In surfing You Tube one of the most popular of all entries is Bill O'Reilly's interview of Phil Donahue.  Considering the amount of meaningful substance distributed over an 8-minute interview span this enthusiasm is understandable.

O'Reilly on his home Fox News turf began by introducing Donahue as a supporter of one of the right's most hated anti-war symbols, Cindy Sheehan.  

As a veteran television moderator who regrettably lost his own MSNBC program when he dared, in the lead-up to the Iraq War interview experts who persuasively argued against invasion, Donahue knew the value of delivering short, pungent comments in the face of a host known to intimidate some guests through loud accusations and swaggering bravado.

O'Reilly unleashed his full bag of tricks and came up empty.  Donahue was successful in countering his host's anticipated propaganda tricks and reliance on blustery emotional by delivering a concise barrage of attacks that left O'Reilly initially shrieking, then softer spoken in the manner of a shouter who has lost his steam.  

Announcement from the Crawford Peace House about next weeks events with Cindy Sheehan and friends. The co-founder (with MLK) of SCLC will be attending, rallies, concerts, teach-ins, performances, films, good food, lots of strategizing and networking. Don't miss it! See www.crawfordpeacehouse.org

Dean of the civil rights movement to participate in Crawford peace encampment

Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery will deliver sermon at Camp Casey during Easter sunrise service, lead worship ceremony at Crawford Peace House

Here is the text of Cindy Sheehan's statement as published at DailyKos.com:

Dear Friends,

As most of you have probably heard, I was arrested before the State of the Union Address tonight.

I am speechless with fury at what happened and with grief over what we have lost in our country.

There have been lies from the police and distortions by the press. (Shocker) So this is what really happened:

This afternoon at the People's State of the Union Address in DC where I was joined by Congresspersons Lynn Woolsey and John Conyers, Ann Wright, Malik Rahim and John Cavanagh, Lynn brought me a ticket to the State of the Union Address. At that time, I was wearing the shirt that said: 2245 Dead. How many more?

After the PSOTU press conference, I was having second thoughts about going to the SOTU at the Capitol. I didn't feel comfortable going. I knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the ticket and I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her. I, in fact, had given the ticket to John Bruhns who is in Iraq Veterans Against the War. However, Lynn's office had already called the media and everyone knew I was going to be there so I sucked it up and went.

I got the ticket back from John, and I met one of Congresswoman Barbara Lee's staffers in the Longworth Congressional Office building and we went to the Capitol via the undergroud tunnel. I went through security once, then had to use the rest room and went through security again.

My ticket was in the 5th gallery, front row, fourth seat in. The person who in a few minutes was to arrest me, helped me to my seat.

Continued over the flip...

Update [2006-2-1 12:36:40 by Tom Ball]: Read Cindy Sheehan's statement of what really happened at the State of the Union.

Contrary to CNN's report of Cindy Sheehan 'unfurling an anti-war banner' it is now being confirmed that:

Sheehan had worn a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan to the speech and covered it up until she took her seat. Police warned her that such displays were not allowed, but she did not respond, the spokeswoman said. Police handcuffed Sheehan and removed her from the gallery before Bush arrived. Sheehan was to be released on her own recognizance, Schneider said. "I'm proud that Cindy's my guest tonight," Woolsey said in an interview before the speech. "She has made a difference in the debate to bring our troops home from Iraq."

This confirms the version posted by Brad Blog which ran counter to the CNN version:

The BRAD BLOG has confirmed the arrest moments ago with David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org. According to Swanson, Sheehan was "arrested for wearing the shirt she was wearing all day, which had the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq...She was lifted out of her seat [in the Capitol Chamber gallery] by the Capitol Police and taken away."

Swanson told The BRAD BLOG moment ago that Sheehan is "now under arrest and lockup by Capitol Police." He confirmed that moments ago with Gael Murphy, a co-founder of CodePink, an organization which has been working Sheehan. Murphy spoke by cell with Sheehan after the arrest, and they are currently arranging for an attorney for her.

"This is not the Park Police," said Swanson. "We're used to getting arrested by them. This was the Capitol Police... She didn't even want to go to the speech, she said she couldn't stand to listen to Bush, but she went. She didn't even protest, she was just wearing the same shirt she'd be wearing all day, a black shirt with the number of troops killed. It was already 'out of date' and she had to add 3 more to the previous number."

"A kid from Florida is like 16 years old. He runs away from home and goes to Iraq. He wanted to see what it was like. His family was from Iraq. He wanted to see what it was like. He spent three weeks over there. Then he came home. At least he had an exit strategy."

-- David Letterman 01/03/06

In an atypical display of noncomedic guts, David Letterman took a bold stand on American involvement in Iraq. Even tastier, he did it as he pounded his deserving guest, Bill O'Reilly.

In particular, he took issue with O'Reilly's derision of grieving 'war mother', Cindy Sheehan and Bush's decision to invade Iraq. He was careful to note that we ALL support our troops and that now that we're in Iraq, we must do what we have to do. In so doing, he repeats a question as yet conspicuously unanswered -- "Why are we there in the first place?"

   

[A]s Bush hunkers down in Crawford for an extended Thanksgiving vacation, protestors can be hauled off by the police:        

A dozen war protesters were arrested Wednesday for setting up camp near President Bush's ranch in defiance of new local bans on roadside camping and parking.

   As Vice President Cheney reminded us this week "disagreement, argument, and debate are the essence of democracy." Just don't let your disagreement get too close to the ranch.

if bush was a REAL president, he would see that the protestors had what they needed to be comfortable and then send over thanksgiving dinner... it's honorable to honor disagreement...

This from the AP:

CRAWFORD, Texas - A dozen war protesters were arrested Wednesday for setting up camp near President Bush's ranch in defiance of new local bans on roadside camping and parking.

McLennan County sheriff's deputies arrested them for criminal trespassing.

Another dozen or so demonstrators left the public right of way after deputies warned them they would be arrested.

Matt Slocum / AP

It seems Cindy will be there this weekend.

The entire story via MSNBC.

The blogs are all talking about defense hawk and Democratic Congressman Murtha's statements that the war should be over and the troops brought home.

The war in Iraq is not going as advertised.  It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion.  The American public is way ahead of us.   The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction.  Our military is suffering.  The future of our country is at risk.  We can not continue on the present course.   It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region. 

(Cross-posted at My Left Wing)


I'm no math wiz, but I think I know enough to calculate the sum of liberal progressivism. With the cynical and selfish center-right noise machine that prides itself on the security of ignorance and the stability of suspended animation, we liberals enjoy a few skirmish victories, an occasional battlefield win, but the dream of winning the war for peace and justice will always be out of our reach.

The reason? It's the equation, stupid. One Step Forward; Two Steps Back. By my, albeit, rudimentary and remedial `rithmetic reckoning: one minus two equals minus one.

To have a chance to change the liberal/progressive equation in fighting the good fight in a heretofore perpetually losing cause, we need to do a few things politically in the near term.