The "Cindy Sheehan is a Lying B**ch" Bus Tour

Locals like to say that everyone in America passes through Amarillo, but nobody stops. (I got the I-40 blues...). Well, here's a group that has made Amarillo a destination, if only for a couple hours. Not that we should be welcoming this bunch with open arms.

OK. They call it the "Cindy, you don't speak for me" tour. Funny, doesn't that turn of phrase sound somehow familiar? Ya, the Republican spin cycle has been cranked into high gear in the desperate attempt to somehow change the subject from what John Stewart months ago presciently called "Mess o' Potamia."

The group, called Move America Forward, has "spontaneously" organized a group of pro-war parents of Iraq KIA's to tour the country, ending up in Crawford in a few days. They started off their tour yesterday (Monday) in Cindy Sheehan's home town, Vacaville, California. The AP filed this story, which seems to describe a group of folks who are just upset with Sheehan's message. But a little investigation reveals that, according to sourcewatch.org, Move America Forward is a wholly-owned creature of a Republican-connected public relations firm, Russo, Marsh and Rogers.

At their web site, Move America Forward provides a very professional itinerary for its spontaneous bus tour, complete with visits to local newspapers and tv stations along the route. They have also done their advance homework, contacting local media well in advance. Not exactly what you'd expect from jus' a bunch o' momz an' dadz with good hearts. The Amarillo Peace Farm received an inquiry today from a Globe-Republican reporter, requesting comment on this group, because (you guessed it, you sly dog) Amarillo is on their schedule. The itinerary is open to change, which is standard operating procedure for a professional political operation.

This phony baloney outfit is scheduled, as of this writing, to be in Amarillo late this Thursday, August 25, for what is billed as a "media appearance" from 4-6 p.m. Flash protesters, get ready. Let's give 'em a nice, polite but firm Panhandle welcome. We don't yet know exactly where they will appear, though a good guess is either in front of the Globe-Republican building or at one of the tv stations. Keep your eyes on this space for updated information. Meanwhile, a few nice, handmade signs with slogans like "Support the troops; bring them home" or "Stop Changing the Subject, George" or just "Speak To Her" would be appropriate.

It's time to get up from the keyboard and do something real, folks. It's important to be considerate, as some of these folks really did lose their kid, and those soldiers, marines and airmen deserve nothing but our deepest respect. But those who whipped the parents up into a fervor and sponsored this trip are Republican operatives who don't care who they use to prop up their ugly little war. If we let them pass without notice, we are shirking our duty as citizens.

DEMOPHOENIX