Cindy Sheehan - Remarks from Dallas Peace Center awards dinner (12/1)

[derby378]

Below is a partial transcript of remarks by Cindy Sheehan at the Dallas Peace Center 19th Annual Peacemaker Awards Dinner on Thursday, December 1, at the Renaissance Hotel in Dallas, TX, where she received the Phoenix Award for her role in revitalizing the anti-war movement with her vigil at Crawford:

When Casey was killed on April 4 {2004}, I thought all my hope was gone. You know, I just was existing. You know, the sun would come up in the morning, and I'd get up, and I would just exist through a long, horrible day of sadness and just not thinking that I was gonna have any more joy or hope in my future.



But you all changed that for me in August, because you proved that you cared about my family and my sacrifice, and Casey, and the rest of the soldiers like Beatrice's nephew, Daniel – that you really cared, and you cared about the ones who were in harm’s way, and the Iraqi people. And millions of Americans supported Camp Casey, and over 12,000 of you actually came out there over the summer. So you gave us back our hope.



Last Saturday was the first time I danced since Casey died, and I felt so good, and I'm surprised that it wasn’t splashed all over the Matt Drudge: "Oh, yeah, look at the 'grieving mother.'" But, you know, we do have hope now, and that gives us joy, because we know we're taking our country back, and we know we're bringing our troops home. And it's been so amazing – it all makes your head spin, what’s been happening since August. It's just – people are finally standing up. Journalists are standing up, politicians are standing up, other people are standing up, and they’re saying, "It's okay. It's okay to speak out against the lies and the deception that led us to war. It's okay to say this war was a mistake. It's okay to say 'Bring the troops home.'" And we did that in August. We made it okay. We made it okay to do that.

[ChickMagic]

1. Kick

:kick:

[merbex]

2. Just signed on for the day after hearing about 10 more Marines killed

11 wounded and this is the first post I read

Cindy, you're correct:that is what August and Camp Casey are all about. Standing up and demanding answers and accountability from this shameful government.

Thank you for all you have done and have given this nation Cindy.

Rest in Peace Casey

[Binka]

3. Sweet Beautiful Powerful Cindy

:loveya:

[The Witch]

4. k & r. Dance, Cindy... you deserve it.

:hug:

[LeftNYC]

5. Is her book any good?

I feel like I know the whole story? or do I?

[derby378]

6. Haven't read it yet - my wife's got it

Signed by Cindy and everything, complete with a big ol' hug. I'd have grabbed one, too, but there were just too many folks - the awards banquet was sold out.

Looking forward to reading the book, though. I probably know much of the story anyway - and helped write a part of it, in my own insignificant way, by putting in time at Camp Casey - but there's always something new to discover, I'm sure.

We love you, Cindy! Hope you're reading this - we know you lurk occasionally!

:hi: :hug:

[ChickMagic]

7. Being the klutz I am

I managed to spill coffee on her pretty sweater. She was completely understanding (my purse fell down to my elbow thus splashing the free trade coffee). She remembered me from Camp Casey since I spent a good bit of time with her and her sister Deedee before the throngs showed up.

She's a heck of a woman and I love her dearly.

[derby378]

8. I saw her sweater - it looked just fine

My main concern was making sure she didn't slip and fall on any coffee puddles around her chair, but I think her sweater's gonna be okay. It happens...

[ismnotwasm]

9. Kick

Just because. Beautiful woman. Just beautiful