AUGUST 10, 2005
3:33 PM
CONTACT: Ralph Nader
202-387-8034
An Open Letter from Ralph Nader to Cindy Sheehan
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0810-15.htm
WASHINGTON - August 10 -
Dear Ms. Sheehan,
From your grief over the loss of your son, Casey, in Iraq has come the courage to spotlight nationally the cowardly character trait of a President who refuses to meet with anyone or any group critical of his illegal, fabricated, deceptive war and occupation of that ravaged country. As a messianic militarist, Mr. Bush turned aside his own father's major advisers who warned him of the terroristic, political, and diplomatic perils to the United States from an invasion of Iraq. He refused to listen.
Thirteen organizations in early 2003 separately wrote their President requesting a meeting to have him hear them out as to why they opposed his drumbeating, on-the-road-to war policies. These groups represented millions of Americans. They included church leaders, veterans, business, labor, retired intelligence officials, students, women and others. They are among those Americans who are not allowed through the carefully screened public audiences that are bused to arenas around the country to hear his repetitive slogans for carrying on this draining, boomeranging war. They each wrote President Bush but he never bothered even to acknowledge their letters simply to say no to the requested meetings. Not even the courtesy of a reply came from their White House. Ever since then it has been the same-exclusion, denial, contempt and arrogance for views counter to that of Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney and the tight circle around them that composes the inner tin ear of this Administration. Why, they even refuse to listen to objections by their own government's military lawyers (JAG) over repeated violations of due process of law. When will he realize that he is supposed to be the President of all the people, not just those misled into supporting his Iraq maneuvers?
Perhaps the breakthrough will begin this hot August in Crawford, Texas, with the devastating loss of a beloved child transformed into a mission for the soul of our country. This rogue regime, led by two draft-dodgers and officially counseled by similar pro-war evaders during the Vietnam War, is not "our country." Millions of Americans, including military and public servants in his Administration, and many in the retired military, diplomatic and intelligence services, opposed this war, still oppose it and do not equate George W. Bush and Dick Cheney with the United States of America.
Our flag stands for "liberty and justice for all." Our flag must never be misused or defiled as a bandana for war crimes, as a gag against the people's freedom of speech and conscience or as a fig leaf to hide the shame of charlatans in high public office, who violate our Constitution, our laws and our founding fathers' framework for accountable, responsive government.
You will be goaded to cross the semantic line against a President who himself has crossed the much graver constitutional line that has cost so many lives on both sides and continues to cost and cost our country in so many ways domestically and before the world. Neglecting America for the Iraq war has become the widening downward path trod by the Bush government.
Authenticity, bereft of contrivances, is what must confront this White House Misleader. And authenticity is what you are and what drives you as you demand to see this resistant President. He is on an intermittent month long vacation, with spells for fundraisers and other insulated events. His schedule provides ample time for such a meeting. You reflect the hopes and prayers of millions of like-minded Americans. Should he relent and opens his doors, be sure to ask why he lowballs U.S. casualties in Iraq, deleting and disrespecting soldiers seriously hurt or sickened in the Iraq war theatre, but not in direct combat. Remind him of those soldiers back in military hospitals who, with their families, wonder why they are not being counted as they cope with their serious and permanent disabilities. (60 Minutes, CBS program). Ask him why, despite Pentagon audits and GAO investigations about corruption, waste and non-delivery of services in Iraq by profiteering large corporations totaling billions of dollars, this Commander of Chief accepted campaign contributions from their executives and proceeds to let this giant corporate robbery continue without the requisite law and order?
Consider bringing to him a copy of President Dwight Eisenhower's famous "Cross of Iron" speech, delivered in April 1953 before the nation's newspaper editors in Washington, D.C. And add statements by Marine General Anthony Zinni (ret.), a Middle East specialist who strongly criticized the Bush-Cheney war policy before and after March 2003. May you and your associates succeed in galvanizing the public debate in this country over why a growing majority of Americans now think it was a costly mistake to invade Iraq and want our soldiers back, with the U.S. out of that country. He knows that his support for how he is handling this war-occupation is falling close to one third of respondents in recent polls-the lowest yet. Even with the mass-media at his disposal everyday, he now represents a minority of public opinion, which should give him pause before closing his oil marinated doors on majority views in this nation.
May you prevail where others have failed to secure an audience with Mr. Bush.
Sincerely,
Ralph Nader
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Military Families Join Protest at U.S. President's Ranch
Crawford, August 10 (RHC)-- Military families of U.S. soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq are joining the protest outside of President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Members of Gold Star Families for Peace (GSFP) and Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) traveled to Texas to join Cindy Sheehan, the mother of an Army soldier killed last year in Iraq. Sheehan began her protest on Saturday, vowing to remain at the ranch until the U.S. president agreed to meet with her.
According to anti-war organizations in the United States, the families with loved ones currently in Iraq or about to deploy or re-deploy to Iraq are converging on Texas to add their voices to the call for a meeting with President Bush, who is vacationing at his ranch during the entire month of August.
Earlier this month, the U.S. president referred to troops killed in Iraq, assuring their families that "they died for a noble cause." A statement issued by the groups said that they know that "the cause was not noble and that their loved ones died, or are currently in harm's way, serving in a war based on lies." The statement says that the best way to honor their loved ones is to end the occupation, bring the troops home now and take care of them when they return.
Members of Gold Star Families for Peace and Military Families Speak Out say the White House has consistently tried to hide, and to hide from, the cost of the war in Iraq. This August, they say, these costs are being brought right to Bush's doorstep.
http://www.periodico26.cu/english_new/world/families100805.htm
LINK:
Dear Friends and Supporters,
George Bush said speaking about the dreadful loss of life in Iraq in August:
(08/03/05): "We have to honor the sacrifices of the fallen by completing the
mission." "The families of the fallen can be assured that they died for a
noble cause."
In reaction to these two assinine and hurtful statements, members of Gold Star
Families for Peace (GSFP) are going to George's vacation home in Crawford, Tx
this Saturday, August 6th at 11:00 am to confront him on these two statements.
1) We want our loved ones sacrifices to be honored by bringing our nation's
sons and daughters home from the travesty that is Iraq IMMEDIATELY, since this
war is based on horrendous lies and deceptions. Just because our children are
dead, why would we want any more families to suffer the same pain and
devastation that we are.
2) We would like for him to explain this "noble cause" to us and ask him why
Jenna and Barbara are not in harm's way, if the cause is so noble.
3) If George is not ready to send the twins, then he should bring our troops
home immediately. We will demand a speedy withdrawal.
GSFP will be joined by members of Veteran's for Peace (VFP), Military Families
Speak Out (MFSO), Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), Code Pink, and
Crawford Peace House.
We GSFP members will not leave until we get answers from George Bush. We
deserve and expect him to welcome us with answers to as why our loved ones are
dead.
Every worker for peace, every worker for justice, every person who wants our
country back are welcomed to join us on Saturday. Show George Bush that we
mean business. Be there to support us family members who have already been
through so much. We are fighting for our country, our world, especially the
children.
Crawford is about 2 hours from Dallas where the VFP Convention is being held
this weekend. There will be car pools from the convention.
HONOR OUR LOVED ONE'S SACRIFICES: BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!!
Bring water and hats...we plan on staying until we are arrested or satisfied
with the answers. (I am betting on jail).
Please pass this email on to your friends, lists, and media.
For more info: call
Cindy Sheehan
707-365-7750
I will be in Dallas starting tomorrow evening.
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