For over two hours this afternoon I watched a highly passionate debate in the California State house on our deployment of troops to Iraq. Dem. Speaker of the Assembly, Fabian Nunez, Boyle Heights, chaired this discourse of the Perata Bill entitled “Iraq War Advisory Election” before the entire state Assembly.
To me this is nothing more than a cynical ploy to get a certain segment of the public to vote in the Feb 5, 2008 Special Election to support Term Limits.
Quoting from SD Rep. George Plescia who stated we are “playing games by placing something on the ballot that is only advisory.” George also commented that “if you don’t like what is going on, run for Congress,” a reference to dealing with the frustration which many Democrat’s expressed in their individual speeches. I find this to be ironic in light of the Democratic victories around the country last Nov and their control of both houses of Congress. They hope to undermine the power and authority of the US Congress.
Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, Dem. Burbank, amazed me by listing all the public benefits that we could have had with our portion of funds used to date. Affordable housing, health care and other programs. At no point did he acknowledge the top responsibility of our federal government. Namely our public safety, especially after the attacks on 9-11.
I sense the frustration of many members with their counterparts serving in our federal government for voting to send our men and women to fight this war against terror. As to the argument that this advisory vote will resonate more than any limited polling let me assure you that anyone following opposition can simply read the daily news reports, letters to the editor, editorials CNN and other broadcast media, including my post of Cindy Sheehan’s threat to oppose Nancy Pelosi. The media has not placed a curtain over this highly flammable policy debate.
Member Bob Huff, Rep. Diamond Bar said that Abraham Lincoln did not say “stop the civil war after (33,000 killed or wounded) at Gettysburg.” He added that “we don’t honor our troops by pulling the rug out from under them. Sure there is a cost to war.” He added that we have not had any skirmishes on our soil which should be worth something.
“Congress implements federal policy” not the CA legislature. He concluded that this is nothing more than a “taxpayer funded poll for pure political benefit.”
Irv Rep Member Chuck DeVore stated that this Bill has “no legal power..it’s a symbolic measure–this resolution may result in killing people. He went on to quote from former President Bill Clinton when in 1998 he said that Iraq is a “rogue state with weapons of mass destruction.” He referenced a statement by Senator Hillary Clinton dated Oct 10, 2002 before he was told to wrap it up.
(“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members … It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.”)
I am not sure if Chuck was able to read the entire text. Larry G.
Update. See my feedback from Chuck in the comments.
After close to two and a half hours of debate the Assembly voted with 43 voting AYE and 32 voting NO
Before yielding the microphone Chuck reiterated that “this is a non binding, non legal non Constitutional Resolution.”
Redwood City Member Ira Ruskin said that “while we make decisions about war” I don’t know that the CA Legislature has direct power to that debate.I agree with Member Ruskin’s assessment.
Stop here for a minute.
Should this pass, and not be blocked by Governor Schwarzenegger, what will prevent the same state legislature from challenging the US Congress on other actions which take place at the national level? This flexing of muscles by the Democratic majority is a disgrace to every member of our armed forces who is currently serving. Regardless of the final outcome in CA what message will this vote send to the enemy and our troops who risk life and limb 24 hours a day?
Now it’s your turn to sound off.
Should our legislature engage in using public time drafting and debating advisory, non binding resolutions?
Should our legislature waste their time in issues for which they, and ourselves, have no final authorization?
Those of us who support “States Rights” believe our state should have some say on how our national guard and citizens are used by the military. Naturally, those favoring big brother control by the federal government would like to have us stick our head in the sands of Iraq. Our armed forces are doing a great job but the “just do enough not to win” strategy of our leadship is disgusting. Let’s require some sacrifice by ordinary citizens – taxes to pay for more troops, a draft, etc.
As States Rights advocates we should say…the South would still
be at war with the Union North..if
we followed that example. We already had a Civil War to decide
whether the Central Government has
control over the Armed Forces of
these United States!
Your crybaby comments “anonymous”
make US sick! Tony V thinks he is
Bill Clinton and you think you are
Lyndon Laroush….neither is the
case! This Legislature needs to
be drug tested. All that fail… should immediately resign!
Blackberry resonse form Assemblyman DeVore:
“I read full quotes from Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Ted Kennedy.”
As I was trying to keep up with each of the speakers and while I took handwritten notes I did not make an audio of their remarks.
Chuck provided a commendable argument in opposing this billthat passed bya vote of 43 AYE and 32 NO
Ron & Ann Winship
You should have more faith in our constitution concerning the right to bear arms.
Maybe you and your pal Laroush were present during the civil war, but others will dispute it being over control of the armed forces.
By the way, Laroush made a brilliant argument in favor of legislative action.
But Larouche, haven’t heard from him.
Did Chuck “Hemp” Devore also read Cheney’s comments expressed at the same time as Clinton’s which stated just how stupid a war in Iraq would be? Nuke’em Devore only uses past data when it suits his latest folley and conviently ignores opposing facts.
Anonymous 9:15 p.m.
Perhaps you should have watched the two hour debate. Members of both sides addressed the Assembly prior to the vote being taken. While I only quoted comments of one Democrat my position is real simple. Why are we spending time with this non-binding Resolution?
I was with Senator Lou Correa on Sunday night where we discussed the huge volume of Bills to be heard in a very short amount of time. I would argue that our Legislature has to debate and vote on items which they DO HAVE POWER OVER.
This Bill however, is not one of them. That is why I quoted from the opposition.
As to Member DeVore commenting on the past. Do you have a working crystal ball that can see the future?
Chuck correctly was making his case based on statements made by those in higher office than our state legislature. Did he lie?
It just so happens that the Clintons are or were members of the Democratic Party. Or has Bill changed to DECLINE TO STATE.
Anonymous 6:32 pm
While I am a supporter of “States Rights” you must recognize that becoming a member of our active or inactive military is VOLUNTARY. By inactive I refer to the National Guard. While members of the Guard were known as “weekend warriors,” in time of war or other calamities, such as Katrina relief, or guarding our border with Mexico to stop ilegal entry, you can be called up to indefinite full time service. Perhaps you need to see a recruiter to get the conditions by which you may be called upon by either the state or federal government.
If you truly believe that I have not questioned our lack of an exit strategy in Iraq you have not seen our Cutting Edge-a talk show interview with “Cap” Weinberger in Oct of 2002.