My Letter to US Senator Patty Murray (On Iraq Occupation)

[cenacle]

Note: Before the latest vote to authorize more money for the Occupation, I had contacted all three of my representatives about it, to urge them to vote against it. Sens. Murray and Cantwell voted for it. Cantwell did not surprise me, but Murray did. Yesterday, I got a long rationalizing letter from her, ending with "Hope all is well in Seattle." That line and the Washington Post poll this morning blew my top. I was nearly late to work composing and sending the following.

Dear Senator Murray,

Since none of you in Washington are listening to anyone outside of the Beltway, take a look at the poll of your local paper there:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060401230.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

The country is angry and restless and disappointed. Democrats swept in on a tide of hope, and have failed to live up to promises made and expectations raised. Your party has all but lost the liberal base, and the prospects for the 2008 elections look far grimmer than they should.

It is time to end the Occupation. Not in September, not when your Republican colleagues come around, and everyone can hold hands and do it together. It is time to end it now. I assure you that it is not in Bush-Cheney's interests to do so, as they do not yet have their oil sharing agreement, nor have they abandoned their plan for invading Iran and taking their oil too.

I have respected your politics in the past. I would like to think well of you again. Unlike your Washington State colleague, Senator Cantwell, you are generally well-regarded by progressives in Washington State. If she does not move to the left where her constituency is, she will not serve long in the Senate. But you may, and I hope you do. At least I did, and hope to again.

The Occupation of Iraq is a crime against humanity, against the world, and you are now participating in it with your latest vote. I urge you to put aside your career interests, your pollsters, your big money doners, and look again at the pictures and read the accounts of what has been done in the United States' name over there. And I hope never to hear again that you have used any pathetic excuse for continuing that situation for a single hour longer than it takes to pull American troops out. As of your latest vote, the blood of the dead and wounded is now all over your hands.

Sincerely,
RS
Seattle, Washington

[freeplessinseattle]

1. Great letter!

Thank you for taking the time to write that. I should really get my rear in gear and follow your example.

[cenacle]

2. thanks! here is a sample to work with...

I edited my letter to exclude non-relevant comments for a generic version. The above sample presumes one is writing to a Democratic congress person. Tweak it if writing to a Republican or Independent.

Find congress person contact information at:
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

******

Dear ,

Since none of you in Washington are listening to anyone outside of the Beltway, take a look at the poll of your local paper there:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/04/AR2007060401230.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR

The country is angry and restless and disappointed. Democrats swept in on a tide of hope, and have failed to live up to promises made and expectations raised. Your party has all but lost the liberal base, and the prospects for the 2008 elections look far grimmer than they should.

It is time to end the Occupation. Not in September, not when more of your war-advocating colleagues come around, and everyone can hold hands and do it together. It is time to end it now. I assure you that it is not in Bush-Cheney's interests to do so, as they do not yet have their oil sharing agreement, nor have they abandoned their plan for invading Iran and taking their oil too.

The Occupation of Iraq is a crime against humanity, against the world, and you are now participating in it with your latest vote. I urge you to put aside your career interests, your big money doners, and look again at the pictures and read the accounts of what has been done in the United States' name over there.

And I hope never to hear again that you have used any pathetic excuse for continuing that situation for a single hour longer than it takes to pull American troops out. When you vote to fund the Occupation, the blood of the dead and wounded stains your hands permanently.

Sincerely,