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August 28, 2007
Undermining the President
by Jack Lee
Sen. Don Perata-D
Phone: (916) 651-4009
Fax: (916) 327-1997
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Senate Bill 924, authorized by the Senate leader Don Perata, Democrat from Oakland, seeks to put an advisory vote on the February presidential primary ballot that would ask Californians whether they want an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. The bill would have no legally binding effect, however, it could compromise war efforts. But, even if it fails, it still could have a very negative effect on the Iraq war by just being proposed.
SB 924 is a symbolic gesture, but because of the powerful influence of this state, it would have a far reaching effect. It is an unprecedented departure from time honored tradition and most importantly it is a challenge to the Constitution that empowers the President. Individual states or states are not permitted to determine foreign policy. An attempt to publicly criticize the President via state legislation could only be construed one way, an attempt to subvert the authority of the executive branch. It most certainly will be seen that way by our enemies, including Al Qaeda.
Gov. Schwarzenegger would have to sign the bill before it would be sent to Congress and the White House. The governor's aides said Monday he would not take a position until he has seen it.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, "The Assembly debated the bill passionately for more than two hours before voting 43-32 on party lines to approve it, with Republican lawmakers calling it nothing more than a political stunt."
Democrats ought to get their own house in order first before telling the President how to run the White House
Democrats have no business grandstanding at the expense of our troops in combat. Further, this ploy can only undermining our overall war effort, particularly during a time when the SURGE plan has seen great progress.
This is a shameful waste our state legislature's time and resources, that could not be more poorly time to give aide and comfort to our beleaguered terrorist enemies in Iraq.
I've had enough of these guys...call Perata and tell him what you think of his bill!
Posted by Post Scripts at August 28, 2007 11:32 AM
Comments
This bill is exactly the opposite of an attempt to subvert the authority of the executive branch.
It is an attempt to rein in that branch as it has exceeded its authority.
Public criticism of the government is also a time-honored tradition.
The public has already dismissed any argument that criticism of our political or military leadership somehow disrespects or harms our troops as disingenuous at best. I would call it outright nonsense.
The war was, and remains, a tragic mistake. Our only recourse is to stop wasting lives and money and withdraw immediately.
Posted by: Darryl House at August 28, 2007 03:35 PM
I called...now will you call? It will just take a few seconds. (916) 651-4009 Be polite and just say you are against SB 924. Nothing else will get recorded, just yeas and nays. 10 seconds to call is all we ask.
Posted by: Jack Lee at August 28, 2007 04:33 PM
It is an attempt to rein in that branch as it has exceeded its authority.
I'm not a Constitutional scholar but I know of a few that would most heartily tell you that you are flat out wrong on this one. So this is at the very least an opinion not born of fact.
Our representatives in Congress have not taken similar action on this issue and that should tell you they know they don't have a legal leg to stand on. The fact that they blather on about it to their constituency should tell you the whole conversation is for them purely political. They would toss the reputation of the country and our military personel in the dumper just for their own selfish political ambitions...pathetic.
Public criticism of the government is also a time-honored tradition.
Support of ones country is a time-honored tradition.
The left is into a time-honored tradition that I find despicable...deliberately working to bring down a president. They have been relentless and viscious since Nixon and often with questionable cause. Questionable in particular from the standpoint that they do not hold the same standards for any democrat president...just the opposition. This is not behavior based on principle or moral highground...it is political thuggery.
The public has already dismissed any argument that criticism of our political or military leadership somehow disrespects or harms our troops as disingenuous at best. I would call it outright nonsense.
I totally disagree. There are many in America who find this behavior and attitude (including in our media) disrespectful, hateful, opportunistic, political and destructive.
If you want to know the real measure of harm try asking the troops who do not appreciate it at all...perhaps better still ask the leaders of our enemies who applaud you as weak and easy to manipulate...as duped allies in their war against the West.
The war was, and remains, a tragic mistake. Our only recourse is to stop wasting lives and money and withdraw immediately.
You are entitled to this opinion. Would you kindly run it by our enemies and see what they have to say. Ahmadinejad, for one, would be filled with glee by your suggestion. He said today he would be more than happy to fill the void of our waning "political power." Leaving Iraq before it is stable would bring a bloodbath of epic proportions...just like Vietnam and Cambodia.
This American stands firmly behind our president and the men and women of our military who have invested so much...and not just in blood, but in heart and soul. They have not grunted it out in conditions of heat and wind and sand and sleeplessness just to be told, "sorry...never mind...nothing you have done matters now." They believe that people everywhere deserve to be free and they put their butts on the line to back up that belief. They have realised that free people, people in democratic societies, do not wage war against one another and so democracy in Iraq would be a major factor in moving the region toward freedom and democracy...a great benefit to America and all freedom loving people. They believe in the mission and all they ask is that we put our full weight of support behind them you. By comparison that ain't much to ask.
They, you see, believe in honor. They have given their word just as America has given her word. They aim to complete the mission.
What message does your position send to the world? It would be nice if we could wave a magic wand and make everyone peace loving and kind. This is, however, the real world where sometimes blood must be shed to push dangerously, murderously, committed fanatics back into their holes. Your message is...ah well, boys will be boys. I say men of courage and honor do not put up with that behavior from other men. They do not stand by and let the bullies of the world take over. If you cannot stomach that you can at least support those who are willing.
Posted by: Tina at August 28, 2007 09:18 PM