Mechelle Poling – 4/9/07

This page was last updated on April 9, 2007.

Congress must end the war; Mechelle Poling; Beaver County Times; April 9, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“For years, President Bush has cloaked his intentions behind the “global war on terrorism.”

“It has long been suspected that oil drove the war. It is no longer a matter of suspicion, it is sordid fact.”

[RWC] You’ll note Ms. Poling doesn’t provide one bit of evidence to support her claim. If “it is sordid fact” and “no longer a matter of suspicion,” Ms. Poling should be able to regale us with tons of supporting evidence.

“The Iraqi war has never been about terrorism. It is blood for oil. The blood has been spilled already, hugely, criminally. More than 3,200 American military men and women have died in Iraq and 26,500 more have been wounded.”

[RWC] Not for one second do I believe Ms. Poling cares one whit about our military deaths and casualties.

“But the oil remains in play. Voters put Democrats in charge to take bold action against the war, not to compromise.”

[RWC] As you should recall, Democrats ran on no such platform.

“Congress has historically used its power of the purse to deter, limit or end armed conflicts. During the Vietnam War, Congress not only repealed its authorization for the war, but it set a date to cut off funds for combat operations - forcing the war to an end.”

[RWC] What a great chapter in U.S. history that was. Of course, Ms. Poling seems to forget President Nixon started withdrawing troops from Vietnam soon after he took office and years before Congress took any action. I’m sure the millions of Vietnamese and Cambodians who died in the aftermath are thankful for Congress’ “brave” action.

“Bush has stated the war is not the responsibility of Congress and that he makes the final decisions.”

[RWC] Actually, the Constitution (Article II, Section 2) names the President as “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States.”

“Congress needs to declare war on the Bush administration. America spoke, and now Congress needs to act. Be brave. Pull the plug and bring our troops home.”

[RWC] I love it when people like Ms. Poling make their positions clear. President Bush is the enemy, not the Islamofascists trying to kill us.

I also love it when folks like Ms. Poling don’t have the guts to call their position by its name, surrender.