The Democrats' Reality Crisis
By Congressman Jeb Hensarling Posted in Congress — Comments (24) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
They say that you can have your own opinion, but you can’t have your own facts. Yet, Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and the Democrat caucus are really trying to test the validity of that claim.
Speaker Pelosi has said that she feels “sad” that the President says al-Qaeda is operating in Iraq. Just last week, Steny Hoyer said “The Administration and Congressional Republicans now disingenuously claim that the fight in Iraq is primarily against al-Qaeda,” before back peddling in front of another audience. Senator Harry Reid has said (what hasn’t Harry Reid said?), “We have to change course [away from Iraq] and turn our attention back to the war on al-Qaeda and their allies.” And John Murtha has said, “We cannot win this… al-Qaeda is a small part of this.” The current issue of the New Republic takes a deeper look into their troubling words.
People across America should call their offices and ask whether they actually believe the claims they are making – because if they claim that they do - one of two things must be true. They are either intentionally misleading Americans about the reality in Iraq for political gain or they haven’t a clue about what is actually going on the ground in Iraq.
Read on.
Are they are so far removed from the reality of the world we live in that they think al-Qaeda is an entity that operates in dozens of other nations in the world except in the place that Osama Bin Laden has called “the center of the war” with America?
It is being reported that the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, has been killed today. Do these Democrats think al-Masri wasn’t really operating in Iraq, he was just vacationing there? Their statements beg the question.
We have young men and women paying the ultimate price for freedom in Iraq, fighting a battle against radical Islam for our children the future of our nation. Meanwhile, the Democrat majorities in Congress – knowing that they can’t force the President and Republicans in Congress to surrender in Iraq - are simply trying to score political points with their liberal base by exploiting the most serious threat to freedom loving nations on earth.
Don’t take my words for it, take Harry Reid’s. In addition to already declaring that America has lost the war, Senator Reid himself has said that the war in Iraq will bring his party more seats in the next election. I think most of America would rather he believe that victory in Iraq and the other battlegrounds of the Global War on Terror will bring all of America and her sons – not just Democrat politicians – a safer world.
Democrats missed that briefing at the Pentagon last month and then tried to say it was something exclusive to Republicans. Nancy Pelosi talked to Gen. Petraeus over the phone to make up for missing his visit, and of course she didn't have the benefit of any visual aids the general might have needed to show her.
People who achieve success as professionals and then move into politics later in life can't all be as stupid as they sound. I think most of them know exactly what they're saying and what the consequences of their acts will likely be but they don't really care.
I think it's safe to say that none of them are in Congress because they saw "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
It's weird to put Dems and "reality" in the same sentence!
Craven or clueless? I'd have to say both apply.
A few (recurring) thoughts
Dear Congressman Hensarling,
As I have done with the posts of your colleagues, Roy Blunt and John Boehner, I read every word of your entry and sit here with the same overwhelming thought…
With all due respect sir… why are you not taking a more public stand with what you so eloquently and passionately preach to the proverbial choir of this blog site?
Perhaps “The Democrat’s Reality Crisis” has more to do with the fact that they are allowed to live in denial because no one on the other side of the isle has the courage to call them on the carpet for their idiocy.
Harry Reid stands before cameras and declares to our country, to our troops and to our enemies that “the war is lost”. He gloats publicly, without shame, his belief that the defeat of the United States, the efforts and lives of our soldiers and those of our allies and the abandonment of promises made to the Iraqi people will gain his party more seats…. And while the troops juggle funds and wait for the surrender policy the democrats drafted and loaded with billions of dollars in unrelated pet pork projects, which Charlie Rangel openly admitted on national television was added because they otherwise “couldn’t get the votes” to make it fly … Ms. Pelosi has decided we will all wait a little longer so she can take the time to read this “important legislature” before having it delivered to the President for his promised veto.
Murtha, calling our military are liars… brazenly and gleefully expressing his intentions to force the president to run the war his way through his “four ways to influence a president” game.
The democrats toss around impeachment threats like empty peanut shells at the circus… They stand before television cameras and call our president “an idiot”…and they stand on the floor of the house and senate calling him “a liar”…
Where is the republican outcry on these same grounds for treason against Ms. Pelosi. She refuses to meet with General Petraeus, commander of the American Troops she insists she “supports” but she dashes off to meet with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian sponsor of terrorism whose assistance has been instrumental in blowing up our soldiers with IEDs. She embarrassed herself and our country, not only by giving aid and comfort to our enemies in this war but by insulting our ally, Israel by fabricating pledges of peace from the mouth of Prime Minister (Ehud) Olmert himself.
Where are the investigations into shoveling a heaping plateful of Logan Act in front of Ms. Pelosi to chew on?
Where are the republican responses to the democrat’s arrogance in using the lives of our military as “influence” chips in their obsessive determination for revenge against George Bush. Why aren’t you guys calling them on this? Why aren’t you out there in public, in front of television cameras and on the floor calling them for what they are?
Why can’t any of you find the courage to say…
Well, “you can have your own opinion, but you can’t have your own facts”… and, “Yes, as a matter of fact I AM questioning your patriotism.”
I have posed a similar questions (as did a few others in the same sense of wonder and frustration) to both of your colleagues… but neither had a response…
Oh… and one last thought…
Regarding all of the moronic displays and ramblings of the democrats, you suggest, “People across America should call their offices and ask whether they actually believe the claims they are making – “
Again, sir… with all due respect…
Why aren’t YOU asking them these questions?
Why are you calling on US to take care of this?
“We, the people” already HAVE day jobs.
Have you forgotten what we elected YOU for?
"Even when you fall on your face, you're still moving forward."
Patricia -
Thanks for the response and I understand your feelings. I will tell you that the very questions I raise on RedState, I wage in the Halls of Congress and to the Media each and every day.
In fact, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Cantor, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Campbell and Mr. English and I had a press conference today to point out many of the points that are discussed here.
Here is a link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7342691@N02/collections/72157600165089101/
My point is that you should know that we are making the arguments, we are fighting the fight. I hope that as an active citizen, with the strong conviction and beliefs that you express her, you do the same.
- Jeb
You are familiar with the old saying... "If a tree falls...?"
Surely you are aware of the bias in reporting the news. Why waste energy speaking before those who don't want to hear you?
You want to get your message out?
Make it "newsworthy".
Stop being so passive. Stop trying to reason with the unreasonable.
The best way to stir a bee's nest is to whack it with a bat.
Throw the words and actions of the democrats right back in their faces. CALL them on it. CHALLENGE their patriotism LOUDLY! FORCE them to defend themselves rather than allowing them the advantage to offense!
I have heard that the strategy used by terrorists is simple... destroy the enemy's will to fight.
They have succeeded with the democrats... and I am afraid that malignancy is spreading.
This morning I heard Ms. Pelosi's explanation for why she and her party put forth that ridiculous proposal for retreat... Her reasoning is "The president wants a blank check..."
A "blank check"?
She stuffs a surrender policy with billions in bribery pork and has the nerve to excuse this as a refusal to give our president the funds needed to fight terrorists who have repeatedly promised to destroy our country?
It's time to fire up YOUR base! Don't waste your time talking to brick walls! It's time to pull together the hearts of those who still love their country and leave those who do not to pout and squabble amongst themselves. Ring the damn freedom bells! Revive the pride of America with the same loud, impassioned voices that are trying to drown the hope, the will to FIGHT!
In more ways than one, congressman... It's time to win this war!
"Even when you fall on your face, you're still moving forward."
of good political spin, support by the MSM? As long as a the MSM continues to support the defeatocrat talkig points why discuss the facts. The facts show what Harry, Nanct and Company are all about. Why talk about the facts?
EliTheBean
"They got two goods eyes but still dont see"
When are we going to see the Republican political leaders in the House and the Senate do what the US military is doing, fighting for our country.
The terrorists fighting to destroy our soldiers and our way of life seem to have the complete support of their American leftist terrorist supporters. Surely our Republican team can insure that the leftists do not win, that their efforts to defeat America fail.
If the leftist MSM will not publish the good news, our leaders need to get it to the bloggers and it'll get published. But first, we need some good news from our Representatives and Senators. Congressman Hensarling, we need to be seeing information coming out of Washington, on a daily basis, on what
is being done that is good for America. If no Republican spokesperson can provide that information, why not get one of the outstanding bloggers, there are plenty on this site alone, that can take the stories and get them out to America. Right now we seeing very little in the public relations area from the Republicans. We need more, much more.
Thanks for the reply.
Curiously you write: "If no Republican spokesperson can provide that information, why not get one of the outstanding bloggers, there are plenty on this site alone, that can take the stories and get them out to America."
Isn't that the entire point of the blogosphere? By posting on here, we are taking the message directly to thousands and many "outstanding bloggers" in addition to taking our message to the MSM throughout the day.
One of the many reasons why members of Congress blog on RedState and other sites is to provide the message directly to you and others who have strong opinions.
I guess I'm not sure why it is that you are criticizing the very behavior that you say you want to see more of.
- Jeb
Maybe, I didn't word my point in the best way.
I'm seeing Sen Reid, and the other Democrat Senators, Congresswoman Pelosi and ex-Marine Murtha, and several others on every story it seems that comes out of Washington. Once a week or so,lately we have a good story or post out of Washington by you or one or two other leaders. Once in a great while, we see a Sen Graham type Republican get up and make a stirring speech, but surely one of the Republicans will say or do something every day that the American public needs to know about.
I guess what I'm trying to say, America is hearing the Democrat names about 5 times as often (IMO) as the Republican ones. Your posts are a start, and I thank you for them. But America needs to see/hear a lot more from the Republican leaders.
Pres Bush is speaking as I type this. But we need to hear a lot more from him and all of you. IMO
We'll keep fighting the good fight. But please know that we are out there and well keep it up and double our efforts.
Always feel free to check out the Republican Study Committee Blog as well, to keep you up-to-date on many of our activities.
http://www.house.gov/hensarling/rsc/blogall.shtml
Jeb
Since the Big Media/Drive-by/MSM doesn't seem to want to mention your names or show your faces, use the local papers in your districts. Go to townhall meetings in your districts. Be loud and be everywhere. Just because they can get on tv walking out the door of the Capitol Building, doesn't mean that you can't run rings around them with a little effort.
If you need a few suggestions about getting the word out in your district, I guarantee that a few days hanging out with your local military recruiters will enlighten you...
"It's a book about a man who doesn't know he's about to die, and then dies...
...But if the man does know he's going to die and dies anyway. Dies, dies willing, knowing he can stop it, then...
Well, isn't that the type of man you want to keep alive?"
Karen Eiffel, Stranger Than Fiction
Raven -
You are right. I can only speak for this member of Congress, but I have had approximately 20 Townhall meetings in 2007, all of which were covered by the local news outlets.
- Jeb
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to us.
I am a major critic of Republican "efforts" and the leadership. One of the things that REALLY irritates me is drive-by blogs from our folks in Congress. We've had two in recent weeks, one from Rep. Blunt that was especially irritating. Somebody takes the time to write up a blog, it generates lots of comments and more than a little heat and the original poster has disappeared like an undocumented worker at an ICE convention.
Anyway, I personally appreciate your responses.
Now, to beat my dead horse. The Party needs one voice and one message on these partisan issues. When the other party hits the media circuit every one of them seems to be speaking from the same 3x5 card without regard to the question. The Republicans should be doing the same thing.
Secondly, some of us - me for instance - are sick and tired of hearing about your good friends on the other side of the aisle. Excuse me, but idiots on left are putting my son's Marines at risk with their statements and with their putting politics over national security. It's time to start questioning their patriotism and their courage and their commitment to American ideals. It's way past time to make this personal. It sure as hell is for my family.
Again, thank your for being a stand-up CongressCritter™ and actually taking the time to respond. My irritability aside, I really do appreciate it.
____
Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
I agree so much with mbecker here, Congressman Hensarling. I do want to say that your piece here is excellent but what I'd truly like to say is that your paragraph detailing Pelosi's, Murtha's, etc ignorance of Al Qaeda in Iraq speaks volumes but it needs to reach everyone!
I want to see those comments spoken to a Tim Russert on Meet The Press or one of the other Sunday Morning shows. I would like to see you, Congressman Hensarling or one of your counterparts on the Right side of the aisle, contact Russert's production people and simply state that it's high time that you were given a chance to set the record straight - that you wish to appear on the show and disclaim Rep. Murtha's ignorance and spin. And if Russert or one of the other shows doesn't want you on, then put out a press release to the Washington Times that you were refused.
It's way past time to take the gloves off. I, for one, am sick of the lies, the spin, the propaganda spewed by the Dems from Congress and it's not up to me to set 'em on their heels. That is the job of the Conservatives I sent to Washington.
I'm all for the respect for members on the "other side of the aisle" but the fact is, those members on the other side are disrespecting our young men and women in the Armed Services, they are disrespecting the intelligence of the American people. I want a Congressman or Senator to get on a Sunday morning show and show the American people that an elephant and kicked a donkey's behind any old day. I'm waiting.
Are they are so far removed from the reality of the world we live in that they think al-Qaeda is an entity that operates in dozens of other nations in the world except in the place that Osama Bin Laden has called “the center of the war” with America?
Yes.
If I were the suspicious type, I would suspect that the Democrats have never recovered from their experimentation with illegal substances in the 1960's, and have been partaking ever since, with occasional episodes of detox that result in total failure.
But maybe ideology is as strong as any narcotic.
If the President had an instinct for the jugular, he would veto the bill in the presence of a Nancy Pelosi look alike puffing on a waterpipe filled with the wacky tobacky (OK there are legal issues here!) and say "put that in your pipe and smoke it".
One can but hope....
entered Baghdad in 2002. Tenet's book makes the case that AQ was also in Iraq prior to the invasion. Whether or not al Masri was recently killed, there's some dispute, patdollard says recent AQ posts are bragging that he is still alive.
Regardless, the Democrats do sound like flaming idiots when Jane Harman on Armed Forces radio demands that we pull out of Iraq so that we can go fight AQ in Africa.
http://www.investors.com/editorial/editorialcontent.asp?secid=1501&statu...
[I've taken the liberty of adding a link to Mr. Rosen's site, for those unfamilar with the man. A perusal of it may offer a suggestion of why markwilliams neglected to do so himself. All just part of the service, here. - Moe Lane]
Iraqs citizens do a much better job of killing al-Qaeda and will drive them out of the country once American troops have withdrawn. Today Abu Ayyub al-Masri was killed by Iraq Sunnis. The assertion that Iraq will become a terrorist training camp without the presence of U.S. troops is simply wrong. There are a number of experts, such as [Nir Rosen], who have been saying this for years. Oddly, the people who've been consistently wrong about this war are still being treated as though they know what they are talking about while those who've been consistently right are still marginalized.
Complete withdraw would obviously be a mistake. However, I see no reason why we shouldn't let the Iraqs fight their civil war and let our troops keep their heads down until a stable government has been formed.
Right on Congressman Hensarling.
Many in my local crowd here in N. Georgia are extremely disgusted with the Dem's dissimulation. We feel it threatens American and Western security. We are frustrated that they weave these deceitful narratives with impunity. The effect is that the American people, according to the polls that are often cited, are being misinformed and deluded. The stakes are so high and we are desperate to stop the encroachment of Islamic supremacy.
John E.
Sorry, I am new here and unfamiliar with the protocol. Here are a few more Iraq pundits who are out of favor with the mainstream press: Pat Buchanan - http://www.buchanan.org/blog/?p=669
William Buckley - http://www.nationalreview.com/buckley/wfb200407131251.asp
A Libertarian Perspective - http://www.fff.org/issues/iraq.asp
I reckon it's the former. It's all about politics to them. They can't all be THAT ignorant.
Bash Bush is the strategy that they think won their election so they just keep it up. Just look at their recent presidential "debate". You'd think Bush was actually on the ballot, they couldn't stop talking about him.
If Bush were a Democrat, the left and their propaganda machine a.k.a. the drive-by media, would be praising him as a hero.
www.scottbomb.com