Pirate's Cove

From a letter to the editor in the Raleigh News and Observer, Friday, April 27th, by one of two Republicans to vote for the House Surrender in Iraq funding bill:

Your April 25 article about the supplemental funding bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan wrongly explained my expected support for the bill by stating that I have "long called for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq." (You have, buuuudy!)

Let me be clear: I do not support, nor have I ever supported, setting a date by which all American troops must be removed from Iraq. Rather, what I have long advocated is setting a date — based first on President Bush's timetable for establishing a democratically elected government in Iraq and later upon the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group — by which we should begin reducing our troop levels in that nation. (It depends on what the definition of "is" is, I suppose. Reduce, cut and run, it's all the same. ISG? Dem Talking Point.)

My vote for the supplemental spending bill was not predicated on timetables of one sort or the other. It was, without apology, predicated upon keeping America's promise to our veterans and our wounded heroes coming home from the battlefield. (what the hell kind of double talk is this? Sounds like Jones has been spending way too much time with Democrats)

The shameful details of the Walter Reed scandal help illustrate just how broken that promise is. As a first step toward improving the treatment of America's veterans, reducing the backlog of benefits claims and ensuring that our treatment facilities are maintained at the highest level, the supplemental bill includes an extra $1.8 billion above the administration's request for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (this has what, exactly, to do with artificial timelines for withdrawl?)

While there are many other items in the bill that I do not agree with, I simply cannot, in good conscience, vote against a measure that will help restore America's commitment to those who have made such incredible sacrifices for our country. (so, I hate the bill, it's full of pork and non-essential garbage, and it calls for withdrawl timelines, but, I will vote for it anyhow.)

Walter B. Jones

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington

Well, I am sure those troops in the field are reasurred by your ability to put aside everything you say you believe in and vote for surrender.

BTW, it appears that this was written prior to the vote on the 25th, when he voted for defeat. He is now an owner. Congratulation, Walt!