Sunday, November 11, 2007

My Letter from Senator Jack Reed
Senator Reed voted for The Kyl-Lieberman amendment. Like many Rhode Islanders, I am vehemently against it. I contacted Senator Reed to let him know my opinion on the subject. I received a form letter in reply. Before commenting on the content of letter itself, it must be noted that Senator Kyl’s name is mentioned twice while Senator Lieberman, the co-sponsor of the amendment,is not mentioned at all. I was reminded of ancient Egypt where the current Pharaoh obliterated the name of his rival. I have little regard for Lieberman’s politics, but I do acknowledge him as a person. Senator Reed is obviously running from the Connecticut Senator by failing to mention Lieberman’s name on a piece of legislation that Lieberman co-sponsored.As to the substance of the letter I will quote and comment.
"...I oppose military action against Iran absent a blatant act of war on the part of the Iranians."
Bush and Cheney both claim that the president has the ability to declare an act of the Iranians as an act of war. This is like giving a blank check to a sociopath and telling him not to cash it until he really needs to....You better have the check covered because you’re going to see it again.The National Defense Authorization Act expresses:
"the sense of the Senate that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps should be designated a foreign terrorist organization. Any such designation would have to occur under existing law which requires a detailed administrative record that can be challenged in court."
It hasn’t taken long, Cheney has called Iran the world’s number one terrorist country, Condoleezza Rice is calling for economic sanctions, and for what it’s worth, even President Bush has had some damning words to say about the Iranians. The verbal assault has begun. No voices raised in alarm or opposition yet.
"As a sense of the Senate amendment, this legislation does not have the force of the law."
Aw, shucks, It don’t really mean nuthin’ anyway.
"Although some in the Bush Administration suggest unilateral, pre-emptive military action as a course in Iran, I believe that there are still possibilities to garner strong regional support..."
"Some in the Bush Administration" include the president, the vice-president and major cabinet officials. There is virtually no room for other possibilities to occur let alone grow and garner support.The letter concluded by thanking me for contacting the senator and reminding me "not to hesitate to write, call,".etc.I hope to stay in touch.
Posted by philly40 at 7:56 PM