An Open Letter to Bill Ford, Jr.

By Cindy Sheehan, AlterNet. Posted May 9, 2005.

To: Bill Ford, Jr.
CEO, Ford Motor Co.

Dear Mr. Ford,

My son Casey was killed in action in Iraq on April 4, 2004. He was an excellent human being and I am sure he would have contributed much to our society if he wasn't sent to a needless war to make some evil people in the world richer.

Casey was very interested in the environment and in ecology, and very concerned about climate change. I am writing this letter to you for him, for the rest of our world's children, and for future generations, because, as manufacturer of the world's worst fleet when it comes to fuel efficiency, it's time for you to take immediate action to help break our oil addiction.

Mr. Ford, there are few things in this world that irritate me more than seeing a "Support our Troops" yellow ribbon magnet on the back of one of your huge SUV gas guzzlers. I believe one of the reasons that our greedy mis-leaders invaded Iraq was for control of the oil fields. What do your huge, gas-guzzling, polluting vehicles need to be able to run? Oil. I think it is very hypocritical for people to slap Support our Troops magnets on these same monster cars. We have had hundreds of our children killed to gain control of the oil fields; while guarding oil fields and pipelines; and while guarding the convoys of oil tankers. Our nation's insatiable thirst for oil is also ruining an innocent country and killing tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

Mr. Ford, invasions and occupations to steal another nations' resources are immoral. People, including my son, die to line the pockets of the already wealthy elite. Do you have children? Do you have a child fighting in Iraq? Do you have a child guarding an oil field so his or her inheritance can be greater? My son died so you and yours can make more money.

Mr. Ford, I believe that you and your company have a huge stake in keeping this war going and in keeping the oil flowing. Where will this corrupt administration and its policy of preemptive invasions take us next? To the oil fields of Iran? To what lengths will companies like yours go to increase your bottom line? How many more young people are you willing to sacrifice to make your bank account grow? Mr. Ford, are you willing to have the blood of more fine young Americans on your hands? Are you willing to continue destroying the ecology of our planet?

It's very simple, Mr. Ford: we need to end the occupation now and bring our children home. You and your company need to take the lead in designing and manufacturing more fuel-efficient cars -- and fast. Your company needs to begin today to help reduce our nations' dependence on foreign oil. Your company needs to take immediate action to reduce your fleet's greenhouse gas emissions to help prevent climate change. It is too late for you to do this for my son, but you can do it in Casey's memory. Do it for your children and for the world's children.

You and your family may be fabulously wealthy beyond my imagination. However, you are all connected to this planet and to humanity. We are all in this together. I think it's about time you and your company and your family realized this fact. Start acting like you are part of humanity, not above it.

I hope that at your annual shareholder's meeting in Delaware, on May 12, that you will discuss my concerns and work to take immediate action to increase the fuel efficiency of Ford's fleet. They are not my concerns alone. Nearly 1,600 American troops have died in Iraq and millions more people are in harm's way. From now on your company's actions should be life affirming, not life-taking.

Cindy Sheehan is co-founder of Gold Star Families for Peace. She is one of hundreds of mothers who have written to Bill Ford Jr. urging him to take immediate action to help break our oil addiction.

Liked this story? Get top stories in your inbox each week from AlterNet! Sign up now »