September 11th again, four years down the road.
Well, here we are, facing another anniversary of that horrible day, and congress, through all its madness and duplicity, at least managed to issue a declaration regarding the terrorist attacks of four years ago; here's the text:RESOLUTION
Relating to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Whereas on September 11, 2001, while Americans were attending to their daily routines, terrorists hijacked four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a fourth was prevented from also being used as a weapon against America by brave passengers who placed their country above their own lives;
Whereas four years later the country continues to, and shall forever, mourn the tragic loss of life at the hands of terrorist attackers;
Whereas by targeting symbols of American strength and success, these attacks clearly were intended to assail the principles, values, and freedoms of the United States and the American people, intimidate the Nation, and weaken the national resolve;
Whereas four years after September 11, 2001, the United States is fighting a Global War on Terrorism to protect America and her friends and allies;
Whereas recent deadly attacks in London, Madrid, and Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, remind all Americans that the forces of evil that attacked the Nation four years ago remain committed to terrorist attacks against free peoples;
Whereas because of the skill and bravery of the members of the United States Armed Forces and due to the constant vigilance of our Nation’s first responders, the United States homeland has not been successfully attacked by terrorist forces during the four years since September 11, 2001; and
Whereas while the passage of four years has not softened the memory of the American people, resolved their grief, or restored lost loved ones, it has shown that Americans will not bow to terrorists: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) extends again its deepest sympathies to the thousands of innocent victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, their families, friends, and loved ones;
(2) honors the heroic actions and the sacrifices of United States military and civilian personnel and their families who have sacrificed much, including their lives and health, in defense of their country in the Global War on Terrorism;
(3) honors the heroic actions of first responders, law enforcement personnel, State and local officials, volunteers, and others who aided the innocent victims and, in so doing, bravely risked their own lives and long-term health;
(4) expresses thanks and gratitude to the foreign leaders and citizens of all nations who have assisted and continue to stand in solidarity with the United States against terrorism in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;
(5) discourages, in the strongest possible terms, any effort to confuse the Global War on Terrorism with a war on any people or any faith;
(6) reaffirms its commitment to the Global War on Terrorism and to providing the United States Armed Forces with the resources and support to wage it effectively and safely;
(7) vows that it will continue to take whatever actions necessary to identify, intercept, and disrupt terrorists and their activities; and
(8) reaffirms that the American people will never forget the sacrifices made on September 11, 2001, and will never bow to terrorist demands.
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Pretty straightforward, and something a reasonable American could support - but as it was pointed out on www.opinionjournal.com under the daily "Best of the Web" feature, one of the representatives who declined to sign it was 'my' very own Pete Stark, D-CA, who represents the area I live in.
Considering that he's supposed to 'represent', I had to let him know that his action was completely unconscionable, so I sent a letter through his website. A disclaimer on the site indicated that only e-mails received from residents of his district would get responses, so I made sure to indicate my full adress and so forth. Here's the text of my message:
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Dear Mr. Stark: I'd like to know what exactly you found in Resolution 427 (Relating to the terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001) which was so objectionable that you felt you had to vote against it.Even if you are among those who somehow believe that America "Brought the attacks on itself" or somehow "Deserved it", it's impossible to see what you could disagree with in the text of resolution 427.With your "No" vote, you've performed a tremendous disservice to the victims of the attacks, their families, and Americans everywhere.I'll not bother with pointless invective, but please be assured that you've completely alienated me with this disgusting display. I may be only one voter, but I'll remember well how you disgraced yourself at my next opportunity to vote for whoever runs against you.You owe the American people an explanation - it's too much to wish for an apology, I suppose - of how you could descend into such infantile pandering, and what end you thought you could possibly achieve with this shameful vote.Please stop this posturing, and get over yourself - you're sending no message other than contempt and loathing for the country you supposedly serve.
Thank you for your time.
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Having placated my conscience, I gave the matter little further thought. As expected, I received no response to my message, at least not a direct one - what follows is something from his office that arrived just today, eleven days later:
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Dear Friend:
Recently, I participated in a forum on Capitol Hill to question the war in Iraq and whether it is time to end our involvement and bring our troops home.
Only a member of the Majority party can convene an official Congressional Hearing. Unfortunately, the Republican Leadership would not schedule it, so a group of Democrats held a forum of our own. We heard from a bipartisan panel made up of a retired Marine Corps general, a former U.S. Senator, the founder of the Iraqi-Americans for Peaceful Alternatives and others with expert knowledge of the situation in Iraq and the Middle East. Despite their varied backgrounds and differing political stances, they were in agreement that the best action for the Iraqis and the United States is for our withdrawal.
The hearing confirmed what I’ve suspected for quite some time: leaving Iraq is the right thing to do and should no longer be delayed. The War in Iraq has created a breeding ground for hate against the United States. It has cost this country the lives of nearly 2,000 U.S. soldiers and nearly $300 billion in emergency spending - not to mention more than 14,000 wounded American soldiers whose lives have been forever impaired. We have neither eliminated Al Qaeda, increased the security of the Iraqi people – 25,000 of whom have been killed since 2003 – or increased our security here at home. Itis time to end this quagmire in Iraq and bring our troops home – and do so now.
I did not support invading Iraq, but once President Bush chose to do so I felt it was important to wait before publicly seeking withdrawal. I hoped the change in the Iraqi government could potentially improve the lives of the Iraqi people. Unfortunately, The Administration, similar to its dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, has failed in carrying out that mission. It is time to bring our troops home.
Next week, I hope to meet with Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville Mother who has continually been denied the opportunity to meet with President Bush to discuss why her 24 year-old son, Casey Sheehan, had to die in Iraq. She will be in Washington, D.C. with people from across the country to again push for removing our troops from Iraq. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and advocates from across the country to push those in the Administration to bring our troops home and instead find diplomatic solutions to the war in Iraq.
Sincerely,
Pete Stark
Member of Congress
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I made absolutely sure NOT to accept the "Check here to receive updates from Pete Stark!" option / solicitation on the website, specifically so that I wouldn't have to face this type of nauseating drivel, but I probably should have expected it.
So leaving Iraq is "The right thing to do", and he "Hopes to meet with Cindy Sheehan" - oh, well, at least he seems to agree that Al-Qaeda is somehow bad.
With an agenda like this, it's little wonder that he had no inclination to respond to my - or anyone else's - demand to justify his ridiculous vote on resolution #427.
posted by ET @ 3:27 PM
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