456

U.S. Marine Killed in Western Iraq Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq - A U.S. Marine was killed in action in Iraq's volatile western Anbar province, the U.S. Command said Monday. The Marine, assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, died Sunday but gave no further details. The Marine's name was withheld pending notification of relatives.