Still Seething and a Bit Puzzled

I don't know how many of you were held captive by the farce in the US House of Representatives shown live via C-Span on Friday November, 18th. You know the farce I'm talking about. It was the debate and vote on the Republican's plan for troop withdrawal. I sat here and watched the hypocrites in the U.S. House of Representatives make fools of themselves. None of our North Carolina Republican Reps stood up to speak out against the sham, though none pulled a Schmidt.

I am curious to see just how many of North Carolina's Representatives and Senators have military service. I am especially curious about this after seeing the similarities between Jack Murtha's organized, specific plan for troop withdrawal and the plan submitted to Rumsfeld by General George Casey and General John Abizaid. Those two plans by experienced military men differed greatly from the GOP cut and run plan submitted by Duncan Hunter, (R-CA).

The question for me is simple. Do any of our Reps and Senators have the military experience to truly support our military and come up with a plan to bring them home. Some of this stuff you can't learn from reading papers, attending meetings or watching CNN.

NC Senators
Elizabeth Dole, R-NC - No military experience
Richard Burr, R-NC - No military experience

NC Representatives
G.K. Butterfield, D-NC - Drafted into Army 1968-1970
Bob Etheridge, D-NC - Served in the United States Army 1965-1967
Walter B. Jones, R-NC - North Carolina National Guard 1967-1971
David Price, D-NC - No military experience
Virginia Foxx, R-NC - No military experience
Howard Coble, R-NC - 5 1/2 years in the United States Coast Guard and 18 years in the Coast Guard Reserve.
Mike McIntyre, D-NC - No military service
Robin Hayes, R-NC - No military service
Sue Myrick, R-NC - No military service
Pat McHenry, R-NC - No military service
Charles Taylor, R-NC - No military service
Mel Watt, D-NC - No military service
Brad Miller, D-NC - No military service

So this little exercise proves what? Not much really. North Carolina politicians don't have a wealth of military service. I'm not knocking the experience a few have in the Army, Coast Guard and National Reserves. It just doesn't come close to matching the years of Jack Murtha who has taken the lead (and all of the heat) for offering a plan to bring our troops home.

So, I'm not surprised that North Carolina GOP Reps lined up behind Duncan Hunter. I know very few Republicans who think for themselves or who have the balls to stand up and disagree with the rest of the GOP drones in Congress.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why so few North Carolina Democrats found the courage to stand behind Jack Murtha. With the lack of success in Iraq and the revelation that the administration lied when promoting their war you would think that intelligent beings would understand that the facts aren't the same. It is OK to take a different stance on the war. The only thing to fear is a Rovian style attack and no one has stood up to this better than Jack Murtha. Take your cue from him.

When the facts surrounding a situation change it is wise to reconsider your position. So far, only a few have taken advantage of this opportunity. The push for withdrawal is gaining momentum and as it gains strength it will be interesting to see who leads and who follows.