Political Warfare

This morning in the Senate session, the new Virginia Senator, Jim Webb had an amendment up for vote - it was designed to prevent abuse and misuse of the military and spell out the exact terms under which deployment could be demanded in the Iraq theater. Given the feedback that has hit the press over time from the active duty reserves, the national guard units, regular services, family members etc - one would think this would be a no-brainer.

WRONG!

It was full dress political combat.

Senator Webb was treated to the full fusilade of slick spinmeistering, initiated by the reigning minority leader, Mitch McConnell. Now I must give credit where credit is due. McConnell is the Oscar winner for polished performances of misspeaking. He can push that envelop to the microedge, just avoiding straight out bald faced lying. Maybe it still serves some party purpose, but for my two cents, the obstruction is visible and venal.

All it accomplished was to again delay facing reality and allowing the POTUS to avoid cleaning up his act, instead we creep agonizingly, second by second, through the fifth year of incompetent and in my eye, abusive, use of the military in a purely political farce. All be it, with too real blood and death the real life cost of the playboy's play war. What a legacy. For Shame, republican senators.

For several days the media had been speculating whether enough R's would jump ship to support Webb's amendment, but in the end, there were only six that cleared their head enough to give thought to facts and voted with the Democrats. Voinovich disappointed again, and Leiberman threw his weight in with the R's - again.

The democrat leadership again will get slammed because of the results. Most citizens will not be informed enough to realize what the actual combat on the senate floor was about. I have no doubt though that Jim Webb will be back-- his service background guarantees that.

Sorry troops. Help delayed. No calvary coming over the hill yet.



graysmoke