color: SOME SOLDIER'S MOM: So You Voted? So What??

Saturday, February 17, 2007

So You Voted? So What??

Working on a longer post to bring the blog up current... but today it is magnificent weather here in the desert southwest and we're off to hike God's magnificent gift to us...

In the meantime, here is my message and my vent to the members of the US House of Representatives that voted in favor of the non-binding resolution not to support the "surge":

I don't give a damn what little weaselly words about "supporting our troops" you included in your resolution. I don't care about all your self-serving statements about what your friggin' "intent" was. You can say what you want to the media -- we KNOW what the effect is just as you knew when you voted: You slapped our Soldiers and Marines, our Sailors and Airmen... you undercut their authority on the battlefield... you have not helped them complete their mission but you have hampered them in their abilities to do so... you have put their lives at greater risk because you have told our enemy that they can and should.

You have told our men and women fighting that they can not do the job... that you have no faith in them... that you will not support them under any circumstances...

You have told them that no matter how well they have performed, how many schools they have rebuilt, how many hospitals and clinics they have refurbished... no matter how many innocent Iraqi lives they have saved from the brutality of Saddam's regime... no matter how many people have been liberated from oppression and despotism and might now live in democracy and freedom... you have told them that you do not, cannot and will not support them. You have told them that they and their mission are unimportant... that your politics are more important than they are and the job they do.

Most importantly, you -- you Pelosi, Murtha, Reid, et al. -- YOU have told those that seek to kill OUR troops -- kill OUR children -- that it is OK to do so because you have told them publicly and emphatically that the more deaths and injuries they cause to our troops, the more likely it is that we will cut and run... YOU will cut and run if you have your way.

So you voted. So what? It's meaningless to everyone BUT OUR ENEMIES. Were you trying to prove you don't like Bush? You didn't need this vote to tell us that. What exactly were you trying to prove that you couldn't have done in a letter to the President? You stood and voted to make yourselves feel important. And in doing so you made our troops and their safety and their mission unimportant.

And to boot, you have lied and misled the American public into thinking that the 21,500 troops are somehow "extra" troops -- that the President somehow added these troops... WE all know that these troops would be there regardless of your resolution and regardless of whether the media or the Democrats or the "I have no backbone or stomach for this" call it a surge. THESE TROOPS WERE GOING TO IRAQ ANYWAY.

If you all are sittin' around scratchin' yerselves trying to figure out what your job is, I have news for you: passing non-binding resolutions ain't it. As an American voter who has voted in every election for which I have been eligible for almost four decades, let me tell you that your job is not opposing the President. Your job -- the reason you are in the United States Congress, why some get to fly on military jets, why you collect handsome salaries and accrue exceptional pensions and have outrageously good healthcare benefits... Your job, ladies and gentlemen (and I use the terms loosely) is to act in the interests of all Americans... to protect us against all enemies foreign and domestic... to DO what is right and just... especially when we are at war -- note to Congress: WE ARE AT WAR. Your job is to support our troops AND THEIR MISSION in both WORD AND DEED... and if you can't do that, then get the hell out of Congress. Yesterday you failed in your jobs. You Miserably failed.

All I can say is thank God none of you is President and Commander-in-Chief. Thank God. And you have convinced this independent voter that it will be my life's mission for the next two years to be sure that "your" candidate is NEVER President and NEVER this Nation's Commander-in-Chief... because if nothing else, you have proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that your candidate will never be trustworthy... can never be trusted to do what is best for America and her safety... you will NEVER be able to lead our Country's dedicated and selfless military when it is important to my country's safety. And you can never be counted on to do what is necessary to be sure that our military has the money, equipment and the support TO WIN once you send them into battle. And you DID send them into battle. You sent them to win... but now you're too chickensh*t to follow through.

You can be against the war and you can be appalled and saddened and grief-stricken by the wounded and the dead. God knows I am. But this resolution is not the way you show it.

So you passed this mealy-mouthed resolution... hiking up yer important pants today, are you? High-fivin' and hangin' yer privates all important-like? Well let me tell you from this military Mom, I think all of you that voted for this "ain't got the guts to put my money where my mouth is" little resolution are dogdung on the bottom of my boot and need to be scraped into the sewer. You should be ASHAMED of yourselves. And if you're not ashamed of yourselves, I certainly am ashamed of all of you.

Copyright Some Soldier's Mom 2007. All rights reserved.

PS Come back some other day and I might just let you know how I really feel.

Welcome to those arriving via Jules Crittenden, AubreyJ or The Radio Patriots (from Constitutional Public Radio).

I've had people tell me that since I went to the "new" blogger, my screens were hard to read, so I changed the template in the hopes of it being easier on the eyes. Unfortunately when I did that, I lost all my modifications, links and codes... despite saving them... aaarrggghhh.

41 Comments:

At 2/17/2007 11:53 AM , Blogger AubreyJ......... said...

Good for you, Soldier's Mom...
Good for you...
AubreyJ.........

 
At 2/17/2007 12:37 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Exactly!! Have been so angry over this travesty I can hardly eat or sleep. Preach on!!

 
At 2/17/2007 12:48 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

What an awesome post! Soldier's Mom, you have so eloquently put into words exactly how I feel. I'm so sick of my Congressman, Jim Moran, bragging about supporting the troops and he will support them by bringing them home. Our Virginia Senators are just as bad. I'd like to fire absolutely EVERY single Congressman and Senator and just over from scratch. There is a wonderful online petition at Truth laid Bear called the NRSC pledge. Over 33,000 people have now signed in protest. They have pledged not to vote for any Republican politician or to support them or the party financially if they vote for the resolution! Check it out:
http://truthlaidbear.com/thenrscpledge/index.php

 
At 2/17/2007 1:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Exactly. If my E4 daughter were there, I'd be hyperventilating even more than I am.

Janet from Tucson

 
At 2/17/2007 1:41 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

HOO-frickin-AH!! Great post, SSM!!
I am so spittin' angry!

btw - I linked to you ~

 
At 2/17/2007 3:05 PM , Blogger mysoldiergirl said...

Bravo! I couldn't have said it better myself!!

 
At 2/17/2007 3:50 PM , Blogger auntybrat said...

Amen! Well said! As a side note: Over at Victory Caucus they have a list of all those Republicans who voted in favour. Maybe send each of them a note telling them exactly how you feel? Don't hold back as you remind them that they are YOUR employees - have you noticed how many of them seem to have forgotten that?

 
At 2/17/2007 4:07 PM , Blogger Don said...

Very well stated. This should be printed on every voter application in the US.

 
At 2/17/2007 4:49 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to give you such great marks for what you said and how I feel. May we all keep the fire going so they will never hold office to do such damage to this country.

 
At 2/17/2007 5:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mom, please contact me re: www.gatheringofeagles.org.

Thank you!

Larry Bailey

 
At 2/17/2007 5:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you. My sentiments also.

a Vietnam Vet.

 
At 2/17/2007 6:00 PM , Blogger Lee said...

Good for you, Soldier's Mom...so very well said.

I hope your words are spread far and wide.

Hold your head high.

 
At 2/18/2007 3:38 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

There is NO support for our troops or our country in Washington. They are giving our country away in all directions without a fight and when they are successful do they realize they will no longer be recieving those perks from our enemies.. Idiots Abound In Government and don't mind us paying for Saturday pay but take off during the week any time they want to .. maybe a time clock is in order. Or socialized medical for them as well =0)
Fellow AZ PGR member here !

 
At 2/18/2007 4:34 PM , Blogger Susan said...

From a soldier's wife to a soldier's mom:

You rock! This is the best summation of feelings I think I've read yet. You have put into words the thoughts of so many people. I think this needs to be sent to every single member of Congress. I'll buy the postage.

 
At 2/18/2007 4:47 PM , Blogger Call Me Grandma said...

You go mom. If they didn't get the message with that email. What more could you say. Awesome!

 
At 2/18/2007 5:06 PM , Blogger Allen J. Duffis said...

I respect with all my heart your right to an opinion, but I sincerely hope that you respect my right to disagree with you.

Please be on notice of the following:
The flag of the United States is not the United States!
The President of the United States is not the United States.

It is the Constitution of the United States that is The United States.

And the Senate is doing what the Constitution empowered them to do - both rightfully and morally!

Yes, I too support the troops, but I do not support the effort they have been thrown into recklessly by an incompetant leader.

Your piece though I do believe is sincere in 'your mind', is not based upon reality. You are being blinded by what is known as "A Cult of Personality." You are simply 'Gung Ho" George W. Bush

Allen J. Duffis
Editor
The Conservative Independent
www.conserveind.com

 
At 2/18/2007 6:35 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you, SSM from a VPMM(Very Proud Marine Mom). I hope this letter you've written went to those pathetic people in congress. I sent some letters via email to my local folks, but the one I sent to Pelosi was "denied".
You go girl.
I hold these people responsible for every death of our military personel since November.

 
At 2/18/2007 7:08 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love the new format...very bright & easy-to-see! I will link to this as it is what I truly feel in my heart to be the case as well.

I'm sure when you come back, you will meet some comments with double-barrels. If his name is pronounced "doo-fis", it would just be *too* perfect.

 
At 2/18/2007 9:55 PM , Blogger Some Soldier's Mom said...

I do support your right to an opinion, but what does your comment have to do with the substance of the blog post?

these a$$hats that call themselves representatives only represent themselves. if their goal truly was to let the president know that they did not support the acceleration of the deployment of 21,000+ troops, they well could have written him a letter or simply continued to critique him in the liberally-biased media.

and no, the job of congressmen/women is NOT to oppose the president... neither rightfully nor morally. it is to represent the american people... not to undermine the president nor this country's military.

and the Congress -- a representative body that stands without regard to its membership at any static moment in time (e.g., as in "the Congress decided") sent our sons and daughters to war and they cannot -- or should not -- now decry it while the troops they sent are in harms way.

what the members of congress did in passing the "non-binding resolution" was to undermine the American soldiers doing battle at Congress's behest. and they did it with impurity of motive: they voted to punish the president not to support our troops.

the reason I support the president on this matter (and it's one of few with which I agree btw) is that he has the spine and the fortitude to make a decision and stand by it regardless of the political implications. we obviously (and sadly) cannot say the same of this congress.

this is heartfelt. and I know. I have skin in the game... and this is what I believe... and sadly what our soldiers believe because it's the message the dems have sent.

and your statemnt that my "piece... is sincere in 'your mind', [but] is not based upon reality." and an assumption that my support and position is based on some emotional rather than logical reasoning is just sheer pomposity and arrogance on your part. There is no greater reality nor greater clarity in thought than when you have a child at war.

 
At 2/19/2007 8:13 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

YOU GO GIRL!!! ALL MILITARY AND NON MILITARY MOTHERS SHOULD BE UP IN ARMS HOW DARE THEY CONTINUE THIS BS. WHILE MY SON, NEPHEW AND NEICE ARE IN IRAQ. I PROMISE TO FIGHT AGAINST EVERY CONGRESSMAN,SENATOR,ETC. WHO VOTED FOR THIS OR EVEN BROUGHT IT UP FOR DISCUSSION. GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND THE IRAQ'S
DAWN

 
At 2/19/2007 10:26 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

AMEN!! As usual, you are dead-on!!
Thank you!

 
At 2/19/2007 2:06 PM , Blogger Rod Montgomery said...

Urah

Go Mom.

The undermining of the military is just the beginning. Our troops desrve better, much better. They're headed toward the Viet Nam War all over again. They're taking away the respect the troops so rightfully deserve. Is 9-11 so far in the past that eveyone forgets we were attacked. Many of these troops joined to uphold the very essence of what our country was built on - freedom, liberty, justice and a volunteering spirit.

If you watch, this Congress is also setting up to give away what we've earned in medical, social security, school grants and more to the "invaders" - i.e illegal aliens or illegal immigrants. Why are we cow towing to those who break the law. Why don't we put them in the military and let them earn their place here, too.

I just hope these military men have a home to come back to that will support them in spirit and heart, like they committed themselves for us. And, some even gave their lives.

 
At 2/19/2007 4:42 PM , Blogger Cliff Raymond said...

Great post. You're almost as mad about this as I am. The Democrats have been comparing this war to Vietnam almost since the first day, but it's only now really beginning to resemble it. And that's only because they did the same thing back then, led by none other than John Kerry.
The last Democrat I voted for was Jimmy Carter, and I've been apologizing ever since. It won't happen again.
Cliff Raymond
Vietnam vet

 
At 2/19/2007 8:51 PM , Blogger Mrs Xoke said...

Well said! I hope you don't mind, but I will be posting this on my blog with links and credit pointing back to you. There are so many of us who agree with every word you just said. Thank you! Please give the best wishes of a family in Nevada to your son. Our prayers are with him and all of your family.

 
At 2/20/2007 5:33 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Very well said Mom! Ever thought about running against McCain? I'll move to AZ to vote for you. Or maybe you can move here to IL and run against Dick(Eddy Haskel)Durbin or Barack Hussein Obama cause they both need to go as well.

Thanks for your support!!!!

 
At 2/20/2007 7:01 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I couldn't have said it better myself. You go Momma!!!

 
At 2/20/2007 1:38 PM , Blogger The Observer said...

AMEN,

Nothing else need be said.

 
At 2/21/2007 7:38 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

SSM,

Thanks for stopping by the HammerSlogger and leaving some of your thoughts.

I hope you check in again soon.

Chris

 
At 2/21/2007 9:00 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

If welfare dont work, cut it!
If public schools dont work, cut it!
If war doesnt work, send more troops!

Anyone else confused by the logic?

 
At 2/21/2007 10:34 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't have any children or relatives deployed overseas, but I have friends that have been. THANK YOU for expressing my views as well! Chicago Ken-you CANNOT have her in IL...we need Soldier's Mom in California to replace...well, take your pick and start with "Big Mouth Boxer'!
Ken Delfino
Colfax, CA
Navy River Rat (ret)

 
At 2/21/2007 11:19 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

AMEN SISTER!!!!! AS a Vietnam Vet Wife have heard all this Congressional Pantywaist stuff before.

JOIN US on MARCH 17 in Washington DC
go here for details and all events:
www.gatheringofeagles.org

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO the SECURITY OF OUR NATION

 
At 2/22/2007 11:37 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

"BRAVO ZULU" Soldier's mom! As a 38-year U.S. Navy veteran and recent retiree, I stand beside you and your eloquently articulated post. It is our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who need--and wholly deserve our country's undivided support. Not just in our words, but in our every action. Those who claim to be "in charge" of our national interests should indeed be ashamed of the self-indulgent actions to which they have cowardly stooped.

 
At 2/22/2007 3:36 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Mon, boy did you hit it on the head. Congress is so full of wimps who are grand standing and trying to make believe they know what they are doing. They don't, our troops will be hung out to dry and will pay the price of what congress is saying and voting on.
Washington is a disgrace not only in the war but also in the immigration issue, selling the US down river for votes from the liberals who are not with the program. We need to win in this battle, not cut and run like we did in Vietnam. Sending a message to the world powers of our inability to stay the course until the battle is won. Cut and run our legacy to our children.

 
At 2/22/2007 4:12 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I tip my hat to you, SomeSoldioersMom. For you are reading the situation 5X5.
If we fought WWII like this, we would be Spreche Deutch.

Keep up the good fight!!

QD67

 
At 2/25/2007 1:23 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

You said it the way it is! Thank you for your courage, and God bless your son. So many of us feel the way you do, yet speak out so little. I do hope the Madame Speaker, and her Demo support team realize there is another team out here that has the real love of our men and women fighting, and who lift them up daily to our Lord and Savior for their security and safe return home. Prayer does work - I am the wife, mother and grandmother of warriors from Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War and now - Iraq (2 tour Marine grandson Purple Heart recipient - who has just come home safely. Stand firm - you are on the winning team!

 
At 2/28/2007 8:57 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually, the job of those in the House & the Senate is, in fact, to represent the people who elected them even if it means opposing the person sitting in the Oval office -- that includes me and many, many millions of others who wanted that message sent to the George. We've been bogged down in a war throwing good money after bad with no end in sight while the Republicans controlled Washington and I'm hearing a lot of whining and complaining now that the shoe is on the other foot. My absolute fervent prayer is that the two shoes will learn to walk together, make a plan and get us the hell out of there AND SOON! Even I, an ardent oppenent of this war, recognize we can't just pull out but I also would like to know that there actually is a planned end in sight. That's all.

(p.s.) I'm not a Democrat.
(p.s.s.) SSM - I'll still love ya despite our political differences.

ylss

 
At 2/28/2007 9:36 PM , Blogger Some Soldier's Mom said...

mlss -- I think all those years living in the people's republic of boulder robbed you of important brain cells and think your political position on all things is based in BDS rather than reason... and while I know you oppose the war (although I have never actually heard a factual reason why), I can't believe you could support this resolution -- toothless and vindictive... they are spineless twits and you know it (even if you won't admit it)... but I still love you, too.

 
At 3/01/2007 3:51 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Actually, mlss, it began long before I moved to boulder...like maybe SIU. I oppose any war where our soldiers are sent without what I believe to be valid reasons to give their lives or be criplled for life - physically or emotionally..and I still haven't heard any valid reason...what I've heard is pure propaganda to make their case. I think the sledge hammer approach may have gotten GW's attention and I do not anywhere in my being believe it was spineless. Again, what I want is for everyone there to get together and make a plan to get us out of there. What will happen if this "surge" doesn't work? What if it just encourages more violence and strenghthens the resolve of the zealots/insurgents? Shall we stay indefinitely until we no longer have any young people left or willing to serve? A definitive plan to get us out is all I (personally) want and support whatever it takes to get the attention of all of the morons in Washington and get it done.
Lastly, for what it's worth: I've often marveled that we were raised together (although you have to admit that we actually DO agree on some political items just not this one. :)
ylss

 
At 3/01/2007 4:51 PM , Blogger Some Soldier's Mom said...

I oppose any war where our soldiers are sent without what I believe to be valid reasons to give their lives or be criplled for life - physically or emotionally...

ok, I presume that means WWI and WWII (Germany didn't attack us on our soil either time and we went to ensure democracy in Europe...) and Korea (and hell, we're STILL there more than 50 years later!)

and I still haven't heard any valid reason...

perhaps you should read what the dems said why we needed to go in to Iraq... here http://www.freedomagenda.com/iraq/wmd_quotes.html

I think the sledge hammer approach may have gotten GW's attention

oh, really? are we not sending troops? did he stop the accelerated deployment (then please call Vin & Rob & let them know direct, ok??) are our guys coming home now?? hmmm...

and I do not anywhere in my being believe it was spineless.

if that resolution had a spine, it would have DONE something... it was merely words...

Again, what I want is for everyone there to get together and make a plan to get us out of there.

me, too. but in case you missed the PLAN: when the Iraqis can defend themselves, most of the troops will come home. they announced this plan 4 years ago.

What will happen if this "surge" doesn't work?

what if it DOES??? (and recent reports suggest it's working...)

What if it just encourages more violence and strenghthens the resolve of the zealots/insurgents?

"encourages more violence"? you're kidding, right? and what if we stomp the bad guys and end it??

Shall we stay indefinitely

nope... only until the mission is complete.

until we no longer have any young people left or willing to serve?

there will always be those brave enough to raise their hand and say, "this we'll defend". and if we ever run out of "young men" I know a WHOLE bunch of "old guys" who would be more than willing to STEP UP.

A definitive plan to get us out is all I (personally) want and support whatever it takes to get the attention of all of the morons in Washington and get it done.

the morons will never 'get it". Never.

 
At 3/02/2007 11:35 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can't address WWI or WWII and the case made for war - I wasn't there.But I do believe we entered those Wars at the behest of our allies - certainly not the case here; in fact, the exact opposite. I can only address the reasons that were given for THIS invasion...didn't buy them then, don't buy them now. And many people who voted for this war did so based on the information provided to them by the people who wanted to go to war. Many question the truthfulness, slant and validity of the information provided. And the resolution was words sent in no uncertain terms to the administration that the support garnered at the start of the war had withered and been withdrawn... a message sent not only by those elected but from WE, THE PEOPLE! Becasue as elected representatives, they are expected to represent the views of all of their constituents (that includes me, too -- not just those in favor of staying the course).... When the resolution was passed, it was done so with the knowledge that the "surge" would go forward...but GW has come out and admitted they hadn't planned well and things weren't going well and some changes needed to be made (duh). And a plan made 4 years ago and still no end in sight is a good deal of the problem many people have with the continuation and the surge...I believe the original estimations for the length of stay in Iraq have long since come & gone. Our length of time in Korea does nothing to lessen my insistence that there be a more specific deadline to withdrawal from Iraq AND THEN STICK TO IT! "When the mission is complete" is just a bit vague for me. and as to "stomping the bad guys"? I believe that however many insurgents we kill, there will be as many or more to replace them and once we scale back our presence or leave completely, Iraq will revert to the place it has always been -- sectarian and divided -- each faction still hating the other and fighting for control by whatever violent means they can. So, shall we stay for millnenia? Will that be how long it will take for "mission complete" (didn't I hear that somewhere along the way already -- oh yeah "Mission accomplished" that's it.)

Again, you have your view and I have mine...we'll never change each other's mind...it's just wasted energy better put to other uses. :)
ylss

 
At 3/13/2007 6:14 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

This quote was just sent by a friend...

President Abraham Lincoln: "Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged."

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home