First, Crawford is VERY small...one intersection on the highway. The people are friendly and passionate about their views.

The people at Camp Sheehan are also very passionate. The ladies of Code Pink and the Veterans for Peace are doing a fabulous job.

As one approaches Morgan Road, one sees the crosses with the American solder fatalities' names. Some are decorated with flowers or balloons. These were placed by the LA Chapter of Veterans for Peace.

The camp itself is just a collection of tents and vans on the easement of the road. Not exactly your full service or even county campground. There is a food shelter where people have donated breakfast bars, chips, bread, peanut butter, fruit and LOTS of water. If you are going out today, they DON'T need water. They really needed ICE yesterday.

Because there was a rally yesterday, there were lots of major news reporters and camera's. I was most surprised about how accessible Cindy Sheehan has made herself. She moves among the crowd, talks to everyone and is very gracious. She does appear to be a little fatigued by our Texas heat and humidity.

Many organizations from around the country are there in support. Veterans for Peace, Code Pink and Military Families against the War to name a few.

Beatriz Saldivar of Ft. Worth was another very impressive speaker. Her nephew, Sgt. Daniel Torres, was killed in Iraq in February. It was his second tour and he was a victim of Stop Loss. Her photo albums brought Daniel to life. When I looked up from the album, I saw the 600 crosses. It was very sobering to think that this family's grief is multiplied exponentially across the country.

I was shocked today when I saw two stories side by side in the Austin American Statesman. The first was about President Bush's fitness program (fitness as in exercise not competence). In the adjoining article, Mr. Bush explained that he couldn't meet with Mrs. Sheehan because he was biking.

BUSH SAYS "IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO GO ON WITH MY LIFE"

"I think the people want the president to be in a position to make good, crisp decisions and to stay healthy," he said when asked about riding a bike while a grieving mom wanted to speak with him. "And part of my being is to be outside exercising."

Full Austin American Statesman Article

Comments welcome. Please email debblog at tayloredmktg.com