We are at a critical moment – a progressive block of votes has the ability to stop the new War Supplemental. For those of us who work to bring more progressive voices into power, this should be a time when our allies in Congress flex those muscles they hardly ever get a chance to use.
Instead, Rep Schakowsky – and many others – are wobbling, suggesting that their vote is for sale if the bribes are big enough ($3 billion for an ineffectual Cash for Clunkers is the latest offer as Jane has reported.)
This wavering comes at a time when all that is wrong with our expanding war in Afghanistan has never been clearer:
- With barely a whimper, Gen. McChrystal, who was the commander responsible for a torture camp that was so bad even the CIA and DIA pulled out, has been put in charge of Afghanistan.
- The recurring – and horrifying – killings of Afghan civilians continues with another 10- 15 civilians killed by our bombs yesterday – at the same time the DOD was admitting the deaths of the 140 Afghans in Farah was caused by ignoring the ROE they keep claiming to improve to prevent precisely these horrors.
- We have additional information that the money already allocated is being stolen or wasted by contractors just as in Iraq.
And you have to wonder how anyone could support spending $90 Billion – including "$700 million above the request" when the DOD has just ordered the fifth review of strategy for Afghanistan in just five months.
Progressive leaders in Congress — as well as in the netroots and blogosphere — have the ability over the next few days to say NO to a continuation of this madness.
Those of us who have supported candidates and organizations who claimed to want an end to the Bush style wars are watching carefully – our support was given in answer to those pledges and we expect them to be honored.
As Jane says – to the phones!
Her office numbers are (773) 506-7100, (847) 328-3409, and (202) 225-2111.
Related posts:
- Rahm’s Whipping on the Afghanistan War Supplemental — Will You?
- Obama Now Whipping Supplemental: Rahm FAIL
- Supplemental Vote Could Come Later Today
- Kucinich to Vote Against Supplemental — 11 Down, 28 to Go
- Speak Out: Write Letters To Your Local Papers and Urge Members of Congress to Vote “No” On Supplemental
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Andre Carson (D – IN7) reporting as undecided – aide told me that they have been getting a lot of calls on this one….
he semi-promised a return call when the decision is made.
That’s wonderful. Keep the pressure up — the only support they have when Rahm starts arm twisting is the phone calls they’re getting.
couldn’t get commit either way from her staff – told them I’d have her back against Rahm should she hold to her principles
heading over to Jane’s Whip Count page – with this and the other calls I’m making this morning
thinking out loud – was this what all that WH Not Gonna Release Promised Photos Because Brass Thinks It’s Bad For Troop Safety hokum was about all along ?!?! did they front this just to ‘pull it and appear to be “the good cop” when this time came ???
Jan is my Congressional rep. I did call and while not speaking to Jan personally, I was told that she is not for a blank check but still might vote for it even if there was one — very disappointed as well.
Apparently, she is counting on a bill she is trying to put together to end the war — which I explained will go nowhere with the lack of backbones in D.C. and that should not be counted on in passing and no reason not to vote no. Further, she mentioned some letter to Obama and waiting for a response from him to his committment to end the war to which I immediately jumped in and said that Obama has gone back on so many election promises that I don’t trust what he would have to say at all.
Very disappointing indeed!
Great post Siun.
many believe that (D) politicians have no principles whatsoever, and basically none can be trusted, unless bought with large amounts of cash.
maybe a vote like this will reveal the few who can be counted upon to hold strong when the chips are really down.