A thoughtful post about Cindy....and a mention about who has the power...us.

[madfloridian]

This post from the Blue Oregon blog caught my eye tonight, and it moved me greatly.

I talked to someone today who reminded me that my disappointment was not fair...that Howard Dean never said he could or would fight all the battles...he meant for us to do that. This was someone from DFA, and I say thanks for getting my mind back on track after this week.

Cindy's statement may have waken a lot of people up who were letting her assume the burden.

Nor is it her peace movement

Like many in this country, I am amazed at how she handled her grief. If my worst fears about my son come true, I have no idea how I'll react. I imagine I'll crumble; that kind of loss is devastating. And yet she took her grief and got up and did something wonderful in her son's memory. Some idiots are saying that perhaps now she can heal, but I'm convinced her actions in confronting Bush — and the nation — were her healing.

But it's been nearly 3 years since Casey died, and she's been through an incredible amount since. She's angered the right, frustrated some on the left and center, but overall she's been a great voice, and face, for the peace movement. The simple act of standing outside Bush's Texas ranch and asking that he talk to her was almost as dramatic as the lone protestor facing down a tank in Tiananmen Square (and yes, I realize what I'm implying with that comparison). She has been put through so much since then, and she's born so much weight. This may well be a good time for her to take a break. Go and rest. God knows she's earned.

And this part is special, because that is just what Howard Dean meant. He said he would work from the top down to change the party, but the rest of it was up to us. I think he spoke of times like this when he is not free to speak out.

And now I sit here, thinking about Cindy Sheehan and what she's done, and I'm terribly abashed. I still disagree with her summary dismissal of the entire Democratic Party, but many people do agree with her — and many others agree with me. It doesn't matter. I believe that people who disagree strongly on something can still be productive partners. The Democratic Party will survive and flourish no matter what any person or group of people do; it's far too widespread and part of the fabric of American democracy and liberty to ever fail. Stumble, yes; fail, no.

Those of us who supported Howard Dean four years ago can recall clearly the way he ended every campaign speech: "You have the power! You have the power!" I still feel the excitement of those words, and I realize I've been squandering that power. Yes, the challenge is huge. As that insipid little "inspirational" card says, "The sea is so large and my boat is so small." But that's the wrong picture, and I've been silencing myself with that perspective. The truth is that I may be small, but I'm not alone. I surrounded by wonderful people who share my belief in peace and my sense of being overwhelmed. A lot of them get up and do good stuff despite those feelings (rock on, Leah & Bart Bolger). They just pick one thing to do, and they go and do it. I think about that and I feel like a total dope. That's hard to figure out?

And then he makes this point, a good message.

So as Cindy Sheehan steps aside, I've finally gotten the message: It's my turn. Not to lead, just to do.

Read it all, he dedicates a Dr. Seuss inspirational poem to Cindy.