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

Thu Dec 10 13:24:59 CST 2009

David--

But it is clear, is it not, that you will not make such a pledge?

Regards, Carl

David Gill wrote:
> Hi Steve,
> 
> I share your concerns regarding Mr. Johnson.   We are suddenly to believe
> "pledges" made by Mr. Johnson, the man who signed a pledge to vacate
> Washington, D.C. by 2006 (a "pledge" which permitted him to win a narrow
> victory in a hotly-contested Republican primary in 2000)? Actions like voting
> to invade Iraq (an action I publicly opposed) speak much louder than words,
> especially actions that cost the blood of millions, and the lost
> opportunities that a trillion dollars would have brought to the American
> people and the world.  And has Mr. Johnson even actually made such a
> "pledge" publicly?  If so, can Mr. Estabrook actually reference it for us?  I
> read Mr. Johnson's press releases very closely, and while he calls for
> "responsible" withdrawal from Afghanistan, I can't find the call for
> "immediate" withdrawal which Mr. Estabrook ascribes to Mr. Johnson.
> 
> Finally, to set the record straight:  I am not the "putative" Democratic
> candidate for Illinois' 15th district seat in the U.S. House of
> Representatives in the 2010 election, as described by Mr. Estabrook. I am the
> true and actual candidate, as evidenced by a quick look at the web site of
> the Illinois State Board of Elections. Thanks, David Gill, M.D.
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
> *From:* Steve Cox <coxsg at sbcglobal.net> *To:* Peace-discuss List
> <Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>; Karen Medina <kmedina67 at gmail.com>;
> tif-cu at googlegroups.com *Cc:* Quakers <ucfriendsmeeting at gmail.com>;
> tif-cu at googlegroups.com; David Gill <docgill37 at yahoo.com> *Sent:* Wed,
> December 9, 2009 5:46:35 PM *Subject:* Re: [Peace-discuss] Tim Johnson
> congratulated us on being consistent
> 
> 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.