And Speaking of Cheap Shots

As you know, dueling protests today in Crawford, with Cindy Sheehan's supporters rallying to her side, while the "Cindy Sheehan Doesn't Speak For Me" crowd counter-rallied across the street.

Now, we know that there were parents of fallen soldiers speaking at the second protest (since we heard them on Kelly O'Donnell's piece on NBC tonight.)

As many have pointed out, if Mrs. Sheehan's moral authority or grounding to speak comes from her status as a bereaved mother, well, as we know, that is hardly a status that is unique, and it's hard to argue that we should listen to her without simultaneously arguing that any other parent in the same category has the same call on our attention -- even when they disagree with Mrs. Sheehan.

But CBS's Mark Knoller, while using the clip of a parent speaking, takes careful pains to point out that she is "the mother of a Marine safely home."

You see the trick here.

Quote a parent, but be sure to quote one whose son is back home with his family, and only that parent, subtly making the argument that her support for the war (presumably the support of that entire group, since Knoller shows us no parent of a fallen troop) is a cheap and easy sentiment, since they have not walked the path Sheehan walks.

In other words, no, this mother who supports the war does not have the same moral authority Mrs. Sheehan does.

This turns the game of dueling protests into a game of dueling mothers -- who's mom has the greater demand on our attention, the greater moral authority -- and of course, as Knoller structures our view, the President loses and the anti-war forces win.

This assumes that what matters most is who's got the cooler mom speaking, a position I would reject. But to the extent that's the game, Knoller is playing that game a little fast and loose.

Comments

[Papa Ray]

Maybe she and her protesters need to read this. It is kinda old, but still true.

Why the USA Attacked Iraq.

[dauber]

Excellent -- thank you. I keep saying that it was said that there were too many justifications for war. Nice source for that position, thanks.

[Rosemary]

What happened to covering our men? After all, aren't they the ones that really count here, or am I missing the picture?

Sheehan has a huge PR firm, bought by Soros. The moveon.org crowd is there. Is there any question as to how far Left she is?

When he was going to re-enlist (I only heard this, not verified), she threatened him she would run him over if he did not go to Canada! If true, she is despicable.

I do not believe a word she says. Yes. I said it. I lost a son. Not in combat, but try that trick with me! We'll all learn some good morals, and have some fun doing it.

[dauber]

Ex post facto she has said something to the effect that if she knew then what she knows now she would have taken him to Canada, I think that's the quote you're thinking of. I don't think there's any evidence she's not being truthful about anything she's said, however. It's hardly her fault if many of the things she's said aren't quoted in the media.