Reuters headline story:
Senate votes not to debate Iraq proposalAn appointed incompetent, treasonous and disastrous president has seized personal rule in the republic and the members of the senate, who are virtually assured of their seats until death, even after the equivalent of a national referendum calling on them to put an end to an illegal foreign war, cannot even agree to consider whether to consider a wimpy resolution which would not have the authority to do anything to change anything anyway.WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan resolution repudiating
President George W. Bush's decision to send 21,500 more troops to
Iraq failed to advance in the U.S. Senate on Monday, dealing a serious setback to critics of the war.The resolution needed 60 votes before the 100-member Senate could begin debate, but it got 49, with 47 voting against. Although it would not have been binding on the president, the measure was the first serious effort in Congress to confront Bush over the unpopular Iraq war.
The proposal, sponsored by Virginia Republican John Warner (news, bio, voting record) and Michigan Democrat Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record), fell victim to partisan wrangling over the limits and terms of the Iraq war debate. The measure could still be revived, but the way ahead was unclear.
Opponents said the resolution was a thinly disguised political slap at Bush that would dishearten U.S. troops and signal American disunity.
It does not force Bush to abandon his plan and the president has said he will not be swayed by a nonbinding resolution.
Supporters say the measure would be a first step, a warning to Bush that he must revamp his strategy to start moving toward a withdrawal of the 138,000 U.S. troops currently in Iraq.
I really am an incurable optimist if I can still be shocked by the cowardice, greed and perfidy of the American politician.