Episode Forty: Crawford, Texas

August 17, 2005 - 11:41am

Hosts: Tim Jones, Michael Silberman

Series: U.S. Politics


For the past 10 days, a movement has been growing in Crawford, Texas in support of Cindy Sheehan's challenge to President Bush. Japhet Els has been on the ground there for the past few days; Tim Jones and Michael Silberman spoke with him Tuesday afternoon to find out what's going on.

Photo from upfish on flickr



People assume that I oppose this war for the sake of my three teenage grandsons, and as a member of the Viet Nam generation, I certainly do. But even as I mourn our dead and injured soldiers who were volunteers for a cause they believed in, I mourn more for the American families at home. One out of every four of them suffers with, and supports a family member with serious mental illness, while inadequately supported, educated, or financed for this critical, life-saving (when successful) job.
It robs us all in America of the quality of life government was instituted to protect,
in spite of our seemingly unlimited resources
now being spent on other fronts.
In 2003 Pres. Bush appointed the New Freedom
Commission which called the treatment of serious mental illness in our country a system falling apart; and it recommended the amount of $
needed to BEGIN to fix it, thereby saving American lives from suicide, deteriorating
physical health, and despair. The Congress that session approved only one-half of those dollars. I am not aware of another vote on this reommendation since.
I lost a beautiful, peaceloving daughter only 32 to schizoaffective
disorder that same year, the result of untrained personnel in the group home she chose. She left a beautiful, peaceloving son
about to turn 13. For these reasons I mourn with Cindy Sheehan and the families of all our soldiers whon grieve.
If you are a member of our government, please listen to us. Sincerely, Carole Jorgensen, National Alliance for Mental Illness--Charlotte, NC

Submitted by Carole Jorgensen on August 19, 2005 - 10:02am.

Dear Radio Personnel

While I have the highest respect for the peaceful demonstration that these “women” at Crawford, Texas are so passionate about, I have to take issue with the phrase “women” that they refer to on their signs. The printed word published on Comcast stating “We as Women of America…” is offensive for those of us who value our own opinion. Mine is one that certainly does not reflect the opinions of these women!

Suggesting that “Women of America” think as these women do on this particular issue and then promoting that on a sign for the whole world to see is in my opinion egotistical and preposterous!

I think these women have forgotten the fear that they felt on 911. I think that they have forgotten what Saddam did to his people. I don’t think they’ve seen the pictures of the brutal fatal violence for women and children in Iraq. And I think that these women are using their personal pain (And I do feel for them.) as grounds for lumping all of us women into one general category that stand behind them. It is infuriating to watch for those of us who do not believe that freedom should come cheap or easy.

I stand by the decisions that the president made and continues to make. I am a republican, I am a conservative and I am truly an American Woman!

Submitted by Anonymous on August 19, 2005 - 4:11pm.

Mda hn'a kakaya to

Submitted by Anonymous on August 20, 2005 - 7:23am.

bush has done well fooling people into thinking that the war in Iraq is all about 9/11. I haven't forgotten the fear I felt then, but I'm even more afraid now. bush has inflamed the hatred worldwide of America and made Iraq the mecca of those who want to kill Americans and those who associate with them. I am not an American Woman. I am an American who opposes bush with everything that I am. I can only hope for the day when that evil man stops horror that he has made of this world.

Submitted by Tom Ulcak on August 21, 2005 - 1:06pm.

I really enjoy seeing Cindy Sheehan do her thing at Crawford TX. She is so brave and she is speaking the truth about what goes on in the U.S in secret. The people who instigate War,Famine and Enviormenta damage (The Illuminati) are running scared of people like Cindy. Our hearts will always go with Cindy and the peace movement. I saw Cindy on C-Span along with the other congressmen and women when they were talking about the downing street memo. I know that she is telling the truth and I believe her. This is the time when the citizens of this country will save America. The people in the higher up's wont. They have already proven themselves to be liars and decievers. This is the time when the people of America will take back our powers from the corprate "Death Grip". I feel so blessed to be here at this time. Cindy and the rest of the protesters around the world just might be the ones to break through the walls of Tyrany. The light is comming in and the dark cannot stand it anymore. They are desperate but they know in their hearts (If they have any) that their time is up. The lightworkers are on the move!! I cant begin to tell you all how exiting this is going to be. We are all celestial beings and this is OUR time to shine!

Submitted by Anonymous on August 24, 2005 - 8:52am.