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Over the past several years, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's arrogance and incompetence has severely damaged our country's national security policy. Failing to develop a plan to win the peace in Iraq, sending our soldiers to fight without the body armor they need, fostering an environment that condones torture which led to detainee abuse scandals at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay -- this is Secretary Rumsfeld's legacy.
But last week, the Secretary of Defense stooped to a new low -- even for him. In a speech given to the American Legion convention in Utah, he ridiculously compared all Americans who oppose the Administration's current policy in Iraq -- a clear majority of the country -- to those who supported appeasement of Adolph Hitler before the Second World War.
This latest Rumsfeld rampage cannot stand. That is why I've written an amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill being considered this week -- an amendment that I may offer myself or that the Democratic leadership may offer -- calling on President Bush to replace Don Rumsfeld. I'll also be taking to the Senate floor sometime between 4pm and 6pm ET this afternoon (1pm–3pm PT) to deliver a speech about Secretary Rumsfeld and Iraq. I hope you'll tune in to C-SPAN2 to watch.
However, there's a real chance that Republican Senator Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, won't allow this important amendment to even come up for a vote. That's why I need your help -- to tell Senator Frist that the American people are watching, and that they're demanding change at the Department of Defense.
Please call Senator Frist's office at 202-224-3344 now -- and then click here to let us know you called. Urge Senator Frist to allow a Senate vote on our important amendment calling on President Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld!
Contrary to Secretary Rumsfeld's extremist views and incendiary rhetoric, the American people are not Nazi appeasers. Americans want this war in Iraq to end because it is harming our nation's security more than helping it, by fomenting a hotbed of terrorist activity in Iraq, leaving our troops vulnerable, and diverting resources and attention away from the broader war on terrorism in Iraq and around the world.
By comparing critics of this Administration's policies in Iraq with those who wanted to appease fascism and Nazism in the run up to World War II, Secretary Rumsfeld is slandering a clear majority of the American people who oppose the war in Iraq and care deeply about the future of our country and the world. This can't stand.
President Bush has swept the Don Rumsfeld problem under the rug for too long. Instead of facing this issue head-on, President Bush has adopted Secretary Rumsfeld's divisive style of denigrating the patriotism of anyone who questions him.
It's time for the Senate to tell the Bush Administration to stop dividing our country with reckless rhetoric that impugns the motives of anyone who speaks out against their failed policies. It's time for the Senate to take a stand and tell President Bush to replace Don Rumsfeld.
Please call Senator Frist at 202-224-3344, urging him to allow Senate consideration of our amendment calling on President Bush to replace Secretary Rumsfeld!
Our amendment will give us an opportunity to see where the Republicans in the Senate stand. Will they do the right thing for our country and call on President Bush to appoint a new Secretary with the vision and leadership we desperately need to get our national security policy back on track? Or will they endorse Secretary Rumsfeld's miserable record and demonstrate -- once again -- that they are incapable of questioning the President in any way?
I hope that the Senate will pass this resolution and call for Secretary Rumsfeld's replacement. This action is sorely overdue, and Don Rumsfeld's remarks last week should finally be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Urge Senator Frist to bring our amendment up for a vote this week -- and then click here to tell us you made your phone call! Thank you so much for your continuing support!
In Friendship, Barbara
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