http://www.randomthoughts101.wnymedia.net/?p=1423Just received this press release from the “Re-elect Clinton” camp:
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today sent the following letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, calling on him to appear at tomorrow’s open hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee:
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I write to urge you to reconsider your decision to decline testifying at a public hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.
As you know, on Thursday the Committee will hold a hearing to receive testimony on Iraq, Afghanistan and the global war on terrorism. General Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and General John Abizaid, the Commander of Central Command, are scheduled to testify. According to the notice of the hearing posted by the Armed Services Committee, you will not be joining Generals Pace and Abizaid despite a formal invitation extended to you by the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman and Ranking Member. Instead, you will appear at a closed briefing open only to Senators later in the day.
As the Senate Committee with primary jurisdiction over the United States military, the Armed Services Committee plays a critical role in conducting oversight over our operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Recent events in both Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrate that our forces face difficult challenges in defeating committed insurgencies, providing greater security and helping to foster stable governments.
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In our democracy, our military comes under civilian control and policy decisions are made by the civilian leadership. At this critical time in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the Committee and the American people should hear not only from our military’s uniformed leaders but also from you as the top civilian leader.
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Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton