When Will it End?

As Cindy Sheehan sits camped outside of Bush's ranch, waiting for what may never transpire, an audience with George W. Bush, there are new reports today that the National Guard and Reserve have "suffered more combat deaths in Iraq during the first 10 days of August — at least 32, according to a Pentagon count — than in any full month of the entire war."

More broadly, Pentagon casualty reports show that the number of deaths among Guard and Reserve forces has been trending upward much of this year, totaling more than 100 since May 1. That ranks as the deadliest stretch of the war for the Guard and Reserve, whose members perform both combat and support missions.

Today, speaking to reporters at his ranch, Bush reiterated that "Pulling the troops out would send a terrible signal to the enemy."

Lacking the true leadership to to do the right thing, Bush stubbornly holds to his positions. Rather than speak to directly to Cindy Sheehan, Bush said to reporters, "I sympathize with Mrs. Sheehan. She feels strongly about her position. She has every right in the world to say what she believes. This is America." What a cowardly cop out!

Rather than give Cindy Sheehan some time to express her grief, Bush was off today to a neighboring ranch for a fundraiser, there in showing his true priorities... the almighty dollar (that is sinking in value daily for poor in this country)...

He was scheduled to visit a neighbor's ranch for a barbecue where he was to help raise a couple million dollars for the GOP just by showing up.

The fundraiser for some 230 people at Stan and Kathy Hickey's Broken Spoke Ranch, a 478-acre spread next to Bush's ranch, was expected to raise at least $2 million for the Republican National Committee, according to RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.

Actor, activist Viggo Mortensen paid a visit to Cindy Sheehan yesterday at Camp Casey to show his support. Cindy also got some support from John Kerry and Ted Kennedy yesterday in her quest to obtain a meeting with Bush.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday each threw their support behind Cindy Sheehan, who has been camped outside Bush's Crawford, Texas, home since Saturday, vowing not to leave until the president meets with her about the war. Sheehan's 24-year-old Marine son, Casey, was killed five days after he arrived in Iraq.

"The president has not leveled with our troops and the American people,'' Kennedy said. "I admire Cindy Sheehan for her courage and determination to make the president answer to her."

Kerry spokeswoman April Boyd said: "Senator Kerry understands the demands on Bush's schedule but hopes he will take time to meet with Mrs. Sheehan."