McHugh Watch

On this Memorial day, it is only fitting to remind ourselves of what our representatives are doing with regard to the Iraq war. May is headed to be the bloodiest month for American soldiers to date. Today on NPR, Naval Academy Chaplain Lt. Commander John Owen told us of his ”profound duty to inform the family of a fallen sailor that their loved one is dead and that any day can become Memorial Day when you bear news that will change people’s lives forever.”

For us, the Iraq war is almost an abstraction. Our lives go on with hardly a ripple caused by this war. We continue our conspicuous consumption and take pleasure in the everyday joys of life. Yet for these families – these Moms and Dads – their lives have changed irrevocably: forever.

We need to start making this war personal. We need to start demanding of those that continue this war to step up to the plate and enlist – along with their children – to fight this war. If this war is so important to our national security, they need to fight – because most of us don’t think it is. Most of us think that this is another Vietnam – unwinnable with nothing to win. I know that’s highly improbable for our chickenhawks to fight. After all, they all have their excuses. They are so important. Mr. McHugh’s was a “heart murmur”. Mr. Cheney’s was five deferments. Mr. Bush’s was a year off to campaign. How about their children? Why isn’t Barbara Bush using her Yale education to lead soldiers in the “surge”? We all know Mr. Kuhl is brave with a gun, particularly when he’s drinking and threatening his wife. No, it’s time to stop the abstraction. This is real personal. They have very little credibility when they order other parent’s sons and daughters to the killing fields and have not or will not serve themselves or have their children serve. It’s that simple. Put up or shut up.

So how did our representatives do this week?

It is regrettable, but four out of our six North Country representatives voted to give George Bush another four month free ride to conduct his war. It’s no surprise that McHugh, Walsh and Kuhl voted to appropriate the funds without deadlines or benchmarks. Mssrs. McHugh, Walsh and Kuhl have been Bush enablers since 2000. Mr. McHugh speaks of benchmarks and even introduced a bill, albeit with vague benchmarks. He’s interviewed on NCPR and is “distressed” – a favorite word of his – about the progress of the war and yet votes to continue it. When do we wake up and realize that words mean nothing without corresponding action. Confession without contrition is a hollow mockery. The more unreasonable and detached from the American public Bush has become, the more they have enabled him.

Ms. Gillibrand, the freshman Democrat from the 20th, also voted to let Bush have another free ride. What was she thinking? That she is being targeted by the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2008 election? Better than being targeted by an Iraqi insurgent, Sunni or Shiite. Ms. Gillibrand’s “opposition” to the war has always been a bit equivocal. To quote from her 2006 election site (yes, they are all available at the WayBack Machine web archive):

At the three-year anniversary of “Mission Accomplished”, it is time to honor our troops, clarify the mission and to offer a real strategy for success. Our troops have served America with distinction and we are grateful for their service and sacrifice. Our troops and America deserve more than the current undefined strategy of “staying the course” and partisan political rhetoric that only divides Americans. The current Administration and its supporters in Congress have avoided the critical discussions of what our goals are in Iraq and the details of an exit strategy. These Congressional leaders have failed to provide the critical oversight and accountability that the balance of powers provided for in our Constitution demands. Now, more than ever, our nation needs real political leadership that is both tough and smart.

A bit mushy, but definitely a call for accountability. There was none in roll call 425. Yes, we do need leadership that is tough and smart.

The two “tough and smart” congressman who refused to cave into George Bush’s obstinacy were Mr. Arcuri of the 24th and Mr. McNulty of the 21st. Not only are these two listening to their constituents, but they also understand that in order to win re-election the must have their base behind them. Ms. Gillibrand may have to learn this the hard way come 2008. She still has one more chance, however, to keep her base. The next appropriation comes in September. If she wants to keep the same tact, I suggest she summons up the courage, resign her cushy seat in the House and enlist herself.

Yes, the war is very personal. It’s time to make it personal.