DEJA VU

I was reading today about Cindy Sheehan, mother of Casey Sheehan, a soldier who was killed in Iraq last year. For those that don't know, Mrs. Sheehan has been camped out, not far from a ranch in Texas that President Bush owns and is currently vacationing at, since August 6. She is protesting the war in Iraq and wants the president to meet with her and other families of soldiers who have been killed in the war. She has since been joined by a few hundred others who share her view of the war.

The media have jumped all over her story and, consequently, have helped to raise the profile of the anti-war movement. Tonight a vigil is planned at various sites around the world in support of Mrs. Sheehan and against the war war in Iraq. As one might suspect, this type of activity is bringing about similar action from those for the war. A group of pro-war demonstrators has set up camp across the road from Mrs. Sheehan and her supporters. They accuse her of being "unpatriotic" and "hurting troop morale." One nearby resident, Larry Mattlage, even went so far as to fire his shotgun twice into the air while some of the anti-war demonstrators were holding a religious service. When confronted by the authorities, the local police and the secret service, he said, ""I ain't threatening nobody, and I ain't pointing a gun at nobody," Mattlage said. "This is Texas." He said that he had fired the gun in preparation for duck hunting season. When asked if he had any other motive for his display he said, "Figure it out for yourself."

I've figured it out. He's a moron. A hick. An old-fashioned rube. A throwback to the old days when some folks in this country felt free to demonstrate their dedication to "traditional" American values like bigotry, sexism and the persecution of anyone who didn't fit into their perception of decent folk or those who dared voice their dissent. True, he hasn't burned any crosses or participated in any lynchings that I know of...yet, but his act, to me, is disturbingly familiar.

He says he, "ain't threatening nobody." I don't know what most people would make of someone firing a high-powered weapon near them, but I for one would certainly consider it threatening. Maybe things are a little different down in the big ole state of Texas. He did say, "This is Texas." What's that mean? When people piss us off down here we're civilized enough to give them a warning shot first? Is that what he's bragging about? And what's next, now that the warning has been given?

It just reminds me some of the tactics used 40 years ago in the south when some had the nerve to try and vote and others had the audacity to try and help them. There were "warnings" first there too. Then they upped the ante some.