Meaning: Cindy Sheehan, an American anti-war activist, posed the question, "What is the 'noble cause' for which you sent our country to war?" during her protest against the Iraq War. This quote encapsulates the heart of Sheehan's activism and serves as a powerful critique of the U.S. government's decision to go to war in Iraq.

Cindy Sheehan rose to national prominence in 2005 when she set up a protest camp near President George W. Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, demanding to speak with him about the death of her son, Casey, who was killed in action in Iraq. Sheehan's question challenges the government's justification for the war and highlights the human cost of armed conflict. The "noble cause" refers to the purported reason or moral purpose behind the decision to send American troops into war.

Sheehan's question resonated with many Americans who were grappling with the justifications put forth by the government for the war in Iraq. The invasion of Iraq in 2003 was justified by the Bush administration as a response to the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the need to remove Saddam Hussein from power. However, as the years went by and the WMDs were not found, the legitimacy of the war came under increasing scrutiny.

Sheehan's question also raises broader philosophical and ethical considerations about the nature of war and the responsibility of leaders to justify sending their citizens into harm's way. It challenges the notion of a "noble cause" and demands accountability from those in power.

In her activism, Sheehan sought to humanize the consequences of war and to hold the government accountable for its decisions. Her question encapsulates the anguish and anger of a grieving mother who, like many others, felt that the justifications for the war were insufficient to warrant the loss of so many lives.

The quote also reflects the broader anti-war sentiment that was prevalent during the Iraq War. Sheehan's protest and her question resonated with a significant portion of the American public who opposed the war and questioned its underlying rationale. The phrase "noble cause" became emblematic of the skepticism and dissent surrounding the war effort.

In the years since Sheehan's activism, the question she posed continues to reverberate in discussions about the Iraq War and U.S. foreign policy more broadly. It serves as a reminder of the need for critical examination of the reasons for going to war and the consequences of such decisions.

In conclusion, Cindy Sheehan's question, "What is the 'noble cause' for which you sent our country to war?" encapsulates the moral and ethical dilemmas surrounding the Iraq War and the broader issues of war and accountability. It challenges the justifications for armed conflict and demands a reckoning with the human cost of war. The quote stands as a powerful reminder of the need to critically evaluate the reasons for going to war and the responsibilities of those in power.