Who's going to Crawford this August?

[stephinrome]

Camp Casey August 16th-Sept 2nd 2006

Cindy Sheehan and Gold Star Families for Peace will be returning to Crawford Tx. President Bush has still not satisfactorily answered our question, "What Noble Cause did our loved ones die for?" One year later we are still in the quagmire that is Iraq. As of this writing 2497 of our brave and noble military men and women have died for this Noble Cause. Join us at Camp Casey and show the President that we will not accept one more death be it American or Iraqi.

http://www.gsfp.org/article.php?list=type&type=21

I just got my plane tickets.

Steph

[TAPat]

1. I really want to,

but can't afford it :(

[elehhhhna]

2. I will see y'all there!

[WyLoochka]

3. I am sorry to hear this

It was a fantastic move - LAST YEAR. It went over well, at that time, as virtually no one else was questioning BushCo. It was a creative and courageous move - then.

I think Cindy's creative juices have dwindled. It happens to the best of them. People try to re-capture the magic of when something was first done and their effort rarely succeeds. Oftentimes, they make asses out of themselves during the "re-run" or "sequel".

Cindy should ignore the creep. Standing out there asking questions everyone knows will not be answered is not startling anymore.

I dread August if this is true that she plans to return to Crawford. It will tarnish her heroic accomplishments from last year, not build on them.

Cindy, please go back to the drawing board and make some fresh, new creative plans for August. Bush is a lame duck, giving him attention at this point in time would be a strategic mistake. The majority of the people get the point now - they don't like him and they don't like what he has done. You did a lot to get the truth of his character and horrrendous policies out there. What is the point of irritating his neighbors this year? I'm afraid this will be very counter-productive. I hope a lot of DUers do not join in what will likley be viewed as a tired, worn-out, shabby "freakshow."

The mid terms are most important to focus on now.

[stephinrome]

4. I invite you to take a closer look...

Take a look at the calendar of events for example. It is still in the planning stages, but so far there are a number of workshops organized, Creative protesting and Understanding the middle east, evening vigils, a rally. For me it will be a chance to meet activists from the U.S., exchange experiences and ideas.

I'm very pleased it is being planned, again, just as last Easter.

I certainly appreciate your concern for fellow DUers, but think it could be a bit misplaced.

Steph

[WyLoochka]

5. It is a strategic mistake - politically

I have no argument with workshops and activists meet and greeets. I have a big argument with the political STRATEGY. I see little possibility that gains can be made this year because approaching it the same way in the same place as last year is STALE!!!!! It's UN-CREATIVE PROTESTING.

Been there - done that - move on - do something fresh - make a move from a different angle/venue.

When activists do something it should be for the reason of making strategic gains in the thinking of the general public. That is what protesting is about - to make people think and build POSITIVE public opinion in support of the protesters view of the issues.

I am skeptical of the judgment of the "Creative Protesting" workshop leaders scheduled for Crawford - because this is NOT creative. It is a foolish re-run that sucks, strategically speaking, imo.

LAST YEAR - this was a good strategic move. Cindy managed to make a break through in the public consciousness.

THIS YEAR - it is a DUMB move.

The US is a big place - we activists can have workshops, vigils, meet and greets all over the place.

This will come off as a huge nuisance and a "freakshow," and as down right rude to the neighbors this year. The gains made last year in the arena of public opinion are likely to be cancelled by losses this year.

[elehhhhna]

7. Jesus would be there. Good enough for me.

Last year I jumped in the car the weekend Cindy wasn't there--drove 4 hours to Crawford & had no idea what to expect.

It was an experience unlike anything I've ever felt, community-wise.

Others have done much better jobs explaining/describing it than I could...lemme try to search up a good thread or 2...

Cindy got me off my perch and into action. She wanted Camp Casey to stay open while she was gone--I went. Many others did the same.

It's not about just Cindy anymore. It's much bigger than that.

If you were to join us you would understand.

[WyLoochka]

9. Oh, I understand the feelings about

the accomplishments last year. I very much shared in them, vicariously, with all the pics and videos etc. They still have a great deal of resonance.

I think it is rather selfish to focus on "personal feelings" and trying to replicate them - when there is a the real potential of nullifying the strategic gains that were made at that time by coming off looking like a bunch of rude, clueless, nostalgic fools.

What do you expect to gain by this? Will large numbers of new converts to our way of thinking be gained? If it's just a nice warm "feeling," that is being sought - that is not enough and it is not the appropriate basis for a protest in Crawford this year. We are at war with the neocons - schmalzy, reminiscing won't win it and it could do damage.

I am already irritated as all get-out even thinking about this re-creation effort. Think what people who are NOT sympathetic to the cause will think.

[elehhhhna]

11. It's not all kumbaya. More attention on protests = more attention.

It's nonviolent and gets some media.

WHat are YOU doing to make your voice heard?

[Skidmore]

6. Bet * doesn't go. Betcha he hunkers down in Cheney's bunker

this summer.

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. That's what I'm thinking too.

He'll probably spend the summer at Camp David. I'm betting on KKKRove to change the psycho's vacation plans.

[lonestarnot]

10. hid'n freak!