Go, Mama, go!

CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) August 7, 2005 -- A mother whose son was killed in Iraq says she is prepared to continue her protest outside President Bush's ranch through August until she is granted an opportunity to speak with him. Cindy Sheehan's 24-year-old son -- Army Spc. Casey Sheehan of Vacaville, California -- was killed in Baghdad's Sadr City on April 4, 2004. The Humvee mechanic was one of eight U.S. soldiers killed there that day by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire.

My response to this news story is very simple: three cheers for Cindy Sheehan. Just last week I stated my own desire to find a way to protest this senseless war and somehow get people motivated into anti-war protests as they had been in the sixties. And look who pops onto the news horizon this week: another mom, a mother willing to take the proverbial bull by the horns - the double meaning is intentional, folks - by staking out the Crawford Ranch of our beloved President Bush.

The Republican right - in particular their henchman behind the mikes on talk radio - are frothing at the mouth. How dare she! How dare a mother use her own tragedy to try and gain public sympathy for her anti-war crusade! She doesn't really want to talk to the president - that's just a democrat ruse - she wants to stop the war! I hear she's even been speaking with - gasp - Michael Moore!

Duh. I hate to say this, Republican - fill in the blank - Senator, but you're absolutely right. That's exactly what she's doing and, I'm smiling as I write this, she seems to be succeeding. Oh, and by the way, perhaps you'd like to put your own child in the line of fire before you seek to criticize a woman who has lost the most precious gift life can give and wishes to vent her feelings on the subject.

And Mr. President, I have some advice for you. You look like a pussy when you ignore a grieving mother camped out at the end of your driveway. Invite her up to the house and talk to her. You're in a no-win situation and you've got to make the best of it. After all, I know how you Texans hate looking like pussies.