Cindy Sheehan speaks about Iraq war, Powell at De Anza

Sheehan and other speakers were part of the "Camp Casey" protest in Texas last summer. The camp was named after Sheehan's son Casey Sheehan, killed in Iraq in April 2004.

Sheehan's appearance was part of the three days of protest planned by students, faculty and community members in response to speeches scheduled tonight through Friday by Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State. Powell will speak at De Anza's Flint Center over three nights as a part of the Celebrity Forum Series.

During her speech, Sheehan referred to Powell as an "ex-military killer," and said, "Some of us are covered in blood, and Colin Powell is one of those people."

She said Powell was a highly respected figure, and war in Iraq might have been averted if Powell had spoken against it or resigned in protest. She called Powell's endorsement of military action in Iraq "the final nail in my son's coffin."

She said people should stop military recruitment on school campuses. Casey Sheehan attended Solano Community College in Fairfield, California. He joined the military after a campus recruiter talked him into it. He was 21.

She laughed as she talked about when she was asked if she really called President Bush a "lying bastard." She said someone who tells lies is a liar. "It might not be politically correct to say that, but who cares," Sheehan said. "I'm not running for anything."

During her speech, Sheehan said she plans to return to Crawford, Texas this Thanksgiving, and said that George and Laura Bush are invited. "Laura can bring the turkey," she said, followed by laughter from the audience.

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