Until tonight.
The Omaha World Herald just posted an article: Nebraska congressmen to travel to Iraq despite bombing. Turns out, Yo Adrian's been in Iraq. These are the lines that mention him:
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., was scheduled to fly out Thursday night and spend the weekend in Iraq. It's his fifth visit to the country.
At the same time, Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., was returning from his first trip there.
.
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Smith, a first-term lawmaker, felt the need to go after just three months on the job because he wanted to talk to the troops and get firsthand information, said his spokesman, Chuck Isom.
Smith took a spot vacated by Terry, who has yet to go to Iraq. Terry said he had made plans to go previously, but he was bumped once at the last minute by a more senior lawmaker, and a second trip was canceled.
Interestingly enough, Lee Terry says what I suspect will happen with Adrian Smith, given that he's so predictable:
Terry said he has noticed that other congressmen's rhetoric on the House floor remains the same after their trips to Iraq.
Time for a rant.
Unless the Congress members going back and forth to Iraq are members of committees that deal directly with issues surrounding Iraq, Terrorism, Homeland Security, Defense, our Troops....you get the picture.....they should NOT be going. We, the taxpayers, foot this bill time and time again. Our soldiers have their hands full trying to protect each other and the innocent victims caught in the middle of this civil war (yes, I went there....it's a civil war). Every time you have to pull dozens of soldiers out of their primary duties to guard the pasty white butts (yes, I know they're not all white, but just let me rant, okay?) of guys who probably wear shoes that are like butter, and have no actual concept of life and death like the people there do, they put our soldiers in even greater danger. Not only the ones that are left short of the usual numbers doing patrols, but also the ones protecting the politicians. Haven't they ever heard that the bad guys like to try and find ways to take out someone that's "important"? Especially an American? Guess who's going to be willing to step in and take that bullet or that piece of shrapnel - an action that shouldn't have been necessary in the first place?
Basically, Adrian Smith had a 2-week recess from the House. He took week one to go around and complain that no one is doing enough on the farm bill, and criticizing Nancy Pelosi and other members who had direct committee assignments that dealt with international relations and the ongoing actions in the Middle East. He then turns around and disappears for a week to take a jaunt over to Iraq - because we all know the Agriculture and Science & Technology committees have regular hearings on Iraq and the troops, right? - instead of meeting with as many constituents as possible to hear what their concerns are, or what their thoughts are on that farm bill he says no one is devoting enough time for.(And when I say listen, I mean not talking to hear himself talk about his own predetermined thoughts on the issues, as in that town hall robo call he did).
I actually hope that Adrian Smith was there in the area when that bomb went off in the Iraqi Parliment building, an area that was supposed to be one of the most secure areas within the "green" zone. I hope he witnessed the panic and the shock. I hope he was safe, but I hope no soldier was harmed while trying to keep him safe. Basically, I hope the reality on the ground came right on up and gave him a great big virtual slap in the face.
But I get the feeling we will probably just hear the same rhetoric as before with no changes. After all, we must stay the course and support the President's war at all costs.
4 comments:
In the Army we called those "dog and pony shows" for a very good reason. Everyone was supposed to be sharp, haircuts high and tight and boots polished so the "special visitor" would see how great discipline was.
We had to look really good.
Nelson said he trusted the soldiers to keep him safe? Let me tell you that every second focused on the safety of a political official takes away from keeping an entire team safe.
This is a WAR ZONE-not a freakin' picnic or day in the park.
People are dying over there every day by the dozens and political folks just need to STAY HOME.
The security involved in a dog and pony show is ridiculous and takes soldiers away from doing their job.
For Adrian to go shows a LACK OF RESPECT for the work our soldiers are doing over there.
Three months in office and he feels like he has to go over there?
perhaps he needs to be in the Third District answering questions with more intelligent comments than grunts and inane answers like "It's a state issue."
Adrian runs scared from the media and does everything he can to avoid telling people what he is really doing in Washington DC.
He refuses to visit with the media, except for those who act like Pavlov's dogs when he comes to visit.
Just remember, a new day is dawning in Nebraska, and all of Adrian's inaction on the Hill will be out for EVERYONE to see in the next election.
He won't be able to hide behind an 8 yr state office.
As a conservative Democrat who has actually served in the Army infantry, let me chime in: Smith's visit to Iraq can hardly be deemed a vacation at the taxpayers' expense. In fact, I'd argue all 435 members need to get their boots on the ground if they are to authorize spending for that mess. Had Scott Kleeb won, I promise you he'd have done the same. You're off base with your criticism on this one.
This is what I love about America: The diversity of thought, especially among those that have served in the Armed Forces.
Thank you to both of you that posted above, not only for your comments, but your service!
Thank you, Adrian for wasting my tax dollars!
Thank you, Lisa, for the spot on rant. I'm so tired of watching Bush and his little party lapdogs trot around Baghdad on my dollar and waste everyone's time. If they have no direct responsibility for Iraq policy (Armed Services, Foreign Affairs committees etc...just as you said) then stay home, watch the news and read the committee reports.
Of course, now Adrian can yammer on about how he supports the troops so much that he went to visit them. I'm sure my fine congressmen (NE-1) won't be far behind.
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