Sheehan Plans New Protest at Bush‘s Ranch (Chavez may join too)

[sabra]

http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/stories/news-00132765.html

Sheehan Plans New Protest at Bush‘s Ranch


CARACAS, Venezuela - Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist who just announced that she is weighing a run for Senate, plans to protest again outside President Bush ‘s Texas ranch, Venezuela‘s president said Sunday with Sheehan by his side.

"She invited me to put up a tent. Maybe I‘ll put up my tent also," Chavez said, to applause from activists invited to his weekly broadcast on the final day of the leftist World Social Forum.

Sheehan, whose 24-year-old soldier son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in 2004, thanked Chavez for "supporting life and peace" and she was impressed by his sincerity.

...

Sheehan, who was visiting Venezuela for the six-day forum along with other anti-war and anti-globalization activists, told The Associated Press that she decide whether to run after talking with her three adult children in California.

[OKNancy]

1. Do you have any other source?

That's about the worst printed/reported article I've seen except on some amateur blog.

[OKNancy]

5. Found better source

complete article here:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1555061

[apple_ridge]

2. Chavez would be insane to go there.

[wryter2000]

10. Ditto

There's no way Cindy could guarantee his safety, and * sure wouldn't do anything to help. :scared:

[balzac]

17. It would be gutsy as hell

I'd love it, so long as he had some security around him.

[merwin]

44. If something happened to him, that would cause a lot of chaos between

North Amerika and South America.

[saigon68]

69. The CIA will Kill him--- Ask this guy---oops you can't he's already DEAD

[Initech]

88. They cant kill Chavez, it'd be an international incident

Hell, it might be enough to start WWIII!

[clarknyc]

3. See shark.

Jump.

[ret5hd]

6. you wish.

[clarknyc]

16. Just an observation.

No wishes involved.

[xchrom]

19. then you need glasses.

really, really strong ones.

[clarknyc]

46. Thanks for the advice.

But if she's serious about opposing DiFi, embracing Hugo Chavez will not help her. In fact, it's an exercise in self-marginalization that will only harm her/our cause. Hence...jumping the shark. YMMV.

Peace.

[TriMetFan]

89. Chavez is Hispanic hmmmm.

Californian has a large Hispanic voting group hmmmmm. Also Calf. is liberal and once people find out the truth about Chavez it could help Cindy, but I don't think she is running for the Senate.

[0007]

36. Bad!

[Kurovski]

45. I dunno. President Georgy jumped the shark with his

"That's one bad pilot" line on 9/11 and his show is still running.

She'll make a great elected official, along with all the returning vets who are running.

They're what the founders intended: citizen-politicians.

Not the funk-stank criminal ho-bags like DeLay, Frist, and all of their money-sucking colleagues using our Capitol Building as a streetwalker's rest-stop.

[clarknyc]

49. True.

But it's a whole lot simpler with the media in your pocket. An advantage that Sheehan doesn't have.

[Kurovski]

55. But Sheehan does get media attention over this kind of stuff.

It's the ONLY time she does. The whole "camp-out" was a stunt, and the media guessed incorrectly that it would backfire.

Now you may be correct that at some point it all may collapse, but so far, so good.

I don't think there is ever any real danger of Americans deciding to support a war because they may be tired of Sheehan. (not that you said there was, just my own observation.)

Geez, most people only hear about her once every few months anyway. Those of us on line are more up on her moves.

[hopein08]

4. Would they let Chavez in for that?

Or could they not refuse?

[Solon]

7. Good question...

I would think they would not want to slight Chavez in that way, his country, after all, is actually one of the largest exporters of oil to the U.S.

BTW, has anyone ever heard of the head of state of one nation protesting another on that ones soil? I never heard of it, but then again, it would be an interesting political situation.

[TedsGarage]

8. President v. President

I've never heard of that. Much as I agree with the substance of the protest, Chavez's presence would be completely out of line.

[Christa]

13. Why out of line?

It would be bloody MARVELLOUS.

[katinmn]

9. Cool! I was thinking of going back to Crawford at Easter

Would be wonderful if Chavez came. Shake things up a bit. LOL.

[Christa]

15. Let's see * ignoring Chavez standing there nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

40. I think I am going too

Chavez would be an interesting addition to the group.

[MasonJar]

11. Cindy needs to run for the House not the Senate.

[xchrom]

20. no, cindy needs to do what cindy thinks

she needs to do.

she's fine.

[The Backlash Cometh]

21. Okay, as long as she doesn't run as a Democrat, we're safe.

[xchrom]

22. she probably will run as a democrat.

which is also just fine.

[The Backlash Cometh]

26. No, it really isn't.

Just be prepared for the swiftboating.

[xchrom]

29. she will run against feinstein.

feinstein has lost her footing here -- and folks aren't likely to go for repuke swiftboating.

[The Backlash Cometh]

30. I hope you're right.

We shall see.

[xchrom]

33. the worst that might happen

is that we stick with feinstein.

money is one thing feinstein has -- she can run a long campaign.

[bvar22]

38. What else could the Republican slime machine

possibly do to Cindy?
They already shot their whole wad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. They have been swiftboating her since August!!

Hasn't shut her up yet, now has it?

[The Backlash Cometh]

48. It's not about shutting her up.

It's about using her to smear the Democratic party with Leftist Chavez. Giving Chavez our 100% support right now, is like awarding a 10.0 to an Olympic performer who just started his performance. We really don't know how far he's going to take his politics. I'd like to believe he's going to be a benevolent leader and will eventually give up power as his country matures, but that's just me hoping. What if he goes the other way?

If she goes out as an Independent, then I don't see the problem. But unless her constituents embrace socialist ideas, the Democratic party is taking a risk on her if she embraces Chavez too readily.

[proud2BlibKansan]

50. Well I disagree

I like Chavez and I like Cindy. In fact, I greatly admire both of them.

[The Backlash Cometh]

54. Oh, I didn't say I didn't admire the both of them.

I'm just wondering if Chavez is going to complicate Sheehan's run for political office.

I don't know anything about Feinstein's district, so I guess time will tell. But I do know if she ran in my district, she would be vilified beyond human endurance.

[sushi]

92. Chavez & Cindy

Ditto!

[TriMetFan]

98. And who has help to heat the people in the North?

It sure wasn't slash and cut Bush.

[tavalon]

63. Like they haven't already tried that

[donheld]

85. So are we suppose to fear swiftboating the rest of our lives?

Lets never do anything again they may swiftboat us.

[...of J.Temperance]

56. It's not fine, Cindy Sheehan has been on a Democratic bashfest

She's not a Democrat, or she wouldn't be bashing our people.

[katinmn]

71. Depends on how you define "Democrat" n/t

[...of J.Temperance]

73. I define a Democrat as someone who wants the Democratic Party

To regain one or preferably both bodies of Congress in '06, and the WH in '08.

Cindy Sheehan saying that she's going to stand against Senator Feinstein, this could give that California Senate seat to the Repukes. So how would Cindy be helping our party to regain the Senate?

[BrotherBuzz]

28. Cindy Sheehan lives in California's 9th district

Barbara Lee represents the 9th Congressional District. Ain't gonna happen.

[IndianaGreen]

12. Chavez, Sheehan, Mitterrand Meet (Prensa Latina)

Here is Prensa Latina account of the Sheehan-Chavez meeting:

Chavez, Sheehan, Mitterrand Meet

Caracas, Jan 29 (Prensa Latina) Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez welcomed US activist Cindy Sheehan and former France’s first lady Danielle Mitterrand in Miraflores Palace, the government´s headquarters.

The aim of Sheehan’s meeting with Chavez was to examine the need to foster an opposition structure to the occupation and war in Iraq, and the importance to face attacks and actions by the US government.

According to the source, Chavez highlighted the courage of Sheehan, mother of a US soldier killed in Iraq, and commented on how to strengthen ties of countries that want to see an end to this unfair war.

The anti-war fighter announced for March 8, International Women’s Day, a day for gathering signatures, to demand the return of US troops from Iraq.

Sheehan, attending the 6th World Social Forum that ends today in Caracas, also stated that the Bolivarian revolution is “a very good process,” and expressed her interest to work together with Chavez in a movement against the war in Iraq.

PRENSA LATINA

[xchrom]

24. that is soo cool.

[balzac]

14. Chavez is Cool

That would be so cool if he did that.

Why would anyone think it would be out of line? Ridiculous!

[SeaBob]

95. Chavez

I wonder if hugo Chavez will give up power when his term is over?:shrug:

[gardenista]

18. Well, I know I'll get flamed, but I don't want Chavez coming to US soil

and protesting anything. That's a job for our people.

Just my opinion.

Who knows what will happen if she runs. Maybe it will be a great opportunity to open up discussion on important issues. Maybe it will be a divisive bloodbath in the California Democratic Party. No matter what, it will be interesting to watch.

However, I doubt that I will vote for her.

[IndianaGreen]

23. Why is the American ambasador to Cuba leading demonstrations?

Why are the American ambassadors to Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru involved in espionage and subversive activities?

I don't want Bush on American soil.

I haven't read any accounts of the Sheehan-Chavez meeting that say anything about Chavez coming here, only the Murdoch tabloid has such an account.

[gardenista]

31. Just responding to the original post, and claims in the original post.

I never said that I approved of our ambassadors participating in protests in other countries, either.

[Solon]

27. International solidarity can go a long way to help bolster the movement...

That is probably Chavez's plan, anyways. Unlike what many here think, he is almost the opposite of a Nationalist as we would think of them. Traditional nationalists demonize the CITIZENS of other nations in addition to those countries leaders to bolster their own position. Chavez, in contrast, actually thinks that poor people everywhere are oppressed by people like Bush, and therefore views himself as an internationalist of sorts. Granted he believes that the solutions being worked up in his country, the Bolivarian Revolution, may not be appropriate for other places like the United States, he still believes that he can help them with their own struggle. You have to realize that, with few exceptions the United States has a great negative influence worldwide, an Iraq war today can spell a war against Venezuela tommorrow. This is also the reason why his nation has answered the call of local politians here that have begged for discounted oil to heat homes in various places like Vermont and Massachuettes. He secures his own nation with charity rather than guns, that itself is impressive.

[gardenista]

32. I agree that his work with MA and VT were impressive.

and I have no objection to our country receiving needed aid.

No objection, either, to his leading protests on his own soil.

[EFerrari]

67. (Chavez was kidding. n/t)

[sushi]

93. Of course he was kidding!

It was just his way of saying how strongly he supports Cindy.

[sasha031]

25. I would worry for his safety

I have complete respect for the man, he is to valuable to his country and Latin America, I would not want to see * goons get him.

[mydreamcametrue]

34. The must not be much for Chavez to do in Venezuela.

[0007]

37. What ever Chavez is doing it must be good cuz the people love him.

[cliss]

35. Hugo Chavez

is most probably NOT planning to go with Cindy Sheehan to Crawford. He's just teasing Bush. Remember, when he called Bush "a clown with lipstick"? At the last Council of the Americas, Chavez told people he was going to "sneak up on Bush and scare him".

He has made lots of threats, mostly in a joking manner.

Chavez is completely committed to his people in Venezuela. He knows that if he were to be assassinated, things could go very badly for his people. Chavez loves stirring up stuff, though.

Just to keep Bush on his toes.....

[MakeItSo]

39. Cindy has lost her focus, and it shows: Chavez is exploiting her

First she blames Clinton for killing "one million children" or thereabouts because of the sanctions the US imposed on Iraq for violating UN resolutions. Now she's pals with Hugo Chavez, and old fashioned socialist who has his own agenda and own interests to protect.

She is drifting away from her personal story, which is enormously compelling, and now seems to think of herself as a political pundit and international diplomat.

This doesn't play well among 95 percent of the population in the US. She's playing right into the hands of KKKarl and his ilk, with Faux News relishing its opportunity to link Cindy with the Democrats whenever it can.

Faux News isn't going to tell Cindy to work on her focus. It's time some Democrats did.

[katinmn]

47. LOL. Chavez is NOT exploiting Cindy.

No one exploits Cindy and in case you haven't noticed, the Bush Boyz and the DINOs can't shut her up. She has support from, and gives support to, peace activists around the world.

War mongers can lump it if they don't like it.

[MakeItSo]

96. If you don't like it, leave it?

From whom have we heard that sort of logic before? Cutting and running without any sort of exit strategy would be a completely selfish and short-sighted thing to do. I went to anti-war demos prior to invasion and did my damndest to stop the war from ever happening. But we're there now, and we've fucked up the country of Iraq but good. It's our responsibility to get out in a more responsible way then we got in. Not to mention the fact that appearances are indeed important on the world stage. Show weakness and our enemies -- yes, we DO have enemies -- will sense weakness and take advantage of it.


Cutting and running is a pipe dream.

[Kurovski]

51. Here's the saddest part of all this.

Without outrageous and inflamatory statements, without joke invitations from Chavez, without the camp-outs at The Chimp Ranch, not one damn word Sheehan breaths will ever...or would have ever...been printed or reported upon.

Wring your hands all you like, but this is how it's going to be from here on out.

[Maat]

53. Excuse me ... but one thing I learned when I was a social worker ..

is you reach out and engage in conversation ... and not just with those with whom you agree on everything. I appreciate her visiting that conference down there, and meeting with Chavez. She didn't marry him; she just listened to what he had to say. And then she articulated what she appreciated about what he had to say. Now, THAT's a leader!

[...of J.Temperance]

59. Cindy's credibility is rapidly sliding down the john and it's because she

Is getting increasingly bad advice from the activists who are now giving her her talking points.

Cindy is radically different now and her President Clinton comments were not only absurd but also completely inaccurate and I might say highly offensive.

[katinmn]

64. Cindy reflects my views, and she has done so consistently

when speaking about Bush, Clinton, and DiFi.

The fact is, a lot of people like what she's doing, wish her the best and thank her for speaking the truth.

If the truth hurts, take some tylenol or get some ear plugs.

[...of J.Temperance]

74. A minority of people like what Cindy Sheehan is doing

Cindy wasn't speaking the truth when she said that President Clinton killed more Iraqi's than Junior has.

That Cindy is hanging around with these activists, speaking at a Hugo Chavez forum and bashing President Clinton and other Democrats, she's marginalizing herself from the mainstream.

When Cindy went to Crawford, she had a good agenda and she had every right to say what she said. Cindy's son was pointlessly killed in a pointless war, she had every right to be upset and she still does.

However, Cindy is now getting bad advice and bad talking points from these activists, who as we know hate President Clinton because of NAFTA and GATT amongst other things.

Cindy did speak the truth about Junior and about Iraq, what she's saying now is inaccurate at the best.

[IndianaGreen]

70. It is those that support the war, Democrats and Republican alike

that lack total credibility.

As to the American people, they are divided into two groups: the "good Germans" group, and the resistance to the Bush dictatorship. There is no moderate position on this!

[...of J.Temperance]

75. The only alternative to the Repukes is the Democratic Party

And there are elections. It's 99% of the Repukes who wanted war, it was their people Junior, Cheney, Rice, Powell, Rummy et al who day after day banged the war drums and told lies and warmongered.

The Iraq quagmire is owned by the Repukes.

If the people who are against the Iraq quagmire want the mayhem to cease, then their only alternative is to vote more Democrats into the Senate and the Congress.

If the people who are against Junior and the Repukes extreme Right-Wing agenda want that agenda to cease, then their only alternative is to vote more Democrats into the Senate and the Congress.

We wouldn't be having this Alito thing if we were in control of the Senate and it'd be the Repukes who would be talking about a filibuster.

[earth mom]

76. Yeah and it's highly offensive that Clinton caused people to DIE

How is what Clinton did ANY different that what Bush is doing?

So meanwhile you are vilifying Cindy for not speaking for you. So who speaks for you? The right leaning DLC HOs we have in office right now?!

Sorry, but most of em certainly don't speak for me or for millions of Americans-the majority of which are middle class or poor. Most of the officials in office speak ONLY for the elite-the rich/corporate bastards! :grr:

I like and support Cindy because she is totally for the people-the middle class and the poor-who are not being served by our government at all! Look no further than the lie about the Iraq War, the bankruptcy bill, medicare, soaring health costs, outsourcing of jobs...etc., etc, etc.

I hope and pray Cindy runs for office because I think she will win. We could certainly use more people in office exactly like her to turn this screwed up country around! :applause:

[...of J.Temperance]

77. The Cindy Personalty Cult say IT'S THE CLENIS' FAULT!!

Who speaks for me, well the Democratic Party speaks for me, this is why I am a Democrat, a mainstream moderate Democrat.

Would you tell me what Cindy Sheehan's opinions are on the issues such as progressive taxation, social security, defense issues, the minimum wage, medicare, the national debt, national security et al.

I don't think that Cindy Sheehan would win a statewide political race, this is just my opinion.

I just don't like the way people are now beating up on President Clinton. President Clinton has been the best President since President Roosevelt and I wish that President Clinton was still in office.

On Edit: Dammit spelling error.

[katinmn]

78. When the time comes, Cindy will say exactly where she stands

on all the issues, unlike the vichy Dems who are following the Repuke songbook of never saying anything about anything.

[...of J.Temperance]

79. Why doesn't Cindy say it now instead of bashing President Clinton?

If Cindy elaborated on her political views, wouldn't you say that this would be much more interesting?

When Junior does something, the only people who say that President Clinton did it as well are...

Hmmmm.

[katinmn]

83. Uh, maybe because she just mentioned it this weekend.

[earth mom]

80. Clinton was good for "you" maybe....

but not for me or my family. And FYI-I could care less about the Monica affair or the "clenis"...though, IMO, Hillary shoulda kicked him to the curb! Obviously politics are more important to her than self respect or moral standards. :eyes:

As well, I don't see anything Clinton did that helped people in the way that Roosevelt did. Have you forgotten Nafta?! Can you honestly say that the poor or middle class are better off thanks to Clinton? Hardly! :(

IMO, too many people view Clinton and other dems with rose colored glasses. I look at them critically because my family is NOT better off and NO thanks to most of them, our future looks very uncertain and bleak indeed. :mad:

[...of J.Temperance]

81. Who was better President Clinton or Junior?

Who sent Cindy Sheehan's son to his pointless death, President Clinton or Junior?

[earth mom]

87. Clinton & Bush are both the same, IMO.

You might want to start questioning why Clinton is so very chummy with the Bush family these days. The other day I read a thread here on DU stating that the Bush family now considers Clinton "a family member". :puke:

[jonnyblitz]

86. sounds like you belong to the Clinton Personality Cult

some crappy stuff went down under CLinton's watch. DOMA, NAFTA, GATT, PLan Colombia, welfare reform,telecommunications act, republican majorities,...etc..

personality cults are people who stay with the "personality" no matter what his views or positions are. if cindy all of a sudden became pro-war I doubt many of us would stick with her long...

[Auntie Bush]

62. Boy, I sure could have used your help the other day when we had

a flame war over Cindy when I made a comment/post similar to yours.

[still_one]

90. You are absolutely correct

She has hurt it for us who want the U.S. out of Iraq. Sorry, but she has become inflated with her own importance, and like nader did in 2000, she will inflict some damage on us

She has lost all support from me

Incidently, what I am saying has nothing to do whether I like or dislike Chavez

[Judi Lynn]

58. So glad I finally got to your post. I've been trying to get to the end

of this thread before posting my total belief he was making a "tongue in cheek" remark, as in a JEST. Many, many photos which turn up of Hugo Chavez show him smiling very broadly, even sharing laughter with others.

It would be consistant with the photos I've seen.

When the Venezuelan President laughs in public it's NOT AT SOMEONE ELSE'S EXPENSE, unlike the vicious Republican politicians we've been saddled with.

[Carni]

42. OMG that is just CRAZY

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor because that is just nuts--does the man have a death wish, or a desire to take a vacation on a plane carrying sharp electrified objects?

[Kurovski]

52. I think he's got a pretty good sense of humor

and doesn't mind publicly sticking a needle up George's ass.

[Judi Lynn]

60. Absolutely. I'm sure you're right. It would seem some people have

swallowed the Republican spin the media jams down our throats, before thinking things through. Common sense would explain his remarks were meant as a wry, humorous aside, absolutely not to be taken as a THREAT! :scared: :scared: :scared:

[Kurovski]

61. And an aside that also expresses solidarity with Sheehan's protest.

:-)

[Judi Lynn]

68. Exactly! To read it literally would be to miss his meaning.

[EFerrari]

65. For Hallowe'en, I'm dressing up as Hugo in a tent!

:rofl:

[ClayZ]

43. I wish many "World Leaderes" would join her!

Go Cindy!

Invite Arundhati Roy!

[robbedvoter]

57. Is this part of her electoral campaign running against DiFi?

Sorry, but she's wearing too many hats nowadays. I agree she veered off from her compelling personal story - and is now becoming some all purpose "celebrity" a la Ramsey Clark (whose aganda she seems to have adopted)

[EFerrari]

66. This was a conference on militarism and poverty.

Sigh.

I give up.

You're right. She should not be attending international conferences on peace.

lol

[robbedvoter]

72. She should have a clear idea of who she is/wants to do

I am sorry to see her shoot herself in the foot. I was happy when she lent her credibility to the anti-war movement (eventhough I was a bit jarred at her saying that she started it). But now, she talks ANSWER talk - so she is dragging us down to loony status again.
This is not a joke to me. It's very sad when I want to protest war - I go to a protest and I hear speeches so vile, i have to turn around and leave. I hoped Cindy, as a mother of a fallen soldier would change that. She has been changed instead.

[Senator Lamb]

82. bad strategy

it doesn't matter if you support Chavez and his policies or not. I think Cindy allying with him and wrapping herself in the banner of groups considered radical damages her cause. It was so more effective when she had a single overiding message of anti-Iraq war not wrapped up or tied to any other issues. She symbolized someone who could be your mother, sister, next to neighbor and was only brought into politics by her son's tragic death. Cindy also seemed very effective among "The View" and "Oprah" crowd- middle aged woman. She was an "everyman" and made the anti-war movement more into the mainstream of American thought. Now im afraid the right will dismiss her because of her new "friends."

[Tight_rope]

84. I dont know...I love me some Chavez...but I fear for his life...

[FtWayneBlue]

91. I am planning to join her protest on Easter Weekend,

along with some friends from here in Fort Wayne.
The more the merrier!

[SeaBob]

94. World Social Forum

Does anybody know how to find out in advance when and where the World Social Forum will be held? I would kinda like to go if I can plan for it.:hi:

[Judi Lynn]

97. This may help: Chavez calls World Social Forum a success

Chavez calls World Social Forum a success

Monday, January 30, 2006 Posted: 1424 GMT (2224 HKT)

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- The World Social Forum ended in Venezuela, with President Hugo Chavez warning that to remain relevant, the annual gathering must take bolder steps, such as addressing the role of militaries in defending against U.S. "imperialism."

The Venezuelan leader dominated attention Sunday on the final day of the event as he spoke for hours to liberal activists and forum organizers.
(snip)

Chavez's two-hour speech marked the close of the six-day forum, which organizers said drew more than 70,000 participants, a majority of them Venezuelans.

The anti-globalization meeting is held each year to counter the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. This year's is being held in three countries, including a smaller gathering that ended last week in Mali and another two months from now in Pakistan.
(snip/...)

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/01/30/venezuela.forum.ap/