From
Reuters
Iraq war protestor says to shift focus to
CongressBy Jeremy Pelofsky
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) – Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan, whose vigil
near President George W. Bush’s Texas ranch has become a symbol for the
anti-war movement, said on Friday she plans to focus on Congress, starting
with Bush close ally and fellow Texan House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.Sheehan has been demanding a meeting with Bush to discuss the U.S. presence
in Iraq, where her son was killed in 2004, and next Thursday plans to begin a
bus tour from Bush’s ranch to the White House to campaign for withdrawal of
U.S. troops.One of DeLay’s Texas district offices would likely be the first stop, she
said. That would be about a 5.5 hour drive from Bush’s ranch in Crawford,
where he is on a month-long vacation.“I think our first stop might be Tom DeLay’s office,” she said, surrounded
by supporters. “I just wanted to let him know so he’ll be in his office when
we get there.”“The president is not going to meet with us, probably,” Sheehan said. “We
the people need to influence our congressional representatives and I hear he’s
pretty close by,” referring to DeLay.A spokeswoman for DeLay said his schedule was already set and did not plan
to change it to meet with Sheehan.“Mr. DeLay disagrees with those who believe we should give the terrorists
the timeline they want and simply cut and run from the war in Iraq,” DeLay
spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty said.Sheehan met once with Bush after her son was killed but has sought a second
meeting to explain for what “noble cause” her 24-year-old son, Casey, died.
Almost 1,900 U.S. troops have died in the conflict.Bush has said he sympathizes with Sheehan as well as the families of all
the soldiers who have died. But he has staunchly defended his actions in Iraq
and has said leaving now would lead to greater dangers for the United States
and Iraq.
Time to show all of Bush’s supporters that they are not safe from being
targeted by demonstrations. Keep it up Cindy!