My Letter to Mary Landrieu

Dear Senator Landrieu:

I'm a bit disappointed that we have not heard any comment from you on Rep. Boehner's very insulting remarks to our troops. Given that so many Louisianians have given life and limb in Iraq, and given the extent to which LA National Guard deployments in Iraq hobbled rescue efforts in the wake of the two hurricanes of 2005, I find your silence at this point rather disturbing.

Senator, there is no reason for you to be silent on the subject of the war, unless you are part of the less-than-one-third of the country who support this President and his war plans. There is noone else who will speak for Louisiana at this point. Our other senator is a national laughingstock whose party would gladly throw him under the same bus they're throwing Sen. Craig, were it not for the fact that Gov. Blanco is a Democrat. I'd like to think that, after eleven years in the Senate, you've grown weary of being rolled by these people. They're not your friends. They opened up on you with both barrels in 2002, and will do so again next year. Laying low and hoping they'll go away isn't a very sensible option at this point.

It's been difficult over the last eleven years to defend you and the positions you take when confronted with them by more liberal members of our party. Many wonder why you just don't switch party affiliations, that way the Democratic party can begin the discussion of who would be a good candidate that would truly represent our interests. My standard response has always been that it's tough for you to be as progressive as they would like in a state with such a strong conservative electorate.

The catch is, even that electorate rejects this President and his war. They know it's a bad idea to continue occupying Iraq. They want our troops to come home. In particular, Louisianians want their National Guard in place to support the state in times of emergency and national disaster. Nobody in metro New Orleans wants to wait again for the Wisconson and Pennsylvania National Guards to get here for assistance. It's time for you to take a very public stand on these issues. It's time you stood toe-to-toe with Senator Liebermann and demand that his committee seriously review FEMA and other DHS policies that impact Louisiana. We, the voters of this state need you speaking for us.

But taking a strong stance on the Iraq occupation isn't about politics, it's about Louisiana lives. You've been in the Senate almost as long as my 13-year old has been alive. If you and the rest of the Senate majority allow the Republicans to establish a permanent presence in Iraq, you are assisting them in placing my son and his friends into harm's way as well as all the men and women who are already risking their lives for a failed policy.

Please, Senator Landrieu, join other Democratic senators who have taken a strong public stance against the Iraq occupation. Stand up to men like Rep. Boehener and do not let their offensive remarks go unchallenged.

Either that or let us elect someone who will.

Sincerely,
YatPundit

You can ping this entry by using http://www.nola-blogs.com/cgi-bin/mt/ruebourbon.cgi/957 .