Gender: Female
Status: Married
Age: 49
Sign: Aquarius
City: OKLAHOMA CITY
State: OKLAHOMA
Country: US
Signup Date:
12/19/05
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Monday, July 31, 2006
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Cindy Sheehan Aquires Property In Crawford Texas
Category: News and Politics
By Katy Moore and Mike Copeland, Waco Tribune-Herald, http://www.wacotrib.com
CRAWFORD When peace activist Cindy Sheehan returns here next month to protest the war in Iraq, she wont be a guest. Shell be one of Crawfords newest residents.
Sheehans peace group, Gold Star Families for Peace, said on its Web site Thursday that Sheehan had purchased five acres on State Highway 317, about a half-mile north of the sole traffic light here. County records indicate she is acquiring the property through a third party who himself recently purchased it.
On her Web site, Sheehan says shes already planning to mount next months war protest on the property, again timed for the period when President Bush routinely spends his vacation at his Central Texas ranch. The Bush ranch is several miles west of Sheehans place, and area residents are largely defensive of the president.
Well, theres not much we can do about it, said Jamie Burgess of the Red Bull gift shop in town. I guess she has the right to buy (property) here.
Longtime Crawford resident Bobby D. Ramsey sold a little more than five acres to Gerald T. Fonseca, a New Orleans native who said he was displaced by Hurricane Katrina last fall. Fonseca was in Crawford along with hundreds of other war protesters when the hurricane destroyed his home Aug. 29.
Fonseca, who identifies himself as a Vietnam veteran and a member of Veterans for Peace, had been living more recently in Eagle Rock, Mo., with relatives. He has been in Crawford the past four weeks, staying at the Crawford Peace House.
Transfer planned
While Fonsecas name is on the deed as the lands new owner, Sheehans protest group will use the property for this years Camp Casey, the peace camp named for Sheehans son, Casey Sheehan, a 24-year-old Fort Hood soldier killed in Iraq in 2004.
In September, Fonseca said, ownership of the land will be transferred to Sheehan.
Ramsey, who soon may find unexpected neighbors when protesters move into a huge tent on the property he sold, said he was unaware before the sale that it would be used by Sheehan to host Camp Casey in August.
(Fonseca) said he was going to build a home and, one day, a shop (on the land), Ramsey said Thursday, speaking from his adjacent property in Crawford. He told me that Katrina wiped him out.. . . . It didnt even occur to me that he could use it for this.
Fonseca confirmed he never indicated to his new neighbors that the land would be transferred to Sheehan, but he said that was always the plan. He said the $52,500 used to pay for the property a spread of rustic, wooded prairie with no houses came from Sheehan and her Gold Star Families for Peace.
Fonseca said he acted as an agent for Sheehan, negotiating the purchase and closing the deal with Ramsey.
Theyre really good neighbors, Fonseca said of families nearby. The idea again is that were here to be good neighbors, to make it as comfortable as we can for everyone.
While Sheehan frequently attacks Bush for his policy on the war in Iraq, she has often discussed, like Bush, how much she likes Crawford and Central Texas. On her Web site, Sheehan says she originally never understood how George Bush could pick such a place as Crawford to have his home.
She goes on to say, however, that after spending an entire year there in every season, I totally understand. I even get upset when people put Crawford down in any way.
Bush, whose presidency has been marked by frequent retreats to his Prairie Chapel Ranch, purchased his property near Crawford in 1999. Crawford has been the site of numerous protests since he became president in 2001.
Sheehan gained international fame last August when she led war protests from a roadside ditch near the presidents ranch, demanding Bush interrupt his vacation to meet and discuss the war. The month also saw counterprotests staged by supporters of the president.
Citing concerns about traffic safety and roadside sanitation, county commissioners later passed an ordinance outlawing anyone from camping along the road near Bushs ranch, which subsequently sparked legal challenges over free speech issues.
It will keep traffic off
McLennan County Commissioner Ray Meadows, whose precinct includes both the Bush ranch and the five acres Sheehan will soon own, said he was glad to see the so-called peace mom moving in because it would likely preclude last summers roadside protests near the Bush ranch.
Itll keep the traffic off Prairie Chapel Road, he said Thursday. I am ecstatic about it. It will keep them off the road and keep traffic moving.
He went on to jest that Sheehans protest group was all just a part of summer now.
On her Web site, Sheehan said she was enthusiastic about the new Crawford site because the peace movement had outgrown sites used last year, and we needed to move on to bigger property.
Sheehan says this summers war protest will run from Aug. 13 to Sept. 2. White House reports indicate President Bush plans to spend far less time at his ranch this August than usual.
Retired postmaster Joyce Holmes said she could understand how property owners near the Sheehan spread might be anxious about next month.
I know if I were living out that close, Id be just like they are, Holmes said. I wouldnt want all that commotion around me.
Tommy Witherspoon contributed to this story.
kmoore@wacotrib.com
757-5730
http://www.wacotrib.com/
11:52 PM
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Monday, July 10, 2006
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Camp Casey Moves to the National Mall in DC Sep 8-21
Category: News and Politics
Cindy Sheehan to Move Camp to National Mall
Cindy Sheehan and activists in the growing peace movement plan to move Camp Casey to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., September 8 - 21. The camp on the Mall will carry the name Camp Democracy at Fort Fed Up. Organizers intend the camp to bring together peace activists with activists for social justice, united in demanding a shift of public resources from war to the needs of people. Participants will lobby Congress to end all funding of the occupation of Iraq, and will demand that Congress hold the Bush Administration accountable for the falsehoods that launched the war and the abuses of power here at home that have accompanied it. Camp Democracy is launching an outreach effort to include organizations in the planning of the camp's activities, which are all in the initial stages. Organizations already on board are listed on the website:
http://campdemocracy.org
12:10 PM
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Wednesday, June 28, 2006
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Dennis Kucinich Congressman from Ohio on the War in Iraq
Category: News and Politics
Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), who has led opposition within the Congress to the Iraq war from the beginning, gave the following floor speech on Thursday.
"The President will not bring an end to this war. He says it will be a decision for the next president. But he is building permanent bases in Iraq; and he is determined to keep a force of at least 50,000 in Iraq into the distant future
"This Congress may not bring an end to this war. Because the real power to end the war is in a cut off of funds. Congress keeps appropriating funds in the name of the troops and the troops will stay in Iraq instead of coming home.
"Only the American people can bring an end to this war as they brought an end to the war in Vietnam.
"Let this be a time for a stirring of civic soul. It is time for a reawakening of civic conscience.
"There were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But, there are WMDs in DC. Lies are Weapons of Mass Destruction: 2,500 American soldiers have died.
Over 100,000 innocent Iraqis have died. It is a time for an end to our national sleep walk through the graveyard of the Iraq war.
"It is time for truth, a time for clarity. A time for action. A time for teach-ins, for meet-ups, for marches, for rallies about the war to begin at college campuses, at churches at labor halls, at libraries. Time to gather in civic centers, in town halls, to discuss the truth about this war, and to plan civic action to end it.
"It is time for the American people to exercise their First Amendment rights to stand up, to speak out. Time to redirect the policies of this country. Time to learn and practice peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution. Time to believe in our capacity to evolve beyond war. To believe, and act upon the belief that war is not inevitable, that peace is inevitable - - if we are ready to commit to the daily work of peace building everywhere.
"The Global War on Terror has become a Global War of Error. Attacking or threatening countries which did not attack us. Bombing neighborhoods to save neighborhoods. Committing atrocities in the name of stopping atrocities. Losing our vision, losing our way in the world, sacrificing our children and their future, giving up their future resources for education, for health care, for housing, piling it high on the altar of war. Worshiping a false god of destruction.
"When we begin these proceedings with this remembrance: Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory." We are not talking about any nation, we are talking about a Force which is above all of us. The world is not ours to conquer. There is no glory in the abuse of power.
"The President will not bring an end to this war. This Congress will not bring an end to this war, absent the Murtha Resolution. But the American people will certainly bring an end to this war. They will do it in the streets. And they will do it at the ballot box. The American people will become the Out of Iraq Caucus."
12:06 PM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
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Halliburton protestor found "Not Guilty"
Category: News and Politics
Halliburton protester not guilty
BY JARED KALTWASSER STAFF WRITER JKALTWASSER@LAWTON-CONSTITUTION.COM
DUNCAN A municipal judge ruled Thursday that a protester who was arrested while protesting the H a l l i b u r t o n Shareholders Meeting in Duncan on May 17 was not guilty of violating a city protest permit.
Judge Carl Lamar said he felt police acted responsibly and correctly in arresting Joni LeViness, 45, Tulsa, after she left a designated protest area, but that he could not find her guilty because he could not find cause to do so within the section of the municipal code she was charged under.
I think she could have been charged with the crime of trespassing or disrupting a police officer when they told her to step back, Lamar said. I cannot find that (LeViness) violated this ordinance.
The hearing lasted nearly 70 minutes, covering a wide range of issues both political and legal over a crime with a penal- ty of an $89 ticket.
Representing LeViness, attorney Rex Friend argued that the protest permit ordinance, passed by the city on April 11, was over-reaching and designed specifically to limit the May 17 protesters. He argued that, properly applied, the ordinance should govern club meetings, birthday parties and other gatherings.
Friend also raised questions about the way the law was enforced on May 17, questioning why members of the media who entered into and then left the designated protest area were not arrested. He said his client was taking photographs to post on a Web site, and yet she was not treated as a member of the media. He also questioned why a pro-Halliburton protester had not been made to stay within the same area. Friend further argued that the permit, which was granted to Oklahoma Veterans for Peace and allowed for up to 300 protesters, did not apply to LeViness because she was not a member of the group.
This individual was not part of Veterans for Peace, she did not have in hand the permit, Friend said.
City attorney Jim Frieda centered his case around the testimony of two officers on scene May 17. Captain Rick Lang testified that the protesters were to stay in a fenced-in area that morning, and that even though a protester had cut a gap in the fence, it was still clear to them where they could and could not be.
Is it your opinion that a specific line of demarcation was set up whereas by crossing that point protesters would be arrested? Frieda asked Lang.
Yes, the captain replied.
In his closing argument, Frieda used LeViness own words to hammer home his point. Earlier in her testimony, LeViness said that after hearing a citizens petition read, she wanted to cross the line and help deliver the petition to Halliburton Company chief executive David Lesar.
Frieda said it was important LeViness be found guilty.
I do not even care if there is no fine, Frieda said. I only want you to find her guilty.
It took Lamar about six minutes to come to his verdict. Before leaving to deliberate, he told those in attendance that he wanted to review his notes and re-read the ordinance.
After his return, he read a lengthy verdict, saying he appreciated the spirit of civil disobedience, but that there also had to be consequences when laws were broken.
This ordinance no doubt reflects (the citys) efforts to do all they could to protect their citizens ... Lamar said. He said he believed the city had written the ordinance in good faith and that it was very reasonable.
I believe that the defendant in this case intended to step over a line, and I think she wanted her opinions to be known and to make sure they were known by trying to draw attention to herself, he said. I have no doubt that her conduct violated certain laws.
The ordinance under which she was charged dealt with private property, saying that the owner of said property (in this case, Lamar said that was the Simmons Center Foundation) should grant the police authority ... to make arrests for trespass by any participant in the event of entry onto restricted portions of the property.
Lamar said he had to find LeViness not guilty because she was not charged with trespassing.
Fifteen others were arrested along with LeViness on that day; they all either pleaded guilty or no contest, paying an $89 fine. LeViness also paid the bond, but her money was refunded after Thursdays decision.
That was a big surprise, she said after finishing up her paperwork. He made it pretty clear that they ought to take another look (at the ordinance).
Friend said that while the judge had not agreed with much of what he argued, he appreciated the judges careful look at the case.
I felt that the judge looked very carefully at the ordinance where I had pointed out that it was different, Friend said. He did not take the specific points I had pointed out, but it caused him to pay careful attention to the ordinance.
1:57 PM
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Monday, May 29, 2006
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Nathaniel Batchelder answers to the Jesse Macbeth question
Category: News and Politics
Josh West, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473
Mr. Batchelder, I am writing this in response to an article I read on the Halliburton Rally on May 17th. One of the "special guests" that you had was a fraud. His name is Jesse Macbeth and he is going all over speaking with the IVAW. I do not support the IVAW or any other liberal groups, but as a Veteran I feel that they have the right to voice their opinions having served in the military, even though we are on two different sides of the fence. It is one of rights that we fought for and a great part of our wonderful country, that sets us apart from any other country. Jesse Macbeth is living in a made-up world and is a discrace to anyone in uniform, in an interview he did he states that he was stabbed many times, shot and recieved shrapnel to his knee. Jesse also states that he recieved many medals, i.e Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and some just for landing in country, and that he killed children and women and a bunch of other bullshit. On October 16th, 2003, I was shot 3 times in Karbala, Iraq and I bear many scars on my legs and my stomach from the surgeries. I am offended that this imposter has been spreading lies about a topic he has no ideal about, other than what he hears in the media, and groups like yours are treating him as if he were a hero. The Army has always taken care of myself and my family as well as the Veterans Affairs, Jesse states that he recieved nothing from the VA, but a card, I call Bull shit, that is the VA's sole mission and it is mandatory for anyone getting out to get a VA physical. If Jesse had all of the problems he stated, trust me, he would be medically retired and be recieving compensation for the rest of his life, but wait, he is a lying fraud. The military is a volunteer military and no one is forced to join, those of us who do join know and understand the dangers of joining the military, and war is one of the dangers. The time I spent in Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2002 was tough, but I wouldn't change anything, I know that the children of those countries will grow up knowing what it is like not to live under a dictatorship like their parents had to live through. Jesse will get what he has coming to him, and I hope he is stopped before he spreads more of the lies and bullshit from his made up Ranger world. Like I said I do not support your group, but I respect your rights as people and citizens of our country, it is one of the things that makes us great, that we can have totally diffrent views, but live in peace. I would encourage you to do some checking on the people that arerepresenting you, some might just make your cause look like you will accept anyone who wants to start controversy. I have forwarded your web site to the Army Criminal Investigation Command, in hoping they can find this piece of shit fraud Jesse Macbeth. God bless America, and God bless the Army.
V/R Josh West
Dear Josh,
I read your note (below) with interest.
Jesse Macbeth did not come to Oklahoma for the Halliburton Demonstration.
We learned that he has been disavowed by IVAW, lending support to your assertion that his claims are fraudulent.
As a Vietnam Veteran myself --- USArmy 1968/69 85th Evac Hosp, Qui Nhon and Phu Bai, RVN --- I vowed after my experiences to look deeply into all "calls for war" by my country, because I had become skeptical of the legitimate "noble purposes" for which US troops were being asked to risk life and limb.
I honor your sacrifices as having been honorable service to our country. War is never waged by military leaders -- or troops -- who carry out the policies decided upon by Congress and the White House.I am among those who believe that this Iraq War was not a legitimate response to the terrorist acts against the US by Al Quaeda on 9/11 ... but represented a policy supported by a minority in US leadership who saw an opportunity to establish a US stronghold in the Middle East by attacking Iraq with the intention of establishing there a pro-US government facilitating the activities of US-based oil companies and further cementing the US commitment to defending Israel. My message is, "Support the Troops; Bring them Home."
While you and we may disagree on the analysis of the Iraq War, I'd certainly agree that no good cause is served by supporting or spreading stories which are fraudulent.
I hope your health and recovery are good, and wish you Godspeed and abundance in your life and pursuits.
Nathaniel Batchelder
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2:04 PM
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Tuesday, January 10, 2006
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Weekly Happenings!
COME JOIN US in the "Free Speech Zone" for the weekly ANTI-WAR PROTEST; 5:00 PM Every Tuesday for the month of June at NW 23 St and Broadway [in front of the Buffalos]. SIGNS PROVIDED!
Also COME JOIN the weekly PEACE VIGIL on Saturdays at 10:00PM we are starting earlier due to the heat, on Northwest Highway & Penn (N.W. Corner) - Please Park North of the Alltel Office. (SIGNS with MESSAGES of PEACE ONLY at THIS ONE PLEASE)
8:41 PM
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