human kind cannot bear very much reality
--from Burnt Norton by T. S. Eliot
Yesterday the United States Congress passed a bill to provide emergency supplemental funding for military operations in Iraq through September 30, 2007. I look at this bill and I see very much reality.
Prior to the votes in the House and the Senate, I wrote letters and made phone calls requesting a "no" vote. I found it difficult to watch so many Democratic representatives voting "yes," and I was angry that this legislation passed. Anger can have its uses, but there is a kind of anger I do not value. I do not value the anger that gets in the way of clear sight. I prefer to see, even though sometimes what I see is very much reality.
Among those I saw voting "aye" yesterday was Senator Jim Webb. It may be that some political consultant advised Jim Webb to vote this way. However, I don't think that explains his vote. I think Jim Webb understands President George Bush pretty well. Jim Webb also understands how military operations work. Jim Webb has a son who, last I heard, is serving in Iraq. I look at Jim Webb's vote and I see very much reality.
Senators Clinton and Obama voted "no" yesderday. Perhaps they were advised by some political consultant to vote this way, but to do it quietly. They did not make the fiery speeches denouncing the legislation and those who voted for it. Perhaps they were looking at focus group results. Perhaps they were looking at their colleague, Senator Webb. I look at the conduct of Senators Clinton and Obama and I see very much reality.
I look at polling results and I see that a majority of voters want Congress to find a way to bring our troops home from Iraq. A majority approves of timetables. A majority also approves of benchmarks. A majority also wants Congress to provide continued funding for the troops. I look at the American public and I see very much reality.
We can speculate about what would have happened if Congress had sent another bill with timetables back to the President. I think that action would ultimately have led to new claims regarding the powers of the Executive. I look at the Congress and I do not see enough votes to carry through on actions that would counter such claims -- not at this time. I look at Congress and I see very much reality.
I look at the President of the United States and I see a man with a very low public approval rating. I also see a man who will not be standing for election again and who is in a position to exercise a great deal of power. I look at the current President of the United States and I see very much reality.
In the end, I think T. S. Eliot is wrong. I think human kind can bear very much reality. We just don't enjoy it. I do not enjoy looking at very much reality. However, I will not look away from Senator Webb -- or from others such as Senator Durbin. I will not look away from Senator Clinton or Senator Obama. I will not call any of them cowards. I will not say that a vote for yesterday's legislation was a vote for the war. I will not do it.