A Turkey Shoot

[Generic Other]

The most pathetic bipartisan display of cowardice ever to be seen in the House of Representatives took place in the dead of night last night when Republicans and Democrats voted down a resolution to end the occupation in Iraq by a vote of 404-3. Democrats were quick to point out that they only voted against the Republican introduced resolution because they believed it a "cheap trick" by the Republicans to force Democrats to take a public stand, to go on record. Cheap trick or not, go on record they did.

In spite of the fact that the majority of Americans have expressed their oppostion to the continued occupation of Iraq, Democrats in the House went on record as supporting the Bush administration's Iraq policy. Crossing their bloodstained fingers behind their backs, they reminded us that politics is a big game and that how they voted did not necessarily reflect what they really believed, but the all-consuming fear that voting their consciences would somehow hurt their re-election chances.

Afraid to stand up for their principles, these politicians instead agreed to sit down and feast on warmed-over crow served by gleeful Republicans. Twice now in the face of opposition from the rank and file of their own party, the Democrats have failed to take a stand against the neo-con tyranny of their Republican colleagues. Afraid of the political fallout that might be generated if they actually stood up to Republicans, they merely beat their chests threateningly, then stood in line to vote with the Republicans. It was a pathetic and empty gesture.

For those of us who have gotten used to the sight of cowering liberals, it was another in a continuing series of disappointments in our party's leadership. Perhaps it is unfair for me to heap abuse on them as they will be excoriated in the press for their cowardly actions, ridiculed by Republicans for their inconsistent positions, and generally held in contempt by
many in their own party for their political strategy; however, they are not the only ones who will suffer and their pain seems insignificant in comparsion to the pain others will feel because of their political "games."

How many more American men and women will die on the front lines in a war with no clear mission or goal because Congress does not support the troops but rather allows them to wallow in the quagmire, all because our representatives are unable to step back from their own flawed support for this war? How many Americans who oppose a pre-emptive strike policy based on imperialistic designs to extend our control over sovereign nations will see an extension of this policy as Bush casts his eyes on other countries' territory and natural resources? Will the Democrats now assume their share of the responsibility for the fact that the illegal occupation of Iraq will be extended indefinitely? Worst of all, how many of their constituents voices already raised in dissent will be silenced using this vote as a gag?

A vote in support of continuing this war was wrong. It reminds us all that those in power care about nothing, believe in nothing, and do nothing other than focus on their own self-interest.

Chest thumping like proud turkeys the weekend before Thanksgiving.

[The Doctor.]

1. So will they bring back the original resolution?

Seriously, the switch may have worked, but that doesn't mean they can't vote on the original resolution.

[Generic Other]

3. How likely will the GOP be to let them even introduce a new resolution?

I'm sure not going to hold my breath on that one.

[Lex]

2. I'm glad Dems didn't fall for the Repubs counterfeit Murtha resolution.

Clearly they were trying to tag the "cut n' run" tag on the Dems and the Dems said, "No thanks."

Vote on the real Murtha resolution.

[Generic Other]

4. "Cut and run" sounds a damn sight better than "Err ad nauseum"

Sometime, you just have to admit you are wrong. This was one of those times.

[Lex]

5. If you were expecting them to admit they were wrong on the House floor

you might need to adjust your expectations.

We might soon get some kind of plan to get the troops out, but none of them will admit they were wrong while standing on the House floor.

[Generic Other]

6. So they will wait until 50,000 American lives are lost before

the last plane leaves Danang? All because they can't admit they were wrong?

My first husband is still in a VA psych ward because of their refusal to admit when they were wrong. Hue 1968.

[Lex]

8. I didn't say it was right. Or even defensible.

Just that realistically they will not stand on the House Floor and say, "We were wrong. Bring them home right now."

[GreenArrow]

9. it seems like it would hard to find a more appropriate place

for them to say it than on the house floor. Maybe in some tribunal somewhere would be better...

[Lex]

10. Fantasy.

I was speaking to what realistically will happen.

[Generic Other]

11. real and surreal have blended so often in the past 5 years

that I can't always tell the difference anymore.

I feel like I learned a terrible truth last night. There are three Democrats whose true views on this war are now clear to me. I already know how the evil Repubs will vote. I still don't know what the representatives I, and many others like me, have helped elect to office would vote for, or truly believe. This distresses me.

[Nitrogenica]

7. Again, they try to define Democrats without any respect for us.

Most Republicans are permanently stuck in negative campaign mode, with no regard, no respect for what average working people, or Democrats (debateably more than 50% of this great nation) feel about any issue. A culture of rich people telling poor people how to think, how to act, and what they are about.

[Generic Other]

12. I agree Repubs are evil

I just feel like we were offered two deaths--a noble one and an ignominious one. And our poor Democratic leaders sacrificed their lives for the the latter.