I just got a bizarre note and petition from Ted Kennedy, asking me to encourage the president to "make the case" for a troop surge and "justify" it so Americans can get behind it and Congress can support it.
There is hardly a hint of cutting off those funds if the case for escalation is weak - as if the latest proposals by Democrats don't exist, don't matter, and couldn't possibly be worthy of consideration along with George W. Bush's next proposal.
I've always respected Kennedy, but he's blowing it here by closing ranks with the weakest members of his party. They're setting themselves up perfectly for Iraq to become the Democrats' war. Kennedy and the other Senators desperately need to hear from us this week.
Here's a link to Kennedy's petition. I can see what he's trying to do, but because because his leadership [sic] has tipped its hand about funding, he's actually moving two steps toward making the status quo and escalation in Iraq "Our Decision" - in fact, that's the title of his petition.
Senator Kennedy,
I'm very disappointed by your letter, petition, and proposal. The US needs to get out of Iraq - not encourage the president to find new justifications and "make his case" for expanding the occupation. The funds need to be stopped, not justified. In your letter, why in the world don't you mention any of the real leaders in Congress - the ones with thoughtful plans for getting out of Iraq responsibly, like Barbara Lee, John Murtha, Lynn Woolsey, or Dennis Kucinich? Why in the world would you rather contemplate the president's latest disastrous plan, without even having seen it? Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are giving you terrible advice.
You're going to get a needlessly weak response to your petition. The Democrats are already abandoning the majority that just elected them. I can't sign it.
Most Americans know this isn't about Iraq's refusal to take responsibility, - I'm ashamed to see you use Bush administration talking points and framing instead of the truth. This is about a Congress that continues to fund an immoral, dangerous war even after the public reasons for it have evaporated. A Congress that would rather discuss ways to "justify" escalation than peace - and which would rather not discuss the more private reasons, like lucrative new Iraq oil contracts moving forward this week.
I voted for you many times, and I've been proud to see you protect America. But today I'm ashamed. You must join the progressive Democrats on Iraq and stop misguided efforts by "leadership" to marginalize them. We must get plane tickets home for those brave troops, and stop any other funding that could keep them in Iraq in harm's way.
I hate being ashamed of you. Please send a reply.
--by Levity
No comments:
Post a Comment