We all like to play the game “What Would You Say”, even if we never admit it. And last summer, I imagine most of us played the “What would I Say to Cindy Sheehan”?
Well, I got the opportunity to play the game for real last night, because I was on a flight into Reagan National Airport with the Peace Mom herself.
I should have known it was her when I saw the army fatigue jacket with the peace symbol on it. As it was, I had to look at her face when she passed by me to go to the bathroom to be sure. And yep, it was.
I wasn’t going to say anything while we were actually on the flight (she flew coach, btw). But I wondered if I should say something to her in the baggage claim area. What would it be? The polite, “I’m sorry you lost your son, but I’m grateful for his service and sacrifice”? The angry, “Can’t you have your mental breakdown in private like most Americans”? The possibilities are endless.
In the end though, I chose silence. I just decided it wasn’t worth my time to give her the attention she desperately craves. I think I made the right decision.
Jim: “Mrs. Sheehan, would you like to buy a copy of my book, so I can kick your ass in the Amazon rankings?”
Marshall: This is very interesting. All of us, including our faithful commenters basically say that they would leave her alone. But is there any doubt that if Cindy saw the Secretary Rumsfeld or another senior administration official at baggage claim, she would have rushed right over to vent her spleen? Not in my mind. That’s precisely what would have happened.
Scarlett: When it comes to Ms. Sheehan, the word ‘whore’ pops into my head. I probably would’ve walked up to her and asked her what it felt like to be an attention whore, or if she was proud of whoring out her son’s memory. Anything to work that word into the conversation.
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September 25, 2006 - 1:24 pm
While I agree you made the right decision, it would have been cool if you asked her if Hugo is as passionate in the sack as he is at the podium.
Sure it’s a sickening thought, but it’d be good for a laugh. At least to those of us with the mentality of a 12 year old.
September 25, 2006 - 6:08 pm
I had a similar opportunity a few weeks ago when I was waiting to board a commuter flight with Dennis Kucinich. I tried to think of what to say, but in the end could come up with nothing graceful. So I said nothing.
What would I say to Cindy Sheehan? “I’m sorry for your loss” and then let it lay. If the conversation went further, I’d explain that my son served as a prison guard in Iraq.
From time to time, I run into people who are very critical of the war in Iraq, President Bush, and his administration. It happened just this weekend when I was sitting next to a very old vet on a flight out East. I usually acknowledge that the situation is very difficult, and then I talk about my son’s experiences at Camp Bucca and sentiments that I’ve read directly from Iraqis. I can’t recall ever parting on bad terms from one of these conversations - at least in my perception.
Pray this will all be over sooner than later, and Cindy Sheehan and her abusive enablers will have no platform for making fools of themselves.
September 25, 2006 - 9:03 pm
I had this EXACT experience with Barak Obama a few months ago.
After a moment of silent consideration, I ended up going with, “Ow! Excuse me, Senator, but you just ran over my foot with your carry-on!”
He didn’t even slow down.