Coincidences

YOU ARE VISITING THE OLD MALKIN(S)WATCH. THAT'S FANTASTIC. PLEASE VISIT THE NEW MALKIN(S)WATCH WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.

Until I read this fine Salon article by Eric Boehlert, it had escaped my notice that Cindy Sheehan was from Vacaville, CA. Until now, due to some weird coincidence, it has been the case that three of the strongest women I have ever come across have hailed from Vacaville, a town 580 miles away with a population of 90,000. One of them was my grandmother-in-law.

Now it's four. They must be putting something in the water down there. And let's not forget Cindy's daughter, Carly, who wrote this poem, reprinted entirely without permission:

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one, but
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies
The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say that he died so that the flag will continue to wave
But I believe he died because they had oil to save
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep
But if we the people let them continue another mother will weep.

My thoughts will be with Cindy Sheehan tomorrow as she officially becomes a 'threat to national security.' God forbid, but may I have the strength to be such a 'threat' should I be faced with the same situation.