Dingell’s Holiday Jingle
December 15th, 2005Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) recited the following poem on the floor of the US House of Representatives concerning House Resolution 579, which expressed the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected. “Preserving Christmas” has been a frequent topic for conservative talk show hosts, including Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly.
Watch Rep. John Dingell Recite the PoemNo bills were passed ’bout which Fox News could grouse;
Tax cuts for the wealthy were passed with great cheer,
So vacations in St. Barts soon would be near;
Katrina kids were nestled all snug in motel beds,
While visions of school and home danced in their heads;
In Iraq our soldiers needed supplies and a plan,
Plus nuclear weapons were being built in Iran;
Gas prices shot up, consumer confidence fell;
Americans feared we were on a fast track to “well”
Wait — we need a distraction — something divisive and wily;
A fabrication straight from the mouth of O’Reilly
We can pretend that Christmas is under attack
Hold a vote to save it — then pat ourselves on the back;
Silent Night, First Noel, Away in the Manger
Wake up Congress, they’re in no danger!
This time of year we see Christmas every where we go,
From churches, to homes, to schools, and yes — even Costco;
What we have is an attempt to divide and destroy,
When this is the season to unite us with joy
At Christmas time we’re taught to unite,
We don’t need a made-up reason to fight
So on O’Reilly, on Hannity, on Coulter, and those right wing blogs;
You should just sit back, relax — have a few egg nogs!
‘Tis the holiday season: enjoy it a pinch
With all our real problems, do we honestly need another Grinch?
So to my friends and my colleagues I say with delight,
A merry Christmas to all,
and to Bill O’Reilly — Happy Holidays.
Posted in Press Releases
TFCD Joins Murtha’s Call for An Honest Debate on Iraq
December 14th, 2005Last week President Bush gave a speech on Iraq at the Council on Foreign Relations. In doing so the President once again let down the American people. President Bush can never hope to be credible when it comes to Iraq until he learns to engage in an honest dialogue with the American people.
“The fact is, for three years, ‘staying the course’ in Iraq has made America less safe,” said Christy Holden, TFCD President. “College Democrats know this and think it’s time for the President to speak to Americans with honesty and openness on Iraq; we think it is time for a new direction.”
The Iraq war has not paid for itself. The President promised that oil profits from Iraq would help pay for the war. That has not happened. The Iraq war already has cost the United States taxpayers over $277 billion, making it the third most expensive war in U.S. history. Furthermore, remarks last week by Congressman Jack Murtha concluded that war costs are expected to grow $100 billion more.
The President has not given the American people an honest assessment of the facts on the ground. President Bush cited the cities of Mosul and Najaf as examples of progress in Iraq, and stated that this success was being replicated across Iraq. But the U.S. Agency for International Development sees it differently — it is still looking to implement a $1 billion economic stabilization program in ten strategic Iraqi cities.
We cannot have national consensus without an honest debate. President Bush must level with the American people. We need to know the true costs of the war and how the administration intends to pay for it; we need to see the administration lay out some benchmarks for success; and most importantly, the American people need to see some signs that the administration has a plan for Iraq that goes beyond “stay the course.”
Tell Congress to Have an Honest Debate on Iraq For the Safety of Our Troops.
Posted in Press Releases
