Lawmakers read names of soldiers who died in Iraq on US House floor

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A small group of US lawmakers paid homage to US troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan by reading their names aloud on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Representative Rahm Emanuel (news, bio, voting record), who organized the tribute, said the homage was particularly appropriate ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday marking the birth of the United States, when Americans wear their patriotism on their sleeves.
...
"As we approach the Fourth of July, we must take this opportunity to remember those men and women who have answered that call in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Emanuel, who will be joined by several other Democrats.

An aide said several Republicans had been asked to take part in the reading, but just one, conservative Walter Jones of North Carolina, had signed on.
...
Lawmakers set aside one hour late Thursday to begin reading the 1,917 names and said they will likely have to resume next week to get through the entire list.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050624/pl_afp/usiraqafghanistan

[sniffa]

1. 1 repubLican?

[bluestateguy]

3. Jones is an ex-Democrat

His father was a Democratic congressman. If he gets pissed off enough, he could switch back, though he would be a DLCer.

[meow2u3]

8. I think Walter Jones would be a Blue Dog

You know....socially conservative, fiscally moderate....

[kskiska]

10. Jones is Mr. "Freedom Fries"

It was his idea. Now he's turned.

[6000eliot]

2. How could they BE so unAmerican!

[uppityperson]

4. Good to get read into the record.Not 4th of July, Independence Day

It is Independence Day, not 4th of July. Independence Day falls on July 4th, but that is not the reason for anything of anything that day. (Not to get into whether or not it is "the birth of the United states...etc"). Words matter. Out patriotism the jerks. Call it Independence Day.

[SnowGoose]

14. additionally, it might remind people why *we* were insurgents once

because people tend not to like being ruled by outsiders from across the ocean.

Obviously, the situations are not exactly the same, but the general principle remains.

[maddezmom]

5. 1,917 today

how many more will be added before they are at the end of the current list as of today? :cry:

[mom cat]

6. I wish that they would read the names of the Iraqis also.

[jahyarain]

9. they won't because their mics would be turned off

and they wouldn't be allowed in the Capitol Building anymore (except in the basement, of course)

[mom cat]

17. A lot can happen from a small basement room!... Welcome to DU

jahyarian! :hi:

[DeepModem Mom]

7. kick

[jsamuel]

11. I believe things like this are very powerful

[Oreo]

12. Rate this up

Perfect example of the right not supporting or giving a damn about our troops. The troops are pawns for the right... they could care less about them as real people. Real fathers, brothers, sons, mothers, daughters, and sisters.

An aide said several Republicans had been asked to take part in the reading, but just one, conservative Walter Jones of North Carolina, had signed on.

[Debi]

13. If Dems keep this up the Administration will cut Veteran's Benefits.

Doh! :banghead:

[Tesla]

15. too late

they already did http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/23/AR2005062301888_pf.html

[Debi]

16. I was being faceitous...but hey, at least we didn't go to the UN and admit

the torture allegations!

[Miss Chybil]

18. It's a shame honoring our war dead seems to be such a political problem.

Nobody asked our GIs if they were Democrats, or Republicans, before they blew them up. They died because they were Americans, betrayed by their Commander in Chief, but Americans still the same. Republicans should be ashamed of themselves, again.

[Straight Shooter]

19. Walter Jones personally wrote over 1300 condolence letters.

He's requested a timetable to exit Iraq.

Walter Jones, despite his asinine "freedom fries" campaign, has a very rare quality in a Republican, a conscience. I look to him to lead the charge amongst Republican Concresscritters defying bush.

One can only hope.

[David Zephyr]

20. Kick.

:kick: