In the words of John Lennon:
all i want is the truth
just give me some truth
On May 17, 2005, the world stood in amazement at the power of the truth. While opinions of George Galloway vary, no one can deny the power of his statement to the Senate Subcommittee. I watched in awe and gratitude as Galloway had his say, my eyes wide open and my throat dry. Finally, the truth - in simple, declarative sentences.
Now we stand on the brink of the so-called nuclear option in the Senate. And, all we want is the truth, just give us some truth.
I have watched the Senate debate over the past few days, and so many Democrats have spoken eloquently and forcefully about judges, the filibuster, the Senate and the Constitution. They have exposed the Republican's hypocrisy. They have demonstrated the numbers (2703 - 1, 95%). And they have proven that they care a great deal about our nation. And I ask these Senators to now consider this:
Now is the time to take these speeches one step further. Now is the time to take off the cloak of compromise and comity before it is ripped from your collective shoulders by your "friends from across the aisle". Fold it gently, and put it away, hopefully you will need it again in the future when sanity is restored. But for now, it is getting in the way of what must be done. You must connect the dots. This fight is about much more than (10) judges, the filibuster and even the traditions of the Senate. This fight is about the future of our nation. This fight is a battle against tyranny and one party rule. The Senate is the last stand against the excesses of the Bush administration. You must make a simple case: look what Bush has done to this nation in the past 4+ years, imagine what he will do when his power is completely unchecked? And then you must provide the examples... the lies that led to the Iraq war, the Downing Street Memo, torture, deficits, the destruction of the middle class, the rise of poverty, propaganda, intrusion into private lives, first amendment zones, the manipulation of terror warnings for political gain, and more. The list is long and painful. But it is the truth and it must be told, in simple declarative sentences, not senate-speak. "Lies" are lies, not "factual negligence".
This will not be easy.
Will the Republicans condemn you? Yes.
Will the media mock you? Certainly.
Will history condemn you? Only if you fail to act.
We may not win this vote. But at the end of the day, no American will ever again be able to say that there is no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. Everyone will know that the Democrats stand for the nation and the Constitution, while the Republicans stand for absolute power, absolute corruption, and the radical right wing.
And know this. You are not alone. We are behind you. And, whether they know it yet or not, most of America is behind you. And as you look over your shoulders, you will see the ghosts of our Founding Fathers, urging you on, along with a long line of great Democrats, FDR, Truman, JFK, RFK, and so many more.
So take heart, have courage, tell the truth and set us free. And a grateful nation will rise up to greet you.