Cindy Sheehan, Mother of Solider Killed in Iraq, Responds to William Rivers Pitt
Dear Will,
My son was KIA in Iraq on 04/04/04. I think you have already made up your mind that our troops need to remain in Iraq..which is very sad. This is in response to your blog question yesterday and your answer to antiwar.com today.
I admire your tireless efforts to get the truth out…but I seriously have to disagree with you. I think that our presence in that country is fueling the insurgency that killed my son; which has also killed many more of America’s sons and daughters (many more than the official count); has maimed almost 30,000 of our kids; and has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis and demolished their country.
Don’t you think that the Iraqi people can rebuild their own country? Before the US invasion in March of 2003, they had a very capable work force filled with construction workers, contractors, engineers, etc. I think the 81 billion dollar appropriation’s bill that this president wants Congress to pass would better be a reparation’s bill.
Also, I know you know the despicable condition that the VA system and military hospital system are in right now. Are you suggesting that we create thousands of more mentally and physically wounded of our children who will be dependent on a system that is so flawed? Not to mention the even more serious implications of depleted uranium syndrome which will probably never be recognized by our government. I know some soldiers who have returned who are suffering terribly from PTSD and they have been waiting for over a year for VA approval to get treated. PTSD is rarely diagnosed, so they don’t receive the help they need.
And, most importantly and devastatingly, this war is based on lies and betrayals. Not one American soldier, nor one Iraqi should have been killed. Common sense would dictate that not one more person should be killed for lies. One of the people, my son, was more than enough for me and my family. I will live in unbearable pain until I die. First of all, because my first born was killed violently, and second of all, because he was killed for a neo-con agenda that only benefits a very chosen few in this world. This agenda and their war machine will chew up and spit out as many of our children as they can unless we stop them now.
Also, your views have the effect of invalidating what I, my organization, Gold Star Families for Peace, and other peace groups are doing to bring our troops home immediately, if not sooner.
In 1967 it was recognized by our government officials that Viet Nam was unwinnable…I don’t even know how many more of our troops and innocent Vietnamese were killed before we finally pulled out in 1975. Please use your forum to expose the lies and the devastation this invasion/occupation is causing. We should not stay. We should not let Israel/USA invade Syria or Iran. The consequences of this would be too shocking to even contemplate.
In addition, my family and my group are offended by hearing this administration say that our troops have to remain in Iraq and complete “the mission” to honor our loved one’s sacrifices.
First of all, no one can explain the mission to us and we don’t want any more innocent blood spilled just because it is too late for our soldiers and our families.
Thank you for your time and your courage in speaking the truth.
Love and Peace!!
Cindy Sheehan
Mother of Hero: Spc Casey Austin Sheehan KIA 04/04/04
Casey’s Peace Page
Co-Founder of Gold Star Families For Peace