[UPDATE at end of diary.]
[From the diaries by susanhu w minor edits.] I have just had my second call from Tracy and thought this diary might be better for updating all of you.
She is now at the site about three miles from Bush’s place, near Cindy, but not quite in her area.
She rode there with a reporter from Rolling Stone, she didn’t know his name but thought it was Matt something. There was some nonsense with a local reporter from KLIF who said he had water bottles and stones thrown at him, not true, and those thereabouts were calling the stations, etc. The reporter also was surprised at the size of the place and said when did this all happen, referring to the tents, flowers, flags, etc. and wondering why wasn’t that being covered.
Tracy says the place is “Camp Love,” everyone is helpful, food is being sent there, flower arrangements are everywhere, some groups are setting up flags with soldiers names, in the ditches. MORE BELOW+ CAPTION FOR PHOTO (via Oui):
PHOTO CAPTION: Cindy Sheehan -right- of Vacaville, Calif., shares a hug with fellow supporter Celeste Zappala -left- of Philadelphia, following a press conference by Sheehan. Her protest is gaining momentum. About 50 people have now joined Cindy Sheehan in her vigil near President Bush’s Central Texas ranch near Crawford.
AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez / Thanks, Oui!
__________________________
From first report:
Tracy (MilitaryTracy here) said every flowershop must be sold out in Crawford.
She has met some other military families with the same feelings as she has.
There are about 200 there at this time and includes Christian Groups and peace activists.
She thought that someone was maybe going to be sent to talk to Cindy, but did not know who…maybe someone flown in.
I took notes and I am trying to remember everything she said, I may have missed things, but will update as I remember, or get new info..
Forgive the writing and spelling I am just trying to get this up for you…more later.
In case you missed earlier entries this morning, she is in high spirits as are all in the area, the positive energy around that town must be something to see and feel…
Update [2005-8-11 15:19:36 by susanhu]: BUT DIANE wrote the following:
FROM CAMP LOVE: I just got off the phone with Tracy, here is the report.
Porta potties are there now, enough said on that. LOL
A motorcade just went through, but no knowledge of who.
Hotter than a pistol there, low 90’s…some breeze, excitment is building and group is group.
Some male ‘babes’ in Peace house and thereabouts at the site, but one of the male babes cooked omelets in Peace House for anyone who wanted them, lots of men cooking and lots of food.
Tracy was interviewed by Times reporter…more on that later…
Code Pink has a pink dress with ruffles up in a tree or something, Tracy will try to take pic.
Brinnaine, Cat, in real life is there too, I didn’t know earlier who Cat was. Cat is taking videos and will contact Susan later to see how to link on booman to videos…
They both say Hi, and love and hugs to everyone, they feel the love all the way down there.
I filled them in on some news on TV, they don’t have access where they are located, Tracy was happy to here it was being covered,I told her what the Pres. said..
Cat, will prob. write later when she gets to her home and Tracy will try to use someone’s computer.
They are getting word of lots of caravans of people headed there.
PS to Susan, put Cindy’s pic, in the diary at top, if you get a chance…if not I’ll do it in a bit!!
UPDATE: 2:10 am pdt
Tracy reports she is now back at Peace House, the heat was getting to her and some others, but is thinking about going to Waco and getting motel room there.
Otherwise she has to sleep on the floor of Peace House on a pad with a blanket, she didn’t take sleeping bags, apparently.
Some of the Vets for Peace have told her they are moving to DC after this and the catchword will be, “Were you in Crawford”.
She has been photographed by reporters especially when she and Brinnaine hugged, with tear streaming down their faces. Also says she was in some video shot by reporters.
BTW, Cnn is covering this in Situation Room, question of the day, for Wolf Blitzer as well.
Note: someone brought out Ben and Jerries Ice Cream, so that made her happy.
All in all she is in great spirits, all of them seem to be, movement is building and we are seeing it’s birth pangs.
Wanted to add to above that she hears reports of many groups and people who are on their way there,..many people who just drove from wherever…
That CINDY’S Story is on TODAY’S (THURSDAY’S) FRONT PAGE OF THE LOS ANGELES TIMES. It is awesome, huge story with Several Pictures. Cindy’s story isn’t going anywhere.
Good catch, Cham. Here’s the link to the LAT.
LINK:
when I arrived at the newstand today and there she was front and center of the LA Times. Thanks for posting the link.
–he asks, turning from a morning of monitoring CNN. (Yes I know.)
It must not be part of the standard paradigm.
I’ve had MSNBC and CNN on in the background all day, and almost nothing — yet people are flying and driving thousands of miles to sit in a ditch in searing heat in the middle of nowhere.
It makes me think of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” where people from all over drove to Devil’s Tower.
I had the same thought …
God you guys I thought this same thing this morning…Just like Close Encounters. Well I guess Bush is getting his close encounter heh? WHOO HOO!!
I am so damn proud to be an American right now I could burst. I started checking flights for tomorrow but just too expensive but if Cindy is still there at the end of the month I may just show up too. I have some Delta miles I can use.
I don’t know if this makes me proud to be an American.
People in other countries would have staged this sort of protest YEARS ago.
I agree with you but it is the first time in a long time that I believe in the power of people I guess is what I am trying to say. Also, I am an American and proud to be one, I am just ashamed of the people that run it right now. I can still be proud to be an American. Bush cannot take that away from me. I will wave my flag every GD damn. Sorry I didn’t mean to rant but I feel very strongly about being an American.
of the highest order, and each has my deep respect. You may be right about it happening faster in other (smaller) countries, but I’d have to search it out to be sure how much there actually is.
I admire their courage, strength, and conscience.
Um. I don’t know what you mean by “this sort of protest”, but many protests were staged years ago, and since. I was in some of ’em. We got boo’ed, we got screamed at, we got things thrown at us … hell, I damn near froze my butt off in one. Most of all we got dismissed or ignored, both by the mass media and by a lot of supposed lefties.
I’m glad Cindy is getting attention, but don’t judge reality from what happens to make the headlines.
Diane,
Thanks for the update. That’s cool that Tracy got to share a ride with a Rolling Stone reporter. I’m sure they’ll give Cindy great coverage.
for filling us in Diane!
I posted this link on the old thread, but thought I’d re-post here too:
DriveDemocracy video of Cindy
Thanks D101, I’m glad that at least one reporter is seeing that not enough attention is being given to this. Thanks for the update!
Wish I was able to be there with them! What a great thing Cindy has started. You would think someone would be smart enough to know you shouldn’t piss off a grieving mother who has lost her child to this stupid and unnecessary war.
Thanks for the reports, Diane.
Love and hugs to everyone there and on their way there.
Another link, and this time you can vote for the importance of the story:
MSNBC, front page, now.
LINK
Link must be overloaded, couldn’t load the page….
More about tracy…
She said that everyone will help you, need water, need lip balm, food, or just hugs….she says the place is just full of ‘love’.
I am getting angry at all the coverage of the criminals in Tenn. or whereever, but nothing about a soldier’s mother camping in ditches in Texas trying to speak to the Pres.
The pres…press conference is coming on msnbc now.
Also the place where Tracy is located at a triange where 3 roads come together.
Just got KO’s newsletter …
I trust Tracy and Bri to tell us what’s going on in Crawford. Not MSNBC, not CNN, not even Rolling Stone, they all have agendas. I look forward to hearing more from gals I know.
.
~ Cross-posted from diary The Peaceful Occupation of Crawford Day 5 by CindySheehan ~
Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., gathers herself as she recounts stories of her son to a reporter by a tent that she is staying in on the side of the road that leads to President Bush’s ranch, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, in Crawford, Texas. Her simple, quiet protest of the war that took her son’s life is gaining momentum as dozens joined her Wednesday at the site. Sheehan, 48, has insisted on speaking to Bush and vowed to remain during his ranch stay through the end of the month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
CRAWFORD, Texas – The mother of a fallen U.S. soldier who started a quiet roadside peace vigil near President Bush’s ranch last weekend is drawing supporters from across the nation. Dozens of people have joined her, and others have sent flowers and food. One activist called her “the Rosa Parks of the anti-war movement.”
Cindy Sheehan, 48, of Vacaville, Calif., says she was surprised at the response. “Before my son was killed, I used to think that one person could not make a difference,” she said Wednesday under a tent where she has slept since Saturday. “But one person that is surrounded and supported by millions of people can be heard.”
Yahoo News — RECOMMEND story
I’ve been posting all over – look at the ratings climb! Please RECOMMEND story.
~~~
I rec. Oui’s comment above, go and check the site, rec. the story and then you will see a page with the most rec’d stories, Cindy’s story is no. 12 on list with quite a few pics…
“George” it is for me, in honor of Cindy Sheehan. Don and Condi, as Cindy says, will be appearing at the news conference, too.
Oooh — QUICK
Split screen for a minute w Cindy getting a hug.
Maybe I’ll watch this.
This AP story, just crossing the wires, is a huge media victory for Cindy Sheehan’s message. It’s an AP story where his meeting with his top national “security” advisers was supposed to be the top story.
Bush: Leaving Iraq Would Be a Bad Signal
From your link [bold added]:
“I understand the anguish that some feel about the death that takes place,” Bush said.
“Some” feel it, but not him. It’s apparent in those empty eyes of his, but odd to hear him admit it.
he doesn’t feel it, and he doesn’t understand it either. what a crock !!
What’s more, death doesn’t “take place.” Way to try and numb the truth. He makes it sound like it’s a natural process for young men to be shuffled off to war for no real reason with no real plan, and then under-armored and under-protected so they just happen to get blown up in Humvees.
Bush: Some people feel anguish about the death in war that takes place.
A normal person: Soldiers being killed in a war is an anguishing thing.
Those men were SENT THERE! By HIM! They didn’t just wake up one day over there for no reason!
The Whispering Campaign now has a report on the events of this morning, from William Rivers Pitt at Truthout, and a transcription from Cindy’s radio interview this morning with Bill Press… in addition to a fabulous rant from The Bulldog Manifesto, which is now available in both G- and R-rated versions.
We can’t all go to Crawford but we can all work on spreading the news.
Fortunately, Being The Media has never been easier.
Contrarian vote: I voted No on the poll, I don’t want to be in Crawford, getting eaten by bugs and roasting, breathing air made toxic by the presence of neocons. I want to be here, reading about the incredible events and people and sending that information out to many more people, blogging away with the likes of Winter Patriot.
That said, Huzzah for Tracy and Brinn! And everyone else who’s gone or is going to that godforsaken spot of real estate that BushCo calls home. However this is finally resolved, I think it’s breaking through to the great mass of people. And it’s going to revitalize the antiwar efforts, which have (understandably) been pretty depressed after all the marches and arrests and convention hijinks and lack of coverage.
You are doing a great service being the go between for the gals there. I am really excited that LAT and keith are covering this and so many more now. I just knew this would pick up speed eventually. I am such a wuss you guys. I just can’t stop crying and I am at work right now damn it! THIS is a grreat dat folks. Great Day!
I just added an update from Tracy and Brinnaine, in the diary at the bottom, so go and read….I told her of the love we were sending..
This is huge and growing by the minute. THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING! One mother, one greiving mother will bring this president to his knees and amke him accountable. ONE MOTHER!!
Our Dear Leader knows what is best for this country. Dear Leader feeds and educates us. Those who oppose the Dear Leader are un-patriotic. Let us sing and praise Dear Leader.
Time for some more Kool-Aid….Lalalalalalalala….
… if Tracy would talk to any reporters about her personal experiences w/ this war. And then I thought, hell, every single person there probably has a story to tell.
So, hopefully those reporters will take the opportunity to listen and write about the personal experiences of all these people who “… are flying and driving thousands of miles to sit in a ditch in searing heat in the middle of nowhere.” (Love, love, love the visual that that statement conjures, cotterperson.)
I lost the link for the paypal account to help Cindy. Anyone have the link?
caught up on my reading and found out sooner that Tracy was heading to Crawford–despite the fact that heat, humidity, and George Bush give me migraines, I think I’d have asked her to detour up to Denver to pick me up.
I’m sending you folks all the energy I can muster. I’m not a Christian, but “blessed are the peacemakers” still comes to mind.
I have battery-operated airbeds, a pop-up canopy, tents, a Coleman stove and camp cooking gear, a big honking cooler, and camp chairs, all ready to go at a moment’s notice. Next action, call me!
RH — denver would’ve been a reallyu LONG detour (she was coming from southern Alabama!! [grin])
— I am back in Austin now — it was a great day and I’ll be posting a report in about 3 hours (gotta go take the kiddo to “Meet Your Teacher” night…I’ll be heading back up on Saturday…
I thought she was in Colorado Springs!
.
Thursday, August 11, 2005 — Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who has been camped outside President Bush’s ranch near Crawford, Tex., took her antiwar protest to the Internet yesterday, joining a conference call with bloggers around the country, along with a stray congresswoman.
Sheehan, who has been demanding an audience with the president, told the bloggers that she has felt intimidated by the Secret Service, has been awakened in the middle of the night by thunderstorms and has a sore throat. But, Sheehan said, she has no plans to end her vigil until Bush meets with her to discuss the war, he goes back to the White House or she is arrested.
AP – Tony Gutierrez
~~~
OUI!
Diane asked me to use a photo from the comments, so I picked yours … I put your photo at the top of the diary so deleted your post.
Oddest thing: I was wondering why the comments had “gone wide” on us. You did nothing wrong but for some reason that photo made the comments spread too wide. I only realized that was what caused it after I deleted the image. Your image is only 380 pixels wide … I dunno. btw, I resized it so it’d fit in the diary space.
GREAT PHOTO!
All I can suggest for the weird spacing problem is that, if you post a photo, put it in a new comment so it begins at the far left. If you post a photo in reply to another post, that seems to make the comments go wide.
to our country. Shame on you George! Shame, shame, shame! This is what the preznitwit had to say today. from AP.
“I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan,” Bush said. “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.”
WHAT AN ASS!!
What an arrogant, putrid asshole. That’s not her position. Not even remotely. Her “position”, you fucking piece of self-important gray goo, is that she wants to hear, from the lips of the person responsible for his death, a straight, truthful answer to the question “What did my son die for?”
by the groundswell of publicity — moved almost to tears by reading about Tracy and Brin’s travels.
Northern California news coverage has been very good for the most part, as Cindy is from the Bay Area. There’ve been several sympathetic stories on tv news and today’s San Francisco Chronicle reporter interviewed people who are joining Cindy. A quote:
here’s the article
…librarylil. It’s exciting, isn’t it. I’m so glad that people have turned out. For a time there, I was wondering if Cindy was going to get support – as in numbers support – and it appears as if this is it.
And Cindy has a way with words … She is very quotable. I like the one you’ve cited, but this one made me feel tingly:
Cindy is awesomely articulate on the television interviews I’ve seen. I also was struck by the quote you highlighted. To clarify — the quote I copied was from a woman who travelled to Crawford from San Diego.
Found link for contribution…sent $50.00! I know it’s not much but I had to do something to help!Here’s the link if you can scrape up a few bucks.
http://www.meetwithcindy.org
Had a DFT coalition building meeting at lunch today and one of the people there went up to Crawford to deliver stuff yesterday. She said the flowers were getting to be a real problem – they have to keep moving the tents and canopies (whenever a police officer/deputy decides they don’t like where they are) and that dealing with all of the flowers just made that harder.
So it sounds like – sweet thought – but maybe better not to send any more.
Check this out guys (4.00 / 6)
Cindy gives bloggers credit for bringing her story to the media’s attention!! Whoo Hoo!
The more understanding one posesses, the less there is to say and the more there is to do.
by alohaleezy on Thu Aug 11th, 2005 at 03:27:17 PM EDT
(I just embedded the link / susan.)
We’re going to have a candlelight vigil at Jackson Square this weekend in the French Quarter for Cindy. Today and tomorrow we’re going to pass out literature on Canal St.
Anything you can do in your home towns is where the action is, and can be created. This is a momentum building, and personal efforts mean a great deal.
Re: Rpt. “Camp Love (4.00 / 3)
Here’s the link to the whole story:
–
The more understanding one posesses, the less there is to say and the more there is to do.
by alohaleezy on Thu Aug 11th, 2005 at 03:47:23 PM EDT
(Just embedded the link / susan)
It occurred to me this morning as after I read my local newspapers editorial on Cindy and as I was forwarding on Moveon’s email regarding Cindy that she is the lone man standing in front of the tanks.
Can a single middle-aged Mom be the turning point that ends a war? I don’t know but I sure hope so.
It’d be a lovely poster.
And don’t put a single political-party identifier on it.
Great idea Andrew.
I just added another report to the diary above, check it out, btw, Tracy is going to try to send some pics tonight for me to post.
There are pics posted (including the pink dress Tracy mentioned to you, Diane) here at whiterosesociety.org
GREAT EFFING NEWS!!! My young friend, having spent THREE YEARS in Iraq – and not as life guard duty in Kuwait or some other cush job… but on the front, hard core line. IS BACK IN THE STATES!!!! Just saw his dad and he’s in 29 Palms right now and will be undergoing weeks of debriefing and psyche consulting. He’s been away since he turned 18. He said he sounded good regardless of what he’s been through and has seen. I can not wait to put my arms around him. I’m so glad he didn’t have to die for Bushzi’s “noble cause” or so some RightWinger can feel a sense of false-pride and Nationalism.
All I can say is “Fuck you George Warmonger Bush. Fuck you and yours”
Go GIRLS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just spoke with Tracy and she reported that a good samaritan “Bernette O. purchsed wireless services for Peace House and already had it installed…
Just at the end of our conversation she was told she could use someone’s computer and she will try to upload her pics and post them. She will probably get online soon and write something.
Also said Ben and Jerry’s has raised $50,000 in one day online for this cause or Peace House, not sure which.
She is staying at Peace House tonight and will head back on Sat.
They are hoping down there for a “Woodstock” type setting soon.
Diane…thanks for the updates. I read all this and just start crying again. Need to go watch Olberman. I just want you to know how much this means to all of us to have you relay the phone conversations.