Just emailed Deborah Norville to correct Rep Ray Lahood(spel)

[DebJ]

Sent : Thursday, August 19, 2004 9:54 PM
To : [e-mail]

Subject : Rep. Ray Lahood was dead wrong...read what Congress signed:

On your program tonight, the Rep Ray Lahood stated that Congress, including Kerry, signed off giving the President the power to "go and liberate Iraq".

WRONG. Here is the actual wording from S.J. Resolution 23:

(a) IN GENERAL --- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.

The resolution was directed at the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001. It was not an authorization for him to 'liberate' whatever countries he wants to 'liberate'. Reading these actual words made me understand why it was 'necessary' for George W. Bush to lie to the American public in order to achieve his goal of invading Iraq: Congress gave him authority specifically to attack the terrorists who were involved in 9/11. Period. So he had to present his case with these lies, or else he was NOT authorized by Congress to take military action against Iraq.

Please, I hope your organization will be true to the needs of the American people, and quote these actual words of the actual resolution, instead of continuing to have Talking Heads mishmashing things. The actual Congressional documents are available to read; they are the REAL news, the FACTS. The public is so SICK of just talking heads without the facts.
(end of email)
I got this information from Senator Byrd's book, "Losing America"
It's great and a short read. Lots of reasons why Bush is incredibly lax, to put it mildly, on Homeland Defense. I'm using his book to give a presentation at the end of this month on just that topic at our monthly ABBA/Grassroots meeting.

[H2O Man]

1. Good work!

That's great. I need to pick up a few more books this weekend. I'll get the one by Senator Byrd after reading your post.

[DebJ]

2. pages 112-115 include a list of Homeland Security bills and

funding Bush and Repubs refused to either consider or sign. I'm typing it up and copying it to pass out to Repubs who want Bush because he is strong on security. Also, Byrd makes great points about how in the heck can we defend ourselves or put our cities back together after a terrorist attack, when all our National Guardsmen are overseas? As a specific example, Byrd says that West Virginia's chemical specialist unit is in Iraq, so if a chemical plant either is attacked or has a major 'oops', there is no one in West Virginia to call upon for assistance.

[H2O Man]

3. It sounds great....

I think it is important for people to hear what one of the wisest men in the Senate is saying. There are few honorable people in that once noble institution. Good luck on your presentation! That's great that you are doing that.

[DebJ]

4. We need to fight with facts. I'm hoping to spread a few

around.

[H2O Man]

5. Good .... we need that!

I think that while many people will not read his book, they are going to be interested in what you have to say about it. I'm glad that you are doing that! It's important work. I can tell from your posts that you are well-prepared!