I'd love to see the TREASON!!!! crowd clarify why this isn't worse [View all]

[FBaggins]

NOTE - No... I'm in no way saying that what they did was appropriate or wise... nor am I saying that the ten Democrats who signed the letter below were guilty of anything (even bad policy).

I do believe that since we're talking about a nuclear weapons agreement with multiple foreign powers... the President should be negotiating a treaty that the Senate should vote on.

This is from 1984:

Dear Comandante:

We address this letter to you in a spirit of hopefulness and good will.

As Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, we regret the fact that better relations do not exist between the United States and your country. We have been, and remain, opposed to U.S. support for military action directed against the people or government of Nicaragua.

We want to commend you and the members of your government for taking steps to open up the political process in your country. The Nicaraguan people have not had the opportunity to participate in a genuinely free election for over 50 years. We support your decision to schedule elections this year, to reduce press censorship, and to allow greater freedom of assembly for political parties. Finally, we recognize that you have taken these steps in the midst of ongoing military hostilities on the borders of Nicaragua.

We write with the hope that the initial steps you have taken will be followed by others designed to guarantee a fully open and democratic electoral process. We note that some who have become exiles from Nicaragua have expressed a willingness to return to participate in the elections, if assurances are provided that their security will be protected, and their political rights recognized. Among these exiles are some who have taken up arms against your government, and who have stated their willingness to lay down those arms to participate in a truly democratic process.

If this were to occur, the prospects for peace and stability throughout Central America would be dramatically enhanced. Those responsible for supporting violence against your government, and for obstructing serious negotiations for broad political participation in El Salvador would have far greater difficulty winning support for their policies than they do today.

We believe that you have it in your power to establish an example for Central America that can be of enormous historical importance. For this to occur, you have only to lend real force and meaning to concepts your leadership has already endorsed concerning the rules by which political parties may compete openly and equitably for political power.

A decision on your part to provide these reasonable assurances and conduct truly free and open elections would significantly improve the prospect of better relations between our two countries and significantly strengthen the hands of those in our country who desire better relations based upon true equality, self-determination and mutual good will.

We reaffirm to you our continuing respect and friendship for the Nicaraguan people, and pledge our willingness to discuss these or other matters of concern with you or officials of your government at any time. Very sincerely yours,

Here's the NYTimes reporting at the time - http://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/20/us/congress-letter-to-nicaragua-dear-comandante.html

Let's look at some differences:

* The 2015 letter was a public statement (it's really a press release targeted at the administration). The 1984 letter was not. the opposition released it a month later.

* The 2015 letter doesn't actually negotiate any position. They aren't asking for certain concessions or insisting on specific wording. They merely (correctly except for a technicality) outline what types of international agreements are binding on future administrations and which are not. It doesn't actually oppose any policy or proposal or negotiating position. The 1984 letter directly opposes the then-current foreign policy and recommends specific actions that Ortega should take to make it easier on them to oppose the policies more successfully. It then offers further direct negotiations... and the President isn't even mentioned.

* The 2015 letter exists in the context of a foreign power that is believed to be developing a nuclear capability... but with which there is no armed conflict. The 1984 letter occurred during an actual armed conflict where (right or wrong), the US was supporting the other side.

* The 2015 letter is written by Senators - who at least have a constitutional role in foreign policy matters. The 1984 letter was written by ten members of the House.

So go ahead... tell me why the current letter is treason, but the one from 1984 was ok.

Oh... but before you do. Re-read that NYTimes piece and try not to sound too much like Newt Gingrich.