[Peace-discuss] Tim Johnson congratulated us on being consistent

[C. G. Estabrook]

The Democratic administration, elected with the support of the antiwar movement, 
has chosen to expand the war in the Middle East well beyond what the Bush 
administration was doing.  While continuing the Bush policy in Iraq, they have 
escalated the killing in AfPak.

The only way that a withdrawal of US forces in the region will be effected is by 
Congress' cutting off the funds for war, as they (finally) did in Vietnam and 
Nicaragua. Members of Congress (particularly Representatives) must be pressured 
not to vote for further funding for war in the Middle East.

Tim Johnson, from whatever motive, has pledged to vote for no more money for war 
in Iraq or Afpak. (His putative Democratic opponent, David Gill, has so far 
refused to do so.)  He admits that he was "wrong twice [i.e., on Iraq & 
Afghanistan] and regrets his mistakes."

In the coming year, the antiwar movement nationwide will be encouraging votes 
only for Congressional candidates regardless of party who pledge not to vote for 
war funding.  Tim has done so.  --CGE


Steve Cox wrote:
> Ladies and gentlemen, I find it very hard to consider Representative 
> Johnson's current conclusions as anything other than political posturing.
> With President Obama, a Democrat, holding the responsibilities for our
> Executive Branch of government, it is very convenient for Mr. Johnson to take
> a studied perspective of our military involvement in Iraq and Afganistan.
> The real time for Mr. Johnson to have made indications or even statements of
> his differing conclusions was when President Bush was in office.  That was
> the time that he needed to make a devout expression of concern and conscience
> in opposition to the war and torture.  That is when he should have stood up
> for truth, justice and human dignity.   The truth is he did not.  He failed
> to serve the 15th Congressional District with the complete devotion that his
> office called upon him to present.
> 
> I believe a person stands for what is right no matter what the personal cost
> when they see something wrong being done or is projected to be done.  The
> truth is what matters.  The United States of America should never have
> attacked and invaded the country of Iraq.  Once that was factually known, our
> nation should have confessed that error and done everything possible to make
> appropriate restitution. Our complicity is due to the fact that we, the
> people of this nation, did not make our leaders in Congress and the Executive
> Branch pronounce that open and clear statement to the world.
> 
> Please do not misunderstand.  I favor Mr. Johnson's new position.  I 
> encourage your solicitation of him to sponsor measures for peace and against
> torture.  But I find it hard to believe that his change of mind or
> repackaging of his old positions is anything other than political 
> gamesmanship.
> 
> Thank you for the work you individually and collectively have performed to
> help us move to a better time and better world for all.  Please never feel
> that your efforts are not enough, not important or have little results.  The
> fact that you care for another human being is the greatest gift you can give
> to our world.
> 
> Forgiveness and love are appropriate for Mr. Johnson, too.  But wisdom 
> cautions us to know and understand who he is and what he has done or not 
> done.
> 
> 
> Respectfully,
> 
> Steve Cox
> 
> --- On *Sun, 12/6/09, Barbara kessel /<barkes at gmail.com>/* wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Barbara kessel <barkes at gmail.com> Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Tim
> Johnson congratulated us on being consistent To: "Peace-discuss List"
> <Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>, "Karen Medina" <kmedina67 at gmail.com> Cc:
> "Quakers" <ucfriendsmeeting at gmail.com>, tif-cu at googlegroups.com Date: Sunday,
> December 6, 2009, 10:54 PM
> 
> Thanks, Karen for passing this on. i agree with others: Let's give Tim
> Johnson a hand officially. He didn't just change his mind; he acknowledged
> that AWARE has been consistent.
> 
> *T**here is a related issue that REP. TIM JOHNSON has been relatively good
> about: TORTURE*. The National Religious Coalition Against Torture will be
> meeting with him (probably in Washington D.C.) this Wednesday to ask him to
> be a co-sponsor of a bill to establish a select committee to review our past
> interrogation practices and recommend future restrictions. NRCAT asks us who
> are in his district to start calling his office to urge him to be a
> co-sponsor. Same time we can thank him for coming to the right conclusion on
> the wars. Two reasons to call! *Please give Tim Johnson a call this week
> sometime.* Washington D.C. (202) -225-2371 or 2004 Fox Drive, (217) 403-4690.
> 
> 
> Barbara Kessel
> 
>> --- On *Sat, 12/5/09, Karen Medina /<kmedina67 at gmail.com 
>> <http://mc/compose?to=kmedina67@gmail.com>>/* wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> From: Karen Medina <kmedina67 at gmail.com 
>> <http://mc/compose?to=kmedina67@gmail.com>> Subject: [Peace-discuss] Tim
>> Johnson congratulated us on being consistent To: "Peace-discuss List" 
>> <Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net 
>> <http://mc/compose?to=Peace-discuss@lists.chambana.net>> Date: Saturday,
>> December 5, 2009, 6:10 PM
>> 
>> 
>> Peace-discuss,
>> 
>> Representative Tim Johnson approached the AWARE table at the Holiday Market
>> while it was personed by Dave Harley and Stuart Levy. Tim congratulated us
>> on being consistent from the beginning, Tim now believes that he was wrong
>> twice and regrets his mistakes.