September 17, 2005
Cindy Sheehan: The Wolves You Feed
From Cindy Sheehan yesterday (9-16) morning of Cindy Sheehan's trip to Algiers, Louisiana on the "Impeachment Express":
One thing that truly troubled me about my visit to Louisiana was the level of the military presence there. I imagined before that if the military had to be used in a CONUS (Continental US) operations that they would be there to help the citizens: Clothe them, feed them, shelter them, and protect them. But what I saw was a city that is occupied. I saw soldiers walking around in patrols of 7 with their weapons slung on their backs. I wanted to ask one of them what it would take for one of them to shoot me. Sand bags were removed from private property to make machine gun nests. [emphasis added]
This is Algiers, Louisiana:
This is a machine gun nest made as an example for an Australian Army open house.
A machine gun nest is a kind of gun emplacement, a prepared position for siting a weapon. Pillboxes and bunkers are other, more permanent examples.
Machine gun nests are, curiously enough, built for machine guns, big honkin' tripod-mounted, belt-fed stationary weapons used to hold a fixed position against massive onslaughts of troops. Think trench warfare, or the human wave charges of the Japanese in World War Two or the Vietnamese firebase assault from John Wayne's 1968 film, The Green Berets.
When most Americans think of machine gun nest, they get an image in their heads of something like this example from World War II:
While Arthur Lawson's Gretna PD might have fired shots into the air to scare New Orleans evacuees back across the bridge called the Crescent City Connection, no sane person, at any point, would suggest that gun emplacements such as machine gun nests or bunkers were being developed to fortify the west bank of the Mississippi against the citizens of New Orleans.
Could I be wrong? Perhaps. Here is a menacing photo of the 82nd Airborne assault on Bourbon Street yesterday morning.
Notice the aggressive posturing of the disposable cameras at the feet of the soldier on the left.
They just scream genocide, don't they?
Clearly, something doesn't add up between the reality Cindy Sheehan sees in the actions and intentions of the United States military in Louisiana, and what everyone else sees. That wide deviation in perceptions is because of the wolves Cindy Sheehan has decided to feed.
Huh?
A Cherokee elder sitting with his grandchildren told them, “In every life there is a terrible fight – a fight between two wolves. One is evil: he is fear, anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, and deceit. The other is good: joy, serenity, humility, confidence, generosity, truth, gentleness, and compassion.” A child asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The elder looked him in the eye. “The one you feed.”
Cindy Sheehan chose her favorite "wolf" long ago, and her association with certain groups just encourages her to feed one wolf at the exclusion of all others. Each passing minute he grows more angry, arrogant, and deceitful. Each passing minute, Cindy Sheehan drifts closer to what most of us would consider insane.
More from her latest post:
It is a Christ-like principal to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. That's what is happening in Algiers and other places in Louisiana...but by the people of America, not the so-called "Christians" in charge. If George Bush truly listened to God and read the words of the Christ, Iraq and the devastation in New Orleans would have never happened.I don't care if a human being is black, brown, white, yellow or pink. I don't care if a human being is Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or pagan. I don't care what flag a person salutes: if a human being is hungry, then it is up to another human being to feed him/her. George Bush needs to stop talking, admit the mistakes of his all around failed administration, pull our troops out of occupied New Orleans and Iraq, and excuse his self from power. The only way America will become more secure is if we have a new administration that cares about Americans even if they don't fall into the top two percent of the wealthiest. [emphasis added]
Cindy Sheehan is a sad shell of a human being, twisted by hatred, loss, arrogance, and greed. I would pity her except for the fact that she chose the manner in which to handle her grief. She chose the wolf, and it has consumed her.
Update:Dan at Riehl World View and Jay Tea at Wizbang has similar thoughts, as does 70s Kung-fu expert and counterculture icon Billy Jack, Ace of Spades, Lawhawk, and a bunch of other folks on Google's new blog search engine.
CY, you're a lot nicer than I am, Ditch Bitch is a Butt Ugly SHILL, all she is to the Dems is a useful *tool of the moment*... And her 15 minutes were up about 2 weeks ago... She is so pathetic, she's an embarrassment... And for a DUmbass Dem/Libber to be an embarrassment to her own kind is REALLY sad...
In the beginning, she found sympathy for her loss, now, anyone with half a brain KNOWS, her Son would have already told her STFU.... Sad..
Posted by: TexasFred at September 17, 2005 12:00 PM
I covered a demonstration of Sheehan sympathizers less than 5 days removed from the hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast protesting that we should stop funding military stuff to feed Katrina victims.
Bet they didn't stop to think of the thousands of people rescued by the big, bad military. You know - all those photos of people being airlifted to safety on board US Navy, Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard helicopters. If these mo-rons had their way, the death toll would have been thousands higher because we simply would not have had the capability to rescue people from their perches above the floodwaters.
Posted by: lawhawk at September 17, 2005 12:51 PM
Can anyone explain why large numbers of highly paid Blackwater Mercenaries are operating in New Orleans?
Can anyone explain why the press is being prevented from reporting in New Orleans?
Can anyone explain why photographers and journalists from large news organizations are being assaulted and beaten in New Orleans?
Posted by: James Lloyd at September 17, 2005 02:08 PM> I covered a demonstration of Sheehan sympathizers less than 5 days
> removed from the hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast protesting that
> we should stop funding military stuff to feed Katrina victims.
> Bet they didn't stop to think of the thousands of people rescued by
> the big, bad military.
Embarrassingly lame logic. This is equivalent to saying that people who believe in 'small government' are therefore against the government helping Katrina victims.
Criticizing the specific uses of the military does not equate to criticism of the military in total. Even my child worked that one out.
Oh really now Mr. Lloyd?
These are the same people who protest against all military expeditures, regardless of what it is for. It's the same people who hope for bake sales for aircraft carriers instead of schools. The same group that thinks that because the US is spending money on the military in Iraq that there isn't anything for folks in the US.
If there is anyone with an embarrassingly lame logic presented here, it's those protestors who can't see beyond their hatred.
It's a myopic view of the US, its capabilities, and apparently you can't even see that.
Posted by: lawhawk at September 17, 2005 02:22 PMOh, grow up already.
Cindy is not a politician and can thus be excused for saying stupid shit. You Right-wingers are overeacting and lambasting Cindy, a grieving mother with absolutely no political experience, as if she were Satan Incarnate.
Ditto for Kanye West. Sure, he made a stupid comment. However, keep in mind that the man is a rapper, not a Senator. He is hardly an expert on the situation.
So, go find somebody else to demonize. Someone more deserving.
Posted by: Martin at September 17, 2005 02:42 PMMartin:
Good point. We shouldn't listen to entertainers and shills who never had an education or experience on whatever subject they pontificate.
But when the media puts these people on a pedestal for no reason other than saying provocative things, should people not react?
Posted by: lawhawk at September 17, 2005 02:54 PMCan anyone explain why large numbers of highly paid Blackwater Mercenaries are operating in New Orleans?
Blackwater provides both mercenary and corporate security services. Can you explain how you don't know the difference between a security guard and a soldier?
Can anyone explain why the press is being prevented from reporting in New Orleans?
Can you provide examples?
Can anyone explain why photographers and journalists from large news organizations are being assaulted and beaten in New Orleans?
I'd wager it is because they keep wandering into people who don't want their tragedy preyed upon by a bunch of opportunistic media vultures. The one time I almost dropped a reporter was when a microphone was thrust into my face after a hostage standoff, but again, without examples, I don't know for sure.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at September 17, 2005 03:18 PM
quote:
"I'd wager it is because they keep wandering into people who don't want their tragedy preyed upon by
a bunch of opportunistic media vultures."
Are you the only person in the world who didn't notice that people in the tragedy were queuing up to speak to the cameras? Are you the only person in the world who didn't notice that people suffering in the tragedy wouldn't let a reporter pass by without grabbing them and pleading with them to film their tragedy?
For your information, reporters and photographers have been beaten and had their cameras destroyed for filming police dealing with looters... ya know... for doing their constitutional duty, acting as the eyes and ears of the American people.
Natasha, again, I keep hearing of these mythical reporters, yet you can't actually produce any.
I also notice that you and your ilk are eager to deflect the conversation away from Saint Cindy.
So here's the deal: provide evidence of your claims with a link to a credible news source (no Raw Story, Indymedia, etc), or get tossed.
I'm starting to think that you simply want to change to subject becuase you don't like to watch how Saint Cindy is exposing your ideology.
Feel free to prove me wrong with a link to pictures of beaten reporters in New Orleans. If not, we'll just keep laughing as Cindy help give the average non-political junkie American an even lower opinion of progressives than they probably aleady have.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at September 17, 2005 03:50 PMWhat is a "constitutional duty?" I just looked over the Constitution again and I can't find any duties enumerated. Even the 9th amendment protects rights not previously enumerated, but I didn't find any duties. Shit...I guess I better grab a camera and fly to NOLA ASAP if it's a duty, but before I do that can you explain where I may find the "duty" section in the document.
Jeez, I hope it doesn't require me to mow the lawn today...
Posted by: Josh at September 17, 2005 04:08 PM> So here's the deal: provide evidence of your
> claims with a link to a credible news source (no
> Raw Story, Indymedia, etc), or get tossed.
Err... ok. Just for starters...
Reporters Without Borders
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=14894
Canada Toronto Star (primary news source)
Another grabbed a second camera and, somewhere in the melee, Oleniuk's press pass was ripped from his neck...
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_PrintFriendly&c=Article&cid=1125611421477&call_pageid=971358637177&DPL=JvsODSH7Aw0u%2BwoQO%2BYJDSbkFxAj%2BwoUO%2BYNDSbgFxMn%2BwkVO%2BUODSXhFxMv%2BwkYO%2BQKDSTkFxUn%2Bw8QO%2BMJDSPkFxUj%2Bw8UO%2BMNDSPgFxUv%2Bw8YO%2BILDSLkFxQh1w%3D%3D&tacodalogin=yes
Spiegel (global print magazine)
http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,373720,00.html
New York Times
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10E14FF3E550C768CDDA00894DD404482
NPPA (National Press Photographers Association)
http://tinyurl.com/dxkaf
> I'm starting to think that you simply want to
> change to subject becuase you don't like to watch
> how Saint Cindy is exposing your ideology.
I'm starting to think you're the puffed up mouse you come across as. A bit of a tip for you... 'real' men don't have to keep proving it.
You must have missed my question Natasha. I see you can be insulting, but can you answer my previous question?
Posted by: Josh at September 17, 2005 05:46 PM
> You must have missed my question Natasha.
No, I simply ignored it believing you were either joking or not American.
> I just looked over the Constitution again and I
> can't find any duties enumerated. Even the 9th
> amendment protects rights not previously
> enumerated, but I didn't find any duties.
Funny, because the Supreme Court finds constitiutional duties in the constitution every single day.
Here's a Supreme Court document hosted on a conservative site that refers to consitiutional duties.
http://www.aclj.org/media/pdf/cert.pdf
And another...
http://publicpolicy.pepperdine.edu/academics/faculty/lloyd/projects/conlaw/sp_v_us.htm
And another deciding that Nixon had failed in his constitutional duty...
http://www.tourolaw.edu/patch/Nixon/
Just in case you're not American, the term 'constitutional duty' is used daily in newspapers, courts, movies, TV news reports etc.
If a law states, for example, that a citizen has the right of free speech and a president takes away that right of free speech, he has failed in his constitutional duty.
There are several thousand Supreme Court documents on the internet that you can search for relating to the media etc.
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 17, 2005 06:15 PM> But when the media puts these people on a pedestal
> for no reason other than saying provocative
> things, should people not react?
Oh yeah, definitely react, but as the man said, drop the desperate satanic bull as espoused by the blogger 'Angry of the Great White North' and his entourage of bitter old women.
As the post you replied to said, quote: "You Right-wingers are overeacting and lambasting Cindy, a grieving mother with absolutely no political experience, as if she were Satan Incarnate."
So your "proof" of widespread, systematic press abuse boils down to two incidents. This hardly supports the Lloyd comment that "the press is being prevented from reporting in New Orleans," especially when wall-to-wall coverage on all major networks showed decisively otherwise.
Government officials have constitutional duties. Civilans do not. Josh was correct.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at September 17, 2005 06:52 PMCan anyone explain why large numbers of highly paid Blackwater Mercenaries are operating in New Orleans?
Can anyone explain why the press is being prevented from reporting in New Orleans?
Can anyone explain why photographers and journalists from large news organizations are being assaulted and beaten in New Orleans?
Posted by James Lloyd at September 17, 2005 02:08 PM
---------------------------------------------
I am retired from MI and I have several friends that are currently in the employment of BWS and I have several close friends on the ground in New Orleans as I type this and I am not aware of ANY involvement by BWS in any way... Do you have ANY proof of this or are you just talking out of your ass like *MOST* DUmb libbers do??
And BTW, I watch a lot of news from MANY sources and I see LIVE reports ALL THE TIME... And not one of them was being assaulted...
Come back when you have something besides a liberal mantra...
I hate Bush, I hate Bush, I hate Bush... LMAO.. Get the idea shit for brains??
Posted by: TexasFred at September 17, 2005 06:59 PM> Government officials have constitutional duties.
> Civilans do not. Josh was correct.
CF, I don't have the time to give you lessons on the constitution and the media.
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 17, 2005 07:24 PM> I am retired from MI and I have several friends
> that are currently in the employment of BWS and I
> have several close friends on the ground in New
> Orleans as I type this and I am not aware of ANY
> involvement by BWS in any way... Do you have ANY
> proof of this or are you just talking out of your
> ass like *MOST* DUmb libbers do??
Are you for real TexasFred? The caveman approach doesn't work on me. Now that you've finished your hilarious hissyfitting, check the Blackwater home page... (duh!)
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/
By the way, I'm a republican and a lawyer.
CF, I don't have the time to give you lessons on the constitution and the media.
That is very sad, as I was so looking forward to it. Constitutional law is your specialty? Fascinating...
Fred, Blackwater is indeed involved, but as executive security, not combat mercenaries.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at September 17, 2005 08:06 PM> Constitutional law is your specialty?
No, not my speciality, but it nevertheless forms part of my remit.
> Fred, Blackwater is indeed involved, but as
> executive security, not combat mercenaries.
Of course they're involved as security. Has Al Quaeda moved into New Orleans?
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 17, 2005 08:14 PMCan anyone explain why photographers and journalists from large news organizations are being assaulted and beaten in New Orleans?
Instant Karma?
Posted by: guinsPen at September 17, 2005 10:01 PMThe only "Constitutional Duties" we have as Citizens is to pay taxes, serve on a jury, if called, and serve in the military, if there is a draft. Oh, by the way, Cindy Sheehan has lost it!
Posted by: Tom T at September 18, 2005 04:49 AMInteresting articles Natasha. It reads to me as though the reports were entering a virtual war zone at the height of the battle between police and well armed thugs, as even the Canadian reporter indicates. I fail to see any government sanctioned abuse of reports in these stories however gripping they may be.
"CF, I don't have the time to give you lessons on the constitution and the media."
As they say, no time for face-washing but plenty of time for wall-propping. ;-) Good thing the Constitution is written in english as we will just have to fend for ourselves after your dereliction of duty.
Tob
Posted by: toby928 at September 18, 2005 10:02 AMFred, Blackwater is indeed involved, but as executive security, not combat mercenaries.
Posted by Confederate Yankee at September 17, 2005 08:06 PM
------------------------------------
OK, I wasn't aware that they were there in any capacity, not too surprised though, but I'll betcha they are READY to rumble if they have to... :)
I was amazed that the poster I responded to was accusing the USA of hiring Mercs to work in New Orleans in combat mode, and if I am not mistaken, that WAS the not too veiled insinuation...
Correct me if I am wrong but looked to me like another moonbat barking his head off...
Posted by: TexasFred at September 18, 2005 02:12 PM"Oh yeah, definitely react, but as the man said, drop the desperate satanic bull as espoused by the blogger 'Angry of the Great White North' and his entourage of bitter old women.
As the post you replied to said, quote: "You Right-wingers are overeacting and lambasting Cindy, a grieving mother with absolutely no political experience, as if she were Satan Incarnate."
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 17, 2005 06:43 PM
"Are you for real TexasFred? The caveman approach doesn't work on me. Now that you've finished your hilarious hissyfitting, check the Blackwater home page... (duh!)
http://www.blackwaterusa.com/
By the way, I'm a republican and a lawyer."
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 17, 2005 07:30 PM
Dear Natasha,
No, you are not a republican and a lawyer, you are lost and confused. Saying Blackwater is in NO as security is not proof that they are either illegal or immoral. Saying that Cindy Sheehan has a right to say the President is a liar and murdered her son for oil and at the behest of and for the support of the Jews, but we don't have a right to call her a misguided idiot is infringing on my freedom of speech.
As the OBVIOUS Supreme Constitutional Law expert that you are, I'm surprised that you would defend the press' ability to spread whatever propaganda they choose while intimating that my opinion has no merit or value. If I think she is Satan Incarnate, then I have a right to say so. You should learn to ignore my rants or invest in a set of earplugs. I have learned to tune out liberal stupidity.
The Constitution provides no duties for the free press. It merely limits the restrictions the government can place on the free press. Otherwise, they would have arrested the members of the National Enquirer who claimed the government has hidden away the space invaders who are bent on impregnating all our women and sucking the blood from our men and eating our children. (Come to think of it, an accurate description for the arhabi in Iraq and the reporters who idolize them).
While all this may not seem to be conspiracy enough to convince others that journalists are with the enemy, I have some advice. Since it is free, it is not worth much, but you should listen anyway.
My old Dad used to tell me that I was known by the company I keep, and by the folks I chose to associate myself with. If the press and the liberals today wish to align themselves as supporting the arhabi (terrorists) in Iraq (seems pretty clear to me who they are impressed with, and who they idolize), and working against the people who are trying to save lives and protect liberty and property in the world today [military, National Guardsmen, politicians who are fighting to bring democracy to those who deserve it, and government workers who do their best against floods, fire, hurricanes and pestilence, and just plain old folks who dig deep to donate to humanitarian causes everywhere today, when their own kids need the help as bad as the refugees do (some people call them churchgoers -- some call them right wing fundamentalists)], then maybe you should expect to be labeled with the folks you support. If the label fits, wear it.
And you may claim to be republican, but the label doesn't fit. You may claim to be a lawyer, but your lack of respect for my freedom of speech shows you to be a bad one. Don't like it? Tough. Grow a thicker skin. My 82 yr old Mom is tougher than your sensitivities to inflammatory speech.
Subsunk
Posted by: Subsunk at September 18, 2005 10:50 PM> While all this may not seem to be conspiracy
> enough to convince others that journalists are
> with the enemy,
Yawn!
> And you may claim to be republican, but the
> label doesn't fit.
You mean I should tow the party line on absolutely everything? Like you do? Sorry Subsunk - I'm way more intelligent than you are and it shows.
> You may claim to be a lawyer, but your lack of
> respect for my freedom of speech shows you to be
> a bad one.
Whatever makes you feel better.
Posted by: Natasha Rothschild at September 19, 2005 04:01 PMNatasha,
You are clearly a Rovian plant whose mission is to discredit the "opposition" party. There is no sane, rational, thinking human being who could possibily hold the positions you claim to hold.
That Rove, I tell ya' -- He's a genius!
Posted by: fretless at September 19, 2005 10:34 PM
Natasha,
Or, may I call you "Natty?"
Especially for you I have reserved a special prize and reward at http://thoseshirts.com/tshirts.html
Watch for the one called "Commies aren't cool," then call them up and say to send it to you according to the instructions that I have left with them. Then let me know how you like it.
Posted by: Ivan Rothskilde at September 20, 2005 04:34 PMQuothe Natasha: "...the Supreme Court finds constitiutional duties in the constitution every single day."
Yeah, right where they found their reasoning for Kelo v. New London.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at September 20, 2005 05:12 PM"Yawn!"
Translation:
"Too many big words. Next."
-----
"You mean I should tow the party line on absolutely everything?...Sorry Subsunk - I'm way more intelligent than you are and it shows."
Translation:
"I don't understand you. My arguments do not depend on reality, logic, or facts; rather, I like to just say whatever comes into my head first. Since I can't argue with you, I will simply state that I am more intelligent than you. This tactic has served the left well over the years, and I see no reason not to employ it now.
"Also, despite my remarkable intelligence, I don't understand the difference between 'tow' and 'toe.'"
-----
The two most feared enemies of the left are history and reason. -- Mark Steyn
Posted by: Darrell at September 23, 2005 10:26 AM
