Moms and Guns

Another New York Times article sports the headline "Mom's Protest Riles Gun-Toting Neighbor." Sure enough the Mom in question is Cindy Sheehan, mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, currently camped in front of President Bush's compound in Crawford, TX. I had assumed the "gun-toting neighbor" was Bush himself, but turns out it's a local by the name of Larry Mattlage.

"While about 60 in Sheehan's group held a religious service Sunday morning, a nearby landowner, Larry Mattlage, fired his shotgun twice into the air. Sheriff's deputies and Secret Service agents rushed to his house but did not arrest him. ''I ain't threatening nobody, and I ain't pointing a gun at nobody,'' Mattlage said. ''This is Texas.''

Meanwhile,

"More than 350 war protesters rallied at the site Saturday afternoon, hours after some 250 Bush supporters waved American flags in a counter rally across the street, holding signs that said Sheehan was unpatriotic and was hurting troop morale."

By all means, let's start hurling insults at the mothers of those who have died in this war. I'd say this was a new low, but there have been so many.

By the way, does anyone else find it shocking that, according to Ms. Sheehan, Pres. Bush referred to her as "Mom" when he met with her and other grieving parents of fallen soldiers last year? I'm trying to imagine the context: "My heart goes out to you, Mom, for your loss. Mom, be assured that your son died a hero in service to his country." The lack of respect is appalling. What goes on in that man's head?