yeah I remember Reagan too and that was certainly the beginning of the end, or so many of us thought.

life seemed pretty bleak then, but it seems bleaker now, what with the hypocrisy, and basic criminal behavior, etc. The people I sit around talking to find it amazing that this country's and this world's predicament has dragged on as long as it has while each year thinking and reiterating, "certainly it can't get any worse than this."

but this group has a plan, and from the looks of things it's not pretty. Bush recently had passed some piece of legislation that entitled him to cancel elections if there were, for example, a terrorist incident.

What I see happening is a fulfillment of the intentions to start a war with Iran, at a convenient moment, and then in the mayhem, chaos, and pandemonium to nullify elections with if necessary the backing of the court. Kind of like a book end to the start of this ordeal.

Because certainly any conflict with Iran is going to be truly horrific. Historically, which we are told we have arrived at the end of, have there been crises averted by any other means but a worser kind of war than that which preceded? and consider the group who has been informing us that we are at the end of history.

Of course this is all conjecture and one would deeply regret any of this to take place, but who's going to stop these people.

What I'm looking for in the commentary is more of some kind of discussion of the "circling of the wagons" that I see taking place. There's a fear out there that control is slipping away. You seem to have the thinking people at total odds with the ruling elite, who are doing whatever they damn well please to solidify their authority amongst their own kind. Including this refusal to "put impeachment on the table." Just another empty rhetorical device like "support the troups" designed to obfuscate the matter. Which is, any kind of critical undermining of Bush at this point may throw the system into complete disarray, and there's nothing anyone in control wants more than to preserve a kind of status quo.

It's a kind of criminal behavior that has very infrequently if ever been required to examine it's motivations. I mean the most of us if we were to behave anything like this would suffer immediate consequences for our actions, and have to go into long quiet hours of self examination regarding what we have done.

But I find it common behavior when someone feels their habits nearing an end run, to cling to that behavior with a frantic and insatiable appetite, rather than as most of us have to do, let it go and move on, or at the very least, cut way back.

and with that I will wait for the next common dreams article.

Ms. Sheehan is also getting some much needed national focus on impeachment. Many of us here have been trying like "bulldogs" to get something going, and I am so thrilled with what she is doing.

Listen to this video (thanks MSNBC and Joe Scarborough for airing this). She seems like the "real deal" to me and I think what she is doing can resonate.

(Note if this link does not work just go to MSNBC.com - at this moment, 5:01 pm, this is the top video headline)

Peace,
Ken Hausle
* I support HRes333 - Impeach the VP
** Nancy Pelosi - You are part of the problem if you are not part of the solution **
*** the time is NOW ***

For someone who allegedly got out of the peace movement Cindy is certainly getting herself back in the limelight. I guess the lack of attention was just too much for her ego.

"A spokesman for Pelosi said her 'focus is on winning the war in Iraq.'"

Christ what a sellout. She has even adopted the Bushpigs' frame of reference.

Earth to Pelosi: THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF "WINNING" THE WAR IN IRAQ!! Nobody has even been able to describe what "winning" would look like, except that it involves giving 85% of Iraqi oil to selected oil korporatists.

The war in Iraq is a loser in all respects. Its continuation is destructive of every aspect of American life, either directly, by bogging us down in a transparently imperialist escapade; or indirectly, by wasting the money we need for, oh, say, national health care (or our crumbling infrastructure or better pay and facilities for public schools or the development of clean-energy technologies or...)

Pelosi: Go join Lie-berman and flip to the RepubliKKKans. Better you and your ilk be out of our party than continue to poison it from within.

"On the political front, the Democratic leadership in Congress still hasn't budged on impeachment. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, cosseted in her wood-paneled Speaker's suite, a continent away from her angry constituents, still insists that impeachment is "a waste of time," while Rep. John Conyers, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, refuses to even discuss the Cheney impeachment bill that's been sitting on his desk for months awaiting action."- Dave Lindorff

So perhaps voting for Rep. Nancy Pelosi is "a waste of time"?

Headline San Francisco, November 5th, 2008
S F Democrats stay home: Over 73% of Democrats protest Pelosi by staying home.

No, Ben Dover(yeah, I get it -- "bend over." Cute) I don't think it has to do with Cindy having a big ego. What would you suggest she do? Nothing? Go back to her home, keep her mouth shut, and let George and his crowd run roughshod over the Constitution and the American people? Haven't you ever seen such injustice, such . . . pure rotten-ness and evil, that you couldn't just sit there and let it happen?

You want to see grossly over-inflated egos? Tune in the any news or pseudo-news program and listen to the bloviators bloviate. That Cindy can't sit home, watch CNN, or whatever channel she watches, and NOT come out of her very brief retirement simply means that it's still business as usual in Washington, and she feels the need to shake the tree and wake up the people. It is a sign of her patriotism, an indication that she truly cares about this country and the direction we're heading.

What have you and your ego done for America lately, Ben?

http://www.sheehanforcongress.us -- sign up now!

'A spokesman for Pelosi said her "focus is on winning the war in Iraq."'

WHAT?

Not to be "terribly rude" but is she really sharing Bush fantasies?

Cindy Sheehan is exactly the kind of person we need in congress. Politics is what has gotten our country into this mess. Impeachment is off the table for political reasons. It's time to elect people that intend to do the right thing. How can an elected offical go wrong if they just do the right thing. As opposed to a calculated chess move. Running our country isn't a goddam game.

And... the other day Ed Shultz was asking, "what is Cindy Sheehan going to do that Pelosi wont". For starters, Pelosi won't be speaker anymore. Beyond that, Sheehan will agitate, agitate, agitate. The agitator is the thing in a washing machine that gets the dirt out.

I totally support Sheehan's run against Pelosi and think it's actually winnable. I will commit to contributing and volunteering, if possible, because it will be a real national referendum on the occupation and US foreign policy in general. I don't even think her warning about the Bushies figuring out a pretense to prevent an election in 2008 (national emergency or something) is way out of the park. It's getting close.

All that said, I think Sheehan should retract her comments about putting "troops on the borders." I think she means US borders, not the borders of Iraq; but whatever she means (and she should clarify this), it is a bad proposition.

If she means Iraq's borders, that is just a prescription for further imperial bloodshed in the Mideast, simply a change of names to Kurdistan, Syria, Iran, Turkey or wherever.

If she means the US borders, that means a further escalation of the militarization of our borders, especially the border with Mexico. We will solve our immigration problems when we stop screwing up the economies of other countries and when we pay livable wages here so that current US workers (citizen and immigrant alike) can afford a decent life, not by shooting poor Mexicans or forcing them into the desert to die.

"For someone who allegedly got out of the peace movement Cindy is certainly getting herself back in the limelight. I guess the lack of attention was just too much for her ego."

Isn't this stunning, how some, mindlessly, cluelessly attack, per directives from the corporate DLC wing to attack the Left--and the Right wing noise machine, to marginalize, ostericize the anti-war movement as some subversive misfit wackos-despite the fact that they are out there fighting, sacrificing, courageously standing up when few will, speaking for the majority while being abused, condemned spat upon for it--in the suggestion it was all some ego trip.

You fill me with utter disgust pal, and hear this, the blood of the slaughtered is on your hands when you mindlessly babble the memes and talking points to shut down dissent against the war machine by your foul suggestion that it is all about ego.

Ever hear anyone say it was all about ego for Hillary? For Bush? For Scalia? For any pop culture icons? For any politician, sports figure, rock star?
NO. But you hear again and again about Sheehan and Nader and Moore and Gore's big ego,
Now wake up and realize this is another deliberate tactic to silence the outrage by making people feel bad about themselves for speaking up and speaking out about the things that matter. Do not aid and abet.

"what is Cindy Sheehan going to do that Pelosi wont"

"What is Cindy Sheehan going to do that Pelosi won't?"

The first thing is to remove Pelosi from office.

We want to remove Bush for his lies, but how are Pelosi's lie any less criminal?

Her "Fool's Crusade" has little difference to Bush's "Fool's Crusade"

Pelosi seems to be on the same rail as Clinton in this war. Neither is willing to stand up to stop the killing.

Both Clinton and Pelosi ought to redeem themselves by spending the rest of their lives working as orderlies in the hospitals of the war wounded.

Hey...Why don't you go BENDOVER for your twin, Rush Limbaugh, and take your idiocy with you. You two will make a GREAT couple!

Good or bad idea, and please feel free to chime in? Could we get Michael Moore to help with the publicity and financial support for Cindy Sheehan's campaign? Or will he be too much of a lightning rod? Those two, in addition to Ralph Nader seem to be the most lucid ones when it comes to political intelligence, honesty, and candor.

Hee hee hee...

Looks like the right-wing nut job cons are sending out their attack dogs on the message boards. Time to break out the dog biscuits.

Hey Vern and Brown and the rest of you blind Cindy supporters - I wish you all would quit acting like Cindy Sheehan is some sort of sacred cow, and that anyone who criticizes her is and evil appeaser of the establishment. If the woman wants to get into politics she better have thick skin. Otherwise, even if she does get elected, she will get here feelings hurt and "retire" before she can even be sworn in.

fatfreddyscat,

I understand your point, and very much agree with you, but Pelosi is not going to help get Bush & Co. out of office any more or sooner than Cindy will. True, it is a risk on Cindy's part, and most likely she will not win. But the symbolism of it is what matters most - that she directly is challenging the status quo (which I think many of us in this country badly want). I admit that I too was skeptical, but given all of the daily bs that comes from the Dims and Repugs, to me it definitely is worth a shot. And yes, like any politician, Cindy will have to undergo Satan's test and be well informed of the issues concering constituents in her district. Very true that politics in the USA has gone straight to hell.

'A spokesman for Pelosi said her "focus is on winning the war in Iraq."'

That was the big one liner in that article. It say's it all!

"Ben Dover". Clever. I bet it took you all morning to come up with that one. So what are you doing to change the situtation, Ben? Anything besides slinging crap on message boards?

fatfreddyscat,

Anyone can criticize her, and I am sure that she has a thick skin, otherwise she would not be running for political office. We do not care about that. We just do not like the Dimocrats and Repugnicans (i.e. the status quo), oops, sorry, I forgot, they are the same party under a corporatocracy. My bad!

Claudius - I do not like the dims or repugs any more than most on this forum, I am also not a real big Cindy fan, though I respect and support her right to speak and value her contribution to the anti-war movement. I also support her right to run for office, but... Her own actions of a few weeks ago call into question how thick skinned she is. To be honest I am not sure Cindy will follow through with this,after all it's a long time till 2008 election time, many an insult left to be thrown.

Does Pelosi deserve to be challenged - yes, she has demonstrated that she does not represent the will of her constituents.

Can Cindy Sheehan beat her - that is a matter for the voters of the district that Pelosi mis-represents.

Will Cindy Sheehan in congress in 2009 help to get Bush, co. out of office any sooner....... NO!

So if Cindy wants Nancy's seat, then she had better start thinking about all the issues that concern he voters of that district. And she better be ready to be tested and tempted by Satan. For politics in the USA has gone straight to hell!

I think Cindy would be great in Pelosi's shoes.
I think Ron Paul would be great in Bush's shoes.
People keep talking about Gore as though he could or would bring morality back to American politics. Let him do what he's doing now...He's making a difference and he's good at it. His associations with the Clintons in the political arena prevent me from trusting him to "govern" me. Ron Paul has proved in the past 20 years as a civil servant to be wise and incorruptible. Even as president, he'll need people *like* Cindy to support him.

The Trolls we see here are, and are meant to be, a distraction from the actual issues at stake, and our positions on those issues.

Trolls want us to focus on Cindy, on her personality, etc... not the war, not Pelosi's record, not the grounds for impeachment or what's best for us and our children.

The important function Trolls serve is to spare us having to listen to Rush in order to learn the opponent's marching orders (i.e., talking points). So they're helpful in their own way.

But talking about them and their opinions only serves their purpose. Talking about Cindy's personal vulnerabilities (and we all have them) serves the Trolls' masters' purpose.

So let's use this campaign by Ms. Sheehan as an opportunity to discuss impeachment and an exit strategy. It's what Cindy and a majority of our nation actually want.

Pax,
Peach McD in Durham NC

peachmcd,

And what is your realistic idea of an exit strategy and impeachment, when the do-nothing Congress gives Bush & Co. a free pass?? I agree with you that this would be a good opportunity to discuss them.

ben d over - possibly you are at the wrong site - you need to find a pub site for your insults!!

Cindy darlin' I think your decision has a lot of merit - wish I lived in San Fran - you would have my vote fer sure - I forsee a landslide.

Nancy has let many of us down. I had high hopes for her in the beginning - I wonder why she is now kissing bush's buns??

Who in the H is the "spokesman" for Pelosi who says "her focus is on Winning the war in Iraq" - Since when ?? What the F does that mean?? I thought her priority was getting the troops out of Iraq now ?? I thought bush/cheney and their ilk were the only ones who talk about "winning" in Iraq!!

I think it's important for all of us to remember that one of the main goals of the political/corporate/ruling elite is to pit the working classes against one another (wherever we might find ourselves in that category). This strategy is played out over and over again. It has been employed as an effective tool to distract us, to keep our eyes focused anywhere other than on the blantant corruption that has engulfed our government from the judiciary to the executive branch and laps over into our complacent press. Cindy Sheehan is one voice. Only one. She's right in that the days of "speaking truth to power" are over. We need to speak the truth to each other. We need to risk caring again, in the hope that we might reach some level of solidarity. Let's stop falling into the trap of pointing at one another as if the person standing next to us is the problem...whether it's Cindy Sheehan, or the people who risk their lives crossing our boarders illegally trying to carve out a better life for themselves.

Cindy, I want you to know I'm one of many on this site who applauds your decision to run against Pelosi. As some pointed out, if you win, and I think you stand a very good chance, it will be hell. I'd like to suggest that you contact Cynthia McKinney for support. She has been through this hell already and I think the two of you would be stronger banding together!

PS I hope "Put our troops on the borders" was a misquote. Surely you don't agree with reinforcing the borders? I for one would like to be able to get out if need be, and I don't want any more harassment of my brothers and sisters in Latin countries who are merely trying to survive.

Ken say's "Ms. Sheehan is also getting some much needed national focus on impeachment." And for this I am grateful and annoyed at the same time. I mean the impeachment issue is worthy of attention on it's own merit, but the MSM needs a side show before they can be bothered with it. Unfortunately the fact is that this is the real reason Cindy is threatening Nancy, not because she truly thinks she can do better at representing the voters of that district on all the issues.

Here is another thought, Cindy has stated she has "left the Democratic party" and will run as an independent. This may work, but it also might split the vote and give that seat to a repug. Wouldn't she do better to challenge Nancy as a Democrat? If she did would the trolls start calling her a hypocrite?

A spokesman for Pelosi said her "focus is on winning the war in Iraq.

The only way to have won the war in Iraq was not start the first war. Of course that was a set up when we 'wink wink' told Saddam, our old operative, that he could take Kuwait.

At this point, Pelosi is worse than useless because as the speaker she can thwart any good that the progressives try to do. Cindy can beat her or at least scare the hell out of lots of DINOs in Congress. The 'loss' of Joe the ultra Zionist has helped the Democrats immensely, because the pundits have not been able to bring him on as a Democratic spokesman.

Bouncing Pelosi would be a good thing in the long run because it is clear she can't be reformed.

"Here is another thought, Cindy has stated she has "left the Democratic party" and will run as an independent. This may work, but it also might split the vote and give that seat to a repug. Wouldn't she do better to challenge Nancy as a Democrat? If she did would the trolls start calling her a hypocrite?"

Two years of a liberal Republican vs. Conservative SF Suburban (SF is the new suburban area for young professionals) Nancy Pelosi

Only right-wingers seem to think Pelosi is liberal

Working people in SF know better.

Democracy in America: A Revolutionary Idea

"But the symbolism of it is what matters most - that she directly is challenging the status quo (which I think many of us in this country badly want)."

When a person starts a campaign to eliminate an evil condition and replace it with a more humane one , the realization of success of that campaign is sometimes secondary in importance to the anticipation of that success.

Susan B. Anthony and Barbara Cady Stanton were the leaders of the Womens' Right to Vote Campaign in America for SIXTY years and both died before their relentless lobbying of Congress , Supreme Court and White House denizens finally won over all branches of government , federal and state.

If American women in 2007 still did not have the right to vote , would that mean that the campaign to achieve that right was any less admirable?

All that it would signify was that legislators were incredibly "thick" and stubborn.

Read Apostle Paul , Florence Nightingale , Louis Pasteur , William Wilberforce , Martin Luther , Nelson Mendela , Dietrich Bonhoeffer...

When one spends ones life working within a corrupt system in order to change it, it is the person that changes not the system.

I do not remember Martin Luther King Jr. ever holding office within this corrupt system.

Ron White,

I understand your point. It certainly is good to strive in anticipation of success, but you also have to take into account REALITY! It is not the people who post messages on this board that don't understand the significance of Cindy's campaign, it is the reality of those who watch CNN, CBS and other mainstream media and vote along their party lines without giving it any intellectual thought. Look at the responses to the article. The Democrats are very powerful, and have a large constituency. In "Ecce Homo" Nietzsche said it best when he referred to the masses as the "herd." I must say you are quite an optimist, and I wish I could share that, but I am REAL!

Ben Dover, Cindy Sheehan lost her son to this unnecessary war in Iraq. What on earth would make you say such a despicable thing like she's doing it for attention? Are you so dense that you can't understand how, as a mother, she must feel about this war? I don't need to lose a family member in Iraq to know how wrong this "war" is.

I for one am happy Cindy is going to run against the bush-loving, do-nothing Pelosi. I'll vote for her any day over Pelosi, the enabler of war criminals.

"AND SO IT GOES"

When you look at the early pictures of Cindy, soon after her son's death, when she was trying to meet with Bush, you see a mother deep in pain, searching for answers. She has taken her grief, her anguish, her confusion, and instead of hiding it or letting it implode in some form of self destructive loathing, she took a stand, at Crawford, on the road, with the media, wherever she could.
Cindy is the real deal, speaking and acting from her heart with a sense of justice that ought to be an inspiration to us all.

"Winning the war in Iraq"? Pelosi's drunk the Bush coup Laida!

Remember there is already a bill before Congress, HR 333, to impeach Cheney. It has 14 sponsors, and Pelosi is not one of them. It was a Democrat that had the guts to stand up and do this on his own. Dennis Kucinich.
Remember, although Ron Paul may look appealing because of his stand on Iraq we need to look at the rest of his ideas. He does not think Government should provide Social Services. Instead of increasing the number of people with healthcare, he seeks to decrease it. He wants to end Medicare and Medicaid leaving our elderly and disabled (including Veterans)without healthcare or medication. I dont think this is a person Cindy Sheehan would support.

Ben Dover, let's pretend that your assessment that Cindy is looking for attention to stroke her ego, then by your claim anyone in politics is guilty of the same ego centric needs. Do you really believe this or is it possible that there are people out there in politics that really do care about others, as Cindy does?

Go home Cindy we are not that desperate.

Everyone,

Thanks for the great discussion today. Have a good night.

Claudius

Ben Dover your comments are despicable.
What planet is Nancy Pelosi inhabiting. Once more for the dummies, Nancy - the war in Iraq is lost, finito, kaput. The war was lost before it even began. Just ask George Bush senior.
Mfskinner - even from the other side of the world I can state without fear of contradiction - yes, you are that desperate.

BEN DOVER - Great idea for you. I do not mind someone who chooses to take issue w/Cindy,or me,or anyone on the merits of their position(s), but to cruelly wag a finger at someone because they seek answers as to WHY their son died...........Man-your colon is in one big knot. Perhaps it is because when Bu$h spews his bilious putrid lies while our children die, your political contribution is to.........BEND OVER. Check the label on your meds,please. I'll say a prayer for you and especially for your children,if you have any.
GODSPEED CINDY!!!!!!!

Of interest to readers here: on Wednesday's Lou Dobbs Tonight the question put to viewers was, "Whether you're a Democrat or Republican do you plan to vote Independent in the '08 election?" The response was greater than 80% in the affirmative. Let's keep this ball rolling until it's the size of Chimpy and Snarly's ego...
Godspeed to you all from NM.

The radio big wig, big mouth who insulted Cindy Sheehan can kiss my left wing booty and go to hell and take his fifty pieces of silver with him.

I went back and re-read the story and the the first post in this thread by Mr Ben Dover. It seems to me that the reactions to this post are way over the top compared to the statement made. While I do not concur with the assertion that Cindy is only seeking attention, I fail to see how this comment invokes such hateful wrath from people who claim to be progressives. Heck I can even understand how one *might* see her as craving the lime light, especially after her supposed "resignation". If Ben Dover was really a troll then his? goal was attained, the reactions to this post have brought out the worst in many of you. Cindy Sheehan is not a sacred cow, so quit treating her like one. Y'all are scary!

IMHO
Attacking sovereign nations-occupying that country-imprisoning people and torturing them and holding them without trials-changing its financial systems-killing unknown numbers of civilians-taking its resources-OIL-are violations of the Geneva Convention and also the basic agreements of humanity that I believe are important.
Ms. Sheehan has spoken out to address this circumstance. I can never imagine the pain and grief related to her loss.
She has spoken in an attempt to bring sanity to this very insane situation we all find ourselves in.
I was hoping for some change when Ms. Pelosi took her new position. I am still waiting. If Ms.Sheehan runs and can bring important dialog to the election-so be it.
I know I hope and pray daily for the end to this invasion into Iraq. I know there are a lot of like minded people all over the planet with the same hopes. I continue to Hope and pray for peace. My heart goes out to Ms. Sheehan for her loss and I hope her method to address this attack on the human family continues to be heard.
I am an Army veteran. Support our troops bring them home NOW.

I logged on your URL FATFREDDY. You're pretty damn scary yourself. How goes the hunt for OSAMA, FREDDY? Is he in Iraq sitting on a stash of WMDs?Yellowcake?Aluminum tube missle material?How many more American/Iraqi kids need die for another election?Constitution?Oh yeah.We're gonna stay until Iraq has a STABLE U.S.Imposed Democracy.I can't wait for the next "REASON" Bu$hites like you and Bend Over come up with..........I personally took exception to BEND OVER's Viscious attack on the motives of a grieving mother - any mother.BTW,your website sucks.
GODSPEED CINDY!!!!!!!!!!