This is life and death, and it is time we stop being lied to - Sen. Dayton

[UpInArms]

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2005_cr/s010605.html

Congressional Record: January 6, 2005 (Senate)
Page S37-S39

IRAQ

excerpt:

Similarly, the status of the Iraqi security and military forces-- being told by the Secretary of Defense, who I think believed what he was telling us because that was the information he was given, a year ago that force level was at 202,000; and then to find out last September 15, in public remarks he made elsewhere, that number was about half that level; and then to get published reports that the actual number is some 78,000; and then to get a report last week that the number is somewhat above that; and then to get a report yesterday that the number is some tens of thousands above that. Having that number not being able to be confirmed by those who are testifying before us is a great travesty of justice and legality, and their moral, ethical responsibility to tell us the truth and give us the facts so we can make those judgments that we are elected and held responsible to make, along with them, so that hopefully the collective wisdom of all of us serves the best interests of this country, its foreign policy, and the lives of its men and women who are serving us overseas, and who, for every day we keep them over there, are continuing to risk their lives, and some of them losing their lives or losing limbs, bodily functions.

This is life and death, and it is time we stop being lied to. I want this administration, I want the Pentagon command, to tell us the facts, tell us the truth about the situation in Iraq--what is going right, but what is going wrong, to tell us the truth and the facts about the capability of the Iraqi forces to replace ours, to take over responsibility for the law and order of their own country, to tell us the truth and the facts about the economic recovery projects, which ones have started, which ones have not, how much money has been expended, how much money has been wasted, how much money has been stolen.

It is shameful this body, which has the history of Harry Truman setting up a special committee during World War II to investigate the proper contracting, the proper expenditure of taxpayer dollars for a defense effort, where again American men and women were relying on that equipment, relying on getting it right away, and living or dying as a result--Harry Truman said: I don't care whether they are Democratic contractors or Republican, let the chips fall where they may and the truth be known. He went on to become the Vice President and then the President of the United States because he had that kind of integrity and that kind of courage.

[Demeter]

1. Sen. Dayton! You've Got It Backwards!

You have to tell the Pres, the Pentagon and the CIA the way it is and the way it's gonna be. That's your job, that's what you are paid for, that's why people voted for you. So quit hiding behind your excuses and clean the house, the senate, the party and the country!

[Eloriel]

5. Good point

As long as they continue to issue toothless "demands," they'll get nothing in return.

[saltpoint]

2. Do any DUers know about Mark Dayton's chances --

-- for re-election?

Some of the blogs mention a Republican Congressman -- Kennedy -- who is mounting a challenge.

'Would appreciate any updates and insight.

Thanks.

Actually, I kind of like the fire in Dayton's recent comments about the war. Long overdue but very welcome.

[FloridaPat]

3. Where's this buy been for 4 years? Where was he when we were

marching to the invasion. Too little too late. Now he wants the truty? Gee, how about before the election.

[scarletwoman]

6. FYI, Dayton voted AGAINST the IWR. (n/t)

[iwantmycountryback]

4. Nice to see he's coming around