In response to the rationale that Pelosi cannot work to have the VP and P impeached because she would be next in line, and "oh my, what would the tv pundits say!" Just won't wash when this country is in crisis. Being talked about your ambitions is not the worst that can happen; losing this opportunity to do your job, a job the people voted for you to do is where the focus should be. Act Now!

judi, I think you are out on a limb by yourself and some other "holier then thous." Just because a pacifist is non- violent doesn't mean we don't wish some one "out of the way" once in a while!
She deserves her prize and you need to stop judging!!

One of the worst things a leader can do is to bring out the worst in people by the things he does. Bush brings out the worst in people sometimes. But even Bush's nastiest influence cannot stem the tide that is growing against this war and against bad leadership in the executive offices and in Congress and the Senate.

Had Enough: I fail to see how an article celebrating strong women is sexist.

I have read your reactionary comments to other articles, and they have little do with the content of the article and a lot to do with disparaging women for daring to demand true equality.

To everyone: I have also been surprised by the attitudes towards women and gender equality that too many of the so-called progressive readers on here spout. I guess comment boards are good at exposing biases in our own ranks.

I'll have to admit, hearing a nobel peace prize winner such as Williams declare she could kill Bush, then retract her statement, is what I would call a questionable character. A Peace Prize lady? Even Martin L. King or a Ghandi wouldn't say such a thing. I think Williams just admitted some kind of Freudian slip which makes me wonder if she does deserve the peace prize. I'm for any good woman getting ahead, but I am ashamed to hear a pacifist say such a thing, I also hate what Bush has done to our country, but he doesn't act alone and I woudn't want to kill him or anyone else.

It's good to hear from women as our books and tv are filled with male so called experts. But just speaking out is not going to unravel the corruption in our government. It's takes women and men stationed in powerful posts who live by their principles who can overturn the erosion of American democracy. It's character we need, not any particular gender.

The reason "strong women" still need to be celebrated is because there are still plenty of misogynistic ways to slap women down (that do not exist for their male counterparts) whenever we get out of line. Every time Cindy Sheehan appears on TV, my father (well-trained by Rush Limbaugh) calls her a B-I-T-C-H. Out loud, in public, in front of mixed groups of men, women, and children. Hillary Clinton gets called one daily by someone in talk radio/TV. What's the worst thing men get called? Liars? Flip-floppers? Oh, please. (The word "bastard," btw, impugns a man's mother, not himself.) And if a man stands up to corrupt authority, he's called "tough" or "no-nonsense" or "courageous." Bring on the strong women.

the problem for pelosi is if she advocates for impeachment, she is advocating to take over the white house herself. she's next in line. it doesn't fly. what's the point of advocating for impeachment when you don't have the votes? it's counter productive.

$600,000,000,000.00 Would have bought most of Iraq's oil without a single death.

Who the hell is senator tombstone??

Where are his/her posts?

What did he/she assert other than Bush 'didn't lie?'

Oh please! When any of you gender concsious men decide to get off of your butts and do the work that makes a difference as each of the women this article refers to has done, then perhaps you could also take the extra time to write an article praising yourselves, and then you'd have redemption.

In the meantime the point is being missed. Be it man, woman, child, dog, cat, giraffe, whatever, TAKE SOME INITIATIVE! Otherwise, let the women do it, and yes, let them take full credit. Because I can tell you, this is not about anyones personal egos here. This is about stopping what is on the brink of being unstoppable!

So to the first responder I say, you are right; GET OVER IT!!

Let's also not forget the strong young woman among the Presidential High sachool scholars who handed the President a note with 49 other signatures besides her owen telling him that these scholars disagreed with the torture being carried out by America as a policy of his administration.

senator tombstone: bush did lie and never said so as such (he never admits anything) but he did say afterward that saddam had nothing to do with 9/11.

on a somewhat separate topic, the united states does not get to decide what culture or religion another country practices. when the europeans did it in the nineteenth century it was called imperialism and enforced with military power. a few decades ago when americans tried to do it with economic power it was called cultural imperialism. neither form of imperialism is acceptable.

u.s. foreign policy has been using mideasterners and south asians as pawns for years. some of them tried to demonstrate their resentment in the most forceful terms they could imagine. that was 9/11. we should neither give in to them nor ignore them. nonviolent communication is also called diplomacy--something the united states of america no longer practices. we could try listening to them for a change. then we will be able to tell the solid citizens from the martyr types.

Nice post Coyotita . . .

I'd like to suggest to MEN and to WOMEN that we rededicate FATHER'S DAY to make it an anti-war day . . . which is what MOTHER's DAY was originally. Together, twice a year, we can all stand together against war.

Repeating:---
The article is highlighting the strength of the so-called weaker sex.

Although there are some men who are speaking truth to power, and doing it in their own way, I believe that women are pulling all the stops and getting the public's attention in ways that the men are not. Why is that?

Men speak to other men, and do so in a controlled (non-emotional ?) manner, while the house is burning and the children are inside. Cindy Sheehan, for one is not only calling out with a bullhorn about the fire and the children, she is making runs inside the burning structure, suffering burns and smoke inhalation. She is afterall a mother for life.

Men, let us see some uncharacteristic anger, fury, and urgency, because THE DAMNED HOUSE IS BURNING AND THE CHILDREN ARE INSIDE!

And Nancy Pelosi is in the beauty shop. UNQUOTE

Let's hope that one day Bush and his neo-con cult will be in the hands of the International Criminal Courts for their attack on Iraq -- and perhaps even for 9/11, itself.

Indeed, a number of government officials have come forward to point a finger at Cheney as the chief culprit of 9/11, directing the action, ordering the NORAD "stand down" and ensuring the cover-up.

America has suffered overt political violence these past 40 plus years -- from Dag Hammerschjold and JFK to MLK, RFK and Malcolm X.

And many other questionable deaths --
Adlai Stevenson, Paul Wellstone, JFK, Jr.
Many investigators; one recently investigating the election "fix" in Ohio in 2004.

We must summon our courage to stand up to this would-be Hitler and his fascism before it overtakes our lives.

now what is wrong with calling a woman strong? the feminist cause still needs adherents, though i must say that impeachment and high crimes (along with stupidity by the whole bush/cheney gang) are the starring issues here.

today i saw bill moyers' journal. excellent! the topic is the need to impeach to restore the rule of law. impeachment and getting out of iraq are my highest priorities for our government today. give me a year and energy and global warming will be on the front burner. our representatives cannot act on anything positive until they get the CRIMINALS out of office. those are the same criminals who murdered casey sheehan but will not send jenna bush on the same mission.

Not only strong women, but there are strong men out there too. Consider Bill McDannell from California, a grandfather, former Methodist minister, Vietnam vet, and lifelong Republican who has simply had enough. He wants his good and decent country back. So he and his wife Jonna sold their home and belongings, bought an old camper, and together with their 2 dogs are walking across America to deliver a petition to Congress. He walks about 20 miles a day, she drives to meet him. He chronicles the people and stories he meets in his daily journal on his website http://wtetw.com. I think his example has the potential to reignite the kind of common sense courage and conviction on which our country was founded.

You state that Bush didn't lie senatortombstone.

Oh yeah, that's right, Saddam WAS buying uranium from Africa. And the way Bushie pronounced Africa, like it was some deeeep seeecet sinnnnnester plot. Bush told congress that he would only invade Iraq as a "last" resort. As soon as he had the funding for a last resort, the Iast resort was on the table.___ BOOM!

Bush lied, he lied out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. And you also state Saddam had it coming? What about Osama bin Laden? A lot of dictators in the world have it coming, are we supposed to kill all of them and break our bank, ruin our military, ruin or credibility doing it?___ Uh-huh, sure.

"On July 13, another strong woman, American Nobel Prize winner Jody Williams added her comments to the voices of women Noble Peace winners against war. Williams, who was arrested during anti-war protests in the United States before the war on Iraq began, said she was sick and tired of the neo-cons equating peace with people without courage."

finally some real insight here. See I was raised being taught that it took a lot more courage to walk away from a pointless fight than it does to engage in the violence of such a thing. Apparently Barbara Bush taught George that if he doesn't get his way he can always throw tantrums and attack other people who disagree with him. A lot of other Americans had similar teachings it seems. Such was the rancor after 9-11 that we sought vengeance rather than justice. I often felt like I may have been one of very few who started asking questions like 'how did the govt (Bush/Cheney/Rummy the dummy and Condi Skeezy) know who committed these crimes of terrorism on 9-11 the same day that it had happened? what ever happened to America taking the high road in its response to such atrocities? I believe we have lost our way and become arrogant in thinking we deserve with out any cost to ourselves the resources and riches of the world as we see fit.

Wow! I had to reread Anne's article to find out just what she said to provoke such venom.
Truely amazing. Anne has paid her dues and has far more insight than most of her responders do. I read CD to get information that is otherwise not available. I also read the responses as they too are very informative and offer thoughts and ideas that are very interesting. Peace will never become achievable when so many continue to hang on to so much anger and hate. Anyone advocating Peace deserves a chest full of medals!

The article is highlighting the strength of the so-called weaker sex.

Although there are some men who are speaking truth to power, and doing it in their own way, I believe that women are pulling all the stops and getting the public's attention in ways that the men are not. Why is that?

Men speak to other men, and do so in a controlled (non-emotional ?) manner, while the house is burning and the children are inside. Cindy Sheehan, for one is not only calling out with a bullhorn about the fire and the children, she is making runs inside the burning structure, suffering burns and smoke inhalation. She is afterall a mother for life.

Men, let us see some uncharacteristic anger, fury, and urgency, because THE DAMNED HOUSE IS BURNING AND THE CHILDREN ARE INSIDE!

And Nancy Pelosi is in the beauty shop.

Now the question is . . . so what's wrong with Pelosi?
And why hasn't she moved on impeachment?

Why hasn't she deauthorized the war?

Why has she continued to refund the war?

Why did she turn from "warning" the president on Iran?

Where is her concern for the nation when first Cheney and then Bush declare that they are not part of the Executive Branch?

Is this not a clear sign of insanity in the White House and cause for alarm?

Many Americans see the Libby "Pardon" as another smoking gun, though most of us agree that a large pile of impeachable offenses have built up even bigger than the pardon.

I think it would be fair to say that, in our culture, women are not generally rewarded for exhibiting strength, whether physical or moral. Quite the opposite.
So it's reasonable to take note, when a woman goes against the cultural grain to be true to herself and her beliefs, to stand up and speak out, that she is exhibiting an extra-ordinary degree of strength and courage.
I admire that kind of strength in anyone, male or female.
But I think, due to the extra cultural baggage involved, I esteem a woman for it all the more.
IF the article had said "strong men" no one would have uttered a peep.
No one will say it's "unmanly" for a man to be strong, but there are some folks who will immediately accuse a woman of being "unfeminine" for displaying the same strength.

Your gender doesn't immediately qualify or disqualify you for much, make you right or wrong, good or bad, weak or strong. -- or, at least, it SHOULDN'T.
But we evidently still have a ways to go on that one.

SJ

www.spartacusjones.com

SenatorTombstone: It's hard to imagine that someone who has access to all the information and opinion on the Common Dreams website, could spew such hate.
It is true that the Middle East has been a hot-bed of unrest for hundreds of years, but it was not the job of the United States to set them straight. We had no right to start a pre-emptive war in Iraq. George Bush and Dick Cheney lied to us about why they were declaring that war. You should be mad as hell at THEM, not at the mother of a young man who was killed needlessly in that war. Cindy Sheehan doesn't hate the West. She loves our democracy and is doing everything in her power to save it. We need more like her.

Well, I have to admit that I am shocked by the comments on this board. The US is pretty misogynistic. Our news media reinforces the misogyny by heaping all sorts ridicule upon any woman who has the gall to speak her mind. I have some personal experience with some of this, but I never expected progressives to be put off by any sort of feminism. I expect Worldnet Daily to ridicule Cindy Sheehan for getting in the face of an Alabama man, because the assumption is that women are supposed to be quiet and take it. I never expected such a response from this crowd.

I agree with the poster who labeled Hilary as another Margaret Thatcher, and I agree with Gabi who says that lately it has been the women who have had enough of war, and are getting bolder and bolder.

Talk about getting off the point "Had Enough" this article has nothing to do with sexism - has to do with strong women, and both Cindy and Betty are!! And what does it have to do with "srereotyping progressives" - who said these women are progressives??
And please don't imply that the only ones wanting bush / cheney impeached are progs - think again! The majority of Dems and many pubs want these two impeached - OUT!!
and many feel what Betty feels -

Most anti-war marchers today are strong women - from strong women's groups ! Men, yes there are some who are marching, but since most feel no threat because there isn't a draft - are doing ZERO - As opposed to the anti-Viet Nam movement when there were thousands of "strong men" involved!

What is this prog reaction to the use of the term "strong women ??" As a long time Feminist it sounds ok and honest to me!!
In my day the progs were Socialist Worker Party agitators - usually causing more "divide and conquer" action then actually helping make changes. I see that same activity from many of them today - blasting Dems at every opportunity.

And now here, blasting the use of the term "Strong Women" - ??

I see where a few are perterbed that "strong women" are being handed some very justifiable allocades here.

Well,__ so what. In a male dominated world, "MANY" MALES don't expect a lot from the female gender. Therefore, when they do exhibit strenght__ it is laudable. Women often do quietly exhibit a great deal of strength, but so often it just isn't recognized. Any guys here ever have a baby for instance? Gender shouldn't be a difference___ but facing reality, that's our long standing fault guys.

BTW,___ I just happen to be one of the guys with a female code name here. Why?___ Cause I'm really not very smart.

Bush, Cheney, Gonzales, Rice, et al. IMPEACH them. IMPAX US.

How quickly a "strong woman" article is jumped upon while day after day, hour after hour, we have watched men parade on golf courses, athletic fields -- often to music! -- fill our Congress and Judges benches -- and often discuss among themselves in groups of two or four or ten where the world is going.

They have written most of our books, painted most of our pictures, imposed most of our laws and have organized into patriarchal religions which governed most societies for thousands and thousands of years.

The New York Times continue even today to make females invisible on their front pages; unless she is victim or shrew.

Yet -- some attention given to a noted female is immediately suspect.

PS: I'm another woman for impeachment of both Cheney and Bush and was pleased last night to see all three men -- Bill Moyers, Nichols of The Nation and Fein, a Republican --recommending the same. Sen. Barbara Boxer also yesterday advocated impeachment, saying that we are "as close as we have ever been to a dictatorship."

The Speaker of the House of Representatives:everyone knew her as Nancy

today is bastille day in memory of the french people storming the prisons and releasing people who were imprisoned for such a crime as stealing bread while the monarchy stole pretty much anything they wanted.

let us remember bastille day here by firing off a letter to each individual's congressperson and one to each individual's two senators demanding impeachment to restore the rule of law here.

ann wright is so right in saying that a more appropriate response to 9/11 would have been a criminal investigation to bring to justice the perpetrators of that plan. we can still urge that response, because today a new video of bin laden came out. the perpetrators of 9/11 are still scaring us. worse, our own executive branch is violating laws and the constitution daily. nothing less than dual impeachment soon will satisfy the need.

To dlnelson7 and Had Enough: Call a truce and quit quibling over" Strong women" It's semantics and as important as the mediaeval-bible-scholar argument about " how many angels can dance on the head of a pin ?"

You are falling into the trap set by the white house ( small-case intended), "Get them to disagree on words and we can fast-track any policy we want"

It's the feminine we all need to embrace, not the gender.
Hell, Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton are cut from the same cloth as any Republican going back to Teddy Roosevelt.
Kucinich has it together more than many women in congress.
But these are oustanding women at that conference and code pink has great heart, which is what we're all going to need to put these criminals in the white house on trial...

Why has the impeachment not begun yet? Surely Bush and Cheney have broken enough laws.

Sunshine:

Gore Vidal is right. In "THE RICH AND THE SUPER RICH", written by Columbia University Professor Ferdinand Lundberg and published in 1968, he said the same thing but in different words. There's one party, the " property party ", divided between Democrats and Republicans.

My sisters at CODE PINK have more courage than a lot of my brothers when it comes to the tough issues facing our country. They are on the front lines fighting injustice around the world. Tiny Madea Benjamin is a superwoman. I salute Ann Wright, Cindy Sheehan, Betty Williams, Jody Williams, ( and other Williams like them ), and all women, and men as well, who fight against tyranny and corruption, like Annabelle and Citizen A have said.

The good thing is more and more people are paying attention and finding out what the crooked politicians that do not represent WE THE PEOPLE are doing in our name. Ignorance is not bliss, my friends, it is unforgivable. When the vast majority let a small minority do the "THINKING" for them, tyranny soon takes over. I read somewhere, the statement, " prove all things, hold fast that which is good ". It makes sense to me.

Peace and harmony to all on planet Earth. We are all one, in the scheme of things.

some meta messages behind 'strong women'
if not strong.....then weak?
only the strong take the moral high ground?
behind every strong woman is a 'weak?" man
using words like strong woman is good example of the strict father model of george lakoff. these words push the stereotypes used by the 'right'

..."a strong international police response to the criminal actions of 9/11 arguably would have produced better results in bringing to justice the planners of 9/11 and would have saved thousands of lives and billions of dollars."

The point is the neo-Conmen wanted those monies in their pockets and damned be those whose lives were squandered to achieve that end - chalk it up to collateral damage.

some of you are focusing on the wrong issue here.
the main point is that there is yet another group of people, this time peace prize winners, willing to speak truth to power.
which, in case you've forgotten, is what was intended in our constitution.
it's the duty of every citizen to speak up.

some are just slower to come around.

google: nspd 51

At this point any movement that involves non violent protests and advocates peace is to be commended, no matter where it is happening or who is doing it!!! Constant war is not going to provide a stable and sustainable planet for the next generations to inherit. With insatible greed we are devouring ourselves using human beings as fuel for the fires of consumption. It has to stop and if small groups keep on believing that it can stop, more power to them. Go for it, no matter who you are or where you are!

No kidding, dl. It infuriates me when I read stuff like this, because it absolutely stereotypes progressives, and it causes unnecessary tension and one-upsPERSON-ship between the genders ("we're stronger than you are, nah-nah-nah").

I don't care if men or women do it...let's just end this national nightmare.

"Strong women"...like Nancy Impeachment-is-off-the-table Pelosi?

Or like Hillary Clinton, who has been as ineffective as they come when it comes to impeachment?

Here we go with the sexist remarks again, and it isn't the men doing it.

Gender: GET OVER IT.