Reply #89: My letter to AP (Media Watch Chair, San Diego For Democracy) [View All]

[Liberty Belle]

I chair the media watch task force at San Diego for Democracy, which represents approximately 1,700 Democracy for America members locally.

In your recent articles on pro-war protesters who have shown up to camp out in Crawford, Texas, you consistently refer to these people as "patriotic." Yet in all the stories you've written about the anti-war protesters who seek to protect young men and women like my son from being slaughtered in a senseless war, you have never used the term "patriotic."

What on earth is "patriotic" about supporting a war that was based on lies (as the CNN special last night showed)? Or supporting a war that has led to the deaths of 1,800 Americans and an estimated 100,000 Iraqis? This war has fueled anti-American sentiments, placed our allies at risk (as the terrorist attacks in Britain so sadly illustrate), and devastated a nation. Iraq is contaminated by depleted uranium. It's cities are decimated. Electricity, water and medical care remain in short supply. Under the new constitution, women have lost their rights. What good is "democracy" to half of the population? The country still stands on the brink of civil war. Meanwhile, oil prices in America are at all time highs.

There has been NO benefit from this preemptive war, but many negatives. I urge you to apply the "patriotic" label where it belongs.
A true patriot is someone who isn't afraid to speak out against his or her government when it is wrong. Our founding fathers would be proud of Cindy Sheehan.