Standing in the other man's (Rep. Jim Marshall's) shoes -- Troops, don't let anti-surge vote discourage you.
From the AJC:
Remarks by U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) on the House floor Wednesday turned into an impromptu address to American troops in Iraq. An excerpt:
We're debating a nonbinding resolution to disapprove of the Iraqi/American military surge in Baghdad. We do so knowing Congress cannot manage a war, let alone micromanage one.
We do so knowing the surge has begun and will continue despite our debate and vote.
We do so hoping our debate and vote will not discourage those called upon to execute the surge.
But we also do so knowing that it might. That's enough for me to oppose the resolution.
I will vote no on the anti-surge resolution despite the fact that, for three years now, I have consistently contended that we should have fewer troops in Iraq, not more.
But this anti-surge resolution is akin to sitting in the stands and booing in the middle of our own team's play because we don't like the coach's call. I cannot join midplay nay-saying that might discourage even one of those engaged in this current military effort in Baghdad.
To those soldiers and Marines who are engaged, I would say the following: Don't be discouraged by this debate and vote. It is birthed and sustained by the very democracy that you are defending. If you are successful, Iraqis might one day enjoy the same right to debate and vote like we are debating and voting. If they do, they may well look back at you as having birthed that right for them.
Nearly 40 years ago, I was a grunt platoon sergeant in Vietnam, a kid who dropped out of college and enlisted specifically to go to Vietnam. And at the very time that I was fighting insurgents in Vietnam, our country was torn by antiwar protest and debate. I didn't worry about that. You shouldn't, either. I didn't let it discourage me. You shouldn't let it discourage you.
You should simply do your duty and be proud of the fact that you've done it. Do it to the best of your ability. Let others —- the president and the Congress —- debate what that duty actually is.
Don't let this discourage you. Just do your duty as best you can.
The House Friday passed the resolution disapproving the "surge" on a 246-182 vote. Marshall was one of two Democrats voting against the measure.
Remarks by U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) on the House floor Wednesday turned into an impromptu address to American troops in Iraq. An excerpt:
We're debating a nonbinding resolution to disapprove of the Iraqi/American military surge in Baghdad. We do so knowing Congress cannot manage a war, let alone micromanage one.
We do so knowing the surge has begun and will continue despite our debate and vote.
We do so hoping our debate and vote will not discourage those called upon to execute the surge.
But we also do so knowing that it might. That's enough for me to oppose the resolution.
I will vote no on the anti-surge resolution despite the fact that, for three years now, I have consistently contended that we should have fewer troops in Iraq, not more.
But this anti-surge resolution is akin to sitting in the stands and booing in the middle of our own team's play because we don't like the coach's call. I cannot join midplay nay-saying that might discourage even one of those engaged in this current military effort in Baghdad.
To those soldiers and Marines who are engaged, I would say the following: Don't be discouraged by this debate and vote. It is birthed and sustained by the very democracy that you are defending. If you are successful, Iraqis might one day enjoy the same right to debate and vote like we are debating and voting. If they do, they may well look back at you as having birthed that right for them.
Nearly 40 years ago, I was a grunt platoon sergeant in Vietnam, a kid who dropped out of college and enlisted specifically to go to Vietnam. And at the very time that I was fighting insurgents in Vietnam, our country was torn by antiwar protest and debate. I didn't worry about that. You shouldn't, either. I didn't let it discourage me. You shouldn't let it discourage you.
You should simply do your duty and be proud of the fact that you've done it. Do it to the best of your ability. Let others —- the president and the Congress —- debate what that duty actually is.
Don't let this discourage you. Just do your duty as best you can.
The House Friday passed the resolution disapproving the "surge" on a 246-182 vote. Marshall was one of two Democrats voting against the measure.
posted by Sid Cottingham | 9:15 PM
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