The Iraq Resolution

I haven't posted on this. But after having been asked what I think ... I'm going to.

On Friday the House (WaPo Article) passed H.Con.Res.63, Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq. It passed 246-182. 2 Democrats sided with the minority, and 17 Republicans sided with the majority.

The text of the legislation is as follows:

(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and

(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

This is why we don't have social security reform or a better education system. Congress spends two weeks analyzing two sentences.

The whole thing is more bravada than anything else. If they ever bring HR 413 IH, or HR 353 IH now that will mean something. HR 353 cuts off funds for any escalation in Iraq and HR 413 repeals the authorization for use of force in Iraq. That to me sounds like, "okay when we voted 4 years ago, we were just foolin'. We're being serious now, and the answer is no, you can't use force.

When and if they do that ... I'll have more to say. Or maybe I won't. To me, these things are a punch in the stomach. Congress, from my point of view, has effectively said they don't support the military in their efforts to win. And in my mind, that means they don't support my father or my family. They can put as many one liners above their disapproval as they want. The General's on the ground said they needed more troops to secure Baghdad and Congress is saying no, the troops can't have them. They have put the military at risk with their politizing.

After the vote passed, Al Jeezera ran headlines that read: "US House Denounces Bush Troop Plan."

Congressmen (this is to you too, Senators), the world and history is watching.

If they really want to do something ... then do it. But they won't. At least I don't think they will. Investors.com (hattip: Michelle Malkin) has poll results showing how important the American people think the Iraq war is. I'm not ever really moved by poll results. But they are always talking about negative ones ... so I thought these from a different perspective were interesting.

So I'm disappointed in Congress for passing what is essentially just a loud shout directed at the White House and potential Democrat voters. This is simply laying ground work for 2008. They don't want the Iraq war to end with Bush in the White House (and this is my own thoughts here). It's too much of a winner for the Democrats. It got them both sides of the Congress, and it will probably get them the White House in 2008. With Bush in the WHite House the billboards will read: "Vote for Hillary: Out of Iraq in 90 days." Or something like that.

Again, I'm disappointed and really, personally hurt that Congress did this. Especially considering people like Congressman Silvestre Reyes said in December of last year that he thought we needed more troops in Iraq, but on Friday he voted with the majority.

From the Newsweek article, dated December 9th:

“We’re not going to have stability in Iraq until we eliminate those militias, those private armies,” Reyes said. “We have to consider the need for additional troops to be in Iraq, to take out the militias and stabilize Iraq … We certainly can’t leave Iraq and run the risk that it becomes [like] Afghanistan” was before the 2001 invasion by the United States.

And from the article on his website about his vote, Dated February 16th:

"There was a time when adding more boots on the ground might have helped secure the streets of Baghdad and the other provinces by dealing with the specific issue of the militias, but the window in which more troops could be an effective tool has closed. Sending more troops to Iraq now just gives our enemies more targets and puts more soldiers at risk.

Apparently the window was open less than two months. Rep. Reyes serves the 16th District in Texas, which covers El Paso and the surrounding areas.

These are the kind of double speaking people that are in office today. One minute it's "more troops!" the next it's "No Escalation!" It's all political spinning.

My head hurts from the merry-go-round.