I just about had it today with our imperial president upon reading an editorial in the Austin American Statesman newspaper that quoted what my Representative in Congress, John Carter, had to say about the Non-binding House Resolution against the troop surge. I was so upset that I wrote a letter to this Congressman expressing what I, as a constituent of his, think of his comments. I have included it in this article if you would like to read it. It’s a little hostile but at least its straight talk which is in short supply nowadays.

I don’t think most Americans realize what is at stake here. This is not just poor judgment on the part of a man that is not capable of leading a nation. This has to do with allowing an imperial president to violate the Constitution of the United States and the Geneva convention, invade a country on false premises, and usurp ordinary rights from American citizens. There is a book written by Chalmers Johnson called Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire, in which he writes of the “blowback” or retaliation for illegal operations carried out abroad that were kept totally secret from the U.S. public. Chalmers states that secret government operations have included the clandestine overthrow of governments not liked by US administrations, the training of foreign militaries in the techniques of state terrorism, the rigging of elections in foreign countries, and interference with the economic viability of countries threatening the interests of influential U.S. corporations, as well as the torture or assassination of selected foreigners. We even aided and abetted Saddam Hussein himself in his war against Iran and the Mujahadeen jihadists against the Russians.

As further evidence of the above allegations, it was reported today in the Washington Post that Italy indicted 26 Americans and five Italians in the abduction of an Egyptian terror suspect on a Milan street in what would be the first criminal trial stemming from the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program. And prosecutors elsewhere in Europe are moving ahead with cases aimed at the illegal CIA program. After considering all these violations and atrocities, is it no wonder that other countries, even countries allied with the U.S., would want to hold America accountable for these misdeeds? He goes on to say,

Whether Americans intended it or not, we are now seen around the world as approving the torture of captives at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, at Bagram Air Base in Kabul, at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and at a global network of secret CIA prisons, as well as having endorsed Bush’s claim that, as commander-in-chief in “wartime”, he is beyond all constraints of the US constitution or international law. We are now saddled with a rigged economy based on record-setting trade and fiscal deficits, the most secretive and intrusive government in our country’s memory, and the pursuit of “preventive” war as a basis for foreign policy. Don’t forget as well the potential epidemic of nuclear proliferation as other nations attempt to adjust to and defend themselves against Bush’s preventive wars.

As you can see, our democracy is really what is at stake at the expense of American imperialism and nation building. And our President just continues on like the energizer bunny, mindlessly bumping into things, and never stopping no matter what. He stands alone on his many tyrannical policies, but in particular, his policy regarding this dreadful war in Iraq which actually isn’t a war at all. And, after reading and listening to all the non-mainstream media — you may realize like many others — that it’s an occupation as a result of a war cooked up by him and Cheney through lies and deception.




The reality is we have our youngest men and women right in the middle of the crossfire between tribes that have been warring for centuries. What makes this president think he can stop a civil war? Even if he does manage to quell the violence in Baghdad, what happens when we do eventually leave? Is our position now the same as it will be in 10 years? If it is, why are we staying and continue to allow even one more soldier to die in vain? And I ask — for what?

These are all questions we should be asking of our representatives. We elected these people to represent us and we need to get the message to them in large numbers if we are ever to attempt to turn this around. I am just hoping it’s not too late because we are already seeing a weakening in the judicial system with presidential meddling, a Congress too paralyzed to move, and a citizenry who’s afraid of their own shadow due to the enormous fear mongering waged by this president.

Below is the letter I sent my Congressman. If enough of us write and continue to badger our representatives, it will make a difference. I know it certainly made me feel better to know I was doing something instead of just complaining. So, I will write letters and continue to write articles against this administration as long as things continue the way they have. I hope that you can also see that this as a very serious situation that needs all our attention. If we want to keep the treasured American democracy we have, then we need to fight for it in any way we can. And you can start with a letter.

Honorable U.S. Senator John Carter:

I just read in the American Statesman that you feel the House Resolution opposing President Bush’s surge of troops is “meaningless” and a “political stunt”. As one of your constituents and one of the majority of voters who replaced republicans in the last election, I feel you are not representing the people on this issue. This resolution is not meaningless but serves the wishes of your constituents.

You also go on to say that “it only serves to weaken the morale of our fighting men and women and allows our enemy to claim victory”. What enemy? The Shites, the Sunnis, the al-Qaeda, or anyone else involved in this civil war? Our troops are fighting for the very right of Congress and the American people to speak out on such an important issue. They didn’t “chose” to go over there — they were sent, and they were sent under a President who cooked up a reason to send them there.

If you persist in this line of partisan loyalty, I will never vote for you for any position in Washington.

Sincerely,
Pat L.