Washington, DC (March 27, 2007) – The National Commander of The American Legion criticized an amendment narrowly passed by the U.S. Senate that would add a timeline of withdrawal to an Iraq spending bill.
“You don’t have to be a military strategist to understand the advantage a withdrawal date gives to the enemy,” Paul A. Morin said. “First the House passed a blueprint for disaster and now the Senate passes a recipe for surrender.”
Morin called on the president to honor his promise to veto legislation that includes timetables to withdraw from Iraq. “The American Legion supports the troops. You cannot support the troops if you want them to cut and run. Congress authorized Operation Iraqi Freedom, now it needs to let the troops finish the job.”
Morin pointed out that Congress cut off funding in Vietnam, even though the troops won every military battle. “Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past. The American people need to support the troops and their commander in chief, even if Congress won’t.”
The Senate voted 50-48 for the provision containing the withdraw requirement, which was supported by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV. Reid did not seem willing to compromise with the White House, saying that he is “not anxious to strip anything out of the bill.”
Morin added that the United States has only one commander in chief. “The American people did not elect 535 legislators to be armchair generals. It is outrageous that Congress would leave our troops on the battlefield without the funding that they need. It’s time for the president to veto this surrender bill and for Congress to pass a serious war-funding bill, which would provide the money without the micro-management. I call on my fellow Legionnaires to let their senators and representatives know where we stand on this war.”
Comments (3)
It is not that we're not supporting our troops. We are not supporting what our politicians are keeping them from doing. Our troops initially accomplished their goal to remove Hussein. Now everytime our politicians want more, they use our troops as a bargaining chip between themselves and the American people. If we are to actually win this war, we cannot be concerned with public opinion and collateral damages. We cannot be concerned with what's left of whereever when we're done. Put the congress in a drawer, have the military draw up a plan to end the war quickly, and execute it. In other words, lets level the playing field, literally! If our enemies want to play war, play war. Destroy them and everything they have. And don't rebuild what we've destroyed. Let's stop beating around the bush commander! Let's really stand up for our military!
Posted by Tomar | 05/15/07 3:37 PM |
I agree with Tomar 100%. We do not need 535 Generals. Allow our sailors, marines, solders,air force to fight this war. We will be done with this in a short order.
Enough of Washington, this is Vietnam over again.
Posted by Bill | 05/25/07 5:06 AM |
Can you imagine what the people would do to our legislatures if a "SURRENDER BILL" was purposed in 1942. I just can not understand what people are thinking. If this gets passed I guess I better go out and get a Prayer Rug.
Posted by Thomas Vincello | 05/30/07 7:13 PM |