Obstructionist republicans in the US Senate led by obstructionist-in-chief Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky have blocked an attempt to pass a non-binding resolution condemning President Bush's escalation of the Iraq occupation. The vote was 56-34 just 4 votes short of the 60 needed for the measure to move forward. This is the second attempt at passage of a resolution of its kind in the senate and the second time it was blocked by the rubber stampers of the republican party. If it doesn't say rubber stamp it doesn't pass muster with McConnell and his Bush brigade. Meanwhile more Americans will be sent to be maimed or murdered in an unending cycle of violence which began when Bush chose to topple the government in Iraq. The only good news in this latest vote, if there is any, is that seven republicans left the Bush brigade and actually did the right thing, an increase of five over the number who broke ranks last time. Apparently, as voters, we did not send a distinct message to the US Senate in the last election. We have an obligation in the next election to send a strong, clear, unequivocal message to McConnell (who is up for re-election) and the other members of the brigade who continue to rubber stamp the irresponsible policies of this president. We need to replace them all with men and women who have the courage to stand with the American people.
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Work and struggle and never accept an evil that you can change -- Andre Gide
