Honorable Senator Byrd wants to hear from us re confirmation of Gates!

[lonestarnot]

So let him hear from us!


Dear Lonestarnot,

Elections have consequences.

The change you all worked so hard to help Democrats achieve on November 7 made it clear that we must begin to chart a new course in Iraq.

This week offers our first step forward with the Senate confirmation hearings for Robert Gates to become Secretary of Defense.

Mr. Gates must indicate that he heard the resounding message that voters sent on November 7.

The departure of Donald Rumsfeld has given America an opportunity to change our policies in Iraq and send a message to the world that the United States is willing to depart from the disastrous unilateral agenda that has served us so poorly these past six years.

Americans voted Democrats into the majority in the Senate because they wanted us to ask the tough questions and demand accountability from the Bush administration. That is exactly what we plan to do. We want to know what Mr. Gates plans are to:

* Rectify a situation in Iraq that now has American troops in the crossfire of a civil war.

* Fix a military stretched so thin that some units are on their third or fourth tours in Iraq.

* Ensure that the abuse scandals we have seen at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay will not be repeated.

* Prevent Afghanistan from once again coming under the sway of the Taliban and al Qaeda.


These are the defining security issues of our time and Mr. Gates must prove that he is up to the challenge of facing them. My fellow Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee have been preparing for this crucial confirmation hearing for weeks and we are ready.

But we would also like to hear from you what questions you think should be asked of Mr. Gates. After all, it is you, our grassroots supporters, who have enabled us to lead the 110th Senate.

Please click here to tell us which questions are important to you for the Senate hearings to determine whether Robert M. Gates should be confirmed as Defense Secretary.

http://www.dscc.org/defensequestions

I encourage you to make your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Sen. Robert C. Byrd
-----------------------------------------------------------

[philb]

1. Gates has the wrong orientation on foreign policy, middle east , Afghanistan, etc.

He thinks terrorism is the problem, and like Bush, wants to fight a "war on terror.

But terrorism isn't the undelying problem, its the result of not getting the underlying problems resolved.

The underlying problems are ethnic and religious differences, poverty and lack of jobs and education, maldistribution of resources and opportunity, long term failure of the U.S. and Europe to help resolve the underlying problems and work to
bring reconciliation between those of different ethnic and religious differences.
Gates would likely be orientated in such a manner to make things worse, not better.

[lonestarnot]

4. So don't you think you better let Senator Byrd hear from you? And your

own Senator?

[nealmhughes]

20. Amen! I'd love a world where people are too busy working and studying and making

and enjoying art and fresh air to be concerned about whether one is an Assyrian or Arab or Kurd or a Shiite or a Sunni or a Chaldean or Assyrian Orthodox Christian...sharing the patrimony of their native soil.
Sunnis cry when their families are slain the same as Shia.

[Mass]

2. A little late - The hearings were today - Gates was confirmed unanimously

by the Defense committee (which includes Byrd, I believe).

[lonestarnot]

5. Senate hearings already taken place?

[Mass]

7. Yes. Click on the link you posted. It says so.

The lection by the full senate will be later this week.

[lonestarnot]

8. Nope here.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16036036/

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. He was just voted out of the Committee. Now it will go to the Senate floor

for confirmation.

[Independent_Liberal]

3. He needs to be asked about his involvement in Iran Contra and BCCI.

That's for sure.

[lonestarnot]

6. Absolutely.

[KoKo]

9. As a Senator Byrd lover...I'm sad to say...

he co-sponsored the Armed Services Commitee's UNANIMOUS Confirmation of Gates just this afternoon.

I don't know why Byrd and Warner and all the Dems did this. But, if you are in his state please ask him. Because I want to know why he would post this on his website and then Co-Sponsor Unanimous Approval with Warner for Gates.

:shrug:

[lonestarnot]

10. That is only the Committee. He still has to go before the full Senate

for a thumbs up or down. That occurs as soon as tomorrow.

[jokerman93]

12. The update on Gates' confirmation

"...you can rest assured that committee Democrats are aware of the concerns of you, the American people. As we move forward, you can expect that Democrats will be asking the tough questions and demanding honest answers from the Bush administration.

Your input is so important to us. We thank all of you for making your voice heard and hope you will continue to do so in the future."

Is it just me or does this sound like sincere gratitude? I read it to mean the newly elected Dems in congress plan to remember and acknowlesge who, against all odds, put them in power and why.

I'm not sure how Gates will turn out, but the Dem leaders do seem to be taking control of the way things will be framed from now on. I'm more hopeful we might see a refreshing new candor sweep through our government, and a reinspired commitment to our Constitution and Democratic traditions.

In the last six years America has come as near to the fire as it's ever been. They say good comes out of evil. Maybe with all that's happening this is one of the times that's true. Being an optimist, I'm going to say - expect it.

:evilgrin:
J

[bobbolink]

16. I'll believe it when I see it.

Actions speak louder than words, and I don't trust them.

I look forward to being proved wrong.

:(

[jokerman93]

22. realists...

Can't live with 'em. Can't live without 'em.

:shrug:

[bobbolink]

23. The turnout was so much greater for you optimists

:shrug:

[Tatiana]

13. I have emailed both of my Senators. My email went a little something like this:

Dear Mr. Durbin (Obama),

I would like to preface this message by stating that I rarely contact my elected officials. However, I feel compelled to write to you regarding the nomination of Robert Gates to become the next Secretary of Defense.

I strongly urge you to reject this nomination.

Gates was nominated to become the Director of Central Intelligence in 1987. He withdrew his name after it became clear the Senate would reject this nomination due to questions regarding his role in the Iran-Contra scandal. The Senate had good reason then and still has reason now to reject his nomination, though the position may be different this time around.

In 1984, as deputy director of the CIA, Gates is on record as advocating the bombing of Nicaragua (and other means short of direct military invasion) to remove the democratically-elected Sandinista government.

Lawrence Walsh's Final Report of the independent counsel for Iran/Contra matters states in Chapter 16:

"At most, the evidence showed that Gates was in and around meetings where the content of George and Fiers's testimony was discussed, and that he participated in two briefings that helped lull congressional investigators into believing that the CIA was not involved in facilitating private resupply flights. The evidence shows further that Gates was aware of at least general information suggesting involvement by North and Secord with the contras, and that Gates did not disclose this information -- or argue that it should be disclosed. For Gates, the CIA's task in October 1986 was to distance the CIA from the private operation, in part by locking North into statements that cleared the CIA of wrongdoing."

Indeed, according to Allen, when Allen first discussed rumors of a diversion with Gates on October 1, 1986, Gates told Allen he "didn't want to hear about Central America" and "I've supported Ollie in other activities . . . but he's gone too far." (Allen, Grand Jury, 1/4/88, pp. 31-33.) See also Gates, SSCI Testimony, 12/4/86, pp. 18-19 (confirming that he told Allen that he "didn't want to hear anything about funding for the Contras")."

Like Clair E. George, Gates should have been indicted. However, Walsh concluded that in his professional judgment, there could be room for reasonable doubt - hence, Gates was not indicted.

It is obvious Gates, at the very least, was a passive participant in the Iran/Contra scandal. We should not reward his treasonous actions with the Secretary of Defense position simply because he has connections with the Bush administration.

We need an ethical person of good character, who has loyalty to the American constitution, its citizens, and our laws - not someone who is primarily loyal to corporate or neoconservative interests.

Since the salient facts have not changed in the past two decades, I would urge you to heed the wisdom of our U.S. Senators in 1987. Do not vote to confirm Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense.

Many thanks for your consideration,

Tatiana Rodriguez

[lonestarnot]

17. Excellent letter Tatiana Rodriguez!

:applause:

[LittleClarkie]

14. I like how he starts out with what the Repubs said after 2004

Elections have consequences. Heh.

[bdamomma]

15. ask Gates about the Iran-Contra conflict

and his part in all of that, was it a swap, take Gates, and get rid of Bolton.

[lonestarnot]

18. I will have you?

[whistle]

19. I am surprised that democratic senators would believe what Gates

....said about every option is on the table at to Iraq and think that means rapid exit. This is a republican loyal to Dubya and the neo-cons. Every option means staying there and expanding the conflict throughout the world! Wake up.

[951-Riverside]

21. Everytime I see, hear or read his name I see this

Anyway I will give him points for giving a shit about what we think, its very rare that politicians come out of their little bubbles and listen to what the people have to say.