According to Reuters.co.uk:

Antiwar protester Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, is moving her camp closer to President George W. Bush's Texas ranch.

The piece of private property was offered by a relative of a man who had a fired shotgun in frustration over the protests, a source in the Sheehan camp said. The property owner is also a veteran.

"A neighbour of President Bush's has offered us his land," the source said. "It's got plenty of acreage for us, it's private land, we would have legal permission to be on it, it's much closer to the ranch -- in fact it's across the street from his (Bush's) church."

"We have taken him up on his offer," the source added.

This is an interesting twist, since the new host is not only a veteran -- he's a cousin of "Shotgun Larry":

According to the source, the land offered to Sheehan is owned by Fred Mattlage, who is a distant cousin of Larry Mattlage, a man who fired a shotgun over the weekend in frustration over the commotion caused by the vigil.

The source said Fred Mattlage made the offer saying "I'm a veteran, I support what you all are doing and I want to offer you my land."

And it's confirmed:

Miracles happen all the time here at Camp Casey, and this one in particular is pretty amazing: Crawford resident Fred Mattlage has offered us his land as a new base for our camp! This land is a gift in more than one sense-- it is more private and secure than our current location on Prarie Chapel road; it provides us with more space to set up; and it's a HECK of a lot closer to Bush's ranch. It is also adjacent to the church Bush attends while in Crawford, so maybe we'll get a glimpse of him this Sunday. And who knows, during his time in God's house he might just be moved to walk over and greet Cindy. But then, perhaps this is too great a miracle to expect.

With this new, exciting opportunity comes some new needs. This site has far fewer trees than the old one, and so we're going to be baking under the Texas sun. To help us stay healthy and cool, we REALLY need the following:

1. large tents (both the camping type and the canopy type)

2. tarps

And remember, our much larger campsite means that we now have more room for YOU!!! Whether you can stay for a few hours, a few days or until the end of August, you are welcome at Camp Casey. People keep streaming in from all over the United States and the world, and we are so thrilled to have them.

So it seems the grieving can continue without fear of the police, malevolent pick-up truck drivers and curmudgeonly trigger fingers.

Meanwhile, the hysterical right continues its cries of alarm over, and attempts at character assassination of, a grieving mother. Tonight on the NewsHour, "Gadzooks" Gaffney said Sheehan is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

Yeah, you heard that right, folks. Democracy in America threatens democracy in Iraq.

As justification for their bellowing, they keep pointing at the malicious behavior of the insurgents. As if bad behavior elsewhere in the world gives us a free pass from our moral values. And it certainly doesn't mean that we shouldn't ask questions of our leaders, and demand accountability. 1,856 American soldiers dead. 255 contractors dead. 13,877 wounded. Officially.

But this isn't only a collective mourning of those who must not be mentioned -- let alone reported on. More voices from veterans and active military are sounding off ... and have shown up at Camp Casey. Scott Galindez reports:

Many active duty troops have been coming to show their support for Cindy. Tonight an enlisted man came to the camp with supplies. He met Cindy and showed his support. Cindy estimates that she has met with 10 active duty soldiers this week. I spoke with the soldier who visited tonight. He is getting out of the military next month. He told me that many of his fellow soldiers are supportive of Cindy and other military families, but they also believe in the war. We are making progress though.

This Bush Administration has shamed the country through its abuse and disrespect of the military and those who serve by giving them a vague mission that seems to change by the week, not providing them with the armor and supplies necessary (and at $9 million an hour, don't tell me we can't afford it), and then hiding the return of their bodies -- not to mention the scandalous underfunding of the Veteran's Administration.

Now, as military families grieve, the chickenhawks mock them, attack them, threaten them. That is shameful behavior, in my book. It's un-American.

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