Pelosi: Something Has Changed

[Rose Siding]

Nancy Pelosi writes in this morning's DCCC e-mail...

As they have since this war began, Republican Leaders in Congress tried to squelch dissent and did their best to make sure that the Bush Administration would face no accountability for their past mistakes or their lack of any clear plan for a successful conclusion.

But even as they tried to make sure that my amendment would not receive a vote, the ground was shifting under their feet:

*One of the biggest Republican war supporters in the House, Rep. Walter Jones, introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for troop withdrawals beginning in 2006. This is the same man who coined the term "freedom fries" to spite the French for their opposition to the war.
*The House sent a unified message to President Bush that we will not condone torture in the name of the American people, with only 8 Republicans dissenting.
*A Democratic hearing chaired by my friend John Conyers on prewar planning and intelligence, with a focus on the scandalous "Downing Street Minutes," evolved into an emotional outpouring from military families who have lost children in Iraq and a stinging indictment of the Bush Administration's drumbeat for war.

Thursday's events could leave only one impression:

Something has changed.

And while Congressman Jones's resolution was by no means identical to the one I presented with the support of most of the Democratic caucus, there was a simple idea underpinning both:

This is the essence of my amendment please spread the word far and wide by forwarding this message:

http://www.democraticaction.org/ftaf/winningiraq.html

The truth is coming out. The fierce divisions in our country that emerged during the run-up to war, deliberately stoked by the White House and Republican Leaders like Tom DeLay, are thankfully beginning to evaporate.

Americans will always differ on policy -- that is the point of democracy -- but gradually a consensus is emerging that we cannot simply sit on the sidelines as the Bush Administration continues to bungle the mission in secrecy. This war, the consequences it will bestow, the soldiers who fight it and the flag under which they serve belong to all of us - not just a cloistered few in the White House and Pentagon who don't want to answer to anyone.

We must see a plan, we must have transparency, and we must have an honest discussion about how to get our troops home safe. That is what my amendment is about. Please spread the word and let the Republicans know you demand a vote:

http://www.democraticaction.org/ftaf/winningiraq.html

[stubtoe]

1. I sure hope she's right.

Won't hurt for us to keep pressure on in any case. Thanks, Rose.

[comsymp]

3. Not only will it not hurt...

It's more important than ever to apply pressure and try to increase the momentum. Hot irons, y'know~

Plus, any parent or pet owner knows, when you finally achieve a breakthrough in behavior, you need to reinforce it. If our Dems are showing signs of developing spines on any given issue, they should be given a biscuit.

And welcome to DU!

[stubtoe]

4. A biscuit!

Good analogy there. I give biscuits to the media if they publish about DSM, as well.

[comsymp]

5. Agreed-

And I'm embarrassed to have left it out. The MSM should DEFINITELY be getting positive, as well as negative, reinforcement for their reporting.

[FreedomAngel82]

16. I agree

Welcome to DU. I think things are changing. If people keep encouraging those who are coming out against Iraq maybe other's will come out too.

[bridgit]

17. welcome, stubtoe...

:hi:

[gratuitous]

2. Something has changed

I sure hope to shit and shout that something has changed when the United States engages in flat-out torture and our elected officials fight to defend it, Nancy.

But if you're going to stand up to it, we've all got your back. If you're going to stand just until the heat gets too much (because the torturers will indeed bring the heat), then we'll stand without you.

Some things are a matter of right and wrong, and torture never falls on the side of right.

[Burried News]

12. If you're going to stand just until the heat gets too much...

we'll do it without you. Yes

[Beam Me Up]

6. Nominating and spreading the word. n/t

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. What's "changed" is the polls showing the war is now unpopular.

No disrespect to Nancy Pelosi, but politicians don't lead, they follow.

It's now "safe" politically to be against the war. Some politicians are starting to go after the emerging "anti-war" voters and speak out.

I'm glad to see it, but we have to keep the heat on.

[Matariki]

11. that's the way it should be

seems to me. our leaders should follow the will of their constituency. that's what they're elected to do.

[Vincardog]

13. right that is why we need to call and write all our 'leaders'

and demand that they appoint a special processor and/or start hearings into the truth of the DSM. We need the hearings to be on CSPAN2 for the next 18 months and let the American people see the frauds and follies of the cabal exposed.

Hearings NOW with subpoena power and testimony under oath.

[mzmolly]

8. I know I've changed. After hearing Joe Wilson speak about this at the

DSM hearings. I also know my Republican inlaws think we need to get the H out.

[cybildisobedience]

9. I credit Dean

and the REAL "Straight-Talk Express."
I wish Pelosi, who was quick to remind everyone that Dean isn't the leader of the party, would realize that she is benefiting from his candid pronouncements. Dean is the reason people are realizing that the emperor has no clothes.

[omega minimo]

10. What's changed is Congressmembers are standing up for the American people

and for the sheeple, too.

Talked to volunteer Dems tabling at the farmer's market Sunday. Suggested they spread the message that legislators are working for us, standing up and speaking up, representing, DOING THEIR JOB.

This is itself gives people hope and motivation.

:bounce:

[PATRICK]

14. What has changed

specifically is that the REAL Intel on the war is definitely showing it to be a losing meatgrinder. The WH PR now stands alone along with any one willing to tell obvious lies. You might say that was obvious long ago, but the BS had enough clout, possibility and faith(along with ignorance of the public about the truth) to just sweep common sense under the rug.

Now the public knows and the only thing the GOP can do is pretend or ignore the public is beginning to know and try to head off calamity while the WH sticks to the BS and denial. Inevitability of failure. Cat out of bag. Enough for any GOP rep with a shred of decency or common sense to get out of the burning bed where the fanatics are smoking $1000 bills.

[bridgit]

15. things are changing...

and it is not as a result of our delusional 'free press' clamoring over themselves for access & the bestowed right to be embedded for little more than a story...now a lie

it is occurring by way of grass roots; the people, and i am so glad for it, are beginning to coalesce around the truth, and the truth is that this is a trumped up war with little other ends but to stuff the coffers of bf&f, cronies & corporate donors, it has to be thus, it could never have supported the weight of so great an unstable load and current events & the nefarious, unfolding madness of the bush admin are proving the theorem out

fight for freedom & liberty if we must. but never for these oligarchic entities such as the bf&f's

let dean be dean :thumbsup:

[ailsagirl]

18. Yet she voted FOR giving $45 billion for continued fighting in Iraq?

WTF???