Day 6 in Crawford. Ask me anything.

[brainshrub]

So much to say, so much to say. Where to start?

I will start by telling you that the organizers are requesting that you leave your animals at home if you plan to visit us. I know, your little fluffy dog is very well behaved, but Crawford is simply to hot for most domestic animals. You will hurt, if not kill, your pet. There are rattle-snakes in the grass here, and I'm not talking about the Republicans.

###

As usual, I am writing from the back of the tent at "Camp Casey II" on a borrowed laptop via wi-fi connection. I don't know if I'll ever want to blog indoors again. Something about being outside while surfing the internet makes blogging seem like a miracle.

I have just been handed a half-melted ice-cream sandwich; I'm typing with one hand and munching cold vanilla bliss with the other. Ice-cream at the end of a hot, Texas day is the most glorious food in the world.

###

People who have been here a while will mark the number of days they have been here on their name-tags. It's the closest thing to rank that anyone has around here.

Ann Wright, the closest thing to a "leader" here, can be seen walking around with her head still wet from a shower, helping to do dishes and giving administrative advice to the Peace House.

###

I've sweat so hard today that there are wide salt-marks on my shirt. Most of the day has been spent the day running around as an assistant to Rebecca Mac Neice.

Rebecca is a joy to work with. She is the only professional videographer here who has camped out full-time and developed a good relationship with both sides of the Iraqi War. The raw footage is so damn good, I'll be amazed if she doesn't win awards for it.

###

I'm a bit surprised about how few liberal media organizations are represented here. Considering how much they are praising the activities of Cindy Sheehan, you'd think they'd bankroll a few reporters to write from here. DemocracyNow left days ago, AAR is nowhere to be seen and the only person still broadcasting live with any regularity is Brad's radio show.

My regular site has gotten so many hits, that people are staring to sent me emails thanking me for blogging and helping give the Peace Movement a vehicle. IMHO bloggers are getting to much credit for covering the event. The only hard-core bloggers I've meet here so far are myself, TruthOut and BradBlog. There are rumors that Markos Moulitsas from the Daily Kos is here, but I haven't seen him.

The real force behind the media coverage are the common citizens here who are writing letters, urging friends to contact their congresspeople, and taking telephone calls from media organizations to lazy to send a reporter to do it in person.

Case in point: The only major publication I've meet in the six days I've been here is Eric Pfeiffer, a columnist for the National Review. Let me repeat what I just wrote just in case you think I'm kidding: A columnist for The National Review.

What this means is that resistance to the Iraq war is not being driven by progressive media or by bloggers. It's organic and much more mainstream than anyone cares to admit.

There is no attempt to co-ordinate the message by IVAW, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, MoveOn, Not In Our Name or Code Pink. It's all being done organically by common citizens. Bloggers and indie-media bloggers are spreading the information fast, but we aren't driving it.

###

[jonnyblitz]

1. wow..thanks so much for keeping us filled in!!

:hi:

[democracyindanger]

2. What's Camp Coward look like?

How do the numbers of Camp Casey v. the idiots across the road stack up?

[brainshrub]

10. Not even close to the hub of activity that Camp Casey is.

I have yet to see more than 7 people on the other side of the ditch. I know that over the weekend there were more, but it takes a whole lot of effort and sacrifice to stand up for what you believe in.

Being pro-Iraqi war is so inherently illogical, that standing in the heat in Texas is madness. Most Republicans know it.

[Cleita]

3. Thanks for doing this.

Does anyone know when Cindy's returning?

[brainshrub]

13. Nope.

I know her Mom is doing better, but no word as to when she is coming back.

There is a rumor that she is coming tomorrow. But it's just that: rumor.

ON EDIT: The rumor just got upgraded. Apparently, a radio-station in San Fransisco has just reported that she is on her way.

:bounce:

[Raster]

4. thanks for being there to bring a bit of Crawford to those of us that

can't be there. This is the beaut:

"What this means is that resistance to the Iraq war is not being driven by progressive media or by bloggers. It's organic and much more mainstream than anyone cares to admit.

"There is no attempt to co-ordinate the message by IVAW, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, MoveOn, Not In Our Name or Code Pink. It's all being done organically by common citizens. Bloggers and indie-media bloggers are spreading the information fast, but we aren't driving it.
________________
"It's organic and much more mainstream that anyone cares to admit." Be still my beating heart.

[babylonsister]

5. I will start by nominating this! You are an inspiration, as are so

many DU people.

[cloud75]

6. awesome post i bet you never forget the summer of '05

[brainshrub]

16. This is the best Summer of my life.

This trip has changed my life.

[Hissyspit]

7. Is LynnTheDem there?

She seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. Just wondering.
Thanks for the updates!

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. After being there, seeing history being made with my own eyes

and getting a feel for the Peace House, both Camp Casey 1 and 2,
and the energetic non exhaustable force- receiving updates
from you is just priceless. Thanks for your keen observations.
Enjoyed our garlic aroma filled ride past Providence. Did I spell
that rite- write- right?

[Generic Other]

9. Have you invited Joan Baez to DU yet?

You better!

[TryingToWarnYou]

11. Watch out for Waco-Trib reporter Thaddeus DeJesus

The guy is slime. He comes around to the Peace House and Im sure he is going to try to interject himself at the camps at some point if he hasnt already. You mentioned snakes, well, this guy is one... This is what he wrote a day or so ago regarding 'directions' he got to the Joan Baez appearance.

Here are directions we at the Trib have gotten to the show, to be held at the new Camp Casey site: “From the Crawford Peace House, go past railroad tracks through the light to Prairie Chapel Road. Follow around past the counter protesters -and silly banners to the original Camp Casey - continue past it - no turns - and when you run smack dab into the barricade set up on the road leading to Bush’s ranch, wave at the SS and turn left, your only option, and then at the second street sign you see, turn right onto Quiet Valley Road — it’s gravel — and follow it around to the gigantic tent. Parking attendants will tell you where to park.”

And my reply to his 'blog' (apparently being a reporter entitles him to not only report on things but to give his personal opinion)

I take issue with your comments here regarding the ‘directions’ you received. I stood right next to you at the Peace House yesterday and you had access to the same exact information that I did regarding how to get to the two camps. None of what you allege is true. Or better yet, you didn’t receive those directions from anyone connected with the movement at Crawford.

The volunteers and those at the camps have never issued anything so negative and distasteful as what you claim and specifically hand out guidelines prohibiting that type of attitude.

You know and I know that the directions to the camps haven’t changed in the last 24 hours to where you would need some kind of updated directions specific for the Joan Baez performance. Either you are unable to perform research or you are choosing to misrepresent the position of so many people that are working hard to promote a peaceful and uneventful gathering. Which is it?

EDIT TO ADD: Ive been to both Camps only once, but Im going back and soon. Its great to know that this whole thing has taken off on its own. There is a lot of bullshit going on about how this is all financially backed by Michael Moore, Moveon.org etc. and to see the actual truth for myself and to have my beliefs validated by another person that is there is great. Keep up the great work! In all fairness, I also plan to go to "Camp Qualls" and see whats up there. I would be interested to see if they have crosses displayed etc. after making such a stink about the 'hippies' doing it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. I don't understand.

Did he give incorrect directions? Or is he just encouraging people to go hear Joan Baez for free?

[TryingToWarnYou]

26. Uh, no

Re-read his words from his blog and then re-read my reply.

Nutshell: I was at the CPH where I saw him (his name tag was a giveaway) and he had access to everything that I had access to. The people there were handing out directions to both camps and he claims he got directions that included refrences to the cops being the "SS". He is either lying or he didnt get anything 'official'. My point is that he, as a reporter, should either be doing better homework or shouldnt be shilling for this administration. Either way, he gave false info.

[zalinda]

12. Randi Rhodes has talked to someone at

Camp Casey everyday. I can't remember the guy's name who's down there who calls into her show everyday.

zalinda

[SeattleGirl]

17. Barry Crimmins is his name

[B Calm]

27. That's nice

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Did you meet MuseRider?

She just called me. I want to be down there so bad.

[brainshrub]

19. Yes. She gave me a big hug, and she says hi.

[brainshrub]

20. Oops. Dupe.

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Are you calling me a dupe?

LOL

[YDogg]

15. Bless you ...

... from one who wishes it was possible to be there.

[Beam Me Up]

21. Thanks for the update.

We're out here paying attention to this historic event even if the rest of the hooked on corporate media reality world has its head up its ass.

[Sgent]

23. Give us the name

of the employer who is supporting you -- if they are a national or regional place. We can send some business their way.

[specimenfred1984]

24. Please Tell Cindy Thank You From Virginia

I went to a vigil the other night and there were only 10 people out here in Haymarket, VA. My county split 60/40 in the presidential vote but everyone here seems like an ignorant, non-involved robot.

Cindy has brought the anti-Iraqwar movement into the national spotlight in a way no one else has. In the past, there would not have even been 10 people in this area who would have shown up somewhere to simply make a statement and support each other.

There are a lot of people in my neighborhood with children who are currently serving. Please tell Cindy that we all wish her the best and also express our deepest condolences for her loss.

[saracat]

25. Hate to say it but you are wrong! Air America Phoenix and the

Charles Goyette Show are broadcasting live from Camp Casey.I hope you get a chance to see them. They have been great!

[Tesla]

28. Cindy will be back, and so will the media.

I wish I could get down there, but I will meet you in DC!!!

[Richard Steele]

29. No real question; is it OK if I just ENVY you for a minute?

ENVY you because:
...I wish I was doing something important and worthwhile right now,
instead of just doing dishes and feeding the cats...

...Camp Casey, 20 years from now, is gonna be regarded as a much
bigger event than WOODSTOCK;
and people who met Cindy are gonna be viewed
in the same light that we currently view folks
who met the Rev.Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.

...or, maybe just because the entire WORLD has come to a
single, identifiable TURNING POINT;
And I know WHERE it is, but I can't be there.

It's all abit too much for me to explain, even to myself.
Can I just hate you because you're beautiful?:D

[Dylan Garcia]

30. The Legal Team Returns Tonight

We'll be at the original camp site this evening at about 10:00 PM to get ready for the weekend.

The office will be set up at the same spot as always.

See you there.

Buddy

[MyUncle]

31. Aloha Brainshrub, question about the crosses.

People have been getting air time on the MSM for wanting their son's, brother's, friend's cross removed from Camp.

What do you do when someone removes a cross or requests that the "representative" cross is removed?

That sounds like a very sensitive issue and I am curious as to how that is handled.

[brainshrub]

32. Good question. Both sides are negotiing.

You are right, it is a touchy issue. IMHO, the dead belong to all Americans, not just the families. If the conservative victims of Bush's war are so against using soldiers to make a political statement, they should have said something when Bush pranced around the aircraft carrier playing soldier.

Both sides are in negotiation over this issue as we speak. Being the Liberals that they are, I suspect that the people making the crosses will remove the names upon request to honor the wishes of the families eventually.