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January 14, 2009
Exclusive: ‘Present’ Votes on House Israel Resolution Smack of Cowardice
Certain things in life are no-brainers. You eat too much and exercise too little, you gain weight. You spend more time watching shows like The View and American Idol than you spend watching the news – such as it is – and you are woefully uninformed on the issues of the day. You elect nincompoops to represent you on a national level and you get gobbledygook coming out of Capitol Hill.
Speaking of gobbledygook, another no-brainer is a nation’s right to defend itself from outside attacks upon its citizens. Just last week, the House of Representatives passed H Res. 34: “Recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States' strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.”
Okay, first question: why do we need any kind of resolution on this topic taking up valuable House time? Shouldn’t Nancy Pelosi be more worried about issues such as how she and her cronies are going to continue screwing up our economy? Many House resolutions are usually a bunch of baloney anyway, designed to make it look like Congress is actually doing something to earn its pay from us, the taxpayers. I mean, how important is it that the House commend the Houston Dynamo soccer team or the Louisiana State University Tigers football team? Okay, okay, I understand that it’s good PR. But in my opinion, they should save the PR for the campaign trail and concentrate on what is truly the important work of the people.
Here’s where it gets interesting (or nauseating, depending upon your point of view).
Yea: 390
Nay: 5
Present: 22
Not Voting: 16
Yes, the resolution passed by a healthy margin. But here’s my second question: Since the House decided that Israel’s finally having had it up to here with Hamas lobbing rockets at its citizens was an issue they must stick their noses into, why is it that some or our elected leaders (for lack of a better term) couldn’t commit themselves to a yes or no answer? What’s with 22 “present” votes anyway? Either you agree or you don’t agree. Simple. Unfortunately, some politicians worry about political fallout for taking a firm stand on a particular issue. Gee, just the kind of people we want representing us in the hallowed halls of the Capitol! Good thing the new visitor’s center is open; we wouldn’t want them to be even more distracted than they already are by the sweaty, smelly hordes.
The usual suspects voted “no”: Maxine Waters (D-California); Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio); Ron Paul (R-Texas); Nick Rahall (D-West Virginia.); Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin). At least give them credit for standing up for their convictions, even if you don’t agree with them.
So, who took the coward’s way out?
Raul Grijalva (D-Arizona); Lynn Woolsey (D-California); George Miller (D-California); Barbara Lee (D-California); Fortney Stark (D-California); Sam Farr (D-California); Diane Watson (D-California); Loretta Sanchez (D-California); Henry Johson (D-Georgia); Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii); Donna Edwards (D-Maryland); John Olver (D-Massachusetts); Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Michigan); John Dingell (D-Michigan); Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota); Keith Ellison (D-Minnesota); Donald Payne (D-New Jersey); Maurice Hinchey (D-New York); Earl Bluemenauer (D-Oregon); Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon); James Moran (D-Virginia); James McDermott (D-Washington).
Wow, about one third of those “present” votes come from California reps. What is it with California, anyway? Is it something in the water? Or does living in such close proximity to the San Andreas Fault wreak havoc with one’s brain waves? I’m open to any and all suggestions.
FamilySecurityMatters.org contributing editor Ed Koch said in a recent op-ed: “Fortunately, Israel has the capacity to defend itself and doesn’t need [the New York Times’ Nicholas] Kristoff’s advice, let alone his love.”
May I suggest adding the “Present” brigade to that list?
Pam Meister is the editor for FamilySecurityMatters.org.
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