2007.05.10: May 10, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Iraq: Weston Forum: Although he voted against the House resolution, Mr. Shays says that the U.S. does, in fact, need to establish some timelines
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2007.05.10: May 10, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Iraq: Weston Forum: Although he voted against the House resolution, Mr. Shays says that the U.S. does, in fact, need to establish some timelines
Although he voted against the House resolution, Mr. Shays says that the U.S. does, in fact, need to establish some timelines
“We need timelines that say when we leave... We don’t do it the way the Democrats are doing it,” he said. After one visit last July, Mr. Shays broke rank with his party by calling for a timeline for troop withdrawal. However, just last month, Mr. Shays spoke out against a motion to support a phased troop withdrawal by September 2008. “There is not a member of Congress who isn’t tormented by the war in Iraq,” he said in a speech on the House floor on April 18. “There is not a member of Congress that has not attended a funeral of a brave man or woman who has lost their life and seen the family’s torment. So I just want to say for the record, all of us wrestle with this...” Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.
Although he voted against the House resolution, Mr. Shays says that the U.S. does, in fact, need to establish some timelines
Congressman Chris Shays talks issues with Westonites
by KIMBERLY DONNELLY
[Excerpt]
he war in Iraq
One issue that Mr. Shays knows a lot about, however, is the war in Iraq. He serves on the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs and has made 16 trips to Iraq since the 2003 American invasion — more than any member of the House.
After one visit last July, Mr. Shays broke rank with his party by calling for a timeline for troop withdrawal. However, just last month, Mr. Shays spoke out against a motion to support a phased troop withdrawal by September 2008.
“There is not a member of Congress who isn’t tormented by the war in Iraq,” he said in a speech on the House floor on April 18. “There is not a member of Congress that has not attended a funeral of a brave man or woman who has lost their life and seen the family’s torment. So I just want to say for the record, all of us wrestle with this...”
He went on to explain that he is not against timelines in theory, he is “against the timelines in the supplemental.”
“I am voting against this resolution. It is harmful to Iraqis and harmful to Americans,” he said.
Although he voted against the House resolution, Mr. Shays said Sunday that the U.S. does, in fact, need to establish some timelines.
“We need timelines that say when we leave... We don’t do it the way the Democrats are doing it,” he said.
Several in the audience on Saturday supported Mr. Shays’ positions, while others questioned it, and his leadership.
“You speak about the horrible consequences if we leave Iraq, but in my mind, it’s a horrific civil war, and the sectarian violence is getting worse every day,” said Peter Garcia. Those who speak out against the war are labeled as “unpatriotic,” but, Mr. Garcia continued, “I don’t see leadership coming from, frankly, you, Chris, or the rest of Congress, (when it comes to) standing up against the President for basically anything other than staying the course.”
Mr. Shays took exception with that. “I’ve probably shown more leadership than anyone in Congress, and I can document it.”
One reason he is “less visible” on issues surrounding Iraq now than he was before last November’s election is because “the press covered me before the election because I was challenged by the Democrats,” Mr. Shays said. “I have nothing but contempt for the national media.”
Mr. Shays admitted he was wrong about whether Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, but he, like many others, initially believed the Iraqi leader did have them.
“It’s important for you to understand: They weren’t lies, they were what I believed,” he said.
The congressman ran through a list of conversations and meetings he has had that may not have received a lot — if any — press coverage, but that show, he said, that he is, in fact taking a leadership role. These conversations include ones with military leaders, the Secretary of Defense, and the President himself.
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Story Source: Weston Forum
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Fiji; Politics; Congress; Iraq
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