There was much drama, which I suspect was orchestrated for the viewing audience. The Republicans brought out a few war heroes of their own, including the eloquent Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX). I thought it was cool.
Republicans are notorious for being firm, emotionless, concise and clear. Those GOP representatives last night were damned mad and they weren't going to take it anymore.
Perhaps I've seen too many bloviating senators, members of that clubby group of 100 who proudly carry their little rule books and name bridges, buildings and roads for their handsome selves.
What I saw last night in the US House of Representatives were angry and passionate representatives of the American populace.
All of them, even the Democratic representatives, must go home to face a district of military bases, soldier-constituents and families of soldiers. Having a supposedly loyal military representative go out and call for a removal of our forces in an active war zone was initially a good idea. The Democrats could collect their MoveOn.org/George Soros contributions while going around denying that they agreed with Murtha, yet still sending this demoralizing message — in the view of the GOP base — to our troops. Not to mention our enemies who sit in their caves and wait, as they have plenty of time for America to chicken out. Already Al-Jazeera is quoting Rep. Murtha as if he were Allah.
When pushed to the limit, heh, as was the plan, only three representatives, and they were Moonbats, actually voted to remove our troops from Iraq immediately. This gives them little wiggle room for such an obviously opportunistic political ploy to appease their base and collect their Mooonbat contributions.
The Republicans called the liberals' bluff, and it was necessary. If the Democrats don't know how to behave during war time, then someone has to show them.
Given the administration's recent push back at the "Bush lied and led us to war" meme, and given that the Democrats had their bluff called over this Murtha drama, Those who support them — as their talking points condemn our military while claiming to support the military — will be few and far between.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dave Nalle
Thanks for keeping tabs on this for us, Patfish. I was surprised to see that even Ron Paul voted agains Res. 571.
Dave
2 - Pat Fish
You know Dave, I don't believe Ron Paul voted against it. In that, isn't Ron Paul a Republican? No Republicans voted for the bill.
I do know that Ron Paul is some sort of Libertarian and is well-regarded in that political community. Perhaps he's an independent?
3 - Dave Nalle
No, Ron Paul is a Republican, but he's also a Libertarian. They call him Dr. No because he votes against everything. He was opposed to the war in the first place, so I'm surprised to see him vote against this resolution. But maybe like me he hates the grandstanding of the democrats more than he hates the war and wanted to send a message.
Dave
4 - Pat Fish
Some more info below.
Wexler...a Clinton ass smooching Moonbat. McKinney, elected by an Arab district. Serrano...dunno.
Three Democrats, Jose Serrano of New York, Robert Wexler of Florida and Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, voted for withdrawal.
McDermott went to Baghdad and betrayed America. Nadler, heh. All eight of chins should get a vote.
Massachusetts....where the state commanded the legislature to pass a law legalyzing gay marriage.
Heh.
These brave folks KNOW their seat is safe. Not exactly courage.
Six voted present: Reps. Jim McDermott of Washington, Jerrold Nadler of New York, Maurice Hinchey of New York, Michael Capuano of Massachusetts, Major Owens of New York and William Lacy Clay of Missouri.
5 - Temple Stark
I keep on thinking about what was said after Barney Frank's (was it him?) resolution to restart the draft.
The word grandstanding came up quite a bit then.
6 - Pat Fish
OhmyGod! I forgot that one!
Wasn't it great? The Representatives of the People had their say and they meant it.
At times I thought I was watching a Japanese parliamentary session. At times I feared the fists would start flying.
Well, not "feared", exactly. ;)
7 - Al Barger
Temple, Charlie Rangel's military draft resolution could have been described as "grandstanding," but would have been more accurately described simply as LYING- "deception" perhaps if you want to express it nicely.
Murtha informally proposed immediate withdrawal of US troops. This resolution simply put it to a vote.
Whereas the draft move was not based on anything by any Republican. Democrats made it up and submitted it, apparently intending to trick the public into thinking that this was somehow the Republicans' doing.
8 - SonnyD
Thanks again, Patfish. Great writing style, direct, informative and to the point. None of the emotional baggage some writers are compelled to include.
9 - Bliffle
Murthas actions confirm my feeling that there is something terribly wrong with our military: apparently, men who serve therein turn into monsters. Max Cleland, John McCain, John Kerry and now Murtha: all of them despicable, disloyal, fathering mixed blood children, faking war wounds, etc.
Whereas, by contrast, men who have spared themselves the corrupting influence of the military, Dick Cheney, George Bush, etc., display the best American characteristics: loyalty, honesty, etc.
10 - RJ
GREAT stuff!
I like how you included the potential ethical baggage of Rep. Murtha, as well as direct quotes from Rep. Murtha regarding his support for an "immediate" redeployment...also, that picture of that botoxed, desiccated communist Nancy Pelosi was simply hilarious! :-)
11 - Anthony Grande
That was exiting. This is the first time I ever took the time to watch one of these.
Now we know that the Democrats are all talk when they say that they want to pull the troops out.
12 - RJ
Also, I find it hilarious that the MSM is talking about how "hawkish" Murtha is, when this same guy was calling the war in Iraq "unwinnable" back in early 2004!
13 - MCH
Re comment #12;
One way to prove that you truly believe the war is "winnable" would be an attempt to enlist.
14 - Anthony Grande
MCH, we are very very close to winning Operation Iraqi Freedom. They already ratified the Constitution, they picked the party to head them and know they are about to elect a leader.
This all proves that the people of Iraq are with us.
Now, MCH, you tell me: How can we loose?
15 - Pat Fish
Anthony-The Iraqi people have been wonderful.
With all the Mainstream media foaming for bad stories, they've found few Iraqis to go on TV complaining and moaning. You think they haven't looked?
And Iraq/Kurdistan already has a nice web site and some fine commercials thanking America.
They've voted under the most difficult conditions that no American would bother. They've formed a constitution while howls that it wouldn't work, the Sunnis won't vote, soared all around.
It's about time we stop the lies about this war. Just because you say a lie twenty thousand times does NOT make it the truth.
16 - Anthony Grande
The key to winning this operation IS by having the support of the major majority of Iraqis.
And this we have.
Sure there will be the daily terrorist attacks and such but for the sake of the Iraqis we must stay the course.
All Iraq needs now is a strong government (pretty close to this goal) and a millitary that can take care of itself with the least amount of American help. Once this happens, and we leave, the attacks will reduce greatly and the we and the Iraqis can move on with our lives in both of our Democracies.
17 - Natalie Davis
Last night's congressional show was a riot. Once again, we see that the Dems -- with the exception of three principled people -- are no better than the Republicans.
"I have come to the conclusion that one worthless man is called a disgrace, that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a congress. And by God, I have had this Congress!"
John Adams in the musical 1776
18 - Anthony Grande
"Last night's congressional show was a riot. Once again, we see that the Dems -- with the exception of three principled people -- are no better than the Republicans"
Well maybe it is you and those 3 who are not better and pricipled as us.
19 - Anthony Grande
DAVE NALLE: "He was opposed to the war in the first place, so I'm surprised to see him vote against this resolution."
Just because someone opposed the war in the first place doesn't mean that they want to all of the sudden pull the plug and leave a country without a millitary or strong government.
20 - MCH
"Also, I find it hilarious how the MSM is talking about how "hawkish" Murtha is..."
- RJ
John Murtha's military experience:
**U.S. Marines, Intelligence Officer
**Korean War and Vietnam War combat veteran
**recipient of the Bronze Star
RJ's military experience:
...None (zero)
21 - Dave Nalle
Murtha IS hawkish. Read up on him. His reaosning for pulling out of Iraq may no be what you expect. He genuinely thinks Iraqi forces could take over and do the job now were we not there giving them an excuse to slack off. I also suspect he favors 'redeploying' those troops to Syria and Iran, which might not make MCH so happy. He's actually getting a lot of flack from other Democrats like Reid and Pelosi over his statements.
Dave
22 - MCH
"I also suspect he favors redeploying those troops to Syria and Iran, which might not make MCH so happy."
- Dave Nalle
Well, for one thing I'd prefer to see Murtha's actual words on what he "favors," rather than what Dave Nalle "suspects" he favors - if it's alright with you, Nalle.
23 - Dave Nalle
Go download a trancript of Meet the Press, MCH. He wants to keep the troop in the Middle East and use them to beat up on other troublesome countries as a 'rapid reaction' force. The guy really IS a hawk. Sorry for the cold dose of reality.
Dave
24 - Temple Stark
Your wild guessing AKA putting words in people's mouths is not "reality."
25 - GoHah
First-rate article--good to see, ultimately, a little political poetic justice.