Sestak: Out of Iraq by end of 2007 - by law

The Delco Times headline said it all - Joe: Time to Go.

According to the Bill Bender's article in the Delco Times, Joe Sestak filed a House bill for consideration, requiring the US to be out of Iraq by the end of 2007.

In Phil Heron's editorial, it says: "Sestak’s binding resolution calls for the withdrawal of almost all U.S. troops by Dec. 31, 2007, and cuts off funding for most military operations beyond that date."

Hurrahs to Sestak for doing this! Yes, again, that's why we voted for you!

Hurrahs to Heron for saying, "Agree with his convictions or not, Delaware County’s newest member of Congress is proving to be a man of his word. And that’s a quality that’s all too rare in the swamp that is Washington. "

Razzies to Rick Santorum, who retorted (according to Bender's article), "It would be a catastrophic occurrence for American security..." and...
"The war in Iraq is the battlefront in the war on Islamic fascism," Santorum said. Redeploying America’s 132,000 troops by the end of 2007, he said, "would be perceived by our enemies in the region as a complete capitulation and surrender."

That's why Rick Santorum is no longer a Senator, and why Ssstak is our Congressman!

Curt uses golden parachute, lands on feet

Here's the link to the DelcoTimes story about Ol' Curt landing on his feet with a new job at a... wait for it... defense contractor, Defense Solutions.

And for those who don't know how the game works, the article sheds some light:

Craig Holman, a campaign finance lobbyist for the nonprofit advocacy group Public Citizen, said Weldon is following a familiar path.

"The congressman is prohibited from making what is called 'direct lobbying contact' for one year, which means he can't call, send a letter or make any other direct contact with a former colleague or staffer," Holman said.

"What he can do is direct other people and tell them exactly who to call and with what types of appeals. And even if he can't send a letter, Curt Weldon's name can appear on the company letterhead, which means every staffer and former colleague will know the letter is from Curt Weldon."

Holman said 43 percent of former congressmen and women are involved in some type of lobbying activity, "usually with the same groups who lobbied before them while they were in office."

Sestak plans Iraq withdrawal binding legislation

According to the Delco Times Jan 31, 2007 article, Rep. Joe Sestak is planning to "introduce legislation that would require the withdrawal of American troops by the end of this year and cut off funding for future combat operations in Iraq."

Bill Bender quotes Sestak in the article:

Set a date certain -- this year -- to serve as the leverage to have the Iraqis accept the reality of the personal consequence of not assuming responsibility for their nation.

In contrast to the non-binding resolutions regarding Bush's planned troop escalation to support the occupation being debated now, this action by Sestak sounds pretty strong.

All I have to say is: Way to go Joe! This is what a lot of your supporters were looking for when we backed you!