Fresh off the presses at the WaPo:
Democrats Reject Key 9/11 Panel Suggestion
It was a solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over: If elected to the majority in Congress, Democrats would implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
But with control of Congress now secured, Democratic leaders have decided for now against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers.
The new Congress hasn't even started up yet, and already we're breaking promises? This isn't OK, and it makes us look like bullshit artists. I've already gotten two emails from Republican friends today along the lines of "So much for implementing all the 9/11 recs!".
This is the sort of thing we should be angry about. Yes, I recognize that the Democrats are still infinitely more likely to actually do something meaningful about security than the Republicans ever were. And for the record, I'm a diehard Democrat who has volunteered, made phone calls, donated, all that jazz.
But now that we're in power, it's crucial that we actually do our best to make good on promises. And if it's true that this is the reason:
Pelosi strongly backed Murtha for House majority leader, only to see him soundly defeated by Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (Md.). That chain of events made it difficult for her to ask Murtha, a longtime ally, to relinquish control of the intelligence budget from his consolation prize, the chairmanship of the Appropriations defense subcommittee, according to Democratic sources.
Then the problem is even more serious. If Murtha doesn't agree with the 9/11 panel recommendations, fine. But the Democratic Congress' duty is not to ensure that Murtha is happy with his appointment. It is to ensure that promises made become promises kept, and that the real security concerns of this nation are actuallt dealt with.
So: Call your representative and ask them if they intend to let this happen.