Katrina: Wal-Mart Donates $15,000,000 and Sets Up Relief Centers

Red State reports Wal-Mart has donated $15,000,000 to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and will be opening “mini-Wal-Marts” where “Items such as clothing, diapers, baby wipes, food, formula, toothbrushes, bedding and water will be given out free of charge to those with a demonstrated need.”

[ 09/02/2005 12:03 PM ]

Katrina: Bush Still on the Scene

President Bush and Laura Bush continue their visits today to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The president has two additional aerial tours of Louisiana planned today before making a public statement on hurricane relief efforts from New Orleans International Airport at 2:50CST.

[ 09/02/2005 12:00 PM ]

Walter Jones Also Denies Calling Sheehan

Chuck Hagel wasn’t the only Republican member of Congress on Cindy Sheehan’s list of supporters she claims telephoned her during her Texas protest of President Bush to offer their “support and love” for her efforts. Sheehan claims North Carolina House Republican Walter Jones also placed a call.

I just spoke with Congressman Jones on the phone. Like Hagel, Jones denies a phone call or endorsement of Sheehan’s political protest ever took place:

“I was contacted about two weeks by some of Ms. Sheehan’s people. They asked, if I was called, would I accept a call from Ms. Sheehan thanking me for HJ 55? I told them that I would speak to anyone who wanted to call and discuss the bill, including Ms. Sheehan. However, I never received a call.”

“I did write a letter to her after her son died about two years ago. I’ve sent letters to nearly all of the families of the close to 2,000 soldiers who have died. She also visited me in my office about two or three months ago with two other Gold Star Mothers for Peace. I’ll visit with any parent who has lost family in the war.”

[ 09/01/2005 12:27 PM ]

Hagel Denies Support for Sheehan

I just spoke with Senator Chuck Hagel’s Communications Director Mike Buttry. There have been two recent rumors swirling about Senator Hagel. The first rumor I reported on The Buzz last week that Hagel was planning to leave the Republican Party to run as an independent candidate for president in 2008. Buttry told me, “That’s not happening. Absolutely not.”

The second rumor comes from Cindy Sheehan herself. Sheehan made a claim that amongst others, Senator Hagel had called her to express his “support and love” for her protest of the war and President Bush. I asked Buttry if this was true and he told me, “Senator Hagel has never met with nor spoken to Cindy Sheehan.” I asked him if Hagel supported her cause and again he made it clear Hagel does not.

We're seeing a growing trend of desperation and paper trail of lies from Cindy Sheehan. She mistakenly claimed President Bush was golfing during Hurricane Katrina. She even went so far as to claim the president's environmental policies are to blame for the disaster. And now, as the rest of the world moves on, Sheehan is trying to create the illusion of support for her cause.

[ 09/01/2005 10:12 AM ]

International ANSWER Backs Cindy Sheehan Protest

Who is helping Cindy Sheehan organize her anti-war rally in Washington D.C. on September 24th? None other than International Answer, the group with ties to communist regimes and expresses solidarity with individuals including Saddam Hussein, Kim Jung Il and Fidel Castro. The group’s banner fro the rally reads, “Stop the War on Iraq!” The protest platform reads as follows:

“End Colonial Occupation from Iraq to Palestine to Haiti. Support the Palestinian People’s Right of Return. Stop the Threats Against Venezuela, Cuba, Iran & North Korea. U.S. out of the Philippines. U.S. out of Puerto Rico. Bring all the troops home now. Stop the Racist, anti-Immigrant and anti-Labor Offensive at Home, Defend Civil Rights. Military Recruiters out of our schools & communities.”

[ 09/01/2005 09:15 AM ]

Qualls Memorial Award

In honor of his son, Gary Qualls has established the Qualls Memorial Award. The QMA will provide an annual $1,000 scholarship through the Temple High School ROTC program, which Louis Wayne Qualls was a member of. The scholarship will go to graduating seniors who are beginning their service in the U.S. military.

“When you’re right out of school, the bills start coming in but the paychecks don’t always start coming in right away,” Qualls said. “It’s easy to forget about those first couple of weeks, first months, when a young adult is trying to get themselves established and settled in. This is something to help make that transition easier for our sons and daughters who have dedicated themselves to service.”

Gary Qualls also asked me to point out the website contains a lot of moving information about his son. Qualls has posted the last letter he received from Loius Qualls before he headed off to fight in The Battle for Fallujah, where he fell in combat on November 16, 2004.

[ 09/01/2005 09:06 AM ]

An Early Reunion

As I left Crawford yesterday, I had to drive down I-35 South towards the airport in Austin. About halfway there, I noticed a sedan driving on the right side of the road with the words, “Another Iraq Vet Against This War!” painted on the back windshield. Pulling up alongside the vehicle I realized the driver was none other than Jeff Key, the discharged Marine/self-appointed Cindy Sheehan bodyguard, who had attacked a cameraman last week at “Camp Casey II.”

Needless to say, Jeff was not alone. His vehicle was just the tail end of the protest caravan making their way toward Houston and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The seven-car caravan was lead by the “Impeachment Tour” bus that first brought Cindy Sheehan to Crawford. While my companion drove, I craned my neck looking for Cindy Sheehan inside the bus. While it’s quite possible I simply missed her, I could not see Ms. Sheehan on the bus. In fact, the bus appeared mostly empty.

[ 09/01/2005 08:41 AM ]

Crawford: Did Chuck Hagel Call Cindy Sheehan?

Ankle Biting Pundits has another Chuck Hagel related scoop. Cindy Sheehan claims Senator Hagel called her to offer his “support and love.” From her post:

So many other people: The Camp Casey volunteers…literally hundreds. The more than 10,000 people who came through CC. Ann Wright who kept CC going. Arianna Huffington for her advice and support. Joan Baez who kept CC's spirits alive while I was in California attending to my sick mother. George Bush for not meeting with me on August 6th. Martin Sheen for his support and presence. A.I.M for Dennis Banks and Russell Means. Gary Hart, John Conyers, Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jan Schakowsky, Dennis Kucinich, Frank Pallone, Lynn Woolsey, Chuck Hagel, Ralph Nader, Jim McDermott, Walter Jones, Charlie Rangel and the other politicos who either came to CC, or called me to offer their support and love. I know I am forgetting some, but thanks to you all. Joe Wilson and his family for paving the way for me to be able to ignore and dismiss the right-wing smear machine who always tried to marginalize and discredit me by exaggerating or twisting my words and lying about me. The clergy who were there with their love and support: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Rabbi Dennis Shulman; Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Bob Edgars, Rev. Jesse Jackson (who prayed bed time prayers with me), Rita Brock, etc.

[ 08/31/2005 02:44 PM ]

Crawford: Leaving on a Jet Plane

As I write my last post from here in Crawford Texas, I want to thank all of the town residents who dealt with the thousands of guests who invaded their town both to protest President Bush and to support him. Not to mention the hordes of us in the media who followed. The patience and kindness shown by those in Crawford was really wonderful. Plus, they have some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.

Over at the White House press filing center, they refer to our daily catered meals as the “Lake Waco diet.” The idea being you pile on the calories while loading up on amazing barbecue, Tex Mex and Katie’s Custard. But when we return to Washington, the pounds are almost certain to melt away as we readjust to the mediocre cuisine and shameful service.

Anyway, I also want to thank everyone who checked out The Buzz for the first time, wrote in your emails and passed along tips. Hope you enjoyed what you saw here. I’ll be shifting back into “hard politics” tomorrow morning, but will keep bringing you scenes from on the ground of whatever the nation’s more interesting political stories are. And yes, there will be plenty of pictures.

[ 08/31/2005 12:43 PM ]

Crawford: Sign of the Times

The protesters have pulled up most of their “memorials” to fallen soldiers in Iraq. But I found one small area where the crosses had yet to be removed. I thought it was a good reflection of the disrespect many military families feel the protesters have been displaying in their use of the crosses without requesting permission. As I walked away from the site, one of the crosses fell to the ground. Two of the protesters turned, shrugged if off and continued packing up their things.

In place of the crosses bearing the names of fallen soldiers, the protesters have erected two new crosses that I assume are meant to remain after their departure. However, there are still a handful of Bush supporters across the street at “Camp Reality.” They told me they are waiting for the protesters to leave so they can be sure they leave in a respectful manner and don’t leave any trash, or hippies, behind. I don’t suspect these two new crosses will stay in place for long. One reads “Peace Now” with a smiley face through the “o.” The other reads, “Bring the Troops Home.”

Finally, even though the protesters have removed their crosses and most at “Camp Casey” have hit the road, the supporters of President Bush remain. The roadside ditch that became famous for bearing the names of the nearly 2,000 U.S. soldiers in Iraq, has now become a lasting tribute to those troops and President Bush. More than 1,000 signs have been planted alongside the road bearing words such as, “Support the Troops!” “I M 4 W” and “Bush Country.”

[ 08/31/2005 12:32 PM ]

Crawford: Adios

I made one last drive by the protest sites this morning. For the residents of Crawford, there should be a renewed sense of peace in the coming days as their small but famous town returns to some semblance of normality.

While I drove toward the protest sites, there was a steady stream of cars, trucks and vans heading out. Those at the Crawford Peace House were still hanging around and doing their thing, but everyone else seemed to be moving outward. Still, the remaining hippies found time for one last vigil:

Oops, my bad. In fact, they were loading up vans and keeping pretty busy as they made plans for their continued protest tour. Well, not everyone was keeping busy. This freewheeling guy was telling anyone that would listen about “the difference I’ve made,” and how “I’m just out here doing what I can to change the world.” That catalyst for systematic upheaval apparently does not include picking up a few pieces of trash.

[ 08/31/2005 12:21 PM ]

Crawford: Last Dance

I’ll be leaving Crawford a little earlier than expected. As President Bush is returning to Washington today, so will I. The protesters are packing up as well – hitting the road for their bus tour and eventual protest in Washington DC. For her part, Cindy Sheehan told the Associated Press she is glad President Bush did not meet with her:

"I look back on it, and I am very, very, very grateful he did not meet with me, because we have sparked and galvanized the peace movement. If he'd met with me, then I would have gone home, and it would have ended there."

And for the record, this is the second day in a row Sheehan has given interviews to the press after her handlers at Fenton Communications told me she was “too exhausted” to grant any more interviews during her stay. I’ve told Fenton representatives that if Cindy Sheehan does not want to conduct an interview with National Review Online, this is fine. I’ve only asked them to be honest about this, if they haven’t been already.

[ 08/31/2005 09:05 AM ]

Crawford: When Qualls Met Sheehan

Gary Qualls does not deny Cindy Sheehan's right to protest. His disagreement comes in the form of her political rhetoric and how he believes she is masking a political agenda behind the grief over the loss of Casey Sheehan:

“She has a right to protest, express her views and stuff like that. They made the announcement that she is the president and founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. Well, it kind of interested me. I’m a Gold Star Family member myself. I’m a single parent. I’ve been a father raising two boys practically by myself. And yet, I only have one son left and he too wants to serve. All I can do is check and find out, hey, this might be something good. I went to her website. On the website, I say everyone that had aligned themselves with her represented what I’ve taught my sons not to do and not to associate with. We were raised Christian. And we’ve always tried to put our best foot forward and help others no matter what. What I saw on this group alignment, she had Michael Moore, MoveOn.org, Code Pink. That was a dagger through my heart when I saw that. That represents no interest of my sons or mine. Cindy Sheehan has already been involved in violent protests before.”

“She has professed before the media that she is here on her own and these groups just came here to support her. Well, that’s totally false. She had invited me to see all this stuff. And I sat with her during their meetings. And when they had their meetings, she looked over at me and said, ‘Excuse me, but we’re fixing to have a meeting.’ She was the one conducting most of these meetings. I sat there on the side and watched her. I sat there having a beer with another Vietnam vet and watched. She was conducting and orchestrating a lot of the things at this meeting. So, if they’re just here to support her, how come she’s the main focus of all the meetings?”

[ 08/30/2005 04:32 PM ]

Crawford: Sheehan Apparently Finds New Strength - For Select Interviews

Fenton Communications representative Alex Howe told me yesterday Cindy Sheehan was too exhausted to grant any more interview requests. Yet, later that same day, she gave an interview to NPR's "Talk of the Nation." Gary Qualls was also a guest on the program and told me a little about it.

Qualls has offered to debate Sheehan. Ms. Sheehan agreed to the debate, but only on the condition that all media were kept out of the meeting. Qualls has said he’ll agree to any of Sheehan’s other conditions, so long as there are media on hand.

“It’s always been under her stipulations: no media. Well, it’s always about media with her. We’ve had nothing to hide, not one thing. I told her flat out, ‘No. Bring all the cameras, bring everybody, even your personal group CNN. The whole world will know the truth about what you’re doing and what you’re professing. And yet, they never came.”

Mr. Qualls says inconsistency is nothing new to Cindy Sheehan:

“She has asked President Bush not to use her son’s name in anything for his cause. But then, on a radio interview, the announced said, ‘Let me get this right, you asked President Bush not to use your son’s name, but you go around and use every other fallen son and daughter’s name and put them on Christian crosses. Why?’ And she said, ‘Well, I was just trying to prove a point.’ What point? She never could explain that.”

[ 08/30/2005 04:19 PM ]

Crawford: Gary Qualls Talk to The Buzz

I just finished my interview with Gary Qualls. As many of you already know, Mr. Qualls is the father of LCpl Louis Wayne Qualls, who was killed in action November 16, 2004 in The Battle for Fallujah.

I’ll be dedicating most of this afternoon to Mr. Qualls and his story. The first thing I want to address is the cross Cindy Sheehan’s supporters created bearing the name of Louis Qualls. There has been much controversy about this cross. Some of Sheehan’s supporters claim they only created one cross, like they have for all the other fallen soldiers in Iraq. However, Qualls told me that in fact three crosses and one Texas flag “memorials” were created. He’s taken back each one and continues to hold them in his possession.

“It’s disrespectful. They have these crosses is a ditch. That is not honoring fallen soldiers. I went to ‘Camp Casey’ and asked them if they had a cross with my son’s name on it. As we were talking, one of the protesters came up with a cross and a pen. He wrote my son’s name on it and stuck it down in the ditch right in front of me.”

Qualls was then asked by CNN and several other media outlets if they could film him removing his son’s cross from “Camp Casey” and Qualls agreed:

“I knelt down and took my son’s name from that ditch. When I was doing this, one of the protesters came running over to me. He was going to attack me. I’m just a disabled man who doesn’t know much but won’t let people disrespect the name of his son. If I had to stand there and face this man, then that’s what I was going to do. But one of the protest organizers saw all the cameras and grabbed a hold of him before he could attack me.”

“When I came back out the next day, they had put up another cross with his name, so I took that one down too. And then when they set up the tent for ‘Casey II’ I went there and found a third cross. I took that away and made sure the organizers knew I would not stand for them using my son’s name to support their political cause without my permission. When I came back out yet again, they had set up one of those Texas flags with my son’s name. But the same organizers I had spoken with had already removed it and handed it to me.”

[ 08/30/2005 03:10 PM ]

Crawford: Mellow Yellow

Out at “Camp Casey” is a banner that reads, ”Republican Headquarters.”

The sign is inscribed in yellow ink as a reflection of the protesters belief that the GOP pushed the war in Iraq, but is “yellow,” or too afraid to face its consequences.

Of course, 77 out of 100 U.S. senators voted for the Iraq war resolution that gave President Bush unilateral authority to topple Saddam Hussein, including the following Democrats:

Blanche Lincoln, Dianne Feinstein, Christopher Dodd, Joseph Lieberman, Joseph Biden, Thomas Carper, Bill Nelson, Max Cleland, Zell Miller, Evan Bayh, Tom Harkin, John Breaux, Mary Landrieu, John Kerry, Jean Carnahan, Max Baucus, Ben Nelson, Harry Reid, Robert Torricelli, Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, John Edwards, Byron Dorgan, Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, Thomas Daschle, Tim Johnson, Maria Cantwell, Jay Rockefeller and Herb Kohl.

Do the protesters feel their Democratic Senators who voted for the resolution are also yellow? If so, that would include John Kerry, Hillary Clinton and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, amongst others. Are they planning to protest Democratic senators who still support the effort on the ground? After all, John Kerry repeatedly stated during the 2004 campaign that not only would he continue the effort in Iraq but also that he would increase the number of U.S. troops on the ground.

If they do protest Democrats, it shows the protesters truly reflect a fringe element of the political left. And if not, it shows this protest has always been more about the left’s hatred of President Bush than about “honoring the troops” or a genuine political dissent over the war.

[ 08/30/2005 10:41 AM ]

Crawford: Behind Enemy Lines

Buzz reader Curtis Loftis went undercover with the protesters last week and sent in the following report:

I arrived at the original Camp Casey at 2:30 in the afternoon. It was hot and dry and the assembled demonstrators were in a melancholy state. I quickly made friends, stressing “cocktail” conversation, not political discussion. My goal was not confrontation, but a desire to understand what was actually happening here in Crawford…and being incognito was the only way this would happen.


After bonding with several nice ladies from the central coast of California, I drove with these new buddies to the larger, tented camp where Ms. Sheehan and Company was to be found. There I found a well funded, well orchestrated public relations campaign, run by media professionals complete with the highest quality electronic equipment available. From Satellite trucks and cell phone to wireless computer access, every modern convenience to enhance the “message” was there…and being used by left wing, socialist and Marxist (self-described) media representatives and Bloggers.


The environment was collegial, and everyone had a purpose. There were rules such as no drinking, no bad behavior and the like that were ruthlessly enforced. Everyone had to be on message, and the message was the point of everything…stray from the message and you are out. Even the protesters’ signs were monitored less they distract from the message.


Most of the Sheehan protesters were either professional (paid staff of Fenton Communications or the radical organization Code Pink or the like), or were long time protesters, some admitting to beginning vigils against the government as early as 1965. I had conversations with approximately 50 of these people over 48 hours, and all seemed like interesting and engaging people. We talked sports, and cars and how wonderful California is, and just about everything that could be discussed without my divulging that I am a conservative. But when “scratched” just a little with some mild political talk, they all responded the same way…”it is Americas fault”. No matter what the issue, each and every one of them had the same default…”bad things are America’s fault”.


Toward the end of my time there, I decided to innocently toss into the conversation different issues just too illicit a response. One issue I politely deposited into our talks was of the peasant unrest in rural China, and the brutality shown to the peasants by the government and their hired thugs. There response to this problem was…”well, look how we treated the blacks in America”, or, “gays are being beaten everyday in America”.


So the cliché of the “hate America” crowd is indeed true. It is as if the protesters were intellectually bulimic, and having ingested all of the hate America bile, they looked forward to regurgitating it as a show of their steadfastness to their cause of peace and love.


Cindy Sheehan spent most of her time huddled with VIPS in and air-conditioned trailer. When she ventured out it was for a scripted and often televised moment. She was always trailed by her media people, and they were quick to keep her on point. During one conversation I had with her I tried to ask her a pointed question about how much time she would actually be on the bus tour to Washington (I had discovered she would only be on the tour for two days, and would be away giving speeches during the rest of the trip…and I wondered if she were being paid for these speeches) Her media person grabbed her arm and led her back to the trailer, and away from me. The message was protected. I was left standing there…alone, and feeling a little less secure about my status at Camp Casey.


But just a few minutes later, she emerged from the trailer, smiling, and performing for the cameras. Like the chicken at the local carnival that plays tic tac toe, she eagerly performs for any microphone. She is relentless, and professional, well financed and on message. And the message is “All things bad are America’s fault”.

By the way, the above pic is not of Curtis. It's one I snapped while attending the pro-Bush rally on Saturday. Just thought it fit nicely with his report.

[ 08/30/2005 09:30 AM ]

Crawford: Speed Kills

Plenty of Buzz readers have written in with the Al Sharpton speeding story. Coincidentally, I was riding with a friend on I-35 South yesterday when we received a ticket of our own. Though Sharpton’s 110mph beats our 83 in a 65 hands down.

My main contention with this story, along with the Washington Post account of Sharpton’s visit with Cindy Sheehan, is in their description of Sharpton as a “civil rights activist.” I could care less that Sharpton is a Democrat or a liberal, but when will the press stop being so lazy and refer to him as exactly what he is: a political pundit and opportunist. Even just labeling him a straight-up “activist” is probably too kind a label, but it strikes me as somewhat more honest.

[ 08/29/2005 10:21 PM ]

Crawford: Cindy's "Worn Out"

I just heard from a representative at Fenton Communications, the group providing media coordination for Cindy Sheehan. In their defense, they say they were not aware of my interview request. However, the rep added Sheehan, “is truly worn out from the media blitz and is not taking any interview requests at the moment.”

Just telling you what they said. I can’t verify if this is the truth, but at least I have something from them on the record.

[ 08/29/2005 05:12 PM ]

Crawford: Vision Impaired

Several Buzz readers have written in to complain about the media’s apparently skewed coverage of the Cindy Sheehan protests and pro-Bush counter protests this weekend. Some outlets like CNN reportedly showed the full Sheehan rally at “Camp Casey II” while only featuring the smaller “Camp Reality” site for Bush supporters. They chose to ignore, either through ignorance or selective reporting, the much larger Bush rally in downtown Crawford.

I am not an expert in photography, but it’s clear editors can choose a particular image to create their desired perception of a media event. For example, the crowds have mostly cleared from both sides today. However, I still count about 50 protesters this afternoon at “Camp Casey II.” But a selective shot creates the following perception:

And from the other side of “Camp Casey II”:

And back at the origional "Camp Casey":

“Where are the supporters?” Is a question several liberal readers have written in this past week based on single shot I took from “Camp Reality.” For this particular shot, I asked Bush supporters to step aside so I could take a clear picture of their tent. As I explained on The Buzz, there were not a lot of supporters sitting around all day, most have real jobs to attend. But some were there and more stopped by to show their support. However, it didn’t stop some liberal blogs like Crooks and Liars from posting my photo and claiming there were no supporters on hand. I’m more than happy to admit my bias. Will other media organizations admit theirs?

[ 08/29/2005 04:35 PM ]

Not So Deep Impact

Blogs for Bush has nice meter tracking the impact, or lack thereof, of Al Sharpton’s visit to “Camp Casey II” over the weekend.

[ 08/29/2005 04:25 PM ]

Crawford: Consistency Is Not His Strong Point

Last week I reported how ex-Marine/Sheehan supporter Jeff Key physically attacked a member of the media for walking amongst the protester’s makeshift graveyard “dedicated” to fallen troops in Iraq. Jeff Key is still on the scene. But he doesn’t seem to mind friendly members of the media passing through the site. Consistency, anyone? I’m just happy he’s apparently not attacking anyone anymore. But the week is young.

[ 08/29/2005 02:44 PM ]

Crawford: Hands Off

I’m still trying to get my interview with Cindy Sheehan. Her handlers now have her on even greater lockdown. They have placed caution tape and guards around her, only allowing select media through to interview Ms. Sheehan. My requests for an interview have been repeatedly ignored. It’s worth noting the "Camp Casey II" tent structure has been dubbed the “Free Speech Tent.”

[ 08/29/2005 02:38 PM ]

Crawford: Their Way of Showing "Respect"

There has been some controversy over protester’s incorporation of fallen soldier’s names on makeshift crosses outside the two “Camp Casey” sites. Many parents of lost sons and daughters object to the protesters using their children’s names for a political agenda without obtaining permission from the parents. Some parents, like Gary Qualls, have gone so far as to personally remove the cross bearing their child’s name, only to have it repeatedly replaced by the protesters.

One of the protest organizers, who wished to remain anonymous, disputed Qualls’ claim:

“We would never do that. Maybe it happened once by accident. But we would never plant a cross against a parent’s wishes.”

However, Qualls says he has had to remove his son’s cross at least two times.

Now, the protesters have come up with a new way of disrespecting the wishes of those parents. They are not erecting “crosses” against the wishes of parents who still support President Bush. Instead, they have taken to erecting these makeshift memorials featuring the U.S. and Texas state flags, but which still bear the names of fallen soldiers:

[ 08/29/2005 02:32 PM ]

Crawford: Loco Motive

Just in case anyone forgot, Cindy Sheehan keeps insisting her anti-Bush protest is “not politically motivated”. To that end, here’s the bus she rode in on:

And from Kevin B. Zeese’s interview of Sheehan:

Zeese: Describe some of the projects you have pursued?

Sheehan: We are lobbying Congress to have an inquiry into the lies that caused Iraq. We are trying to meet with the Sec of Defense to hold him accountable for the lies. We campaigned against George Bush during the elections. We are working on Counter-recruitment. We work closely with the AFSC's Eyes Wide Open Exhibit and the VFP's Arlington West.

[ 08/29/2005 02:24 PM ]

Meet Cindy Sheehan's Radical Strategist

Over on the NRO main site today you can read Byron York’s excellent examination of Cindy Sheehan’s radical strategist, Lisa Fithian:

To anyone familiar with the world of professional protesting — protests against globalism, capitalism, war, police tactics, and dozens of other causes — the presence of Fithian is a sign of how far Cindy Sheehan has strayed from the roots of her "one mom" crusade against George W. Bush. Or, perhaps more accurately, it is a sign that the "one mom" crusade was never just one mom. Fithian is a legendary organizer who operates in the world of anti-globalism anarchists, antiwar protesters, and union activists; an advocate of aggressive "direct action" demonstrations, she protested the first Gulf war, played an important role in the violent shutdown of Seattle during the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting, was a key planner in protests at the Republican and Democratic national conventions in 2000 and 2004, and organized demonstrations at trade meetings in Washington, D.C., Prague, and Genoa.

[ 08/29/2005 02:02 PM ]

Crawford: Here to Stay

Buzz reader Will was on the scene in Crawford for Saturday’s Pro-Bush/pro-Iraq rally:

I have enjoyed reading the breadth of your posts and updates to the buzz for NRO. Great job out there. I joined the group with the Support the President rally at Angel Park in Crawford, and happened to be one of the Protest Warriors that had to leave the event. Just to let you guys from NRO know, we are going to be here, in limited capacity, until August 31, when Sheehan and the anti-war left say they intend on leaving. Hope to see more of your coverage and maybe run into you at Camp Casey II when we do some of our infiltrations. Keep up the good work!

[ 08/29/2005 09:24 AM ]

Crawford: Greetings From Afghanistan

Jeff, who is serving with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, writes in to the Buzz:

Thanks for the great site of the “other stories” the MSM as usual ignores. This is not Vietnam, the days of Cronkite and his colleagues predicting victory for the enemy is over; today’s soldier has a voice thanks to the Internet and people like you.

Respectfully,

“Eggs”
USAFR
Afghanistan

And needless to say Jeff, whatever help people in the media like myself can provide is only possible because of people like yourself defending the freedom of all Americans.

[ 08/29/2005 09:21 AM ]

Crawford: Two Day Tour

Cindy Sheehan has admitted she will only travel for two days on her own 24 day bus tour to Washington D.C. after protesters leave Crawford on August, 31st. The protesters plan to arrive in Washington for a massive anti-war demonstration on the National Mall on September 24th. Sheehan cited “previous speaking engagements” as her reason for not being able to travel with the proletariat protesters.

The first day of her tour which is "not political" will target House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

[ 08/29/2005 09:05 AM ]