During the presidency of George Walker Bush, Democrats were fervently opposed to war. At the time, the United States was entering a new era of greater interventionism in the post 9/11 world. After the horrific attacks of September 11th, the Bush Administration began justifying a series of conflicts under the War on Terror. After initially invading Afghanistan, Iraq was next on the list and remains a hotly debated topic to this day. While many Republicans at the time had seen intervention as necessary in order to stop terrorism abroad, many Democrats disagreed and protested loudly. The left had become anti-war all over again in response to Bush’s wars.

After her son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq, she became a prominent antiwar activist. She attracted widespread attention after she set up camp outside of former President Bush’s Texas ranch and protested the ongoing Iraq war. It was a polarizing event that saw strong opinions on both sides, generally with Republicans being skeptical while Democrats were supportive.

Sheehan questioned the legitimacy of the Iraq conflict from the beginning but did not become an active member of the anti-war movement until after her son was killed. She has since raised questions about the threat that Iraq posed to the United States, and has also stated that freedom and democracy were not the reason for the invasion.

Sheehan also has proved time and time again that she is not a partisan hack who just hated Bush, which makes sense why she would also come out against Democratic Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton.

In an article on the Independent Journal Review, Sheehan outlines several points about the post-Bush era in America. Whereas many supposedly anti-war liberals opposed Bush, many have gone silent against President Barack Obama. She calls these people out for not protesting the “War President”, as well. Whereas many anti-war liberals wanted Bush impeached for his wars, there has been silence from the left now. Sheehan, on the other hand, even ran for Congress in 2008 against Nancy Pelosi over her failure to support impeachment against Bush.

Another interesting point Sheehan makes is in regards to this election, echoing something Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein also said. While Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is regularly attacked for his rhetoric, Clinton’s actual record of war support is ignored. Clinton even supported the Iraq War.

If Cindy Sheehan were just like any other partisan liberal who didn’t have the stomach for holding the left accountable, this would be completely dumbfounding. However, she has proven time and time again that her concern is with war, and that her principle is consistent. From running against Nancy Pelosi to criticizing “War President” Barack Obama, she has criticized Democrats for war support just as she is now against Hillary Clinton.

The reason Sheehan started Camp Casey outside of former President George W. Bush’s ranch was to protest the war, not put the Democratic Party back in power to perpetuate more war. The military-industrial complex is alive and well and exists across party lines. More on the left should be like Sheehan and less like Hillary Clinton.