If you want yet another example why I think it is simply wrong to bring up the divorce issue in the Sheehan case, read this terrible story of what happened to a family who lost a loved one on 9/11.
The loss of a loved one is often a treagedy that just rips families apart.
KC
Sheehan’s divorce is now public. Her opposition will use it against her, her supporters will ignore it and go on.
rafael
When I was in law school, the most amazing thing for me was how many of the cases were between family members. I just cannot understand family arguing over money, it’s so sad and really, it’s stupid.
The second most amazing thing is that so many of the cases ended just like this one; if the parties had respected their original agreement, they all would have won. Instead, they would rather spend all their money in court just to be proven right. Again, it’s stupid.
EZSmirkzz
I wonder why you have insomnia, John. You need to read things like this in the morning so it only ruins the day.
bains
That story has absolutely nothing to do with divorce – and nothing to do with parental rifts caused by the untimely death of a child. It’s a far too common theme of acrimony caused by the percieved inequitable distrubution of the deceased’s assets. I’ve seen it happen to friends, and really dont have much sympathy for the participants in the money grab.
But you’re right, the status of ones family ought not have become an issue – it is unfortunate that Ms. Sheehan used it to bloster her case, it is unfortunate that others are now using it to knock it down.
John Cole
It has everything to do with the havoc wreaked upon families when tragedy strikes. Really, the fact that Republicans continue to be this tone-deaf surprise me.
SnarkyShark
Really, the fact that Republicans continue to be this tone-deaf surprise me.
Untill you understand that Bush-worship is the only thing that matters to Republicans anymore, you will continue to be suprised.
I am an actual fiscal conservitive, and a social liberal.
Which means I have no place in the Republican party anymore. I didn’t leave the Party. In its Rush to win at any cost and overwhelming need to do the resulting end zone strut while Iraq went to hell, the Party left me.
I am now a reform Dean democrat, as there is really nothing left to salvage in the GOP. Assuming one cares about America anyway.
The Elephant truly flies above the eagle in Bushworld(tm)
bains
The GOP tone deaf? Yes, but the story you point to, aside from the 9-11 connection, has little to do with your point, which is IMO, that the loss of a child in and of itself, can wreak havoc upon a family. That Patrick Sheehan has filed for divorce, as far as we know (or should investigate into, or speculate upon) has no bearing upon Cindy Sheehan’s anti-war activities.
Stevo
Anyone with sense knows that there are bound to be just as many mothers who are proud of children they have lost in this fight as there are people like Cindy Sheehan.
The moral authority of a grieving mother is NOT absolute. It is only confused and tragic. It is sad to watch her destroy her own life at the prompting of (and to the glee of) the far left who are encouraging her.
And you, John Cole, support the left in their efforts to abuse this poor woman.
The people who encourage Sheeehan to continue her public self-flagellation are the ones you should be outraged at, John Cole. But no, the far left is just fine with you when they hype her ‘camp-out’ and encourage her to say all these anti-semetic and anti-US statements.
Where is your outrage against the left’s mistreatment of this woman? If they did not push her out into the spotlights no one would care about her divorce or the fact her entire family has abandoned her to the forces on the left.
Why doesn’t that bother you? You are very selective about totally supporting and encouraging the left’s mistreatment of Sheehan and then being, OH! So! Outraged! At Michelle Malkin for simply linking to another news site’s reporting.
If you really cared about Cindy Sheehan you would be outraged at the left for promoting her public self-flagellation and not at the right for merely watching in disbelief.
You are a hypocrite.
Steve
Haha, did you just find this site in the last 3 hours or something?
tBone
Um, Stevo, did you somehow miss John’s posts here and here (among others)? Some in the comments threads would no doubt take issue with your characterization of John “totally supporting and encouraging the left’s mistreatment of Sheehan.”
Steve
While Stevo is off catching up, I’d also be interested in how he can possibly justify his suggestion that Cindy Sheehan is not proud of her son.
Stevo
Okay, Steve; I should have more clearly expressed myself had I said, “proud of their grown son’s or daughter’s service to freedom, to their country, and given proudly to the people of Iraq” But that is a bit wordy and I assumed you would understand my meaning with a less precise phrasing. My mistake. And I am a lazy typist.
I had missed the statements from John that he did not think Sheehan should have a spotlight. I think that is commendable.
I do not, however, see evidence of Mr Cole railing against the left for using Sheehan. I did see him cursing at poor Michelle (who is pretty tough and can take it) and then continuing to try to defend his attacks on her with posts like this one.
I am not buying even this as an excuse for going postal on Michelle and taking it easy on everyone else, many of whom bear much more responsibilty for Sheehan’s position in the limelight than Michelle who certainly did not ‘dumpster dive’ to produce her link.
Personally? I think Mr Cole needed sleep and should have taken a few hours nap before hurling profanity at Michelle.
And sure, I read ASV but I do not visit as often as I once did. But I would ask that Michelle as well why she would single out Michelle Malkin for such forceful criticism for merely talking about the ‘camp-out’ and linking a story about the divorce and have no equal invective to share about the leftist’s who continue to push Sheehan into the spotlight.
tBone
Then you didn’t read the links I provided, even though you’re pretending you did. Here’s a sampling of John’s feelings on the matter, from the first post I linked to:
Maybe you missed it because you’re so distraught about John’s *shocking* comments about poor defenseless Michelle Malkin. That’s probably also why you missed his very straight-forward apology to her. But by all means, continue to troll away.
Cyrus
Believing that Sheehan is being used by the left is ridiculous. Is Andrew Sullivan being used by the right? Sheehan knows what she’s doing, she knows more or less how what she’s doing is perceived, she made her own choices. If a 10-year-old protesting the death of her dead brother or father was the spokesman for this movement, yeah, it would be using her. But saying that a 48-year-old woman is incapable of making decisions for herself (yes, she’s motivated by grief and anger, but about a year or so after the death a healthy adult wouldn’t be hysterical or out of control any more) is really condescending.
I agree with arguments that some on the left (though I don’t agree about how many) are being ghoulish about this. But accusing them of taking advantage of her? She’s almost three times the age of legal adulthood.