|
Edited on Mon Sep-20-04 02:05 PM by AngryOldDem
Sue Niederer is my hero.
She was asked if, when she started asking her questions, the crowd did to her what it did to protesters on the floor of the convention --surrounded her and shouted her down. She said no, but as the cops were taking her out, one man asked why they were doing this to a mother. So at least one did speak up for her.
Democracy Now showed footage of her being cuffed and put in the paddy wagon. Disgraceful.
Her questions were simple: If this war is so just, then why aren't any government officials' kids in uniform and serving active duty? Why isn't there a clear exit strategy?
She was heartbreakingly frank about how her son got into the military -- all the promises they made to him, about how officers will never see combat, how they said it would help his career -- she wanted him to get it all in writing for a lawyer to review. The recruiting office belittled her son for even asking the question, and insulted Mrs. Niederer in the process. She said the early letters that her son sent back were full of details and optimism, but later they got to be pretty uncommunicative. Then, when he was home on leave, he broke down (not in front of her, but in front of her husband) and said that he was afraid to go back, did not want to go back, but that he had to because he had 18 guys depending on him. At that moment, she says, she knew she would never see him again -- something a mother "just knows."
I think in the debate John Kerry should ask Mrs. Niederer's questions point-blank to Laura's husband. She -- as well as all mothers -- deserve answers.
|
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
