R.

Forgive me. I know I’m on the wrong non-binding bill. But at this time, I’d like to introduce Articles of Impeachment.

Just say the important parts, succinctly, and then repeat as necessary.

It takes coordination … but the alternative? Doesn’t work.

So what about you — what would you say?

The truly amazing thing is that my awesome Congressman, Lloyd Doggett(D-TX) sent me, and presumably, all of his constituents who had provided email addresses, a message asking just that: What would I say?

My response:

Dear Congressman Doggett:

First, let me offer my thanks to your request for my thoughts on Iraq. Your generosity belies a deep understanding of the representative government invisioned by the founding fathers, a government that serves the people, rather than a government served by its people.

As far as suggestions on what to say on the House floor, instead of my own words, I recommend those of an American far more qualified and experienced in these matters. In today’s Washington Post, Lt. Gen. (ret.) William Odom presents a sober, rational proposal for us to disengage from this military debacle, while pursuing diplomatic and political initiatives that will provide the best chance for stabilizing Iraq, improving the prospects of the people of the Middle East, and salvaging our national interests in the region.

We can no longer afford to commit blood and treasure to this folly. Only by ending our occupation of Iraq can we start the process of returning stability to this vitally strategic region.

As an added caution, I would note that an attack on Iran, which we at least appear to be preparing for, would be a catastrophe beyond imagination. It must be prevented by any means necessary.

Lastly, evidence presented in the ongoing trial of I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby and the Inspector General’s report on the Office of Special Plans in the Department of Defense reveal the mendacity and machinations of the administration in its handling of national security matters. If we are truly to have democracy for ourselves, much lest foist it off on others, we must shed the light of day on the lies and manipulations which were used to mislead us into this war. It seems to me that there is no coincidence that the powerful interests who colluded to install a woefully flawed and inadequate individual in the White House have also profited from this disaster. We must hold them all to account in both the courts of public opinion and of law.

Sincerely,
Stuart Strum

Austin, Texas 78745

Linda2 — Oh, I’m well aware we are still infested with Iran-Contra’s parasitic monsters, hence my comment, we suffer now for failing as young adults to nip the overgrown monsters of Iran-Contra when we had the chance. If I had only known on those long afternoons while I watched the Iran-Contra hearings what would become of these beasts, I might have done many things differently instead of doing what most American twenty-somethings do all too often. I mentally kicked my own *ss again tonight while watching a clip of SecDef Gates about Iran — ugh, another horrible Ghost of Christmas Past exacting his toll on us.

But this resolution is only a battle; it is not the war. The war is a long one, will last well beyond 2010; it will last until we have undone the damage these wretched beasts have foisted on us against our will, without our knowledge, and until we have begun to make real progress once again. Stand up and fight? Hell yeah — but it will not be done this week.

My own personal measure to the end of the war we fight: when my stepson no longer has PTSD acquired in Iraq. My uncle still has it from Vietnam; I know the prospects are grim, but I know this is a marathon, not a sprint.

Understood, but time is of the essence. It is imperative to stand up and get right in the face of these people now, while we still have a chance – before they succeed in their ultimate objectives – a world in which our voice and the voice of our heirs will have been silenced by their policies and deeds. They have been planning for years and their clock has been ticking for years with a gradual countdown to their version of totalitarianism. We must act now with overwhelming courage. The more we temper our dissent, the more we are disrespected by them; the more emboldened they become, the sooner the quickening of their agenda becomes fact. The point of power is now – not years from now, now. There is tremendous frustration among those that oppose these policies upon the realization that firm opposition has not yet become indisputably evident by those recently elected to office. The electorate is similar to prey that realizes the predator is circling them. The opposition must become firm, courageous, and clear right now.

But the train has left the station. The Surge is happening. GWB is operating on blind faith, and will piss on any non-binding resolution. Stop wasting time. (Pray also that the Surge works – it is literally our Last Chance.)

Then slap your congressman upside the head and tell him to forget the Surge. Do whatever you can to keep the US out of Iran. Bang heads, rattle cages, kick over the furniture, but DO WHAT YOU MUST to keep us out of Iran. If we attack Iran, what is now only a horrible situation with no good solution becomes a bloody World War.

But this resolution is only a battle; it is not the war. The war is a long one, will last well beyond 2010; it will last until we have undone the damage these wretched beasts have foisted on us against our will, without our knowledge, and until we have begun to make real progress once again. Stand up and fight? Hell yeah — but it will not be done this week.

My own personal measure to the end of the war we fight: when my stepson no longer has PTSD acquired in Iraq. My uncle still has it from Vietnam; I know the prospects are grim, but I know this is a marathon, not a sprint.