Faced with over a hundred thousand Americans coming out into the streets of small towns across the nation last night to stand with Cindy Sheehan’s polite request for straight answers from President Bush about the Iraq War, the Republican media has gone into full spin mode. In spite of the fact that the Republicans were only able to muster 20 counterdemonstrators against last night’s anti-war vigils, and polls show that a huge majority of the American people are angry with the Republicans about the war, Republican news outlets like Fox News are trying to claim that real Americans are more angry at liberals than they are angry at George W. Bush.
One of the arguments that the Fox News shouting heads are trying out is that liberals are beseiging poor Texas locals. These Texas locals, according to the Republican media, are solidly behind President Bush and the Iraq War.
Of course, there is a little itty bitty grain of truth in these claims. It would be absurd for anyone to claim that everyone in Texas supports Cindy Sheehan and opposes the war. On the other hand, it is equally absurd to claim that Texas locals in general are bothered by Cindy Sheehan. It is telling that some of those people shouting at Cindy Sheehan down in Crawford put on the pretense of being Texas locals, but are in fact from out of state.
In fact, we have a lot of evidence that many Texas locals are angry at George W. Bush, oppose the war, and support Cindy Sheehan. For example, Fred Mattlage, a local who lives near the Crawford dude ranch where George W. Bush vacations, has offered his land for the Cindy Sheehan vigil to use because he supports their cause. Just last night, of course, thousands of Texans came out of their homes and met together holding candles to show their support for Cindy Sheehan.
Forget the Republican spin. Consider how Texans are voting with their wallets. Taking a look back through our records of bumper sticker sales over the last few days, I see a lot of people from Texas who seem to be opposed to the war and angry at George W. Bush and the Republican Party. Here are the kinds of messages that real Texas locals have requested from us just in the last few days:
No more blood for oil, war sucks, we must be the change we want to see in the world – Mohandas K. Gandhi, Peace – Earth – Love – Not W, Texas Democrat, Not Dubya, I wish you had not voted for Bush, boot the puppet king, Bush: lies lies lies, fix the deficit – dump Bush, war cannot be won – it can only be survived, look who’s playing evil empire now, our troops deserve a smarter president, Bush: death – deficits – deceit, Bush scares me, George Bush is the weapon of mass destruction, give Bush a second term – in jail, support our troops – imprison Bush, Bush: Liar-in-chief, would you trade your child for oil, mama taught me better than to vote Republican, paying attention – outraged, Bush: no tree left behind, Bush shampoo: cheat – lie – repeat, Bush: always wrong – never in doubt, slash through W symbols, defend marriage against Republican bigots, peace, pre-emptive wars? say no!, liberal values are moral values, against the war – not the warrior, it is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority, support our troops – question our policies, war is not pro-life, they hate our policies – not our freedoms, war is a failure of imagination, Bush: like a rock – only dumber, support stem cell research – oppose Bush, dissent is the highest form of patriotism, Hillary Clinton for President, Barbara Boxer for President, Bill Richardson for President, Vote Democrat 2008, I love America – I vote Democrat, Bush is an embarassment to Texas
Keep in mind that these are the requests that our little web site has had just over the last few days. These are just the ones from Texas, too.
A whole lot of local Texans, and a massive number of real Americans are organizing now to help end the Iraq War, and oppose President Bush’s radical policies. These people are saying loud and clear that it’s the Republican pro-war agenda that is out of touch with the American people.
