KISS – Cindy

by Marie

You are front and center of a peace movement, but you are not the peace movement.

The poignancy of your simple request to help you deal with the pain of losing your son is what gives you power. Is why others in this country are connecting with you. Is what leaves the Bush team flat-footed. No need for you to try to connect all the dots on the irrational and massive US war machine for your fellow Americans simply because you have airtime. Just nudge them in the direction of questioning their support for the madness in Iraq is enough. Get them that far with your peace vigil and others can follow you later and nudge them further along.

Rove has his unofficial slime machine on cable news, talk radio and rightwing blogs in high gear. They’re going ballistic. The better you maintain your calm and dignity, the more they will look like bullies. Remember that Michael Schiavo won against those nutcases by remaining mostly silent and consistent. Plame is silent and winning. The more you hold your ground, the crazier and more desperate they will act – and against that even Clinton beat them.

If your courage, commitment and steadfastness has inspired another grieving parent to join your vigil, invite them to share the stage with you. Let America see more of these faces and hear some of their words. Show America that those coming home in body bags have families that are forever changed.

Keep it simple. Americans respond more easily and openly when it’s not too complicated and doesn’t sound like partisan politics. And they always take the side of a sympathetic underdog in a fight with the powerful. Keep up the good work. Pax.