[Update] From
SisTwo's diary, listen to Brad,
live from Crawford until 4 p.m. CT!
In case you're interested in what some Crawford goers are saying about the experience, I'm posting some emails from two friends who are there, been there, or going back there. They've got Crawford Fever. Here's what they're saying:
Aug. 23, 10 p.m. email from Lauren of Lawrence, Kan.:
The short version: I'm in Crawford, Texas. I'm working as the volunteer coordinator at what we're currently calling Camp Casey II, and will be here, um, awhile. Probably at least through the weekend. I will try to return your mails when I get back but seeing's there's over 2000 right now, it may take awhile - try again if it's urgent.
Looks like Lauren's plans changed. An earlier email from August 15 read:
We're gonna head down to Crawford and take some Krispy Kremes and toilet paper to the occupying forces at Camp Casey.
We have room for one or two more if you're interested; it's about a 9 1/2 hour drive. We plan to leave Tuesday (Aug. 16), spend the night and then hang out Wednesday, and be back in Lawrence by Thursday. Most likely we'll leave sometime Wednesday and get back in town late that night.
Let me know if you're up for taking a drive.
Lauren
PS - Anyone know how to deal with fire ants?
Lauren also left me a voicemail on Monday, Aug. 22, saying only that the gathering was "stunning" and that her cellphone was working only intermittently.
My friend Christine from Coppell, Tex., wrote this on August 14 upon her return from Crawford (*starred paragraphs inserted from other post-crawford emails):
Hey Bob,
(My sons) Jordan (11 years old) and Jon (7) and I went to crawford today, along with several other friends and their kids. It was a scorcher, but we really had a great time.
*Jordan got into a discussion with someone on the other side. The guy said, you have your opinion and I have mine. Jordan said, you have your opinion and I have my facts. HA! I just wanted to HUG him. He was very proud that he got cussed at once and flipped off twice.
*I'm seriously considering going again this weekend. It was so cool to see everything that was happening. It reminds me of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, where all these different people from all over the country feel pulled to a certain spot. I just loved those pig farmers!
Besides cindy sheehan, the boys talked with and got photos with rep. maxine waters, tim goodrich (iraq vet who founded iraq vets against the war) and ann wright (former u.s. ambassador to afghanistan who resigned over iraq war). they also got snapped by, i'm not kidding, at least 30 or 40 news photographers and were filmed by NBC and Fox, along with four or five other stations. so you may see them on TV or in the newspaper. they were carrying signs that said "Who would Jesus bomb?" "What noble cause?" and "Chickenhawk in chief." one of the friends we went with is melody townsel. google her name along with John bolton's if you don't know who she is. Melody was interviewed by one of the TV networks, too. it was very sad to see the rows of white crosses and the photos and tributes to soldiers who have died. many of their family members were there. there was a huge cross-section of people, all ages, all races. The crawford peace house itself was very interesting, and it was cool to get an up-close look at everything that was going on.
*My brother is pissed that I took my sons there. He said I am brainwashing them. Then he started bitching that Cindy was against the war in Afghanistan. He is missing the whole point.
I hope this movement continues!!! we may try to go back again next weekend. :) - cp
Well she wasn't just whistling crawford. An email from Christine today, August 24:
Hi Bob,
My friends and I are going back again on Saturday. Randi Rhodes will be there! If Jordan and Jon are with me I won't be able to volunteer, but if
not, I'll try to hook up with Lauren and see if I can help - at least for a day. It really is an amazing experience to be there - the camaraderie is so cool -- and there are all ages, all types of people there. Really gives me a sense of HOPE! - cp