Answer the woman's question

My son is a Marine. He was in Iraq during what was apparently the "safe" part of the war, the part before the mission was "accomplished."

If they were polled, most parents and spouses of military members serving in a war would admit that they've imagined that horrific moment when somber-faced men in dress uniform appear at their door to deliver the worst news a mother or father or husband or wife could hear.

I've imagined it. I didn't want to, but in dark times, our minds tend to take us to dark places, whether we want to be there or not. Fortunately, the men in uniform never paid me a visit.

Cindy Sheehan's experience goes beyond macabre imagination. Her son Casey died in Iraq last year. Since then, one way she has assuaged her pain has been to get involved with anti-war groups.

Now she has taken it a step further. Cindy Sheehan is currently in Crawford, Texas, leading a small group of protestors as close as authorities will allow her to President Bush's ranch. Sheehan says she wants a face-to-face with Bush. She has a simple request:

"I want to ask the president, 'Why did you kill my son? What did my son die for?'"

I've seen countless TV interviews with recently-bereaved parents of soldiers who, through their tears, would smile a sad smile and declare their pride that their children had died protecting our freedom. I don't doubt the sincerity of these parents for a moment, nor do I discount their childrens' sacrifice.

But I know that if it were me, I couldn't be so noble. My fury would know no bounds.

As unlikely as it is that Bush will meet with Sheehan, if he did, his answer would not likely stray from the talking points that everyone connected with the administration offers when asked about the wisdom of our presence in Iraq.

But I'd still like to see him make the effort.