I never viewed Cindy Sheehan as a leader.

[smartvoter]

I really don't understand all the controversy about everything she says and does. She is an activist. I am an activist (though lower profile and admittedly having suffered zilch compared to her). I don't speak for her. She doesn't speak for me. I respect her right to speak out, and I think the president owes her answers and should be held accountable to all of us, but especially to people like Cindy. I don't think she should have been ejected from the SOTU, let alone arrested, but I wouldn't support her in a run for the Senate, either.

Cindy has paid the ultimate sacrifice and having lost a child because of lies and a bogus war, she could care less what anyone thinks or says. She's on a mission and doing what she needs to.

I support her in her effort, but not every action, and hope it's enough.

Why does everything have to be absolute?

[MercutioATC]

1. Hear, hear!

Why DOES everything have to be absolute? Why do we feel the need to force people into roles for which they're not suited?

Cindy Sheehan is an activist...possibly a good one. I've seen nothing to suggest she's a "leader". That's not a slight, it's an honest opinion. Activists have decided value and so do leaders. I don't see the point in confusing the two, though.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Well I have met her and

she is definitely a leader.

[neverevergivein]

4. Well, it will be official

when we elect her to the Senate!!!!!!!!

[cali]

8. Why not be realistic?

Honestly, Cindy Sheehan has about as much of a chance as becoming the new Senator from California as I do, and I live in VT.

[neverevergivein]

9. Another white flag

I'm not going after you, just the defeatist attitude I'm seeing so much of. In other words, why even try if we don't think we can win? That's the worst. I think Cindy can win, and if we help get her message out to EVERYONE, especially in California, I totally think she will. And I'll work my ass off as much as I can from Atlanta (with most of my family in California) to help her.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I never said she needed to run for office

She has leadership qualities. There are many ways she can serve her country or her community without becoming a politician.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

3. Cindy Sheehan disrupted her life to make a stand

and I admire her for that. I think that is something that a leader does. Most would not be that daring.

[Cleita]

7. That's true and some who do, don't even get anyone to

listen to them. If she get's people to listen to her and she does, she is certainly a symbol and a leader anyway you look at it.

[Cleita]

5. Why Cindy is germane.

She's an ordinary woman with an extraordinary ability to express what she wants to say. Most of us can't speak right off the cuff and with grace. I know I can't.

She has become a symbol of those who feel that they can't fight back at the injustice thrown at them on a daily basis. She dares to dare those who dish it out and they don't like it.

[Mr_Spock]

6. Yup, She's a mother who had her son murdered by Bush. I sympathize.

And I do not expect her to be the perfect politician.

She's a human being, now if only the President could act half as mature as Cindy...

[ClusterFreak]

10. Well said.

A righteously outraged person does not *necessarily* a leader make.

[Djinn]

15. bingo

she's been effective at promoting the feeling against the war in Iraq but beyond that what are her beliefs and views? how can someone be suggested for a political office based on that alone?

is she just against this particular war or ALL non defensive wars? what are her views on healthcare, industrial relations, the economy etc etc

with all due respect to the woman I don't see her as an effective politician

[ClusterFreak]

19. Or at the very least, we would need to have her views on these other...

...subjects fleshed out, so that we could more intelligently decide on her fitness as a Senator.

(Mind you...when you think of some of the dolts currently sitting as Senators.....could we do much worse. You get my point.)

[tlsmith1963]

11. There Isn't a School For Activism

So expecting Cindy to be this perfect activist is stupid. She didn't ask for this to happen to her. I'm sure that she was just an ordinary person before her son died, just like us. Nothing can prepare someone for a situation like hers. And anyway, grief isn't pretty. So cut her some slack, okay?

Tammy

PS--I meant this for the people who have been criticizing her, not the ones who haven't.

[smartvoter]

12. Did you even read the post? nt

[tlsmith1963]

13. Sorry--Just Added to My Post

It's just that there have been so many people on DU criticizing her, and I meant the post for them, not the ones here who like her. I'm very sorry.:)

Tammy

[smartvoter]

16. No problem. We all do it... nt

[TInCanCommunications]

21. All of the criticism comes from people who are attacked

Look, I don't want to criticize Cindy.
She's a good person who's done a lot for the peace movement.

But when I speak my mind about her limitations as the fucking Icon some are trying to make her, people jump down my fucking throat like I just called her everything the freeptards have been calling her.

I then become forced to state WHY i think she's not best suited for such a role.
Of course, then the hyperspastic Sheehan lovers take offense and put more words in my mouth. It's freakin' loony.

Stop and read what people are actually writing BEFORE YOU JUMP ON THEIR FUCKING BACKS.

[eggman67]

14. I wish people would stop referring to her son's death as a sacrifice

Sacrifice is by definition voluntary. It implies she was somehow complicit. I know that's not the intent, but the implication is there nonetheless.

[stellanoir]

18. Nothing has to be absolute

aside from people's kids dieing for a lie or a series of them,

I especially feel for th National Guardsman who signed up for one weekend month.

Casey signed up to be a cleric.

And was duped into being a mechanic. Get a clue.

Peace

[smartvoter]

20. Just happened in my own family.

Joseph, a cousin by extension, was going to join the Air Force to learn a specific trade. The Army came along, said they'd give him the same training plus a bonus. He joined. After boot camp, instead of sending him after his trade, he was sent to Iraq. He feels he was deliberately lied to. But at that age, he didn't see it coming.

[Steve A Play]

22. I don't want no stinking leader! I want a REPRESENTATIVE!

Instead I'm stuck with DiFi who has appointed herself my leader rather than act as the representative I thought I was voting for! :mad:

I vote for representatives, not leaders, so why should I care if Cindy is a "leader"? Not that I agree that she isn't a natural leader since her message of truth about the war and the lies of current administration to start it seems to resonate with Americans of all political stripes. For someone who isn't even trying to be a "leader" she sure has attracted quite a "following"!

Who said everything had to be absolute? :shrug:

There's no absolute guarantee that the person who will best represent your democratic interests will be running as a democrat. There is no absolute guarantee that a democratic candidate will actually vote like one.

Maybe it's a good thing that Cindy isn't being associated with the party. She gets to fish in the deep middle of the pond and not just from the shallow ends of it. :)

Steven P. :kick: