Bush Begins Attack on Cindy Sheehan!

[SackLunch]

Question is, will it work to Bush's advantage, or will it just make him look less caring and more out of touch?

<snip>
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush
DONNELLY, Idaho - President Bush suggested Tuesday that anti-war protesters such as Cindy Sheehan, who want the troops brought home immediately, do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."
<snip>

 

[bigat]

You consider that an "attack"?

 

[SackLunch]

As a sidenote, Bush chose to go to Idaho this week because that's where his polls are highest right now. So he can basically handpick the audience as usual to try to frame the issue as, "Cindy does not represent the views of most military families." Well why then are most military families protesting this war? Why are most military families calling for a drawdown of our troops? And to boot, why did Bush knowingly send our men and women into harms way, knowing that an Islamic theocracy would arise rather than a secular democracy?

Anyhow, here is the link:

<snip>
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050823/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush
On Sheehan, the grieving mother who has camped near his ranch since Aug. 6, the president said he strongly supports her right to protest. "She expressed her opinion. I disagree with it," Bush said...He has scheduled more than two hours to meet with family members of slain soldiers Wednesday at the Mountain Home Air Force Base near Boise, Idaho. Bush said most military families have a different viewpoint than Sheehan. "She doesn't represent the view of a lot of families," he said.
<snip>

 

[neverforsaken]

You consider that an "attack"?

yeah really lol

 

[SackLunch]

You consider that an "attack"?

It's typical Bush/Rovian style marginalization of the enemy. Notice, they did the same exact thing to the terrorists: "The majority of Muslims are peace loving; it is only a handful of terrorists who have hijacked the religion of Islam. These terrorists do not speak for Islam."

When you marginalize a group or individual, you cause the larger group to question the validity, credibility, and motives of that group or individual who is causing the "problem." It's a typical Bush/Rove retaliatory tactic.

 

[MidnightBlue]

[...] will it just make him look less caring and more out of touch?

I can't imagine what that would take.

 

[Gunny]

Cindy Sheehan who want troops brought home immediately do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."


This statement is correct.

 

[Spherical Time]

I am part of a military family that wants the United States to withdraw from Iraq. I think that our unilateral military actions overseas weaken the United States considerably. I also do not think that the military can successfully force a peaceful and friendly government in Iraq and Afganistan. In the long run, we have made the world a more dangerous place for ourselves.

I have no interest in seeing more American blood shed trying to nation build in countries that posed no threat to the United States.

 

[MoodyBlue]

Cindy Sheehan who want troops brought home immediately do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are "advocating a policy that would weaken the United States."


This statement is correct.

I would be interested in learning the results of a poll of military families, concerning their opinions of the Iraq war. I'm not so sure that there is overwhelming support for the war, even among the military and their families.

 

[Gunny]

I would be interested in learning the results of a poll of military families, concerning their opinions of the Iraq war. I'm not so sure that there is overwhelming support for the war, even among the military and their families.

It would be very interesting to see the results of those that voluntarily choose to enlist in the Armed Forces.

 

[neverforsaken]

indeed. in fact i believe the numbers of soldiers support the war well over 75 percent.

 

[WalksWithChrist]

It would be very interesting to see the results of those that voluntarily choose to enlist in the Armed Forces.

Question Gunny: If a soldier did want to criticize the government of the President, could they or are they allowed to? I have been wondering about this lately. I know they can say whatever they want once they're discharged, right? How does this all work?

 

[MichaelFJF]

It's hadly an attack, but then flashy misleading headlines are more fun aren't they? I know several military families and she represents none of them. And let's don't quote anything from the article that might makes sense either:

"We owe them something. We will finish the task that they gave their lives for ... by staying on the offensive against the terrorists, and building strong allies in Afghanistan and Iraq that will help us win and fight — fight and win the war on terror," he told the VFW convention.

Let's just quote what we want. When the anti-war, anti-troop, pro-terrorist groups misrepresent statements, they only strengthen the resolve of those who favor winning the war on terror.

 

[3girls2dogs]

I would be interested in learning the results of a poll of military families, concerning their opinions of the Iraq war. I'm not so sure that there is overwhelming support for the war, even among the military and their families.

I am a military wife, living on a military base, and have been for 7 years, and I can tell you what I know from experience, not opinion. And I am sure that there will be some who will refuse to believe this, but Cindy Sheehan does not represent the vast majority of military families that I come into contact with on a daily basis. And believe me, this is a very much talked about subject.

I am sure this will be something that some won't want to hear, but it is my experience.

 

[MidnightBlue]

I am a military wife, living on a military base, and have been for 7 years, and I can tell you what I know from experience, not opinion. And I am sure that there will be some who will refuse to believe this, but Cindy Sheehan does not represent the vast majority of military families that I come into contact with on a daily basis.

Is it necessary for Cindy Sheehan to represent anyone but herself? Has she ever claimed to be the elected spokeswoman for military families?

 

[3girls2dogs]

Is it necessary for Cindy Sheehan to represent anyone but herself? Has she ever claimed to be the elected spokeswoman for military families?

No, not at all. But the snippet in the OP brought the issue up and that is what I was responding to.

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

I listened to the statement at lunch today. It was not an attack unless saying he doesn't agree with her politics and does believe she has a right to protest as an attack.

 

[MidnightBlue]

No, not at all. But the snippet in the OP brought the issue up and that is what I was responding to.

I understand. I don't understand why Mr Bush believes that his critique -- "She doesn't represent the view of a lot of families I have met with" -- is relevant.

 

[MichaelFJF]

Is it necessary for Cindy Sheehan to represent anyone but herself? Has she ever claimed to be the elected spokeswoman for military families?

Obviously not. Had she actually run for such a post, she would not have been elected. She just set up camp and started talking. She deserves whatever support or opposition she gets.

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

Is it necessary for Cindy Sheehan to represent anyone but herself? Has she ever claimed to be the elected spokeswoman for military families?

Didn't she do that when she put up crosses with all the dead's names on them?