Once upon a time, politics stopped at the water's edge. We could passionately argue the merits of military action and diplomacy at home, but if Americans were in harm's way, we would come together as a country. Last night, we saw American forces initiate air strikes in Iraq. This morning, we saw unforgivably un-American rhetoric from the Speaker of the House.
American warplanes conducted their first air strikes in Iraq since President Barack Obama's decision to authorize them. Two F/A-18 Hornets attacked a mobile artillery piece that was shelling the Kurdish capital, Erbil, home to U.S. allies and a cadre of American diplomats and special operators, the Defense Department said.
"The decision to strike was made by the U.S. Central Command commander under authorization granted him by the commander in chief," said Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby
I believe this isn't a war of our choosing, it's one forced on us, but I can also accept that people might not agree with me and welcome their voices. What I cannot accept is using this, the gravest of Presidential decisions as an opportunity for partisan attacks. Moments ago, Speaker Boehner released the following shameful statement:
“The president’s authorization of airstrikes is appropriate, but like many Americans, I am dismayed by the ongoing absence of a strategy for countering the grave threat ISIS poses to the region. Vital national interests are at stake, yet the White House has remained disengaged despite warnings from Iraqi leaders, Congress, and even members of its own administration. Such parochial thinking only emboldens the enemy and squanders the sacrifices Americans have made. The president needs a long-term strategy – one that defines success as completing our mission, not keeping political promises – and he needs to build the support to sustain it. If the president is willing to put forward such a strategy, I am ready to listen and work with him. For now, I wish Godspeed to all our men and women participating in these operations.”
Shame on you, Mr. Speaker. Just once put this country ahead of right wing extremists.