As you are undoubtedly aware, the United States Congress has recently considered a number of resolutions against the war in Iraq, both as an expression of the will of Congress, and to revoke funding for the war. Presented below is a letter forwarded to several Representatives and Senators on this matter.
The Honorable ………..
United States Senate
Dear Senator ………… :
I hope this letter finds you well, as you pursue your legislative duties. I am writing today to express my outrage at the impending prospect of the United States Senate passing a resolution in opposition to the tactical deployment of additional US combat forces to Iraq, in our efforts to fight and win on this vital strategic battlefield.
I find it incomprehensible that US Senators, during a time of war, when our nation’s very survival is at stake, would seek to express their opposition to a war strategy, assembled by our military leaders, who believe that this strategy can succeed, would consider passage of a resolution, that our own new commanding general in Iraq, General David Patraeus, has stated would encourage the enemy and give them hope. The Senate recently confirmed General Patraeus as the new commander in Iraq by an 81-0 vote, subsequent to his selection by President Bush. Shall we now send the General to the battlefield with a vote of no confidence in his, and his subordinates ability to accomplish their vital mission? General Patraeus and his men and women in Iraq, believe that they can succeed. Shall we send them with His blessings, and simultaneously embolden the deadly enemy they face by our own rhetoric from the United States Senate in the form of a resolution opposing their mission? Our heinous enemy must be laughing, as we show weakness in the face of challenge. The enemy in my judgment is winning a critical battle in this war, specifically, the battle of propaganda; and United States Senators, by their prospective actions, are contributing to our possible defeat on this battlefield.
Please understand that it is not my intention to quell public debate. However, it must be observed that the Congress authorized the President of the United States to wage war in Iraq. In the event that Congress wishes to rescind its war authorization, then they should exercise their power to do so. But the very idea, of not only undermining our brave men and women who display perpetual courage in the face of the imminent threat of death, but more substantially, emboldening their immediate, and our national enemy, is a reprehensible and unconscionable act. Senator, no one in their right mind wants war. Yet, we are confronted with the historic reality, that there is a time for peace and a time for war; and this is a time for war. Our nation did not seek this war; it was rather forced upon us. Accordingly, it is our collective, and your direct responsibility as a Senator, to support our men and women on the battlefield with a comparable level of political courage that they who are on the front lines display each day. Shall we here at home, who most fortunately do not yet face bullets and bombs, fail to manifest the requisite will and spine to remain steadfast in support of our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen, and marines as they pursue their missions? I raise this question to our shame. Our men and women in uniform are not weak. They stand firm in the presence of a grave threat. Are a majority of the members of the United States Senate devoid of backbone? Is Senator Lieberman among a mere few with steadfastness of character?
We all know Senator, that failure in Iraq is not an option. The consequences, and I will not elaborate on such in this letter, given that you are undoubtedly aware of them, would be catastrophic; and perhaps cataclysmic for our nation and its citizens. Prevail we can; and prevail we must, if we are to survive as a free nation. Senator, in view of the foregoing, I would respectfully implore you to reject support for any Senate resolution against our revised battle strategy in Iraq. To do otherwise strengthens are enemies; gives them hope; and encourages them to fight on – which will have the tragic effect of increasing American casualties and deaths. I have now done my earthly part, to minimize this eventuality. It shall be my prayer that you, and your colleagues in the United States Senate, will do likewise.
Very respectfully submitted,
Allen Sutton
I would encourage you to express your views to your elected representatives on this important matter. You may access their contact information from the web sites listed below.
