U.S. Congress says, "Let’s Roll - - Over"

“Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged. That's what President Abraham Lincoln said during the War Between the States.

While none have suggested such extreme measures in the midst of the war on terrorism, Lincoln's approach illustrates the deadly seriousness of political responsibility in wartime and draws a fine line between legitimate political dissent and aiding the enemy.”
- Michael Waller, Insight Magazine

21 February 2007
"Are you guys ready? Let's roll!"

That is how Todd Beamer lived his life.

Beamer died the same way, on September 11, 2001, while leading the passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 in a counterattack against Muslim, militant, extremist terrorists. If they had done nothing, it still would have led to the same result for them. We should not however forget the White House or Congress was the real target and Beamer’s action prevented the loss of one of those. Those passengers did in fact take action, where Congress is rolling over and of course with the same result; the fascist insurgents will still carry out their acts of barbarity.

On October 11, 2002, the House of Representatives voted 296 – 133 to authorize President Bush to attack Iraq. A few hours later the US Senate voted 77 – 23 to pass the same measure. That, by the way, is a much greater margin than the first President Bush had to expel Saddam’s forces from Kuwait.

On January 26, 2007 the US Senate voted unanimously to award General Petraeus four stars. A second unanimous vote made him the Commanding General to head up a new strategy of military engagement in Iraq including the 21,500 man build-up.

On February 16, 2007 the US House of Representatives voted to oppose the planned 21,500 troop buildup in Iraq. Those opposed included my own representative who had previously voted to create The Global War on Terror.

"Are you guys ready? Let's roll - - Over!" That is seemingly how The House of Representatives wants us to live.

In October 2002, George W. Bush received a mandate from Congress to disarm Saddam Hussein. The President ordered our military to do that and they did. Following orders, US Troops dismantled the Iraqi armed forces, the police forces and national and local political structures. These actions left a huge security void. Sufficient Iraqi forces have not been reconstituted to fill this void. Iraq is not yet capable of providing sufficient internal security nor are they capable of providing for a common defense against all enemies foreign and domestic.

The US Armed Forces have, thus far, been incapable of providing the internal security needed in Iraq. Though substantial progress has been made, General Petraeus made it clear that a new strategy, new tactics, and additional troops are needed. He briefed Congress and President Bush on that plan. Both the President and the Senate signaled their approval with the unanimous votes to both promote Petraeus and to assign him as the new battlefield Commander.

Decrying national unity, the House of Representatives passed a resolution opposing the additional troop commitment. The House had an opportunity to demonstrate to the world America’s firm commitment and resolve to provide for Iraq’s internal defense. Instead of doing so they voted, “Let’s Roll – Over!”

In my view there is only one explanation for this debacle. The members of the House do not understand the underlying principles behind, “United we stand – divided we fall.” The House action would send an American General into combat with fewer resources than he believes are required to even have an opportunity at success. That is a grave error we dare not forget and should never allow to happen.

Finally let’s debunk the myth that the US House of Representatives support the troops. Is General Petraeus not a troop? Is sending American troops into battle without every available asset they need to win, supporting the troops? I think not.

If you support the soldiers and all those who have given their lives against this terrorist type behavior and belief system then we must stand firm in the face of killers. I am sickened by these roll over politicians that bend with the wind, who prostitute their ethical values whenever they are threatened. These are truly self-serving politicians, not statesmen!!! These Congressmen and Senators that spit in my face daily and in the face of the soldiers that have so bravely given their lives insult me to my core. When Congress voted to commit America to the Global War on Terror, they committed our soldiers’ lives to defeat this threat to our very existence. I have no respect for men or women who will commit to something and then mollify and cower because it is hard!! Yes staying alive is hard and it demands work and sometimes dirty work!! Life is a struggle and our nation is organic, breathing, living everyday. The behavior we are seeing now from our Legislative Branch is poisoning our populace with this hypocritical response to the men and women who need them the most.

The House leaders are now threatening to withhold funds to force a US withdrawal. It should be un-American to abandon 26 million Iraqis to lawlessness and anarchy. Unfortunately we have a prior history of rolling over and the human cost was dear. 2-3 million people were slaughtered in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in the 5 years after America found “Peace with honor” in that part of the world.

Neither America nor the world can afford for us to play, “Let’s Roll - - Over” again.

The people of Iraq desperately need our assistance. We are morally bound to help them secure their country.

Mike Linnane, Major, US Army, Special Forces, Retired