The Mandate

I can only hope that this "non binding resolution" is the first step to something more substantial, and not just politicians jerking each off.

According to the New York Times, this is where we are at:

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California:

'Friday’s vote will signal whether the House has heard the American people: no more blank checks for President Bush on Iraq. Our taxpayer dollars must go to protect our troops, to keep our promises to our veterans, and to provide for the safety of the American people. In light of the facts, President Bush’s escalation proposal will not make America safer, will not make our military stronger, and will not make the region more stable; and it will not have my support'.

Representative John Boehner, minority leader, Republican of Ohio:

'What we are dealing with here today isn’t even a resolution to debate the war itself. It is a nonbinding resolution attacking a single strategy in the prosecution of a much larger war. 'Nonbinding’ means nonleadership. It is not accountable, and I don’t think it is the right message for our troops'.”

Predictably, "Boner" shills, and why not: King George got him the job.

Update: Please find the video of Palpatine giving these piece of rhetorical genius:

"'This non-binding resolution serves no purpose other than pacifying the Democrats' political base and lowering morale in our military'.

Schmidt, a Republican from Miami Township, said she is disappointed that the House has failed to hold 'a real debate' about how to win the war. The discussion has really been just a political exercise that will accomplish nothing, she said, and speeches on the resolution have been designed 'to do no more than charge up one's own political base'.

'There will be no victory when our votes are tallied', Schmidt said. 'We will have every problem we began with, but be even further apart politically'.

'Tonight', she said Thursday, 'I believe we embarrass ourselves before our brave men and women in uniform, before the American people, and before our enemies.'"

I couldn't agree more.