General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forumse.mail from Tulsi Gabbard:
As you have no doubt heard by now, I met with President-elect Donald Trump earlier today.
He asked me to meet with him to discuss our current policies regarding Syria, our fight against terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as other foreign policy challenges we face.
It would have been easier for me to refuse this meeting. The establishment and social media have been talking about this all day. But I never have and never will play politics with American and Syrian lives.
In fact, like President Obama, I firmly believe that now is the time for us to put our country first, and come together, regardless of political party, and tackle the many challenges we face.
This was an opportunity to advocate for peaceand I felt it was important to take the opportunity to meet with the President-elect to counteract neocons steady drumbeats of war, which threaten to drag us into an escalation of the war to overthrow the Syrian government.
This war has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions of refugees to flee their homes in search of safety for themselves and their families. It has also strengthened al-Qaeda and other violent, extremist groups in the region. It would have been irresponsible not to accept this invitation. I feel it is my duty to take every single opportunity I get to advocate for peace, no matter the circumstances of those meetings.
I shared with him my grave concerns that escalating the war in Syria by implementing a so-called no-fly/safe zone would be disastrous for the Syrian people, our country, and the world. It would lead to more death and suffering, exacerbate the refugee crisis, strengthen ISIS and al-Qaeda and bring us into a direct conflict with Russiapotentially resulting in a nuclear war. We discussed my bill to end our countrys illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government and the need to focus our precious resources on rebuilding our country, and on defeating al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist groups who pose a threat to the American people.
Also, where I disagree with President-elect Trump on issues, I will not hesitate to express that disagreement. You didnt send me to Washington to make friends with the political elite. You sent me to represent you, and I am committed to doing just that.
In short: I will never allow partisanship to undermine our national security when the lives of countless people lay in the balance.
If that earns me enemies in Washington or at the State Department, then so be it.
I hope youll continue to stand with me and stay engaged. The cause of peace is too great for us to allow political disagreements or partisanship to stand in our way.
Aloha,
Tulsi Gabbard
LenaBaby61
(6,974 posts)frazzled
(18,402 posts)Assad not mentioned anywhere in this letter? I'm not entirely buying the peace talk here. What is not said is more significant than what is said.
BainsBane
(53,035 posts)Or head one up for LGBT Americans?
think
(11,641 posts)BainsBane
(53,035 posts)You think just because she endorsed Bernie, she's some sort of progressive? She's the right's favorite Dem because she's so far to the right on Muslims. http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/curious-islamophobic-politics-dem-congressmember-tulsi-gabbard
She comes from a long-line of Republicans but ran as a Dem because Republicans can't win in her district.
DURHAM D
(32,610 posts)msongs
(67,413 posts)gulliver
(13,186 posts)Wait, she was on Dubya's team, right? He launched her career right into the toilet.