President Disses Wiccan Widow

SNARL.


I need a dartboard with that man's face on it.

I would have thought the Las Vegas Review Journal would know the difference between "tenants" and "tenets."

Well, if it weren't just an unintended oversight due to Bush-administration incompetence (and c'mon, we're talking Bush here), and a purposeful slight against the widow of a soldier who died serving his country ... that sucks.

Other members of the soldier's family were invited, and "Bush knew" he was a Wiccan, though?

So why were they invited, if the intent was to diss a Wiccan soldier?

"I would have loved to have spoken to President Bush and ask him why he dishonored my husband," she said. "That's probably why I wasn't invited."

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But I agree with everyone who'd be disgusted that a President would show disrespect to the widow of any fallen soldier, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Wiccan, etc who died defending our country.

I don't even care about Bush's personal opinion of another religion -- he's there representing our nation and a soldier who died for our nation. Period. Respect is due.

D do not know anything of the Wiccan religion but if that fella cannot keep his own disses clean he should stay the hell out of the way-but after all he is a God fearing man-peace to all and to all a good night-and to the righteous-I say good hunting and let the peace lovers in peace-oh and Warriors in general are peace lovers-that's why they are warriors-luv Dave

I can say it's disappointing, but that wouldn't be entirely accurate. For there to be disappointment, there would also have to be some level of surprise.

I'm Wiccan and Republican with no great amount of love for Bush... but it was a Sheehan Conundrum: meet with her and let her turn the meeting into an opportunity for her to make her point with the president at the expense of the others present? Or leave her out so the other family members get their moment? Despicable, yes, to exclude her if it's her religion, but was it her religion or her intent? How much respect does her attitude and primary choice of venue for confrontation show for the families of the other widows?

There's a time and a place. That meeting wasn't it.

How much respect does her attitude and primary choice of venue for confrontation show for the families of the other widows?

One could make the argument that not continuing the fight for religious freedom is a disservice to those who swore to protect the Constitution.
One could also make the argument that, when the Commander in Chief picks and chooses which widows and families he chooses to recognize, it's less about honoring sacrifice and more about the photo op and shoring up flagging approval ratings.
If...yanno...one had become jaded and cynical by the sheer immensity of outrageous behavior in Washington.

Anyone got a picture of that tombstone? I'd like to see it with the pentacle on it.

PattiTheWicked said:

OFG, I do see where you're coming from, but I have to respectfully disagree. A president is an elected official, and he has an obligation to listen to the voices of his constituents, whether he likes what they have to say or not, and whether or not he feels the venue or timing is appropriate.

If one dead soldier is the victim of discriminatory treatment by our government, then it affects all of them, all the widows, and all Americans. Every single one of us, of every spiritual path, should be concerned.

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Boldfaced mine:

In regards to the boldfaced text-yes, I agree, a president is an elected official and should be obligated to listen to the voices of his constituents whether he likes what they are saying or not --- BUT --- are the other people present, the other widows, family members etc. obligated to listen too? I also understand your point about discrimination hurting not just one, but all, but perhaps there's a time and place to demonstrate against discrimination AND a time and a place to grieve. Perhaps it was thought that this event was the time and a place for the latter not the former.

It's unfortunate that such tragedy has to be endured by anyone.

Take care all -

Plot Device said:

Anyone got a picture of that tombstone? I'd like to see it with the pentacle on it.

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PattiTheWicked said:

I agree, to an extent, and I'm certainly not saying that Roberta Stewart should have gone in there screaming and waving a sign at all the other widows or anything. She did, however, say that she wanted to ask the president why he had disrespected her husband, and I think that's a legitimate question, rather than a demonstration. It's just a shame that any family has to go through this sort of thing, regardless of their faith.

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It is a legitimate question, but perhaps fearing what might happen after the question was asked, the president, or his handlers, decided not to extend an invite to this woman -- and perhaps since this could (or has already...?) end up in court with some sort of discrimination case, the president/handlers decided it was best to leave those type of legitimate questions for a courtroom, and not at an event where the president chose to meet with greiving widows/family members.
Thanks for the discussion.

When I saw this I too guessed that they wanted to avoid a public spectacle. And I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. If I'm one of the other grieving families, I don't want this solemn affair being interrupted by some woman raking the president over the coals about her husband's tombstone.

That said, perhaps Bush might have arranged for a private meeting with her, or sent her a little note beforehand. Simply not inviting her is either a stupid oversight or just rude.

Immortal, it already was in court. Here's a link to more info.

There is no legitimate excuse for her not being invited, handlers or otherwise. It disrespects not only her, but every service member and military family member.

Williebee said:

Immortal, it already was in court. Here's a link to more info.

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Thanks for the info/discussion.

Take care all -

Jenan Mac said:

How much respect does her attitude and primary choice of venue for confrontation show for the families of the other widows?

One could make the argument that not continuing the fight for religious freedom is a disservice to those who swore to protect the Constitution.
One could also make the argument that, when the Commander in Chief picks and chooses which widows and families he chooses to recognize, it's less about honoring sacrifice and more about the photo op and shoring up flagging approval ratings.
If...yanno...one had become jaded and cynical by the sheer immensity of outrageous behavior in Washington.

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Now, I never said I wasn't jaded and cynical...

PattiTheWicked said:

OFG, I do see where you're coming from, but I have to respectfully disagree. A president is an elected official, and he has an obligation to listen to the voices of his constituents, whether he likes what they have to say or not, and whether or not he feels the venue or timing is appropriate.

If one dead soldier is the victim of discriminatory treatment by our government, then it affects all of them, all the widows, and all Americans. Every single one of us, of every spiritual path, should be concerned.

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And I never said I wasn't concerned. I've been concerned - downright disgusted, thoroughly dismayed, and pissed off, as well - I'm just saying it wasn't the time or the place, for the sake of the families.

The fact he won't talk to either Sheehan or Patrick's widow at all is another issue entirely.

I agree. They've done a beautiful job keeping these 'private' meetings with families private - when they want to. So... how come they couldn't meet with Sheehan (not that I'm a fan of hers) or Patrick in 'private'? It doesn't have to be a group meeting and it doesn't have to be a photo-op.

Hell... he could call the woman. Don't presidents have phones?

This just in:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070830-1353-nv-wiccanwidow.html

FALLON, Nev. – President Bush called a Fallon military widow on Thursday and apologized for her not being invited to a private meeting earlier this week in Reno, when he met briefly with the families of fallen Nevada soldiers.

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Dang! I guess they DO have phones!