Is it time that George Bush diffused the situation and met with this poor grieving woman or is it too late?

I think he should but thats only my opinion.

Cindy Sheehan now holds daily news conferences that receive national media coverage. She has become a star of the liberal anti-war internet activists.

Would Bush look weak if he had a change of heart now and gave her some comfort?

What do forum contributors think?

I personally think its a lose - lose situation no matter what he does.

If he does meet with her again (I may be wrong but I thought I had read that they already had met) then he is going to come off as weak and if he doesnt then he looks uncaring I think he should stick to what ever plan he has used for the last few years and at least look consistent because he cant win the popularity stakes on this one.

As for Cindy Sheehan it is understandable that she isnt happy but I am not entirely sure that what she is doing is in the best interests of anyone, her son included.

That right it is, but its his own fault. In early 2003 he brushed off a concerned Pat Robertson saying 'There wont be any casaulties in Iraq'. This ancedent I heard on CNN from Robertsons own lips. Robertson (a direhard Bush support) said he was speechless.

What kind of a clueless Idiot gets us into a war without thinking their wont be losses on both sides?

So is it any surprise there are furious parents at Bush's door?

I tend to think that self-proclaimed "activist", Cindy Sheehan is using the unfortunate loss of her son to promote her personal anti-Bush, anti-war, anti-Republican agenda. I don't think anything is to be gained by the President meeting with her again.
It seems that I'm not alone in my assessment of the situation.

Cindy Sheehan
smacked down
Mom staking out Bush blasted by own family

Relatives of Cindy Sheehan – who is holding a vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch – are now blasting the California woman, claiming she's trying to promote her personal agenda "at the expense of her son's good name and reputation."

In a letter sent to the Drudge Report by Cherie Quarterolo, Casey's aunt and godmother, the family states:


Our family has been so distressed by the recent activities of Cindy we are breaking our silence and we have collectively written a statement for release. Feel free to distribute it as you wish. Thanks, Cherie
In response to questions regarding the Cindy Sheehan/Crawford, Texas, issue: Sheehan family statement:

The Sheehan family lost our beloved Casey in the Iraq War and we have been silently, respectfully grieving. We do not agree with the political motivations and publicity tactics of Cindy Sheehan. She now appears to be promoting her own personal agenda and notoriety at the expense of her son's good name and reputation. The rest of the Sheehan family supports the troops, our country, and our president, silently, with prayer and respect.

Sincerely,

Casey Sheehan's grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins.

Casey was killed five days after arriving in Iraq last year. He was 24.

His mother, Cindy has been camping out in Texas since Saturday, and vows to remain until she meets with Bush or his vacation comes to an end.

"I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan," Bush said today. "She feels strongly about her position, and she has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America. She has a right to her position, and I thought long and hard about her position. I've heard her position from others, which is: Get out of Iraq now. And it would be a mistake for the security of this country and the ability to lay the foundations for peace in the long run if we were to do so."

The president said pulling out "would send a terrible signal to the enemy."

"I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place," Bush said.

"I also have heard the voices of those saying: 'Pull out now!'" he said. "And I've thought about their cry and their sincere desire to reduce the loss of life by pulling our troops out. I just strongly disagree."


http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45726

mmarsh I highly highly doubt that the quote that supposedly came from Bush is in context and even if that is, it is not representative of Bush's ideology and state of mind prior to the war. Go read Woodward's book "plan of attack" if you want to know what bush was thinking prior to the Iraq war.

On Cindy Sheehan, I think you've got to make a plan and go with it on things like this. I would have met with her on the first day if it was me to diffuse the situation, but once you commit to not seeing her you just have to stick with ignoring her in perpetuity.

I hate to go after a mother who has lost her son, but I think she is doing her son's life a great dishonor through her actions.

Whispering Death

Here is the link. For the record I saw Robertson repeat the same allegation on Wolf Blitzer so I doubt its a misunderstanding...
The White House's denied it of course.

I disagree with Evangelist Christian views and Mr Robertson in particular. Robertson has said pretty awlful things in the past. (I much prefer Billy Graham). But I have never known Robertson to be a liar (at least not yet). Bush and Co on the other hand have the opposite problem. They have difficulty telling the truth...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/...son.bush.iraq/

On Cindy Sheehan...

Casey Sheehan and his 1800 comrades died, at best because of Gross Incompetance. At worse, decietful manipulation. The jury is still out on which. Its our own Government that dishonored those soldiers who died when it recklessly and irresponisbly sent them into this mess. I wouldn't worry too much about Mrs Sheehan, her anguish is understandable.
How can you tell that she is dishonoring her son? How do we know what Casey wanted? He's gone, I think his mother would've known best.

If she wants to go to Crawford and embarrass the President, power to her! If not, thats fine too. Never blame the parents for being furious at their childs loss. They have already suffured in pain something you or I couldn't possibly imagine.

President Bush already met with the woman and tried his best to comfort her. I watched her on the news and she admitted that she was even singled out to meet with the President alone so she could have his full attention. Later, it was found out that she had joined with Michael Moore's group to slander the President. She 's one person out of many who has tried to have a one-on-one with the President. She got it but then stabbed him in the back. Another John Wilkes Booth.

mmarsh, I think his family knew him pretty well too, don't you? I would imagine that if he was as anti everything as his mother then I doubt he'd have enlisted in the Army in the first place. Soldiers fight wars and some get killed and when you choose to be a soldier, you take the risk that goes along with your choice. It's called bravery and thank God there are brave people like Casey Sheehan in this country to step forward and defend the U.S. against its sworn enemies. He and his comrades made the ultimate sacrifice not as a result of the incompetence or manipulation that you speak of but they did so in defense of our country, a high and noble cause.
Don't assume that none of us will never know her pain.
BTW, are you an American? You display the flag of France and I know where you're posting from yet you speak of "our Government", just curious.........I like to know to whom I am speaking.

DTOP

I dont think his mother is anti-everything like you claim. She just feels that she (and the 1800 KIA) was lied to, and that her son paid the price because of it. I understand precisely why she's furious. Had it been my son I would be too.

I disagree with you on the next part. I think Casey Sheenan and his comrades DID make the ultimatle sacrifice not because of the need to Defend America (because we now know there was no threat) but because of foolishness and recklessness of Washington politicans (most of which never served themselves) to try force democracy at the barrel of a gun. I blame them, not him. I am disgusted and enraged to see a promising young man wasted in such a way.

I'm not a Pacifist, I come from a proud military family and would join if the nation requested (even in Iraq). But war should always be the option of last resort. This was not the case in Iraq. I just find it infuriating that our soldiers noble sacrifrice be wasted in that way. This war isn't a 'just' (I use the term lightly) war like WWII, or the US Cival War or the American Revolution. Its a pointless, bloodly, expensive waste founded on LIES. If I were a soldier who was KIA, I wouldnt want 'Died for a lie" written on my tombstone. Thats exactly what these Washington bast*rds did to these heroes. I have nothing but the highest respect for all our fighting men and women in uniform, but absolutly none for the Chickenhawk politicans who create bloodbaths in order to push through a political philosophy (be it Conservative or Liberal).

As to the last part, unfortunatly I fear you are right. Many more American families will feel this same pain before this mess is over. A real waste.

As for my Nationality. I'm dual national French-American. I grew up in the States, but I work now in Paris for a International company. Thats why I why I fly the French Flag. If I ever move back home I will probably change it back to USA. My heart is American, but I honor both my cultures. it gives me a unique outlook on things...

http://www.drudgereportarchives.com/...00_flashcs.htm

Aparently almost all of the soldiers family is against the protest as well.