CP: That's a great question, Natalie, and that's really the "method" question of, "How do we enact change rather than standing in a corner yelling into a trash can?" That's not what I'm about whatsoever. I stand up strong, don't ask permission, and stand up to party bosses in defense of constitutional rights. One of these key constitutional provisions has to do with warmaking: Only Congress shall declare war. Well, we are in a state of war still, with Iraq, almost three years after the beginning of that conflict, and what had been a low-level sectarian war until a few days ago, has now raised the specter of becoming an all-out, full-fledged civil war between Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds. The US military is on the ground, and its 140,000-plus soldiers are in immediate and grave danger. We need to get our troops off the ground and get them off the ground now. This should have begun a long time ago, this phasing-out process, but unfortunately, we're living under one-party rule, and the president in power believes he has absolute authority, though he was given only a war resolution, which is not constitutional. This is not a constitutionally declared war, much like the Tonkin Gulf [resolution] did not provide a war declaration [for taking military action in Vietnam]; Johnson and Nixon took full flight, took full assumption of authority, by reading into that resolution. What we need to do is... What I will do personally is to lead the fight in the US Senate and I will grab my members, pull them into back rooms and explain the historic consequences of what we are in the process of doing. I am completely convinced that Democrats in the US Senate do not know their history. Not only do they not know their history, the only thing they can focus on is their next election.
There are exceptions - Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) are among them - but so long as Democrats focus only on the next elections and on those people who contribute to their campaigns, they're never going to see the light together. We're at a critical moment in our history where we truly have an opportunity to get this thing right. What that really requires is taking members of the US Senate and, if necessary, shaming them in public for their support of this illegal, unconstitutional war in Iraq. Swallow your pride, let's get the troops off the ground, let's look at American security itself, let's re-focus on the 60-plus countries around the world that actually do harbor terrorists who mean ill-intent to the United States. Al Waeda is based in 60 countries around the world, so we really need to get our arms around the security question in a big way.
Article comments
1 - Dave De Vetter
I truly believe that Chuck Pennacchio is our only hope of beating Santorum in November. He will actually represent the people's interests instead of giving in to the corporations and righ-wing religious extremists. I hope everyone who reads this visits his site and contributes to his campaign or signs up to volunteer (even if you don't live in PA, there's much you can do). We're an all volunteer campaign fighting for the future of democracy.
2 - Austin
that site is www.chuck2006.com
3 - Natalie Davis
Chuck's name in the essay, as does the Pennacchio button graphic, links to the campaign Web site.
4 - Brenna Lorenz
If you have a chance to hear Chuck speak, absolutely do go. He will have you jumping out of your seat ready to do battle. You can't imagine how wonderful it is to hear a candidate talk sense!
When people ask him tough questions, he doesn't hedge, waffle, change the subject, flinch or dodge. He answers head-on, decisively. He's going to make mincemeat of Santorum.
This man is a true leader.
5 - Natalie Davis
Yes, Chuck is a principled, empowering presence. And a straight shooter. But the fact remains that the Democratic powers that be, including a lot of the major Democratic blogs (Kos, MyDD, etc.) are pushing the centrist-conservative Casey. That makes it crucial for progressives to spread the word far and wide throughout Pennsylvania: Casey is nothing more than a pale image of Santorum. He does not support the basic issues so crucial for Pennsylvania and that represent core Democratic values. I understand that people are used to caving in to the right wing; they're accustomed to bending over for the conservatives and losing for their self-degradation. But come on - a progressive can win and god knows, a change is needed YESTERDAY. It's time for a real progressive, a real people's candidate. If Santorum is destined to win (and I maintain that he is NOT), isn't it better to lose standing tall rather than on one's knees? Casey is the candidate for the acquiescent, the cowardly, the weak. Pennacchio is the candidate for the courageous, for those who want power to rest in the hands of the PEOPLE rather than the fatcat, money-motivated pols. Spread the word.