I have caught some crap in the past for saying that despite my opposition to our presence in Iraq, that I cannot stand Cindy Sheehan and the (usually) anti-American nutjobs that find common cause with her. If we are in fact known for the type of company we keep, I think that it is safe to say that Sheehan is not exactly a supporter of ethical and republican government and individual rights. If she were, then she would have declined this invitation:
Earlier, he put his arm around American peace activist Cindy Sheehan and said she planned to renew her anti-war protest outside Bush's Texas ranch in April. "Maybe I'll put up my tent also," Chavez said.
Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, accused Bush of being, "responsible for killing tens of thousands of innocent people."
Chavez also embraced Elma Beatriz Rosado, widow of slain Puerto Rican nationalist Filiberto Ojeda Rios. Rosado, holding back tears, said: "I accuse the United States government of murdering Filiberto."
The 72-year-old militant independence supporter was killed in a September FBI raid on a Puerto Rican farmhouse where he was in hiding. He had been sought for the 1983 robbery of $7.2 million from an armored truck depot in West Hartford, Conn. _ funds intended for the independence cause.
"They murdered him," Chavez said. "Viva Filiberto! ... Let's follow his example."
In his "defense," Chavez does have a reputation to keep. You can't keep your street credibility among the South American left without doing a regularly scheduled two minute hate against the United States. But what's your excuse, Cindy? You claim that this is about ensuring that no mother has to go through what "you had to suffer," but how would your son feel about you embracing one of the number one financiers of the Columbian civil war and a staunch ally of Iran?
Sometimes wars are necessary, sometimes they aren't. Regardless, that does not give you justification for walking hand-in-hand with a man who has been responsible for polarizing his country, arming militant factions and exacerbating the suffering of millions through support of civil war and terrorism. Just because our government has made mistakes in these areas, doesn't mean you are right in supporting a "counterweight" in those areas. I'd be willing to bet good money that she would solemnly nod in agreement with Ghandi's "profound" statement that "an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind."
Leave a comment