http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
I read Senator Levin's piece this morning and was absolutely appalled.
Comments below.
But when the question of funding for the troops fighting that war came, Lincoln voted their supplies without hesitation.
So you are unable to think for yourself, Senator? Whenever you come up against a tough decision do you have files on all your favorite presidents and just copy what they did, whether right or wrong and regardless of their context?
I voted against going to war in Iraq;
Okay; therefore, since the evidence for ending the war is now enormously greater than then, logically you'd want to end it by using the power of the purse, right?
Since you like to copy what other presidents have done, let's look at what James Madison had to say about this:
Those who are to conduct a war cannot in the nature of things, be proper or safe judges, whether a war ought to be commenced, continued, or concluded. They are barred from the latter functions by a great principle in free government, analogous to that which separates the sword from the purse, or the power of executing from the power of enacting laws....
"Helvidius" Letter No. 1 (James Madison)
The difference between Madison and Lincoln here is that Madison is essentially interpreting the Constitution, and as the father of the Constitution I would give that great weight. Madison is stating that Congress has the responsibility to end wars -- and stopping Presidents run amok -- by using the power of the purse.
I have consistently challenged the administration's conduct of the war; and I have long fought to change our policy there.
Then how do you explain your sudden complete collapse here? I understand that you're offering a list of oft-repeated out-of-context talking points in a pathetic attempt to defend your actions, but those don't make an argument.
But I cannot vote to stop funding the troops while they are in harm's way, conducting dangerous missions such as those recently begun north of Baghdad.
Senator Levin, what you're saying then is that you don't want to cut their supplies but you're just fine if they get blown up (versus just coming home) -- as long as they're well supplied at the time.
Not only does that make no sense, it's a monstrous injustice.
Senator, what you do is not write any more bills for the war, except for redeployment and supplies necessary for redeployment. You simultaneously announce or legislate that the war is over, putting the world and Bush on notice that as Commander-in-Chief he is now instrudted to bring the troops home.
THEN if Bush decides on his own to try and murder them -- really torture them to death by leaving them to dehydrate in Iraq (no supplies eventually implies no transport for water) -- he will be thrown out of office so fast it will make your head spin. And in any case, the troops wouldn't just lie down and die on Bush's orders. They will just pile into their Humvees and head for the nearest border.
I agree with Lincoln, who decided "that the Administration had done wrong in getting us into the war, but that the Officers and soldiers who went to the field must be supplied and sustained at all events."
So may I infer that if Lincoln had stopped the funding, you'd what -- follow him and stop the funding? Or look for another President who'd support what you want to do and quote him? Anything but have to think for yourself, right, Carl?
As long as our nation's policies put them there, our troops should hear an unequivocal message from Congress that we support them.
You have it precisely backwards. We support them BY BRINGING THEM HOME. We ABANDON them by leaving them to fight and die in an endless, purposeless war.
There are a number of ways for Congress to try to change course in Iraq. I emphasize "try" because Democrats can't succeed without Republican support, given the realities of Senate procedure.
You mean you're afraid to try and mete out justice because it's not popular? Because you could fail? Senator, I wish you had been more honest with the people and resigned rather than continue in office with a self-esteem that is so low you are unable to properly carry out your duties.
One way to try to change course is to stop funding for the war, which sends the wrong message to the troops...
As I showed you it sends the only RIGHT messgage to the troops. They are literally dying for that message.
...and won't pass in Congress.
Maybe not. But you don't abandon meting out justice just because someone tells you in advance you won't succeed. And ironically, it is people like YOU who are causing it to fail. YOU who are so desperate for it to fail and can't come up with any good reasons, who then start trying to find a quote from a past President who'd support you. In any case, that's the fallacy of appealing to authority. If Lincoln did it, so should we. Why? Because Lincoln could do no wrong. Case closed.
Senator Levin, if you must quote a President, don't just quote it because he said something you wanted to hear. First see if the quote objectively makes sense and fits your context. Then, at least let it be one who really understands the Constitution: James Madison.
Senator, I am from Michigan and as of this date I can honestly say that I an embarrassed that you represent me.
Or more accurately, "represent" me.