Mrs. Sheehan speaks

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by amanda6035
Actually I do.

For those of you who dont but wish you did, www.adoptaplatoon.org

When I have loved ones overseas, I support them. If I'm lucky enough that my friends arent overseas, I adopt a soldier through that organization and send him/her care packages, letters, emails etc.

www.anysoldier.com is another good one.

ETA: Sheehan is just a grieving mother that has allowed herself (and son) to be used to serve a political agenda. While I do feel sorry for her loss she has to realize that her son chose to fight not once, but twice and he died honorably. Let him rest with dignity, not as a side show.

If she wants to protest, etc. FIGHT ON! At least do it on your own terms and not let yourself or the memory of your son be exploited .

[honeychile]

Originally posted by RACooper
I have to agree... the whole empty statement that many make "I support the troops" is hollow and hypocritical in many cases - amongst supporters of the War in Iraq and the protestors.

While the issue of "supporting the troops" isn't even close in terms of scope or message up here, it does still happen. Most of those who "support the troops" by purchasing a ribbon or some other trinket aren't really supporting the troops, but rather stroking their own ego by making a hollow (and often useless) gesture.

If people really wanted to support the troops there are a number of ways or approaches to take - all more constructive than buying some marketing tool and spouting the same tired refrain.

1- You can directly send your support via care packages, or moral support through letters (or even email or MSN - ah the wonders of technology). The help you give an indivual trooper through this physical and emotional connection is worth a hundred times the cost of sending it... so if any of you have friends serving overseas, drop them a line and talk to them - they need you to be a friend now more than ever.

Check. I send items to one soldier in particular, and several through the DAR's support of a cruise ship. We purchase phone cards, toiletry items, and treats which can survive the desert heat.

2- You can get involved politically and work to ensure that soldier's benefits and interests are protected, and advanced. If you think that the troops aren't paid enough; or they aren't getting the medical treatment you think they deserve; or they aren't getting the logistical and material support they need - get involved and let the politicians know.

Check. Every man in my immediate family is a veteran (for the past 6 generations); I'm on first name basis with my Senators & Congressmen.

3- You can support or help the troops when they get home - volunteer to help at a veteran's clinic or hospital... or even just send a care package. You could even simply just be there a friend, someone who will listen and let the soldier talk to someone who will care or understand.

Check. We have parties at the Veteran's Hospital, and my family personally supports the American Legion. Sometimes just listening to someone is a big day for a veteran!

Personally I can say that I support the troops, and I support the War on Terror, but I don't support the War in Iraq (like most Canadians). I have friends (and family) serving in Afghanistan, and I have friends in Iraq, and I support them in the best way that I can - by being a friend
Now obviously I can't personally get involved in the 2nd option I listed when it comes to the US - but I have made an effort to be there as a friend for both those going over and those coming back.

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by honeychile

Check. I send items to one soldier in particular, and several through the DAR's support of a cruise ship. We purchase phone cards, toiletry items, and treats which can survive the desert heat.


Check. Every man in my immediate family is a veteran (for the past 6 generations); I'm on first name basis with my Senators & Congressmen.

[b]
Check. We have parties at the Veteran's Hospital, and my family personally supports the American Legion. Sometimes just listening to someone is a big day for a veteran!

Thanks for this bit of ego-stroking.

Now, my point also extends to you (in a non-personal sense) - in that there's NO ARGUMENTATIVE VALUE in whether you 'support' the troops or not, and I really would like to ban the phrase from the American vernacular. You're one of the few who can actually claim to be 'supporting' the troops in a real-world sense, but this does very little to support your views on Ms. Sheehan or any other topic related to the war, by itself and without context.

My point was meant to draw the discussion here back to the actual topic, and away from pointless and empty arguments over who does and does not 'support the troops' and how this affects their points.

Just so you know, I think "In the post-9/11 world . . . " and every other derivation of that empty ass phrase should be banned too.

[Honeykiss1974]

Not sure of the validity of this, but I just read that Sheehan's other son perished in the floodwaters of New Orleans.

Subject : Bush Braces: 2nd Sheehan Son Drowns In New Orleans

WASHINGTON, DC - According to White House sources, President Bush is bracing for intensified criticism following Monday's report that the body of Tyler Sheehan, son of outspoken anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, was recovered from the receding floodwaters in New Orleans.

Although the White House has not released a statement, a firestorm of controversy is expected to follow the death of the dynamic, well-liked young man, who was working on a levee-upkeep crew while completing the EMT-certification training he needed to become a firefighter.

http://english.ohmynews.com/TALK_BAC...bb_code=309261

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Not sure of the validity of this, but I just read that Sheehan's other son perished in the floodwaters of New Orleans.

Subject : Bush Braces: 2nd Sheehan Son Drowns In New Orleans

WASHINGTON, DC - According to White House sources, President Bush is bracing for intensified criticism following Monday's report that the body of Tyler Sheehan, son of outspoken anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, was recovered from the receding floodwaters in New Orleans.

Although the White House has not released a statement, a firestorm of controversy is expected to follow the death of the dynamic, well-liked young man, who was working on a levee-upkeep crew while completing the EMT-certification training he needed to become a firefighter.

http://english.ohmynews.com/TALK_BAC...bb_code=309261

The source for the story was onion.com, so I'm going to say that the story isn't real.

Here's the story from onion.com:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/40764

[RACooper]

I prefer The Onion myself

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by RACooper


I prefer The Onion myself

Over "Oh My News"? That's not much of a contest.

[Honeykiss1974]

Oh crap. They shouldn't joke about death like that.

**insert embarrassed smilie here**

I didn't know the Onion was still around.

[AznSAE]

mrs. sheehan was arrested today.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by KSig RC
...there's NO ARGUMENTATIVE VALUE in whether you 'support' the troops or not, and I really would like to ban the phrase from the American vernacular.

Just so you know, I think "In the post-9/11 world . . . " and every other derivation of that empty ass phrase should be banned too.

Yes. And yes.

[hoosier]

Originally posted by AznSAE
mrs. sheehan was arrested today.

Yeah, her "bus trip" and curent D.C. efforts were getting no where (and no coverage), but pictures of her being carried off by the DC police will be shown everywhere.

Hillary shut her down last week, so getting arrested is her handlers' way of pouting and shouting out for media attention.

I predict you'll soon see something similar from the mother of the Aruba victim.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by hoosier
Yeah, her "bus trip" and curent D.C. efforts were getting no where (and no coverage), but pictures of her being carried off by the DC police will be shown everywhere.

Hillary shut her down last week, so getting arrested is her handlers' way of pouting and shouting out for media attention.

I predict you'll soon see something similar from the mother of the Aruba victim.

People stopped listening after it became obvious she was insane. Her husband left her and she sat there screaming that Israel made America attack Iraq. Nobody wants anything to do with this woman - except for the fringe Americans whose vote doesn't even matter.

-Rudey

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
www.anysoldier.com is another good one.

Had to jump in and say that this is an excellent site, and one that I strongly recommend to anyone who wants to get actively involved in supporting our troops. My family and I have adopted three soldiers from anysoldier.com, and they are all amazing people... and overjoyed to receive correspondence. One of the things that they like most are letters, especially from kids. It really brightens their day. If you or your chapter is looking for a philanthropy project right now, I strongly recommend visiting the website and choosing a soldier for adoption.

[Tom Earp]

I am not really sure just what the hell it is

Did Bush or anyone else make Her Son Join The US of A Military, I doubt it. Why did He join? Get an education, get away from His Mother?

Did He ask to die, I really doubt it, but what of the many Military Members that We all know who are their from Our GLOs.

They joined for a reason and some will die. It is a forgone conclusion no matter what and I above all hate it and worry about the Men and Women there and am sad when I read about someone dieing and hoping is not one of My own.

Screw Her, I am not impressed. Put Her under Irons for being a subversive!

[hoosier]

Fascist fishwife Cindy Sheehan fast approaching Minute 17 and sounding loonier by the day: "George and friends have come up with a new enemy whose atrocities also can't be contained to borders and that doesn't wear a national uniform: The Bird Flu."
- Opinion Journal