Cindy Sheehan

There is too much talk about Cindy Sheehan. I said it before and now I mean it even more forcefully; the media should stop covering this woman. It is time to stop watching this hideous display of grief.

She has been used and abused by the anti-war groups. She has been used and abused by the right-wing media. It is time to stop it.

The latest news in the life and times of Cindy Sheehan is her pending divorce. We posted about it here. Michelle Malkin and others have done it. It is something of a disgrace.

Some surmise the divorce is over her anti-war spectacle; maybe it is. More than likely, it is the natural disintegration of a marriage that so often happens after the death of a child. People deal with death and grief in different ways and in so many cases where a child is lost neither parent can tolerate, understand nor watch the other one grieve.

I am blown away by the number of people, myself included, who have something to say to Ms. Sheehan about what she should do. I read a post somewhere where someone actually had the audacity to tell her what her dead son would have wanted her to do--as if any of us would know.

There is a letter that is floating around that tells Ms.Sheehan that Iraqi people feel her pain too. It is here, if you are inclined to read it.

I think she is yelling so she doesn't have to face the silence. I am not saying she doesn't believe in what she is saying; I think she does. But the noise she is making and the attention she is seeking and allowing is just the thing that fills the time and the silence that is left when a child dies.

Silence can be deafening. Silence lets in the things you don't want to face. No one can possibly understand this woman's grief--not even others who have suffered the loss of a child. It is a highly personal thing--one we shouldn't be watching but can't seem to look away from.

It is time to look away.

Chris

Comments

[HC Steve]

I respect your views on this post, but the press will not turn away from this story. Why? It puts a human face on the cost of war that Bush has block from the media. They were successful until Cindy came along. Show the wounded, the flag draped coffins and the funerals and this story goes away.

I still believe she is a Hero.

[JFH]

Hero? Steve, you can admire her for her convictions but let's save that title for people that risk their lives to save others.

Chris - I'm hoping it is grief/anger and the "sounds of silence" that are causing her to say some of the outrageous things she is beginning to say about Israel and other Middle East political issues... 'Cus if she does believe some of them, it makes me feel ZERO empathy for her.

[Lisa]

Cindy Sheehan is caught up in her 15 minutes right now. I have no sympathy for her now. I used to, but no longer. She is starting to say these outrageous things to keep herself in the eye of the media. Anyone who doesn't see that is just blind.

HC...open your eyes.

[HC Steve]

Cindy's Gold Star Families for Peace has over 60 Families as Members. The only Families that can join this organization are Families that lost a Family Member in a war. Most of the Members lost that Family Member in Iraq. I guess they all are Media whores. You can check the site here: http://www.gsfp.org/

[Drewsmom]

When she makes the statements like she did last night on ALL the right shows that she did not agree with going into Afganistan even, well you just know the lefties have their hooks into this woman big time.
I hope Lance Armstrong and President Bush find a safe place to ride their bikes cuz the folks with Cindy would love to disrupt this event and that would be too bad since Lance feels it an honor to ride with OUR PRESIDENT.
Cindy has lost any respect I had for her.
God rest the memory of her son.

[HC Steve]

Guys

You need to realize most of the country hates Bush's Handling of this war. That is a fact. Cindy is winning the public opinion war. She is a Hero.

What about all the other people who lost a child to this Iraqi War and disagree with it are they disgrace? 60 alone belong to Cindy's Gold Star Families for Peace are they a disgrace?

[Chris]

I love you dearly, but on this you are close to delusional. Half the country is afraid to have an opinion on the War...and she isn't a hero and she isn't a disgrace--she is just a grieving mom who has momentarily latched on to this as a way of keeping herself busy.

[HC Steve]

Chris

Out side of this Blog and the right wing hang outs I know alot of people who love and admire Cindy. Maybe you need look around alittle more or maybe I am Delusional.

[Chris]

I meant about the war I have no idea how people feel about Cindy Sheehan I just think we should leave her alone--all of us--sorry if it came off differently

[HC Steve]

I will admit I got a bug up my you know what about this war. I do not think I am Delusional about the war, but if I were would I know it?

I understand we cannot leave today, but I want a plan to be out within the one year you and I agreed to. I afraid Bush never plans to leave. It is up to us to make it hard for him not to leave. Sorry for the misunderstanding.