The shock troops of social change are not pretty people.
The pretty ones come later, as the mainstream accepts the change, and finds folks with whom to negotiate. "At least they're not as bad as - - - - " is the statement.
The initial folks pretty much sacrifice themselves.
Having said that, Sheehan seems to have confused herself with the cause, much the way Bush believes his ego is the country. The cause is bigger than Sheehan, and the country, well, nothing is a big as Bush's ego.
Arf