Haven't women been at the front of the resistance to the Iraq War from the beginning?

[G_j]

Continuing to disrupt Rumsfeld and the like with banners and shouts, willing to be arrested or assaulted in their opposition to Bush and co. and their war.

Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans and Code Pink have kept a persistent presence from the beginning and throughout this hell they call a "war".
Cindy Sheehan has also been arrested a number of times for similar acts of opposition.

But Why aren't we asking,

Where are the mothers and fathers of all the other soldiers killed?
On "Memorial Day" wouldn't they want to save the lives of the sons and daughters of other mothers and fathers and be outraged by Bush again trying to exploit those who died?

I don't mean to condemn them but ask them to help stop the insanity and endless sorrow.

Why would Cindy Sheehan be the brunt of so many vicious attacks?
(ALL the right wing blowhards from Rush on down)

Because there are so few of her.

Where would we be today without the courage and tenacity of a few?

I am aware that women are culturally larger targets for attacking when they speak out.

I am thankful for all who have attempted to slow down and stop the nightmare of Bush's and co's war.

[rwheeler31]

1. No parent wants to admit their child died for a power grab.

[underseasurveyor]

2. As my younger Brother said to me

when our BIL, his best friend was killed....

If he admits to himself that Jay was killed for nothing, because of the lies of this admin., it would be too painful for him to bear. 4 years later he still can't or won't look at the truth staring him in the face.

It's sad and it's maddening at the same time.

[G_j]

3. Sadly, that day of understanding may come too late for others

It is hard and so very heartbreaking

[underseasurveyor]

4. Yes and it also pisses me off

That attitude my Brother has. I know he's sad and all but his attitude is so selfish. I myself would not anyone else to go through the agony of losing a loved one knowing how it feels, especially under these circumstances. I just don't get that.

[G_j]

5. If it was my brother I'd be upset too

And I was!

fortunately now my bro is no longer a Bush supporter. It wasn't me who changed his mind. I think it may have been his new church, believe it or not.

[Swamp Rat]

6. I believe it.

There are a lot of Christians who are against the war and want this administration kicked out of power.

[G_j]

8. That has been a tremendous eye opener

I heard a piece on NPR a few weeks ago about younger evangelist Christians in deep red areas who wanted to be more focused on global warming etc. and less on gays etc. They were talking about the signs of a generation divide. My brother is in his early fifties so that is even more hopeful.

[underseasurveyor]

9. Jesus wouldn't bomb anybody

Perhaps these Christians are finally getting that message through their heads.

One duzz hope;-)

[piesRsquare]

7. Where are they?

Some of them are here:

Military Families Speak Out http://www.mfso.org/index.php

"Military Families Speak Out is an organization of people opposed to the war in Iraq who have relatives or loved ones who are currently in the military or who have served in the military since the buildup to the Iraq war in the fall of 2002. Formed by two families in November of 2002, we have contacts with military families throughout the United States, and in other countries around the world. Our membership currently includes over 3,400 military families, with new families joining daily."

And some are here:

Bring Them Home Now! http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/

"BRING THEM HOME NOW! is a campaign of military families, veterans, active duty personnel, reservists and others opposed to the ongoing war in Iraq and galvanized to action by George W. Bush's inane and reckless challenge to armed Iraqis resisting occupation to "Bring 'em on."Our mission is to mobilize military families, veterans, and GIs themselves to demand: an end to the occupation of Iraq and other misguided military adventures; and an immediate return of all US troops to their home duty stations."

There's some good work being done here, too:

Citizen-Soldier http://www.citizen-soldier.org/index.html

[G_j]

10. you are correct, I am so very sorry

I apologize a thousand times for not mentioning these groups.
They have done so much!
I feel very bad for leaving them out of my rant. I tried to alter my post but it is too late.

Yes
:-(

[piesRsquare]

11. No prob...

Didn't mean to come across as harsh or defensive...

Cindy Sheehan got a lot of attention, but there are lots of people out there doing just as much work as she did--but in different ways.

My point is that all is not lost simply because Cindy Sheehan has dropped out. Good work is being done--and that work will carry on.

Please don't feel bad...and don't frown--there's hope! :)

[Breeze54]

16. It's ok...nice OP!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Checkstub]

12. Rachel Corrie was the 1st martyr.

She demonstrated more heroism than all of the U.S. fascist armed forces, combined.

[SoCalDem]

13. Lysistrata ring a bell?

Women have ALWAYS been against war.. We are the ones who grow 'em, birth 'em and usually raise 'em.

No woman looks into the eyes of her newborn and thinks "I hope this one grows up to be a warrior and dies in a war"..

........................

LYSISTRATA

an introduction to the play by Aristophanes

LYSISTRATA, the third and concluding play of Aristophanes' War and Peace series, was not produced till ten years later than its predecessor, the Peace, viz. in 411 B.C. It is now the twenty-first year of the War and there seems as little prospect of peace as ever. A desperate state of things demands a desperate remedy, and the Poet proceeds to suggest a burlesque solution of the difficulty.

The women of Athens, led by Lysistrata and supported by female delegates from the other states of Hellas, determine to take matters into their own hands and force the men to stop the War. They meet in solemn conclave, and Lysistrata expounds her scheme, the rigorous application to husbands and lovers of a self-denying ordinance--"we must refrain from the male altogether." Every wife and mistress is to refuse all sexual favours whatsoever, till the men have come to terms of peace. In cases where the women must yield 'par force majeure,' then it is to be with an ill grace and in such a way as to afford the minimum of gratification to their partner; they are to be passive and take no more part in the amorous game than they are absolutely obliged to. By these means Lysistrata assures them they will very soon gain their end. "If we sit indoors prettily dressed out in our best transparent silks and prettiest gewgaws, and all nicely depilated, they will be able to deny us nothing." Such is the burden of her advice.

After no little demure, this plan of campaign is adopted, and the assembled women take a solemn oath to observe the compact faithfully. Meantime as a precautionary measure they seize the Acropolis, where the State treasure is kept; the old men of the city assault the doors, but are repulsed by "the terrible regiment" of women. Before long the device of the bold Lysistrata proves entirely effective, Peace is concluded, and the play ends with the hilarious festivities of the Athenian and Spartan plenipotentiaries in celebration of the event.

The drama has a double Chorus--of women and of old men, and much excellent fooling is got out of the fight for possession of the citadel between the two hostile bands; while the broad jokes and decidedly suggestive situations arising out of the general idea of the plot outlined above may be "better imagined than described."

This article is reprinted from Aristophanes: The Eleven Comedies. Trans. Anonymous. London: The Athenian Society, 1922.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. Well...

"No woman looks into the eyes of her newborn and thinks "I hope this one grows up to be a warrior and dies in a war".. " Sadly, this is not always true. Women are generally thought to be more "peace oriented;" however, this is not always the case.

[Tom Joad]

15. yeah, look at Condi Rice. Look at Golda Meir. Imelda Marcos.