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Departments National Issues Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan, Crawford, Texas ?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 bandanna 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 low-balls U.S. casualties in Iraq, deleting and disrespecting soldiers seriously hurt or sickened in the Iraq war theater, 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 Ralph Nader is a consumer advocate and former presidential candidate. You can comment on this letter on his blogspot at DemocracyRising.US. |
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Recent National Issues Articles Rumsfeld admits to "ghosting" detainee A man without a country Impeach the Liar-in-Chief Bush wiretaps threaten national security Which Christmas is the 'War Against Christmas' against? Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project plans economic summit in New York City Fear of the devil It's time to impeach Bush for these blatant violations of the law December 3 in the USA: a partial report Bush spews more irresponsible rhetoric as senate Extends Patriot Act for Six Months The Constitution in Crisis report Privatize Me...Corporatize Me.... Blackwaterize Me... USA Patriot Act defeated: Libertarians celebrate victory The solution we aren't considering Panic attack Eugene McCarthy, prophet with honor The iron fist of Jesus Progressive primary challenge to Hilary aunched An invitation to a tea party Precarious lives Criminal trial related to California energy crisis may start soon Hey board members, leave our kids alone! A Congressman for impeachment Friday night Congress: what was that? Teach our children well Greenhouse School secures major art donation Parental guidance suggested Our mothers (and Thomas Paine) warned us about people like the disciples of Strauss Despite his demeanor, Rove's still a Target Armistice Day 2005 The Bush-Cheney ethics refresher course Vice President lied as White House sought to defuse leak inquiry 53% of Americans support impeachment; ImpeachPAC announced! I can't wait Nothing to Lose The real Rosa Parks How has it come to this? Bush's wheels falling off Miers, White House surrender to ultraconservatives Prosecutor secures indictment in CIA outing case, lawyers say Hard conversations about the big easy Coalition of 75 groups demand end to Pentagon's youth database Vice President's role in outing of CIA agent under examination, sources close to prosecutor say Hard questions about the big easy Times reporter entangled in leak case had unusual relationship with military, Iraqi group Try and catch the wind More from the stormfront gulf central A deep look at corruption culture Dems Go After Bennett, Salem Radio Network, FCC Bill Bennett’s comments emerge from an ideology that is classic white supremacy, Rev. Jesse Jackson says Why the nomination of Harriet has to be looked at below the radar In support of weakness on national security Bill Frist, The Former 2008 Presidential Candidate Winds of change blow through DC, Bush flees More New Orleans stories From the stormfront: experiencing Rita in New Orleans The GOP’s fiscal policies turned a natural disaster into a man-made catastrophe The Devil in the Details: Carter-Baker, California, and the Integrity of American Elections Hurricane Katrina-Our Experiences A Fraction of Democracy Bring back New Orleans: the politics of disaster Rev. Jackson Recommends a 21st Century Marshall Plan That Reinvests in the Gulf Coast Division of funeral corp. charged with desecrating corpses hired to collect deceased victims of hurricane Katrina FEMA Chief Brown paid millions in false claims to help Bush win Fla. votes Indefinite Detention Seems like more people died than prospered under Pres Bush’s leadership Politics, timing and the so-called terrorist Nuradin Abdi: the mall bomber who wasn't Paul Allen's other yacht Katrina: A tragedy made worse The President’s priorities: state of marriage took precedence over state of Louisiana Notes from inside New Orleans Rev. Jackson Makes Second Rescue Mission into New Orleans Bush Strafes New Orleans, Where's Huey Long? 911 in New Orleans Global Warming and Widespread Blackouts Are Just as Deadly as Terrorism The mothers are coming! Update from Leonard Peltier Leonard has been transferred to USP Lewisburg Against Discouragement Open Letter to Cindy Sheehan, Crawford, Texas Regarding the 40th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 Lawyers, guns and money: Just put down that lawsuit, pardner, and no one gets hurt Forgotten Victims of America’s Plutocracy Spine, spine everywhere a spine Speaking truth to Roberts Business as usual with Judge Roberts; straight corporate, with Pepto-Bismol chaser The Record of Judge John Roberts The Enemy of Our Enemy May Still Be the Enemy of Democracy Mr. Rove and the Access of Evil: Tell Us Your "Source," Judy The Economy Turned the Corner and Is Headed in the Wrong Direction July 4th Declaration of Impeachment They Died for Their Country Energy adviser who solicited Enron to help write national energy policy to be named Chair of FERC Big Food Strikes Back; Ag industry aims to strip local control of food supplies The fantastical world of Studley McMuffin Counter-Recruitment: Preventing the Military from Getting More Youth for their Wars: An Interview with Counter-Recruitment Activist Clint Coppernoll A matter of education... Violations of Civil Liberties are an American Tradition Rumsfeld: Beyond the Point of No Return Peltier hearing to address Lakota Nation soverignty Extraordinarily rancid justices Former Army Sec, Enron VP, Thomas White Wants Gov't Funding For New Energy Project Imposing minority views When is Someone Going to Toss Rumsfeld into a Cage? Republicans: The Anti-Christian, Christian Party Watergate Proves That Even Presidents Will Break Laws To Achieve Goals Oral Histories of the 1970 Kent State Shootings Blurb: End the filibuster -- in 2015 The Beginning Of The End Of The Age Of Reason Nuking Democracy Conscientious Objection on Trial: The Court Martial of Keith Benderman Barnum on Steroids Mother’s Day Without Mom An Open Letter to Howard Dean Appeals Court Nominee Janice Rogers Brown Merits the Filibuster Activists Spur Historic Call to Exit Iraq John Bolton & the Battle for Reality Videos expose false arrests at 2004 Republican Convention protests in New York Wal-Mart's Free Market Fallacy Howard Dean Becomes Leader of the Other Pro-War Party; Dean on Iraq: “We're There and We Can't Get Out” You have to pick your team What They Should Fight For Vigilante Republicans Congresswoman Cynthia Mckinney Urges Reform of Voting Process at Historic Conference Abortion and Schiavo -- The stories we tell How and Why We're Working to Block the Bankruptcy Bill Statement on the Passing of Terri Schiavo Veterans for peace call for Congressional action to impeach George W. Bush and Richard Cheney Zealot and Proud of It Non Volunteers, Non-Recruiters, And A Non War Meet Your New FCC Chairman: Kevin Martin E.P.A. Nominee Supports Testing of Chemicals on Human Subjects A luncheon break with Michael Jackson Gannongate and Asian Pacific America I'd rather not say good-bye, Dan Free Trade and Frivolous Lawsuits Experiencing Hunter, Experiencing Death: A Eulogy The inevitability trap Bush’s Judicial Nominations are Hardly Mainstream Senators Clinton and Boxer, Representative Tubbs Jones and others unveil major election reform bill The difference between bi-partisanship and non-partisanship Bush & the Rise of 'Managed-Democracy' Yesterday's Gallup Poll Showing Bush Approval At 57% Had 9% More Republicans Than Democrats J20 Through my eyes Bush's Budget: The War on Working People Continues Bush’s Budget is at Odds With His Rhetoric Direct Action For Peace? State of the Union speech falls short, says Rev. Jesse Jackson The Black Perspective Save American Democracy: Curb Corporate Power Who's Paying for all this Freedom? Yes, there is a crisis in Social Security Agitation Time The 10 Worst Corporations of 2004 They Doth Protest Too Little Thousands take to the streets to oppose the inauguration of George W. Bush A Warm Oasis in a Snow Storm; The Progressive Democrat Summit in Washington The Politics of SpongeBob Mis-Defining Terrorism Marines stretching movement Bush’s Mythical Mandate and Social Security Piratization Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, Jr. Bush’s Choice for Energy Secretary Was One of Texas’ Top Five Worst Polluters Bush, God, Fox, and the International Criminal Court The real reason Bush wants to privatize Social Security CBS' cowardice and conflicts behind purge Bring them home -- Sooner rather than later Read National Issues Articles by Year: |
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