Posted by
Buster Foghorn on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 7:46:47 PM
Dear Senator,
The Resolution today by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee disapproving the President's Iraq policy is very harmful to the national interest. Contrary to Senator Biden's disclaimer, the public dispute can only be interpreted as an effort to embarrass the President. Furthermore, there is no evidence the resolution will improve our position by making our troops safer or our mission easier.
There is a need during hazardous times, when we face a ruthless enemy, for elected officials to communicate privately to the Commander in Chief and withhold announcing their public opinions when they disagree. Further, any comments of disapproval should include a plan for success that is arguably superior to the President's plan. During wartime, elected officials need a modicum of self-restraint. They have to filter their comments of public disagreement with an understanding of the risks.
Yesterday, General Petraeus testified that such a Resolution would give encouragement to the enemy and depress morale among our allies and troops. Certainly, General Petraeus was correct. We know this enemy and 9/11 was a response to our ealier signs of weakness. The President’s plan is underway and a non-binding resolution only gives encouragement to the enemy. Contrary to Senator Chuck Hagel’s argument, there is nothing courageous about voting on a nonbinding resolution which advises the enemy that if they just bide their time we will run for cover.
A non-binding measure is not an act of political courage; please don’t embarrass Washington residents by publicly voting for failure. All of those who opposed Gulf War I looked quite foolish a few months later. G.K. Chesterton said: “He who weds the spirit of the times quickly becomes a widower.” Chesterton was quite right; joining an emotional bandwagon is not leadership. A show of unity and a wait and see approach are called for at this time to give the plan a chance for success.
In the movie, The Godfather, Don Vito Corleone, the head of the family, told a rival family that he opposed entering the drug and prostitution business with them. Immediately, a member of the family spoke out against the Godfather and publicly showed there was a lack of unity. The rival Mafia gang recognized they could get their way if they removed the Godfather and subsequently tried to kill him. Disunity communicates weakness and a lack of will.
There is only one Commander in Chief, please don’t break ranks and give aid and comfort to the enemy.