Thursday, September 15, 2005

Cindy Sheehan did accomplish one major thing

This just in from AP News:

WACO, Texas — Two weeks after Cindy Sheehan left her anti-war campsite by the road leading to President Bush's ranch, county commissioners have banned parking along 23 miles of roads in the area.
Before the 4-1 vote Tuesday, McLennan County Commissioner Ray Meadows said about 80 residents had complained of blocked roads, loud music and public health and safety concerns during the 26-day protest near Bush's ranch outside Crawford, about 20 miles west of Waco.
"It's not a First Amendment issue. It's a safety issue," Meadows said, adding that "no parking" signs could be put up this week.


Sheehan began camping in ditches near Bush's ranch Aug. 6, vowing to stay until his monthlong vacation ended unless he talked to her about the Iraq war that claimed her son Casey's life.

Her vigil drew thousands of fellow protesters, counter rallies of Bush supporters and sightseers whose parked cars stretched for miles on the side of the winding, two-lane road. Since most of Sheehan's group left Aug. 31, a few Veterans for Peace members have continued camping there.

Paul McDaniel, a Vietnam combat veteran, told commissioners the campsite is "sacred ground hallowed by the tears of families and mothers of our fallen heroes and the blood of our fallen sons and daughters."

"The First Amendment allows us reasonable access to the president to express our rights," McDaniel said.

Commissioners deferred action on Meadows' proposal to prohibit residing, erecting shelters or placing sewage receptacles in right-of-way areas on all county roads. So for now, camping in the ditches is not banned.

While I of course support free speech I can understand why residents of Crawford pushed for this. Like a houseguest that overstays his welcome to the point you change the locks? Seems that's what Crawford is trying to do.

8 comments:

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

Cindy Sheehan???

Didn't she used to be someone?


The citizenry of Crawford have every right to implement any nuisane abatement laws that they deemed necessary.

What is sad is that they HAD to...


(The lunatics are taking over the asylum.)

Unknown said...

I don't disagree with you, the residents of Crawford did not ask for the President to have a vacation home there.

While I understand the right of protest I also believe when we stop tempering it with the rights of others it causes not only more division but a situation where the rights of a few can trample the rights of a larger number.

Is my right to protest more important than their rights to privacy or full enjoyment of their own property? It reminds me of the scene infront of the hospice, the patients and family and staff that had nothing to do with Terri Schiavo were seriously impacted upon and that was to me, not necessary. To often innocents get hurt in this rush to protest.

Cyberseaer said...

The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Free speech is one thing. Being a loud asshole is another. This type of protest should have been the last resort. Did Sheehan try to go through offical channels to speek with Bush? Did she seek out the meida outlet (Lord knows one of the 24 hour news channels would have given lots of airtime)? Maybe even a petition? As far as I see, she just went to Crawford, hung out like a stalker, and pissed off an entire community. Gee! I wonder why Bush didn't talk with her for the second time?

It is very sad that the town had to pass these laws to protect the home owners. I bet that a hundred years goes by and they will not be needed to be enforced.

Just because we have the right to protest does not mean that it will work or that it is a good idea. If I were living in Crawford during August and was against the Iraq war, I would then be in favor of the war just to piss off the protestors who have come here to disrupt my way of life.

I could write lots more on this, but I am only a guest on this blog and do not want to commit a Cindy Sheehan. Maybe I should start writing a blog of my own. ;)

Unknown said...

You know I'd love that, I'd also tell you anytime you want to post a long article and post it here as a guest blogger? You'd make me very happy C.

:-)

Scott G said...

She did a lot more than that. She took war opposition ans turned it into a joke. Last night I saw her on TV say that Casey joined the military because he wanted to serve his country, but he never wanted to go to Iraq. He never should have enlisted then.

She should have stopped when she was ahead like I said, but the call of the TV was too strong

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

Me4President,

Reminds me of all of the televised wailing and nashing of teeth that certain Guard members were doing when they got called up.

They basically admitted that they were in the Guard ONLY for the educational benefits.

Once called up, they were all looking for where to go to resign...

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

stray "all" made it into my last post...

Anonymous said...

Excellent, love it! » » »