From Cindy Sheehan: Celebrating Irrelevancy!

[babylonsister]

Posted in its entirety with her permission:

Celebrating Irrelevancy!

Cindy Sheehan


Laying here in my motel room recovering from my 4th trip to the e.r. in a little over two weeks, and two surgeries, I found out from the Waco Tribune, (Sunday, August 27) that I have become "irrelevant" to the anti-war movement.


At first, I was a little defensive about that statement. I didn't really think that the article was fair, because in the last two weeks, I have been really ill and I have spent more time in the hospital and recovering from being in the hospital than I have not. Camp Casey has been limping along in my absence doing some huge things (like promoting the GI Rights Hotline at Ft. Hood and protesting Karl Rove and counter-recruitment) that haven't been covered by the media, because the media follows "cut and run" George around the country, not Camp Casey.


But then I thought about being irrelevant and the implications for that. I have worked my backside off for the last year---traveling around the world speaking against the Iraq war and for peace and understanding. I have endured reich-wing smears and lies about me usually reserved for those seeking political office. I have been the subject of death threats and vile attacks on my character. I spent over ten months of the year away from my home and three living children. Being irrelevant can have its perks!


Why did I work myself almost to death, literally? Why did I endure all of the smears and attacks? Well,to put it in the words of the Trib, I did it to make myself irrelevant. Mission accomplished!


The article in the Trib pointed out that since public opinion is overwhelmingly against George Bush and the war and there is bi-partisan criticism in Congress against Iraq, I have become less radical and less relevant. When I sat down a year ago in a ditch close to the Bush Flying Photo Op ranch, I was radical. I was one of the only people in the country calling the president and his administration, liars. I was the only one saying the words "genocide" and "impeachment." I was one of the only ones publicly saying "illegal and immoral." Now Senators, Congress Reps, movie stars, rock stars, Army officers, almost two-thirds of America and 95% of the world, etc., are saying the same things which puts me in the middle of a very large crowd.


Thanks be to God for irrelevance. Now I can go home and get my strength back, spend time with my kids, and prepare for true and lasting peace.


Peace is the noble cause that I have been pursuing ever since Casey was killed.


Camp Casey will never be irrelevant as long as the military industrial complex runs roughshod over our government and our country. We are planning on turning Camp Casey into a haven, refuge, and sanctuary for soldiers like Lt. Ehren Watada who oppose this war and don't want to fight it. But Camp Casey will also be a refuge for soldiers who are far away from home who only want a place to come and stay for a weekend or a day.


The Camp Casey Peace Institute will also be a force for real peace. We will award young peace activists cash awards to continue their work for peace. We will encourage our families to think of other alternatives to the rampant militarism of our society. We will be safe harbor for soldiers who get trapped in the vicious cycle from GI Joe to flag draped coffin. Camp Casey will be a mecca for peace in Central Texas where the dark war lord has his vacation home.


Peace will never be irrelevant as long as war is used as a diplomatic tool.


A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders now. The anti-war movement is strong and thriving and it no longer needs a "face." I have been promoted to irrelevancy and am feeling pretty darn good about that accomplishment! The Iraq war will end with or without me and our troops will come home sooner than later. However, the war machine is already preparing for the next war as public opinion against this one will force a change in policy.


I am moving on up to the peace movement. I hope one day, in my lifetime, that war will become irrelevant.




Cindy Sheehan is the mother of Spc. Casey Sheehan who was KIA in Sadr City, Iraq on 04/04/04. She is the author of

Peace Mom which will be available from Atria Books on September 19, 2006. She is also founder of the Camp Casey Peace Institute and the mother of three living children: Carly, Andy and Janey.

[SutaUvaca]

1. Thank you. Thank you.

Rest. Enjoy your family.
Peace to you, indeed.

[BelgianMadCow]

2. Cindy is mainstream now yeah!!

wOOt!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Sounds like Cindy is feeling better

:woohoo:

[LSK]

4. K&R

[lonestarnot]

5. Tell them how the fucking boar eats its cabbage Cindy!

[panader0]

6. Cindy Sheehan has been a galvanizing force for war protestors.

She will never be "irrelevant" to me, although I liked the way she turned it around and made it seem as though, now that she has done her part, that others will pick up the banner of peace. Peace protestors will only really become irrelevant when wars are history. Thanks to Cindy!!! She has the kind of guts that are wrought by terrible hardship.

[az chela]

7. Cindy Sheehan will never be irrelevant

As long as their are people that care about the end of the war and attaining peace in our life time we need people like you.You have single-handedly brought awareness to people all over the world as to the criminal government of this country starting a phony war for oil and their own personal gain.As W said the other day when asked what did Iraq have to do with 9/11 he said NOTHING.
So he and his administation kill and maim thousands of people for nothing.
The movement needed a voice and you are that voice Cindy and if you never do another rally or speech you have went where few have dared to go.Risking your life and your health so that a nation of sheeples would wake up and stand along side you against the evil that bush and company has brought about.
I will be forever grateful for your friendship and love and all that you have done in the name of peace.
I will stand along side of you any time and any place with nothing but admiration and thanks for all you have done.
You are a true american hero and as far as irrelevent I THINK NOT!!!!!

[yellerpup]

8. You deserve a good rest

and to have your health restored and to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. You will forever be relevant to peace.

[az chela]

9. Casey Shehan did not die in vain

He has a remarkable courageous mother that gave her all to fight the people who took her precious son.Somewhere Casey is smiling and saying thats MY MOM who I love with all my heart and soul and altho I had to leave her way too soon I am always with her and in her heart and supporting her with all my love

[Alacrat]

10. Cindy you have done a great job

You have fought the good fight, and won! Take some time for you and your family. The legacy you started will live own, with you in it's heart. You will be missed, but you have done more than your fair share, as far as irrelevant, hardly, what you started will always be relevant, until peace is achieved, and all are home safe. You will forever be remembered. Thank you for a job well done, and for your personal sacrifice for this country. I only wish there was never a need for it in the first place.

[midnight]

11. What do I say to ,the mom who is now called, the peace mom.

You have given me a sense of hope in all this spin. If being irrelevant means, creating a haven for our soldiers, meeting with peace activist from other countries, inspiring this mother to put up a thank you cindy sign and, creating interest in who was cindy, then continue to be irrelavant. You have been a force that was so badly needed. My family has been greatful for your sacrifice, and determination.

[FtWayneBlue]

12. Thank you Cindy,

For helping bring the anti-war, anti-Bush movement mainstream.

Thank you for Camp Casey, 1-3.

Thank you for doing all that you do.


{{{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

[PhilYerHead]

13. It would have been nicer...

...to see that she clarify better in Paragraph 5, that: <"ACCORDING TO THE PRESS, I am one of the only, etc. etc...">

Also, am I now irrelevant? Are our views at DU less meaningful because she broke thru the MSM wall of denial?
And, is mainstream opposition more useful than fringe radicalism, or not? Why was the Camp Casey turnout in 2005 was better than this year?
Maybe we she cannot capture lightning in a bottle twice? What changed?

Tell me.

Phil