Cindy Sheehan : Patriot

Cindy asked the question of the day from Camp Casey:

"Why do the right wing media so assiduously scrutinize the words of a grief filled mother and ignore the words of a lying president?

Awol, in a comment below, had this analysis:

"Sheehan writes: "As a mother, why would I want any other mother (American or Iraqi) to go through the same pain as I am suffering through? My son, Casey was an honorable man filled with an integrity rarely seen these days. I am sure that he would be appalled that George uses his death to justify continued killing."

What's so striking to me about this is that on top of focusing on how American soldiers are facing death and injury, Sheehan is insisting that even if they weren't in harm's way the troops are being forced to kill other people who don't need to die.

Not just that her son's death is being used to justify the continued deaths of other American sons and daughters, but, simultaneously, that it is being used -- in a way that obviously makes her both sick and sad -- to justify, and continue, and halt any criticism of, policies that she finds wrong (and, finally, murderous) in the first place.

This is the stronger of two possible anti-war positions. It's one very, very rarely heard, or even suggested, by any mainstream politician. It's amazing to hear it being given voice by this ordinary woman.

Ordinary woman....patriot.