Defanging Right Wing Hate Crusades

So much to blog about: so little time!

J. shared a Chain E-Mail making the rounds attacking Cindy Sheehan. Here is my take....

Last year, the Congress increased the 'death gratuity' from $12,420 to $100,000, with another $150,000 to $300,000 available through life insurance - that explains the $250,000 mentioned by the Chain E-Mail writer. The 'death gratuity' was made retroactive to Sept. 11th, 2001, but I suspect the life insurance wasn't (I don't know how life insurance works if you can retroactively enroll the dead). So, the $250,000 figure is likely an exaggeration.

What's with the character assassination stuff? Presumably, opponents of Cindy Sheehan feel they are highlighting her hypocrisies, but I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that her current work is a far better monument to her son's life than some carved stone. There's an eternity of time for a slab of marble, but the current work is far more urgent.

The mothers of fallen soldiers deserve respect - they have earned it.

C., who is also a veteran, replies:

Regardless of whether American agree or disagree with Cindy Sheehan, it is her right as an American to protest as she may. Most importantly she is a "Gold Star Mother" (Mother's who lost their son's in time of war) and has earned the right to protest regardless of what others may have to say. On a personal note, because I feel she is being manipulated I do not agree with a lot of what she has to say.

Myself, I note that Cindy Sheehan began her protest with no help. I doubt she is being manipulated beyond any point she feels comfortable with.

And that Chain E-Mail? Here it is....
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Tells you something about that old gal !!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: STUCK ON STUPID!

What Is This Picture? Read Below

Obviously, it's a picture in a cemetery. What cemetery and whose grave?

Sadly, it's the grave of Casey Sheehan. After two years, and a DoD payment of $250,000 to the "Peace Mom", Cindy Sheehan has not had the time or bothered to have a headstone placed on this young hero's grave. And, she doesn't even have to pay for one, the DoD will provide one:

"The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a government headstone or marker for the grave of any deceased eligible veteran in any cemetery around the world. For all deaths occurring before September 11, 2001, the VA may provide a headstone or marker only for graves that are not marked with a private headstone.

Flat markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in granite and marble are available. The style chosen must be consistent with existing monuments at the place of burial. Niche markers are also available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains."

Apparently she can find time to protest on at least 3 continents, get arrested various times, go on vacation in Hawaii, have photo ops with the Marxists in Venezuela, but can't seem to find the time to properly mark her son's grave.

Ever wonder what the expression "stuck on stupid" meant? Well here is an example:

The grinning idiot clinging to Je$$e Jack$on is Cindy Sheehan... the sob sister protesting the war at Bush's ranch, who lost her son in the war, the same son she gave up in her divorce when he was 7 years old.

And by the way if you wonder why she has so much free time ... she is going through another divorce right now and guess what? She is giving up custody of another son.

As Forest Gump once wisely proclaimed, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Please DO pass this one along.