Why? Why? Why?

When children are young and inquisitive they learn much by asking the simple question: “Why?”. And, as many exasperated parents can attest, their follow up questions (same as the original question) can go on and on and on and on and on.

As cute (or infuriating) as the question can be, the simple “Why?” is, undoubtedly, the single most powerful question one can ask concerning anything; and everything.

“Why is the sky blue?”

“Why can’t I stay up late?”

“Why are we still in Iraq?”

Even if one buys into the lies, misinformation, and false understandings which led to war, the question of why we’re still there needs to be answered.

Is it to establish democracy? Not really, but let’s pretend so. The Iraq Government – elected by the people of Iraq – has repeatedly asked us to leave. They have stated that the fighting will not stop until American forces are gone. American military Commanders have stated repeatedly that the situation in Iraq cannot be resolved militarily. So, the question is, “Why are we still there?” Another question one might ask is, “What good is a democracy in Iraq if we do not allow that democracy to self-govern?”

And, what has happened to democracy in America when, clearly, the vast majority of Americans want us out of Iraq yet our Government ignores the ‘will of the people’ and pursues it’s own agenda? ‘…of the People, by the People, and for the People…’ are words not to be dismissed nor ignored no matter what any ‘Decider’ may think. Either America (and Americans) is (are) free, or it (and we) are not. Emperor George has failed his oath of office. He has done so intentionally, and with great vigor. Why, why, why, is he still President? Why is Dick Cheney still Vice-President? Both swore an oath to defend the Constitution, but both failed to do so; and, in fact, have worked to weaken and subvert the Constitution.

I just wanted to say that outright before the Senate and the Emperor sign off on H.R. 1955 which will make it illegal to advocate such things.

Oh, in case you’re wondering why we are still in Iraq, consider the following possibility:

(A sticker of this artwork has been circulating around the Bay Area in California. I will research and credit the Artist as soon as I determine who he/she is. Incredible piece of work.)

H.R. 1955

Congresswoman Jane Harman and Co-Sponsors [see below] have succeeded in getting H.R. 1955 passed. The bill, which is titled “Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007” is in direct conflict with the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Nonetheless, 404 members of Congress voted for the Resolution [only 6 members voting against, and 22 abstaining] and sent it off to the Senate.

A breakdown of those votes can be viewed at:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-993

The Resolution can be read in its entirety by simply Google-searching ‘HR 1955’. I encourage you to do exactly that.

The Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence July 4th, 1776. In the Declaration it is established that ‘the People’ have not only the right, but the duty, to throw off any Government which seeks to exert rule over – instead of for – the People.

It is the Constitution which establishes a ‘government of the People, by the People, and for the People’. The same Constitution which the noted Representatives took a solemn oath to defend, they now willingly seek to undermine. In case they’ve forgotten, I offer a simple reminder:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

America is not a land of Rulers lording it over the populace. It is a land where the will of ‘the People’ reigns supreme and ‘Representatives serve’ that will. Otherwise, it is not America at all.

[A personal note of Thanks to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California, for being the sole dissenting vote from the State of California.]

Cosponsors of H.R. 1955

[as of 2007-10-24]
Rep. Christopher Carney [D-PA]
Del. Donna Christensen [D-VI]
Rep. Yvette Clarke [D-NY]
Rep. Charles Dent [R-PA]
Rep. Norman Dicks [D-WA]
Rep. Al Green [D-TX]
Rep. James Langevin [D-RI]
Rep. Zoe Lofgren [D-CA]
Rep. Nita Lowey [D-NY]
Rep. Daniel Lungren [R-CA]
Rep. Ed Perlmutter [D-CO]
Rep. Ted Poe [R-TX]
Rep. Dave Reichert [R-WA]
Rep. Bennie Thompson [D-MS]

For too long our voices have been ignored. And for too long our elected Representatives have forgotten that they work for us, the People. Perhaps it is time that we exercise our right to be heard, to dissent, and to be truly served by simply firing those Representatives who act contrary to the will of the people. Elections are coming.