I'm still awake because of the top story on the Channell 11 news from Louisville, which I will explain below. It was also the top story on the other local stations.
As a wise man once said, "There's more . . ."
I was ruminating on SenateGuru2008's diary on the handful of states where there is no Democratic challenger to Republican incumbent. The first poster disparaged the 50 state strategy when it is still May of 2007, and all candidates in these states still have at least about 8 months to still get in the race. The diary mentioned the possiblity of strong Democratic challengers in all of these states except for South Carolina, and I remembered fondly of the days when Howard Dean's election as Chairman of the Democratic National Comittee would was supposed to be a disaster for Democrats according to the brainiacs in D.C. I then thought of the Olbermann special comment and the New York Times article on the decision of Democratic leaders to let Bush screw up again. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/washington/24cong.html
According to the overwhelming majority of everyone here, it appears that our Democratic leaders have decided to fail us once again. As a Democrat and as one who believed that Dean was right when he said that the American people would respond to someone who would vigorously stood up for American ideals and against the crooks in charge, I would like to remind everyone what this is all about. The next paragraph is about politics, which is important because how it affects people, but not as important as what comes after. This ties into the necessity to stand up to Bush, every time. Obviously, Dean knew Bush would crumble, and what a historical shame it was that a candidate who believed it was time for the truth, now, without apology, lost to a tragic Iowan political calculation that said, "If we have a war hero, they can't criticize us."
I have not read anything that Howard Dean has said with respect to this "compromise" which included "benchmarks" but not "timetables" for withdrawal. "Some say" (meaning "I say" but that is another diary topic waiting to happen) Dean would say that any capitulation to the Bush is wrong for Democrats and more importantly wrong for the country. And obviously it is, as I will attest to below. Are the Democrats hoping that by giving Bush what he wants, he ensures Republicans continue to be annhilated at the polls for the next 30 years? That would be sweet justice indeed for the legacy of Karl Rove and the Mayberry Machiavellis (although despite the alliteration I wish they were named the "Dorky Risk-Playing College Republican Machiavellis." Mayberry was a place of the American values of fairness, understanding of those different from us, and the rehabilitation of alcoholics, like Otis, and criminals, like Old Ben Weaver, who came to understand the real meaning of Christmas, before Christmas was lost forever to militant secularists saying "Happy Holidays").
But it's late, and I digress. I am also trying to get over what I just saw on TV, and read in the online reports from Louisville TV. When someone speaks out and talks to a TV station they have a message to send, and they don't mind if it is spread. Therefore, I do not think I am overstepping my bounds when you see what this fine gentlelady has to say. Here it is:
On TV, I saw Channel 11 , which stated how:
An army chaplain arrived at Gail Bond’s home about four o’clock this morning to deliver the news. She screamed so much she lost her voice. “ I couldn’t believe it,” she says. “Not my boy, not my baby.”
Before the sun came up, Joe’s friends had set up a memorial in her front yard, and a flag at half-staff.
He had been on night mission in Baghdad dealing with underground explosives.
“Joe stepped on a wire that triggered an explosion and he was killed instantly,” says Bill Graham, Montgomery’s uncle.
But Channel 3's online report was more detailed about this fine lady, and she said:
A grieving Gail Bond is angry about her son's death. "I am mad. To take a young man, with three children, and blow him up."
Gail's voice was hoarse from her expressions of grief over her son's death.
Her anger, however, is not hard to hear. "To all the officials that are running our country: I just want to say, please, put the politics aside. Democrats quit being Democrats and Republicans quit being Republicans, and join hands to get our men and women back home as speedily as possible so other people won't have to go through this.
"The situations over there are worsening daily and I don't want -- I'm an old lady, I shouldn't have to bury one of my kids. I also do not think the Congress should take a vacation this year, while our sons, men and women are fighting a war. This is not a presidential election war. Work as one to get our people home safe and sound and as soon as possible."
Amen. I live in a town over from Scottsburg, and we like to go there and hang out. The handle is from when I went to school at Louisville. But I don't know if I can go to Scottsburg again without thinking about this. Read the rest of the channel 3 article. And remember Joe's 3 kids.
We have the power. Dean is right. It's going to be up to us, and if any of you wants a better country, it's up to you. If anyone sees this recommend it. Democrats read this blog, and maybe the Dems supporting this "compromise" will second guess themselves. The way I see it, it's up to Reid and Hoyer and Pelosi whether or not a vote is held. Don't bitch about the money you spent contributing to Democratic candidates; knocking on doors, whatever. Someone is suffering because of the decisions in Washington in a far greater way than you. However, change is possible because of you. We are ahead of those we elected, just like anytime else that progress happens.
Don't give up. Take your country back.
I'm glad I wrote this. Now I can go to bed. Goodnight.