An Interview with Cindy Sheehan: Obama, Progressives and the Press

[Karmadillo]

An interesting interview. Worth reading all the way through.

http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney12242009.html

An Interview with Cindy Sheehan
Obama, Progressives and the Press
By MIKE WHITNEY

Mike Whitney: President Barack Obama recently visited Dover Air Force Base where he was photographed with the flag-draped coffins of soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan and Iraq. Why did Obama do this and what was your reaction?

Cindy Sheehan: "I think Obama did this as a publicity stunt and used the dead troops (that he was responsible for killing) as props to show that he "cares" about the troops. This stunt was in the middle of the "discussions" about how many more troops to send to Afghanistan. (After he has already sent about 35,000.)

It made me sick.

On Thursday, on orders from President Obama, the US military launched cruise missile attacks on Yemen which were followed by raids by the Yemeni Security forces. An estimated 120 people were killed. Obama's actions indicate that he accepts the Bush Doctrine, that he thinks the US has the right to assassinate people without due process on the mere suspicion they may be linked to a terrorist organization. Is Obama right? Does the US need to be more aggressive in the “post 9-11" world?

Cindy Sheehan: And Obama reiterated this doctrine during his Nobel acceptance speech -- which some are calling the "Obama Doctrine" now.

No, I do not agree with these extra-legal executions. I do not agree that the CIA can be jury, judge and executioner in Pakistan and indiscriminately kill people with their drones.

I adamantly disagree with the doctrine of "pre-emptive" strikes or invasions and I don't agree that they keep Americans "safer" and, even if they did, innocent people are getting caught in the crossfire and we are creating enemies that we will never be able to kill.

<edit>

The media has had a tough time dealing with Cindy Sheehan. On the one hand, they've done everything in their power to glorify the wars and the men and women who serve in uniform. On the other hand, they've gone to great lengths to discredit the mother of a soldier who died fighting in America's wars. Why is the media so afraid of Cindy Sheehan?

Cindy Sheehan: Because I tell inconvenient truths. War is not pretty, ever, but unnecessary wars and needless carnage are even worse. Also, I realized very early on that the problem didn't rest with a particular political party, but it's a systemic problem and the corporate is part of it.

more...

[still_one]

1. She is entitled to her opinion, and I am sorry for her loss, but she has lost it in my view

[PuraVidaDreamin]

8. I've lost it right along with her!

She is fighting for what is barely left of democracy as well too!
And I will stand right along with her.

[still_one]

10. To make the statement that Obama is doing this only for political reasons, has no basis

If people want to only look for the cynical or negative, that is all they will see

[monmouth]

2. I find her ever so tedious. Always a downer and negative... n/t

[Karmadillo]

3. Why she can't be positive about the Forever War is beyond me.

nt

[FLAprogressive]

9. How dare she not project a positive message about Him and the wars He continues.

[Karmadillo]

13. She's stabbing the US in the back.

nt

[Neecy]

5. Yeah, losing a son is a downer and negative

:(

[Echo In Light]

7. Apparently any data not in keeping w/official doctrine is "negative."

[still_one]

11. No, but to project that Obama visiting the graves is only a political ploy is negative without

a basis

[Bluebear]

14. I know, losing a son made her such a goddamn wet blanket.

:eyes:

[Echo In Light]

4. K&R for Cindy!

[MadBadger]

6. Easily my Least Favorite of DU's Sacred Cows

And ive felt this way for a few years now.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. As usual, Cindy is right

Thank you Cindy!