How DU can help Cindy Sheehan

[proud2BlibKansan]

First of all, I don't want to start a debate. If you are one of the DUers who calls Cindy names and belittles her work, start your own thread. I intend to send this thread to Cindy and I think the least we can do, since the hate right here on DU was a large reason behind her resignation yesterday, is offer support and not criticism.

Yesterday would have been Casey Sheehan's 28th birthday. In his memory and in honor of all his mom has done to unite those of us who value peace, here is a list of things you can do.

Cindy founded an organization for grieving families who have lost a loved in the war. DUers who want to help Cindy can go here
https://secure.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/gsfp/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=864

The Peace House in Crawford has been a great support to Cindy. She often says that without the Peace House, she wouldn't have been able to make her stand in the ditch in August 2005.
http://www.crawfordpeacehouse.org/node/22

Buy a bumper sticker!
http://www.bumperactive.com/peacehouse.jsp

Veterans for Peace has been with Cindy at many marches and actions.
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/join_donate.vp.html

Code Pink was there from Day One in August 2005
https://secure.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizations/codepink/shop/custom.jsp?donate_page_KEY=191

Send donations to Cindy directly
c/o Crawford Texas Peace House
9142 E. Fifth St.
Crawford, TX 76638

But I really think the very best thing anyone can do to honor Cindy is to write Congress and ask them to stop funding the illegal war in Iraq. I sent my letter this morning. Send yours - for Cindy and Casey.

[babylonsister]

1. K&R! Thanks, proud! nt

[ananda]

2. so sad

You know, I love Cindy no matter what.

She was such a beacon of light for me in
these troubled, depressing times.

Cindy.. I wish you well!

You done good girl!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Yes she did done good.

And we will proceed to work for peace in her honor.

[firefox_fan]

7. This is very sad.

[bdamomma]

10. it is and this whole incident totally wrong, Cindy has done so

much, and she fought hard. I hope she will continue to fight behind the scenes.

[Rude Horner]

4. I missed all the threads this past weekend

concerning Cindy, but I see that some people were not so nice to her.

Cindy, please don't judge a community of 100,000+ people based on a few bad apples. Most of us here are behind you 100%. But I understand that you have to do what's right for you, whatever that is. Bless you for all your hard work.

[EFerrari]

5. Cindy got people off of their rears and you can't do better than that.

Thank you.

[firefox_fan]

6. What health problems is she having?

I read an article where she says she has huge medical bills.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. She had to have surgery last summer

and has no health insurance.

[firefox_fan]

17. Damn, that's something I don't get...

Without good health, nothing is possible... I cannot believe that the peace movement(s) could not come up with a few Ks to make sure she had health insurance... It's so basic...

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. You think the peace movement has that kind of money?

Even a $5 donation is a big help to any of the groups I posted in the OP. (hint, hint)

[firefox_fan]

23. I just cannot believe that there isn't a single wealthy individual

Who'd be interested in supporting the cause... But it makes sense, when you think about it... Sorry, I'm naive.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. I understand

It amazes me too. I belong to a couple groups and we are constantly fighting the funding battle. I have also been at events where a hat was passed and I was embarrassed that the hat contained so little money.

There are a couple philanthropists who have helped Cindy but I think that any money they send her she would probably pass on to GSFP or one of her other causes.

[firefox_fan]

25. Thanks. I can also imagine that if she had used some of that money

to cover her health insurance, the same trolls that stalked Andy would start screaming that she was misusing funds or something. However, realistically, I think that any movement should ensure that their leaders are in good health (not to imply that the non-leader's health is not important, obviously).

[firefox_fan]

26. Also... I wonder if the health reasons were not the MAIN cause of her decision...

I mean, when you are sick and have to pay a lot of medical bills on top of that, and people spit in your face, morale can get pretty low...

[Breeze54]

30. firefox fan

She had surgery. A hysterectomy. She didn't have insurance at that time.
She's tired and needs rest. I don't blame her. She's taking a break.
She said so on The Ed Shultz Show today. I think she'll be back.

[bonito]

8. Kick!

[Breeze54]

9. Nice letter but just to clarify

Code Pink was there at the beginning in 2002!!

http://www.codepink4peace.org/section.php?id=3">Just the Beginning:CODEPINK kicked off this new women's initiative on November 17, 2002
The name CODEPINK plays on the Bush Administration’s color-coded homeland security advisory system
that signals terrorist threats. While Bush’s color coded alerts are based on fear, the CODEPINK alert
is based on compassion and is a feisty call for women and men to “wage peace.”


ABOVE: A CONTINGENT FROM THE WOMEN FOR PEACE VIGIL
including Global Exchange's Medea Benjamin (right end of banner)
ratchets up the intensity by declaring a Code Pink, just a step
down from Code Fuschia.
http://www.sinkers.org/actupdemoNov2602/index.html

Through March 8th, International Women’s Day, they held a daily, all-day peace vigil in front
of the White House. The Women’s Peace Vigil inspired people from all walks of life, and from
all over the country to stand for peace.

Many organizations sponsored days: Greenpeace, WILPF, WAND, Public Citizen, NOW,
Women for Women International, Neighbors for Peace and Justice, among others.
On March 8th, this now growing movement celebrated women as global peacemakers
with a week of activities, a rally and march to encircle the White House in pink.
Over 10,000 people participated. Among them, Alice Walker, Maxine Hong Kingston,
Jody Williams, Susan Griffen, Amy Goodman, Rachel Bagby and many others..



Code Pink's 'Yellow Cake Walk" and march to Rumsfeld's house
More pics!
http://www.sinkers.org/codepinkdemoAug0603/

:kick: & Recommended!

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. I meant at the beginning of Cindy's stance in the ditch

Didn't mean to short change CP. Thanks for adding this and the great pictures!

[Breeze54]

19. All is cool...here's a pic you might like!

http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=1950">2005 Actions- Code Pink & Cindy Sheehan Veterans Day Parade


http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?list=type&type=194">Past Actions: 2005
We, Code Pink, spent the summer in Crawford, Texas, supporting Cindy Sheehan and helping to
build the phenomenal Camp Casey peace movement that garnered the attention of the entire world.

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Yes I love it!

Thanks!

[H2O Man]

11. Thank you.

Sounds like the thing to do, to me.

Thank you for a positive message.

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Thank you!

:) It means a lot, coming from you.

[stellanoir]

15. This is part of what I posted yesterday on Will's thread. . .

". . .Hope she is refreshed and restored very soon, that her naysayers get a clue, and *that someone with oodles of cash buys her property in Crawford for far more than it's worth to perpetuate her noble efforts* or maybe even start a "Neocon theme park" on the side to illustrate just how a free people should never be governed and all the terrible blunders they've wrought upon our once and perhaps future great nation. . ."

I REALLY mean it !!! She's selling her property in Crawford and has undoubtedly burned up a huge percentage of her assets in her efforts for the Peace movement.

There has to be some uber wealthy philanthropist with more money than sense and a huge heart who can recognize her courage and pony up a pile of cash to reward and honor her prolonged selfless service and perpetuate her vision of helping Vets on that property.

Hope someone does.

[ellenfl]

16. k&r and proud to do it! eom

[grace0418]

18. She said that her medical bills are in collections and she's spent every last penny

she has received from donations and speaking gigs. I wish there was a way to pay off that stuff for her.

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Send what you can to help her

That's what I plan on doing.

[firefox_fan]

27. Any idea how much she needs for her medical bills? Is it 10Ks or more like 100Ks?

Just so people have an idea...

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. No sorry I have no idea

[Mabus]

29. Thank you for this

and all the other things that you do. You're one of the reasons I keep coming back to DU. And you are an inspiration to me. I love you proud2Blib. :hug:

When Cindy said she felt like Casey had died for nothing it was like a spear into my heart. I will do more than I have been to help stop this atrocity and to make those who got us there accountable for it.

K&R

[proud2BlibKansan]

32. I love you too Mabus

:hug:

[KAT119]

31. Thank you, proud2Blib, I needed a way to help Cindy....

[Breeze54]

38. Buy her book! She gets the $$!

http://www.simonsays.com/content/book.cfm?tab=3&pid=520727

There's an e-book or a hardcover

Peace Mom: A Mother's Journey through Heartache to Activism
By Cindy Sheehan

This Edition: eBook Your Price: $11.04

This Edition: Hardcover List Price: $22.95

[Nikki Stone1]

33. K & R

:kick:

[EFerrari]

34. kick

[PBass]

35. Lets not wait for some wealthy benefactor... we can do it with small donations.

Look at Howard Dean's campaign, or Barack Obama's campaign. Small donations from regular folks can go a long, long way.

[EFerrari]

36. We bought Andy's $50K surgery in 10s and 20s.

There were people who contributed a great deal more, but the majority were 10s and 20s.

Go, DU!

[Maat]

39. Yes, I hope that we can find some organization to help us.

I'm supporting Cal Bill 840, Sheila Kuehl's bill for universal health care coverage. Information can be found at OneCareNow.

[EFerrari]

40. Thank you, Maat.

:hi:

[Maat]

49. Should we all look around for one?

Maybe we should 'fan out' and look for some org. that would be helpful.

[knitter4democracy]

37. I'll send a check tomorrow for the medical bills.

Thanks for making sure we all know about this. She shouldn't be stuck with all those bills, the result of her work and stress and all, and not have any help.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. Be sure and tell her you are a DUer

and thanks for offering to help her :)

[knitter4democracy]

47. I will. I'm thinking up the note to send.

I cried yesterday thinking of her while listening to a Gold Star Mom, and then I came on here to find her angry post. It was a hard thing, to be sure. Then to find out that she was so deep in debt from her surgery, well, that pissed me off more than anything else. She was so sick, and she's still paying for it? That's just wrong.

[EFerrari]

42. kick

[Cha]

43. What a sweet , positive thread

and brimming with great suggestions to help Cindy and our Mission.

Thank you, proud2Blib!~

[countingbluecars]

44. Thanks proud2Blib.

I will do what I can to honor Cindy.

[StarryNite]

45. And sadly she never got an answer to her question,

"For what noble cause?"

And while * sends in Americans to die for his 'war' he is too cowardly to sit down and talk to the mother of one who died for his lies.

[Swamp Rat]

46. k&r

[jarnocan]

48. and a thankyou cindy petition link

http://www.petitiononline.com/peacemom/petition.html

[Madspirit]

50. k&r....n/t

[Cults4Bush]

51. wonderfully done!

Id say damn near perfectly done.

:)

thank you for a beautiful thread... and for never giving up. I hope... I hope... I dont even know how to share my love and respect for her. Ive tried several times to post it the last few days and I cant. I just want her to be well, I think (and I know I am not supoosed to be thinking this way).... I think I always cared more about her than about the face of the peace movement. I always always just ached for her and always back the cause 100%.. but the two were and are different for me. There has never been a day that goes by since 05 that I didnt worry for her health and safety and above all else her happiness.

I guess Morganas thread sums it perfectly for me.

Thanks again, you are always one to be admired proud2B.

[drgoodword]

52. How Can One Donate DIRECTLY For Cindy's Debts?

I understand a donation to her favored charities would be helpful, but she can't likely use that money for personal debt.

I think it is terrible that on top of the loss of her son and all the scorn she's had to endure in her tremendously courageous two-year campaign to end the war, she now has to live under the cloud of debt.

I'd be more than happy to chip in to help her erase this debt...it's the least she deserves.

It would be nice if the big dem sites (daily kos, DU, atrios, moveon, etc) banded together to form a special fund for Cindy--just for her debts--and gave very prominent free advertising for it on their respective sites. Any leftover funds could go to the causes Cindy supports.

[conscious evolution]

53. Thanks for the idea

K & R