I’ve been on the phone again this morning, calling Senators about getting our troops out of Iraq ASAP. While I’ve attempted to be polite, I’ve also been righteously angry. While taking a short break to cool down a bit, I decided to ask for some help. I’ve been writing comments over the last few days, urging people to join the battle. BarbinMD suggested that I put my urgings into an Action Diary, so here it is.
I know most of you have been calling/writing/faxing your congress members whenever there have been important issues being considered in the House or Senate. I know you’ve probably contacted them, maybe many times, about ending the Iraq war. I know you're probably tired of contacting them--I know I am. But as Molly Ivins said, "...It's Up to Us--You and me, Bubba..." So, I’m asking you to do it again. I’m not only asking you to do it once, I’m asking you to do it every day, if possible, until they can’t stand the harassment any more. I’m asking you to hold their feet to the fire and demand they stand up to GWB. Please Join Me below the fold
I’m asking you to demand that they listen to the people. In a January 22 CBS news poll, 66% of Americans polled oppose sending more troops to Iraq. The people have spoken, but Congress apparently can’t hear them. I’m hoping you’ll join me in making them listen.
Here’s the Link to Contact Senators and the Write Your Representative Link
For the past couple of days, I’ve been calling the 46 Republican Senators who voted against debating the S. 470, "A Bill to express the sense of the Congress on Iraq". (I do intend to get around to the Democrats other than a handful like Feingold, et al, who still need to be encouraged to stand up to Bush too.)
BTW: It’s Important to call your Representatives too, because-Senate Stalled But House Pledges to Act on Iraq:
"...The reason we're going ahead is not because we don't think the Senate will ever act, but we're not sure when the Senate is going to act," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record), a Maryland Democrat, said.
"The House will debate and possibly vote on a resolution of disapproval next week.
"I think the (House) resolution will clearly say we do not believe that the president's proposal of an escalation of 21,000 troops is the proper policy to be pursuing," Hoyer said.
"Unlike the Senate, the House does not have procedural hurdles that could stymie debate..."
When I called and spoke with the Senators' staff people, I said that I was outraged and dismayed that the Senate still is refusing to listen to the will of the people, that the people want our troops withdrawn from the middle of a civil war, and that I’m tired of Congress playing politics with the lives of our troops. I went on to say that I don’t understand why Congress seems to be more concerned about pleasing the President than in representing the will of the people. I added that it’s time to stop allowing George W. Bush endless "do-overs" in Iraq. Finally, I said that Congress is responsible for every troop death that occurs from the point that they are able to take actions, yet refuse to do so. (That last was a wee bit over the top, but I was on a roll at that point, and that’s when I decided to take a break to cool down a bit).
I know that you know what to say, and how to say it—my plea is that you contact Congress members and tell them how you feel about Iraq. Who knows, your actions may just result in saving a few lives. Our troops are dying in service to our country. They don't choose their mission and they alone don't choose their commander-in-chief. They are required to follow the Commander-In-Chief's orders. We are not--in fact, he is supposed to follow ours. The President is misusing and abusing the troops, and the Congress is allowing this to continue. The least we can do as citizens, is demand that the Congress listen to us, and support the troops by bringing them home.