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 3 of 6)
31. Well, since the Congress can't seem to do anything to stop this useless war, why not do something completely stupid and vote to condemn a political ad? The president used the word "disgusting". I wish we could hear the same disgust from him over the continuing deaths in Iraq and his inability to coherently explain why we are still there five years later. You do not let military generals decide policy. I am now beyond disgusted when I listen to the president, I am appalled and dismayed that we have such an inept leader and am saddened to the core over the condition of my country.
Sharon Rasey at 5:08PM on Sep 21st 2007
32. Why is it so hard to believe that BetrayUs got where he is today because he learned to tell his "bosses" exactly what they want to hear. He knew exactly that the Commander-in-Chief wants a Crusade in the Middle East lands. The only thing certain about the future of the Middle East is that Bush's Crusade will unite the Islamic world with a common enemy. And the enemy is Us! We've been betrayed and we waste political energy, treasury, and the lives of brave soldiers trying to defend our mistakes. Bush & BetrayUs ... there were no WMD (except the airplanes that fly over US airspace). Get over it!
William Muth at 5:17PM on Sep 21st 2007
33. aren't we ever going to be able to question the leadership in this country? I was in Viet Nam for a year (1969) Glad to know the government has it right "this" time.
B. Smith at 5:35PM on Sep 21st 2007
34. ccm, good comments. Congress should be acting to mosve our troops from Iraq, not wasting time on goofy actions like this. The good General is not going to stand up in public and criticize his Commander in Thief. Lets be sane.
Tom Edgar at 5:24PM on Sep 21st 2007
35. Now I want you to think back to the days of Clinton. You remember those days, don't ya...where the economy (the real economy) was doing well (no incredibly enormous debt because of wars) and the country had a surplus. Now look at this. We have a Senate where the only thing they can get done is criticize the "people"...MoveOn IS the PEOPLE...for calling an ace an ace and a spade a spade. What a bunch of crybabies. Talk about your non issues. Hmmmm, if there's one republican left after the next election I'll be completely surprised!
Jeanne at 5:42PM on Sep 21st 2007
36. It's amazing that our leaders go up in arms and make a big stink when something like this happens but seems to be hindsighted of the reason why ad's like this are out there to begin with. There are a tremendous amount of people who are discusted with what our leaders have done over the past 6 years. Especially this war. What has this war accomplished for freedom? How is this Iraq war related with 9-11 and all the money we have dumped into it and all those lives lost? There is a blizzard of nonsense being broadcasted daily to blind us to these simple facts that have distored us as a nation. People are pissed off at our leaders because of this mess and instead of listening and addressing the people's concerns they attack ad's that are spawned from people who's voiced have been ignored from the start. This is not a left VS right issue at all. It is what is right and wrong. Soldiers and civilians are being killed as you read this for what? How do they benefit? How do we benefit? Are we truly safer now? It is terrorists we need to be afraid of or our leaders at this point? Where did the hunt for Osama go? How is this war on "terror" giving justice for all those who lost loved ones on 9-11. I bring this up because this event is what sparked this war to begin with so in right conscious it needs to be referred to over and over again. Think about this!
Frank S at 5:33PM on Sep 21st 2007
37. What happened to the Senate outrage when they sent 3,800 body bags back. When you tell the truth about lies then all the liars get mad.
tigerpaws1114 at 5:36PM on Sep 21st 2007
38. I see the congress has finally been given something worthwhile to do, they certainly arent legislating anything. Bunch of scandal driven loosers.
TAMMY at 5:51PM on Sep 21st 2007
39. #37 That so called "good economy" (I know you libs care so much about capitalism) was driven by corporate scandal, cooked books, and cuts so deep in defense, that we were "left with the army we have to work with"... to quote Rumsfield after 911. When you cook the books (hillarys new fav saying)you can make them look anyway you want them too. Its laughable the clinton dream world some of you hillbillies are caught up in.
Tom at 6:02PM on Sep 21st 2007
40. please everyone...moveon's ad was not a cheap shot and dissent is not treason. don't forget, petraus wrote the op ed piece in '04 to convince america to vote for bush. tell me that was what a career military person should be doing with their time. what bush/cheney and the right are doing is the outrage act against the united states of america!
cathi at 6:12PM on Sep 21st 2007
41. I for one can't hear enough from moveon.org...they will do for republicans in '08 what michael moore did for them in '04. These are extreme, fringe, radicals who do not like America....period.
twann9852 at 6:16PM on Sep 21st 2007
42. I'm appalled. I've spent a year in Iraq, lost good friends, and I shudder to think of the impact on morale by the actions of moveon. However, we do not need to entertain such nonsense by passing a bill either. Just don't entertain it. Afterall, military generals, and privates alike, don't wear their hearts on their sleeve, just combat stripes...sticks and stones, people.
Rob at 6:19PM on Sep 21st 2007
43. Any president under peace times has an opportunity to do great things... but clinton didnt do any great thing that I can remember when he had all that time on his hands... I do remember his smug mug taking up alot of tv time with my family... with him rambling on and on about nothing of relevence in those dreaded spur of the moment talks...what is that saying about having little to do, being the devils work shop? Little Billy was like a devious child, when mommys back is turned, getting into trouble. Blow jobs all over the rug in the oval office. And then there was Hillary, our first lady copresident decorating the White House Christmas tree with her preverse trinkets and looking for right wing scandrals in every closet. Such a kidder! Oh yes, I long for the days...NOT!
laura at 6:26PM on Sep 21st 2007
44. #5,6 CCM, Stan Your swiftboat revenge would only be appropriate if Petraeus were a politician, which he is not. I'm pretty sure he also served through the Carter and Clinton administrations. Maybe you two heros want to have the "Breck Girl" Edwards, or George Soros, take point in an Iraq fire-fight against terrorists? Stan, I'm amazed at the "depth" of knowledge you have of your subject matter..LMAO..By the way, it's spelled "Kerry," not "carey."
lizard944 at 6:27PM on Sep 21st 2007
45. Jeanne, get over the past, it wasnt what you make it out to be. However its a new day, look to the future and I hope everyone remembers its been Bush, Clinton, Bush...dont put another perverse Clinton administration in! We need someone new and fresh with good ideas for our future. There are plenty to chose from on both sides, pick one and change the name of our new president elect!
cindy at 6:35PM on Sep 21st 2007