Yes, by passing a resolution equating the Iraqi War with the already branded “War on Terror”, it shall be true.
Capitol Hill showdown on Iraq GOP crafts resolution in support of war; Democrats call for timetable to withdraw troops In a contentious debate scheduled for Thursday, House Republicans are trying to shore up support for the war in Iraq and embarrass Democrats as lawmakers face voters increasingly unhappy about the conflict.House leaders have proposed a resolution equating the war in Iraq with the global war on terror, calling it the “central front” and declaring that it is not in the national interest “to set an arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment of United States armed forces from Iraq.”
Somehow, the fact that the idiots in Congress even are wasting time like this is reason enough to pass term limit legislation. Or IQ testing, or something. If the Congress passes a resolution proclaiming that Pi = 3, as is written in the Bible, will that make it true? Well, perhaps bad example, as the Christian Taliban and their minions in Congress are busily drafting that amendment right now in all probability.
Not to mention any time that our high school wrestling coach cum Speaker of the House is involved, the proceedings are an acknowledged joke. Even the Republicans know better than to give important tasks to Denny-boy Hastert.
To underscore the seriousness with which Republicans view this debate, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) will kick off the discussion by noting that it is better to take the war to the terrorists “so we don't have to fight them in American neighborhoods.”Hastert rarely speaks on the floor, and by tradition, House speakers only vote on the most important of issues.
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“Our nation deserves an open and honest debate on the future direction of our military involvement in Iraq,” said Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.). “Instead, Majority Leader [John] Boehner and the Republican leadership have crafted a resolution for debate focused on trying to embarrass Democrats. It is the Republican leadership that ought to be embarrassed for its three-year failure to exercise its oversight responsibilities. Apparently, the American people will still have to wait for a serious debate on Iraq that is aimed at correcting bad policies instead of bad poll numbers.”Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), ranking minority member of the Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Boehner describing himself as “distressed” over the resolution and its focus on the war on terrorism rather than the Iraq war itself.
“I think you well understand that the war in Iraq is a separate conflict, an insurgency with terrorist elements and sectarian violence,” Skelton wrote. “We promised and owe the American people a focused and dedicated debate about our policy and the future of American commitment in Iraq.”
Republicans finalized the language of the resolution Monday night, with Democrats essentially shut out of the process. They will not be allowed to offer amendments to the resolution, nor will they be able to offer any sort of substitute language.
The House is expected to debate the resolution for eight to 10 hours, with members of different committees addressing separate aspects of the conflict. For example, GOP aides said members of the Intelligence Committee will talk about “tangible intelligence successes” in the war on terror. Members of the International Relations Committee, led by Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), will discuss political achievements in Iraq.
Boehner, the Ohioan who was the driving force behind holding the debate, said it would address a key question: “Are we going to confront the threat of terrorism and defeat it, or will we relent and retreat in the hopes that it just goes away?”
Tags: Democrats, /Iraq, /Rethuglicans
