When I see what happened this week in the United States Senate, I despair of democracy. It almost makes you wonder if this great experiment in self rule might not work. I know that through these windbags we call senators we are eventually going to get to the will of the people, but it is a slow, ugly and infuriating process.
This week instead of passing any meaningful legislation about Iraq -- whether it's to stay or to go, whether it's to change strategy or to stay the course -- our senators did absolutely nothing. To be fair to the Democrats, who I am usually so hard on, they had moments where they tried to do the right thing, like the Webb amendment that would have given our troops the rest they have earned. But the Republicans wouldn't have it. They filibustered every single bill, except one.
So, what was that one magical bill that captured their imagination and caused them to finally spring into action? It was a vote to condemn an ad! A newspaper ad! It makes you despair of democracy. What a terrible waste of time, and more importantly, what an insult to our troops and the American people that they would waste their energy on this kind of trashy political theater instead of finding a way to bring a decent and humane resolution to the Iraq War.
And, as always, the media went right along. Is there any right-wing talking point that the media will not trumpet as if it is the most important thing in the world? What a bunch of hopeless suckers. But that fight is for another day (if you want to see what I thought of the ad itself and the media coverage of the ad, watch this). The video below shows you how I feel about this useless, senseless Senate vote on the Moveon ad. If you think my writing sounds angry, wait till you get a load of how I really feel:
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The Senate Votes on Newspaper Ads While Our Troops Get Killed
Posted Sep 21st 2007 11:58AM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Iraq, U.S. Senate, Young Turks, Video
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Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 6)
16. "This week instead of passing any meaningful legislation about Iraq -- whether it's to stay or to go, whether it's to change strategy or to stay the course"
The United States Senate is not responsible for Strategy planning in any war, ever.
Article II Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments
The Senate is responsible for funding or not funding and that is it!
Article I Sec. 7
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
To provide and maintain a navy;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
meadiee at 3:20PM on Sep 21st 2007
17. This is beyond absurd... Our national priorities are in a reverse logic funk, like "opposite day". I agree, all of this is pathetic.
Dan Dean at 4:26PM on Sep 21st 2007
18. Movein.orgy might have a right to say it, but then certainly the senate and anyone else has the same right to condemn it. I agree the senators are spineless fat wimps and none of them get my vote, but there does come a line that should never be crossed. To call a serving general in an active war a betrayer is in fact treason and lose lips sink ships. The general is following orders plain and simple. to pick him out as the problem shows the lack of wisdom anyone at movein.orgy might have and prison is where they should be. Then they can broadcast from there as well, but they certainly should be punished while still having the right to say what they want. There are always consequences to speach wether right or wrong. and just because anyone may have the right to say someting does not mean they should. ie: could anyone yell they have a bomb on a plane and not be in trouble? But thats free speach isn't it? Free speach still has limits.
craig at 3:23PM on Sep 21st 2007
19. chenk...how many votes do you want? you keep losing.
this is not a trivial matter....The smear of an honest public service man with impeccable character and credentials is an affront to decency and to honest debate.
who is chenk, anyway? never heard of him.
twann9852 at 3:33PM on Sep 21st 2007
20. So, when is the Senate going to vote to condemn the swiftboat ads? Or, how about the ads W's campaign ran in 2000 against McCain? As for me, I'm doubling my contributiuons to moveon. It's about time someone stood up to one of Bush's mouthpieces.
eed017 at 5:19PM on Sep 21st 2007
21. cink thinks its a "waste of time" to repudiate out of the mainstream whackos that impugn a great man of service to our country of impeccable character and credentials?
sorry chink...as usual, you're full of shit.
who is chink anyway? never heard of him...he must be fellating the big whigs at AOL.
twann9852 at 3:40PM on Sep 21st 2007
22. He said one thing that everyone should agree on.
THERE IS NO SHAME LEFT IN WASHINGTON
Captain Negative at 3:58PM on Sep 21st 2007
23. You sir are an idiot who doesn't understand the military. You make me sick with your moronic rant. The Senate did the right thing by passing condemnation of the Moveon.org ad. I am delighted to see the political suicide of Clinton and Dodd. WHAT IDIOTS!!! I think this resolution does more to support the troops than to try and legislate restitution time. It would be impossible with current force strength to mandate 12 months deployed and then 12 months at home. It isn't that simple especially when you get into specialty skills needed at the deployed locations. Your oversimplification of this issue to express outrage shows your lack of intelligence. You should be delighted that the Senate passed this measure.
Tim at 4:00PM on Sep 21st 2007
24. Let me get this right:
General Betrayed All of Us! Including the Iraqis qho are dying and starving as I am writing this. General, please, go back to the White House, and wipe what's his name deriere
Jean Garofoli at 4:21PM on Sep 21st 2007
25. I find it disingenuous of President Bush to be appalled by the Move On ad when he was not appalled by the Swift Boat ads or his own trashing of John McCain or the whisper campaign his minions started when he was running for Governor that Ann Richards was gay. There are many other examples of the politics of hate that his people have practiced that are well known to those who follow politics.
He seems to support lies and trashing people as long as it is to his political advantage. It is called the double standard, and it is offensive and disgusting that he is against any free speech that does not agree with him and his cabal. It is called democracy. Isn't that what he is trying to force on the people of Iraq?
Jana at 4:23PM on Sep 21st 2007
26. The resolution was ridiculous!
Jana at 4:35PM on Sep 21st 2007
27. I know that if the people of this coubtry does bot get back to where we came from and let god guide them in what they say and do we are headed for the downfall of this nation as all others have done that left God out. Each one who is preaching for his or her on good and not the good of this nation is wrong should be ashamed of where thay stand, Democrat or republican.
Bob Butler at 4:42PM on Sep 21st 2007
28. Move on org has failed with this message.I believe the intent came across as crude.To sway opinion the message should be forthright and appeal to the anti war public it attempts to reach rather than give them doubts as to the validity of the organization with its Anti American sentiment.
Phil Markey at 4:42PM on Sep 21st 2007
29. Anyone in a position of authority who knowingly lies about the facts or attempts to mislead the American people is a traitor. General Petraeus distorted and omitted facts in his talk with congress. If he did this knowingly he is a traitor. If unknowingly he has either been lied to by another or he is not very bright.
Gary Roland at 4:42PM on Sep 21st 2007
30. I had many discussions on ad by this crazy left wing moveon people, many are from the crazy right. My reaction was alot like Jana #23 that this is only a big deal to those who don't agree with them. I value free speach but a bunch of people who haven't even seen Iraq, maybe cant even point it out on a map, cry out that our General is betraying this country. NO, he reported what he saw, it just was not what they wanted to hear to help with their agenda. The reaction was irresponsible and stupid. But they have that right. Should Congress vote to ban an ad on a newspaper? No, it violates the freedom of the press and speach. Read it or not to read it. All they are doing is trying to sell an idea. For people who are not sure of things may find the curiosity an explore the idea, others may choose to ignore it. But trying to fight it even though they broke no laws just ads more fuel to the fire. It means nothing to me. I know that I am 90% sure I am not going to vote Republican, so whatever Moveon.org or com or whatever does has no impact on me.
David McCool at 4:56PM on Sep 21st 2007