The Power of One

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
- Mother Teresa

This week, the established media had its gluttonous desire for sensation and propaganda disturbed as a lone individual sought to hold accountable those whose decisions resulted in the death of her son. Cindy Sheehan who lost her son in Iraq has been lionized by those against the Iraq war for her attempt to hold President Bush accountable. Not surprisingly, her heart-felt and eloquently expressed position has drawn the ire of the powerful pro-war lobby who have been rabid in their attempts to discredit her. Rupert Murdoch's Fox News has been particularly pernicious in its attempts to smear her.

I must admit to admiration for this woman. It takes courage to challange the prevailing meme. The fact that the right-wing propaganda machine is in a frenzy to discredit her speaks volumes about how well aimed her blow has been. And while those of us in the "reality based" community might realise that these attacks on Cindy are based on lies, most viewers of Fox's fascistic "hour of hate" (aka "The O'Reilly Factor" ) are unlikely to come across the facts.

Still, just like the drops in the ocean, the attempt is still worth making. If even one mind is opened, one heart is softened, one opinion changed, one life saved, then the fight has been worth it.