Thursday, March 22, 2007

Dear Congressman:

I'm sure you and your staff have gotten tired of me constantly sending you letters calling for an end to the Iraq War and for the impeachment of President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and company. Believe me, if the situation were not so dire -- if Bush had not lied to the nation in order to send our troops into a no-win situation in Iraq that has actually made our nation less secure -- I would not be as vehement or importune. Indeed, I have written more letters to you in the past six years than I had written to any member of Congress in all the previous years of my life put together. All in all, you have done an exemplary job standing up to our power-mad President over all this time, and I am truly grateful.

However, I disagree with you and Speaker Pelosi on the bill before the House that hopes to bring our troops home by fall of next year. On August 21, 2006, Bush said "We're not leaving, so long as I'm the president." Bush does not care about the well-being of our troops or the safety of our nation. His arrogance has created a death trap in Iraq for our brave soldiers. He has demanded that they do the impossible. Congress must bring our people home as quickly as humanly possible, by cutting off funds for anything but the safety of our troops and their withdrawal. Speaker Pelosi's bill does not go far enough. Congresswoman Lee's approach is the realistic one.

I don't have any illusions about the political reality on Capital Hill. In order to end the war, the Democrats must have enough votes. What Speaker Pelosi has not realized is that Bush cannot be reasoned with. His signing statements indicate that he does not respect Congress' role in government, as he considers it his privilege to break the law whenever he sees fit. Likewise, Bush will never bring our soldiers home from Iraq, no matter how bloody the civil war becomes or how many casualties there are. The only way to stop this terrible disaster is to remove the President and Vice President from office.

Congressman, if you were dealing with any other President, Speaker Pelosi's bill would be enough. But you are dealing with George W. Bush, a man who does not respect opposition, the political process, the authority of Congress, or the reality in Iraq. Bush fancies himself an autocrat -- king, emperor, dictator, whatever -- and Speaker Pelosi's bill is not strong enough to stop him. Congresswoman Lee's bill is the one that will begin to save our troops' lives.

Congressman, I wrote to you in 2002 that if you voted against the war in Iraq, my family and I would vote for you as long as we live in your District. I meant what I said, and you will have my deepest respect whether you support Speaker Pelosi's bill or Congresswoman Lee's bill. However, I ask you to support the strongest measure to bring our soldiers home safely.

My wife and I were married in 2002. Of the eight people in our wedding party, one has a stepmother in Iraq, and another has a brother there. Congressman, Bush's mismanagement has made the war into a lost cause. Don't let anyone else die needlessly.

I remain sincerely yours,

C. Colvin

Dear Speaker Pelosi:

I applaud you and the other Democrats in Congress on your recent effort to support our troops by establishing a deadline for them to come home. President Bush's veto has proved him to be a close-minded megalomaniac who is more interested in saving face than in the lives of our soldiers or in the security of our nation. Madam Speaker, it is time to send Bush a stronger bill, one that moves up the deadline for withdrawal. Another veto must be met with Bush's impeachment. Bush's lack of planning and leadership has destroyed any hope for a military solution in Iraq. I have two friends serving there; their safety cannot wait for Bush to see reason.

Best regards,
C. Colvin