Since last weeks letter from Robert Koehler DISCONNECTING WAR FROM ITS CONSEQUENCES, I have not been able to get Rep. Barbara Lee’s historic vote off my mind.
Twenty-two years ago, Congress put sanity up for a vote. Sanity lost in the House, 420-1. It lost in the Senate, 98-0.
Barbara Lee’s lone vote for sanity — that is to say, her vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force resolution, allowing the president to make war against . . . uh, evil . . . without congressional approval — remains a tiny light of courageous hope flickering in a chaotic world, which is on the brink of self-annihilation.
For the full article go to: http://commonwonders.com/disconnecting-war-from-its-consequences/
Yes, 518 to 1! One person saying no to a war(s) that carried on in Iraq for 8 years and two decades in Afghanistan. Over 500,000 people died. 7,000 plus U.S. troops, 177,000 national military and police from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and Syria allies. Who won those wars? Rep. Barbara Lee, from a military family, may be the only winner. Her courage was heroic. Where are the Barbara Lee’s in the House and Senate? I guess you would have to have the balls to face death threats. Barbara did.
The proposed Department of Offense (DOO). Renamed by me, for FY 2024 is $842 billion! FY 23 was accepted at $782 billion and FY 22 at $740 billion. The 2001 budget called for $332 billion. A really frightening thing about this massive growth in military spending is that it seems to be the ONLY bipartisan game in town. The ridicularity of the “debt ceiling” compromise showed once again that the Offense budget will not be touched. The Dems, the GOP and the Indies all agree. Hey, let’s not even discuss it. Let’s look for a war some where…..China, Russia or some other place without our worldview.
Do you feel more secure with the rising Offense budget and the absence in House and Senate of the courage of a Barbara Lee?
Once upon a time there was another military fiasco dubbed the Gulf War. I wrote this pornographic piece at that time.
The Sensuality of Violence An air strike in the night A message, a lesson An American erection Just Do It! Now he's the man, approval rating is up Should've killed the SOB An American erection Come on -- Just Do It! George lives, untold die Might is right, get even An American erection What a leader -- Just Do It! Where are the true leaders? Nothing to prove, nothing to gain A universal dream Let's Do It!
My cynicism dashes hope for any awakening on these matters.
A very offensive post Roger. Perhap offensive enough to awaken a soul or two. 💜 ❤️.