Should Cindy Sheehan pull down any crosses with names of fallen soldiers..

[zaj]

... that she doesn't have permission or support from the family?


She was pissed at Bush for using her son's name (generally even) to support the war. Seems like she might want to offer the same respect to the families who disagree with her politically on the war.

JMO.

(I've heard some families on some of the local talk radio calling in and complaining that they don't want their son's name used by Cindy. And I can see their point.)

[Teaser]

1. I thought those weren't even her crosses?

Don't they belong to Iraq Veterans Against the War?

[zaj]

5. That shouldn't/doesn't matter...

(FTR, I didn't know it was put up by some other organization)

... it's not like she couldn't assert enough influence to do what she asked.

I think offering publicly to take them down upon request (and replace it with an unnamed cross) would be entirely appropriate.

It's not fair, IMO, to put anyone in the crosshairs of this political dispute if they aren't willing to participate.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. And be as petty and childish as some pro-war yellow bellies?

No way. We are honoring all dead, regardless of their families' political stances.
It is not a question of politics; but honor, love, death and life.

[zaj]

6. Couldn't Bush say the same thing about Cindy's complaints?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. of course he "could", but he is too busy buffing his body

The difference between Bush and Sheehan is precisely the issue. She cares. he cares about his biking and golf swing and naps.

[uppityperson]

15. They remove the names if families request them

There are plenty of other names to replace them with. Even though it is meant an honorable memorial, the names are removed respectfully and treated respectfully after they are removed. I was there and watched the process.

[Ioo]

3. No

I think that a family can request that it not be used, and a blank one placed for them, but she should not seek perm from each family.

[Dora]

4. please correct me if I am wrong

But I believe the crosses were brought in by another organization after Cindy began her vigil in Crawford.
:shrug:

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. I heard, tho can't support with links, that they removed the names

from the crosses if people objected, but left the crosses standing.

[zaj]

11. If true,. that's all that I'm asking.

Other than maybe, making that choice public so that others who might have complaints but aren't aware, can be made aware.

[mzteris]

9. I agree with you

I don't know if it's "Cindy's" call or not - but it's someone's call. And I think the requests should be respected. Think if the shoe were on the other foot and the pro-war people had the names of the anti-war up..... we'd be livid!

I disagree with the pro-war people, but they've been through enough already without adding to their pain and sorrow. I know we're honoring all the dead, but they don't see it that way = not right now, anyway.

My personal opinion is they are incapable of admitting that their loved ones died for NOTHING. I've seen this mind-set before during Vietnam when I lost a cousin. His parents, who'd not been that pro-Nam to begin with - suddenly became all gung-ho we have to win this war he died for a good cause - because they couldn't bear to think he'd given his life for no damn good reason.

[MercutioATC]

10. No, they still died in Iraq.

The crosses don't represent people who agree with Cindy, they represent the magnitude of the human sacrifice. Whether they'd agree with Cindy or not, they still died there and that's what the crosses represent.

[zaj]

12. They represent people and families as much as they represent death...

Taking the name off allows them to represent nothing but what Cindy wants. It removes a complication that is entirely unnecessary and really unfair to the family.

[MercutioATC]

16. I do see your point and I think that removing the names is a good idea,

I just don't feel that it's necessary. Unfortunately, we seem to be short of articulate spokespeople who can explain the difference to the average American.

I'd have liked to have seen it explained as so:

"It's not our position that these brave men and women held the same beliefs as us. Their names are hung on the crosses to show that, regardless of ideaology, over 1800 of our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, our neighbors and our friends have died in Iraq. Each one of them was a person. Each had people who loved them. They gave their lives for this war.

It is for each individual to judge if their sacrifice and the sacrifices of their families, friends and communities was necessary."


Well, something like that...

[uppityperson]

13. Names were removed, there is a process and it was followed

When a family member asked for their person's name to be removed, it was written down and the name removed and replaced with another name of another dead soldier. The names are easily removable, with no damage to the marker. And the markers are not all crosses, had different markers depending on religion. Family members can and did contact Camp Casey and their wishes respected.

The counter argument for not removing names from this memorial (this counter argument was NOT used at Camp Casey, families wishes were followed) is did every soldier who died in Viet Nam give permission for their person's name to be on the wall? Why did these families not protest before now about having their dead person's name be on the Arlington West markers?

[Cha]

14. They should just be left blank.

A DUer suggested this and I think it solves whatever the koolaid drinkers have a problem with and still honors how many were killed even if they're anonymous like the bushwa wants them to be.