The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Using the Resources at Bush’s Command to Attack the Mother of a Dead Soldier

Aug 29, 2005

George Bush and other supporters of the war in Iraq are launching an all-out attack against Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, who’s been protesting outside Bush’s Texas ranch.

They have the resources of the Republicans behind them. They have a number of Democrats on their side. They have the radio stations and TV that control virtually 100% of the airwaves. They have the newspapers that practically control 100% of the print media.

They’ve organized counter-protests against Sheehan, scaring up a lot of hired hands waving signs printed for them. And of course they were able to find some parents ready to say they are proud their sons died in Iraq, claiming Sheehan doesn’t speak for them.

But public opinion polls continue to show that an ever bigger majority of people oppose the war. From what you hear in stores in working class neighborhoods, and in other places where people gather, it’s obvious Sheehan does represent what the majority believes.

If it weren’t so, Bush’s people would have scooped her up just like the government did in the early years of the Viet Nam War. She’d be sitting in some jail by now. If they’ve held back up until now, it’s not out of respect for free speech, or for the right of everyone to form their own opinion. It’s a recognition of numbers.