Washblog

Rep. Brian Baird faces angry confrontations from his constituents and supporters regarding his change in position on Iraq war in 3 hour TownHall meeting in Vancouver, Washington last night - August 27, 2007.

I'm also one more angry, confused constituent, keenly disappointed in Brian Baird's change of position.  I'm also the mother-in-law of a returning Iraq veteran who will be leaving for his second deployment to Iraq in October 2007..2 months from now.

I don't want Rep. Brian Baird to sleep any better at nights than I will be sleeping knowing he has given public support to the course of the Iraq war - the surge and keeping our troops there - in the upswing of troop deaths, in the chaos of tribal/civil war among the factions, in an action not contained by military actions but in need of authentic political process...

 

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 12:17:50 PM PST

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  Jon Soltz, with VoteforVets (pac) and a returning Iraq veteran was in Washington state yesterday speaking at a panel Darcy Burner put together to confront President Bush appearance at Rep. Dave Reichert fundraiser in Bellevue.  Jon Soltz then went down to Vancouver, Washington to be at Rep. Brian Baird's Town Hall meeting in Vancouver, where he spoke urging Brian Baird to reconsider his dramatic change in posture to become a supporter of the ongoing staying the course strategy and political foreign policy in the Iraq war.  

  Brian Baird is my Representative - I live in his district, Pacific County, and he is therefore, my Representative in Congress.  He voted against the war in Iraq.  I have not had issue with him until very recently.  Late in June or early July, in our little, itty bitty locla newspaper, Pacific County Press, issued once a week in South Bend, WA, there was one of those happy articles about how things were going well in Iraq. Understand that our little, bitty newspaper doesn't write much about Iraq - except at those respectful holidays as Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and when my husband, Arthur, has one of his letters to the editor published. At least the Pacific County Press is willing to publish his ltte, so we appreciate that we do get to participate and have a voice in local community.  

(Side note;  the other little, bitty newspaper, Willapa Harbor Herald, that is published in the town next door - 5 miles away in Raymond, WA, also only once a week published hasn't yet published any of  Arthur's letters to the editor and hasn't said why they won't. But we have a good guess why they won't as we are given to understand it is a Republican dominated staff or editor...I really should fact check this as I'm repeating what is rumored.)

   Back to the article in the little, bitty Pacific County Press, South Bend.  It very much sounded like Brian Baird, who had been to the Middle East recently on fact-finding trips was singing hurrahs in support of the surge based on his interaction with military leaders and soldiers. I called his office then, a bit upset at how the article presented Brian Baird's views and reviewed the article with one of his staffers.  

  Upon reviewing it with Baird's staffer, the article was not actually citing Brian Baird, it was recasting a press release from military that pointed to Brian Baird's visit and remarks.  Ahhh, well then, knowing the military has to make it's press sound hurrah (hooyah), I didn't take issue with Rep. Baird at that time since it was not his office that released the article and I didn't have the impression from the staffer that Brian Baird had definitive thoughts on supporting a continued presence in Iraq.

  I did tell his staffer though that the article seemed somehow misleading, at least to me, in that it inferred Brian Baird was supporting the surge - remaining in Iraq and that there was signs of progress in Iraq.  I thought she might want to pass along to him that the military press release might be capitalizing on his fact-finding trip to their own advantage and that didn't sound like Rep. Brian Baird representing us in Pacific County;  representing me in Pacific County, as a military family with 2 returning Iraq veterans; one about to leave in his second deployment to Iraq in October.   She said she would pass my message along.  

  I don't know if she did or didn't, but now here in August 2007, with Brian Baird's own press release of hope in Iraq, it seems he has shifted his position - considerably!  You know, I've become discouraged, disheartened as this war drags on into the fifth year, and I know my own family will feel the effects with direct impact with second deployment for one, and not such a good turn in events for the other.  And I recognize for myself, that after this long, the messages that made sense in the beginning years of this war to not go in, to get out, not to escalate, not to continue the course unabated might need to be re-examined here at the five year mark.  So, I don't take issue with my Rep. Brian Baird taking another look.  

  His conclusion has merit - in that we do have an obligation of reparations to the Iraqi people - to repair the damage done.  But I contend it's not the troops who owe that debt, and I would wish to hear from the Congressman why he believes it is the troops who must bear the cost for this Adminstration's mistakes, for the faint heart of Congress in doing nothing to influence a shift in course.  

  I would ask him why it is my son-in-law, father to my three grandchildren who must pay the price when he has already once paid the price in his first deployment to Iraq;  why it is my nephew who is still paying the price; why it is any of our troops who have already paid the price.  I would ask him where he is getting his information and is it the full spectrum of information or what the military leaders and troops are 'required' to say when a Congressman comes a visiting.  I would ask him to listen to the likes of people like Major General Paul Eaton (ret. Fox Island, WA), General Wesley Clark, and returning Iraq veterans like my two and  Jon Soltz, who have a different take on progress in Iraq.

  Not waiting though for a call back from my Representative Brian Baird's office, I took the liberty of writing a letter to Jon Soltz, returning Iraq veteran, to thank him for being in Washington state yesterday and speaking out both at Darcy Burner's 'Burn Bush' panelin the afternoon  and again directly to Brian Baird at the Town Hall meeting in Vancouver, WA in the evening.  And I sent a copy of the letter to Brian Baird's office and to Darcy Burner, which I've decided to share in my next comment.      

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 01:09:58 PM PST

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 As I said in my previously posted comment, I would share the letter I sent today to Jon Soltz, returning Iraq veteran, who graced us yesterday in WA state at two significant events;  Darcy Burner's 'Burn Bush' panelin Bellevue, WA in the afternoon and Rep. Brian Baird Town Hall in Vancouver, WA in the evening.  

  Yesterday, of course, President Bush, (a Commander-in-Chief I cannot bear to be reminded yet must live that reality daily as a military family)visited Washington state also, Bellevue, WA, a fundraiser for Rep. Dave Riechert.

  My thanks to Jon Soltz, to Darcy Burner and disappointment in my Representative Brian Baird.  Here is the letter I sent today:

Dear Vote Vets
Attention: Jon Soltz;
Attention:  Representative Brian Baird
Attention:  Darcy Burner

    This email is intended for Jon Soltz and I hope you will be able to pass it along to him.  I have sent copy to my (D)Representative Brian Baird, and also Democrat for Congress in 8th District, WA in 2008, Darcy Burner.   Jon Soltz was in Washington state yesterday, speaking as a panelist at a 'Burn Bush' fundraiser event initiated by Darcy Burner to correspond with the arrival of President Bush in Bellevue, WA to support a fundraiser for (R) Representative Dave Reichert.   Darcy Burner is running against Dave Reichert again in 2008.  She ran against him in 2006 and lost by 7,000 votes.  She has 'netroots' support and is a grassroots candidate.

  In Darcy's panel yesterday, Major. General Paul Eaton (ret.) has endorsed her with a supportive statement while simultaneously pointing out that we are in a Constitutional Crisis and that duty demands we take action.  I am in contact with Darcy from time to time to speak in my voice as a military family in Washington state with 2 returning Iraq veterans.  She is also a military family and we share in common that we are what are called 'military brats' -- raised in the military life; military culture.  I sent her an email yesterday to thank her for putting together this particular panel, which included the likes of Major. General Paul Eaton (ret), Jon Soltz, returning Iraq veteran, Navy Captain Larry Seaquist and others at at time when President Bush, a Commander-in-Chief, I cannot respect was in town to support a Republican Representative in one of our most wealthy districts who supports President Bush's continued stay the course in Iraq foreign policy.  Darcy responded with an email 'Lietta, my pleasure'.  I believe she  knows I sincerely meant my gratitude as I have spoken with her to encourage her to take a stronger position in her campaign in 2006 and now in 2008 of troops home now (which does not mean instantly, rather it means responsibility and in accord with military protocols).

   Jon Soltz then also attended a Town Hall meeting in Vancouver, WA that same evening to speak to (D) Representative Brian Baird who voted against the Iraq invasion, but now five years later after recent trips to Iraq has changed his mind and believes we need to continue the occupation of Iraq.  It happens that (D) Representative Brian Baird represents my district - he is my representative.   We are a military family with 2 returning Iraq veterans, my son-in-law and my nephew, both with 1st Armored in  OIF, extended 15 month deployments, March 2003 -- August 2004 (extended due to Sadr City uprising in March 2004).   My son-in-law will be leaving for his second deployment to Iraq in October.  He is notified it will be another 15 month deployment and he has intimated that it is being whispered it will more likely be 18 months.    My nephew has other difficulties resulting from his deployment to Iraq and in respect for his wishes, I may not say, but suffice it to say that it is life-changing.

     I had phoned my Representative Brian Baird's office in Olympia, WA yesterday morning to register that as a constituent with 2 returning Iraq veterans and one poised to redeploy in second deployment in October, I have grave concerns about Rep. Baird's change of position.  The person taking my call was rather uninterested and I had to press him to say I would like a return phone call from Rep. Baird.  The person (sounded like a young man) said he would pass along my message, but was not inclined to take my name, return phone number which I gave to him anyway.  I did not leave that phone call feeling like my message would be conveyed.   I hope it will be conveyed, and while I appreciate that Representative Baird is busy with the Town Hall Meetings, as he has another one tonight, I am optimistic he will wish to speak with me.

    This morning, I saw the youtube video of Rep. Brian Baird at the Town Hall in Vancouver, WA last night and saw not only angry constituents wanting clarification from Rep Baird  for his change in position, but also Jon Soltz, himself a returning Iraq veteran, sharing his perspective.   I felt so relieved that another soldier's perspective was being conveyed directly to Brian Baird.    I want Jon Soltz to know my gratitude, and that he has impact, and I am not unfamiliar with his many public and tv appearances for which I am also grateful.  Thank you for making a difference to a military family in Washington state -- twice in one day!  

     I consider myself what I call a 'traditional' military family, having been raised a military brat (AF 1951 - 1964), having been myself the young wife of a young husband drafted to Vietnam and now the mother-in-law and aunt to 2 returning Iraq veterans.   I make this distinction only because I am not a newly minted military family and familiar with the longstanding 'military culture of stoic silence'.  I began speaking out as a military family against the Iraq invasion/occupation (war) in 2003, as a lay preacher at my church; followed by my first public tv interview on segment 'Homefront Battles', Newshour with Jim Lehrer  which aired in Aug 2004. By then I was speaking then as a member of Military Families Speak Out and  I have since been interviewed in Seattle Times, Seattle Post Intelligencer, Tacoma News Tribune.  Also in multiple national and international mediums when I stood in support of Cindy Sheehan in her first pilgrimage to Crawford, Texas outside President Bush ranch that first week of August 2005.  I took overflow interviews for her, and again did extensive interviews and public appearances  in September 2005 when I was on the 4 week Bring them Home Now tour, central route, speaking at towns and cities along the way , Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC.  

  I was privileged when we arrived in Washington DC to attend a televised panel presentation which included Cindy,  Gen. Wesley Clark ,  a well known columnist and others who were included on the panel.  I recall distinctly how General Clark surveyed the room, noticed there was no American flag and asked that one be brought in.  Not given to tears easily, I actually teared up in pride and appreciation for what he did in getting the flag brought into the room.  I was disappointed in Cindy's reaction in what she said to having the flag noticeably and visibly brought in , and said so to Col. Ann Wright, but then Cindy had much else on her mind by that time.  Still the flag represents a strong symbol for me and even when it is being exploited (as it is now in Iraq war and was as well in Vietnam war), I still take symbolic pride in what it is supposed to represent - the values I learned growing up in military culture - honor, duty, courage, service.

   In the first part of 2006, I participated in two meetings with Senator Maria Cantwell representing military family viewpoint and strongly advocating for her to change her position on Iraq - she had voted for the invasion and was still of the mindset of staying the course in 2006, at the time of her re-election campaign.   I spent the majority of 2006 from June on till Feb 2007 in planning committees supporting Lt. Ehren Watada, an officer who refused orders to deploy to Iraq based on his discernment as an officer those orders were illegal orders - Iraq an illegal war.  I was very struck by his action to call attention to the Iraq war, knowing it would generate emotional reactions and controversy - especially among the military and military families who had served, were serving - especially the Stryker Brigade being deployed out of Fort Lewis, WA - the unit Lt. Watada was to deploy with and refused.  The court martial for Lt. Watada ended with a surprising announcement of mistrial and is being retried.  I don't know what the outcome of his second court martial will be, am not now in touch with him so much directly, but I would hazard to guess he will have some prison time.

   Now it is 2007, and I find I am mightily discouraged, dispirited, more helpless than empowered in that I can do nothing to prevent my son-in-law deploying again; having stood with some powerful figures trying to change the course of the war and it goes on unabated despite the amazing work of so many courageous people who have seemingly almost dedicated their lives to the cause of turning the course of this Adminstration on Iraq (Middle East).  While I do continue to speak out, I do so with less hopefulness, less enthusiasm, which is why I am grateful to people such as yourself, Jon Soltz, who continue to take the bull by the horns and speak out, make the case.  Which is why when a staunch supporter in my own Congressman representing my district does a complete turnabout, it impacts me firsthand and directly because it is our own he advocates remaining in Iraq.  Jon Soltz, thank you for coming to  Washington state yesterday, giving your voice to a just cause in trying to alter the careening madness that is what now defines the 'mission' in Iraq.    Please know you have made a difference, you have given a much needed spark to this tired and discouraged military family, in Washington state.

respect, regards,

Lietta Ruger
military family  with 2 returning Iraq veterans, one leaving in his 2nd deployment in Oct 2007
Bay Center, Washington
(Pacific County, Washington)

Editorial Board Washblog
  Pacific Northwest Portal, Syndicated

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 01:17:36 PM PST

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My thank you to emmettoconnell for putting the story at Washblog and citing credit to Democracy for Vancouver, Northwest Progressive Institute, Ridenbaugh Press, Slog for blogging about Brian Baird in the Town Hall meeting in Vancouver, WA last night.

Jon Soltz, returning Iraq veteran, with VoteVets was there also to offer a different perspective for Brian Baird to consider.  I sent Jon Soltz a thank you email with copy to Brian Baird's office, and also copy to Darcy Burner.  Why Darcy - well she also had Jon Soltz at her 'Burn Bush' panel yesterday in Bellevue, WA.  I know she's campaigning in her run for office in 2008, but she gave face to a 'political protest' yesterday in staging her fundraiser at the time of President Bush being in Bellevue to fundraise for Rep. Dave Reichert.

And thank you to some very outspoken people in Vancouver, WA - a shout out your way, and a tip of the hat for speaking candidly to Rep. Baird; making your selves heard, seen, and known.  You've given this military family up here a couple counties away in Pacific County a bit more hope, a bit of encouragement today -- thank you.  

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 01:33:39 PM PST

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  Both are from Washington state, and both are returning Iraq veterans, OIF, in an extended deployment, March 2003 - August 2004 (due to Sadr City uprising in April 2004).  Both are non-commissioned officers (Sgt)and 'lead' a platoon.

  I urge, encourage you to talk to them personally and listen to their opinions. And as my son-in-law head out for his second deployment to Iraq in October, whatever words of encouragement, wisdom, reassurance you can give him may bring some measure of comfort to him, his wife, their three children - my daughter, my three grandchildren.

   

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 01:46:18 PM PST

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surge is working!! al-caca !!

IF anyone thinks ANY of bushco's policies are good for anyone other than their criminal corporate friends ... wanna buy a bridge in brooklyn?

IF that person is a Dem, AND is using Fascist terminology / speaking points / phrases

THEN JOIN BUSH.

good riddance stooge.

rmm.

http://www.liemail.com/BambooGrassroots.html

by rmdSeaBos on Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 03:42:37 PM PST

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 has a front page story at Daily Kos that offers Rep. Ellen Tausher, (D - CA) who is also just back from Iraq and she has a different take on it;

 

   Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA), who recently returned from Iraq as well, said his experience led him to believe the escalation should be sustained until next year. Asked to address Baird's comments, Tauscher suggested he had become a victim of the "green zone fog":
    I will tell you that when you get in the Green Zone, there is a physiological phenomenon I think called Green Zone fog. ... It's death by powerpoint. ... It's always that their argument is winning.

    She added later, "It's very, very easy to be influenced, from their point of view, that things are better." She said they will "shape" facts to show gains being made. Meanwhile, the reality in Iraq is that there is a lot of sectarianism in the government, particularly at the Ministry of Interior. "The MOI is basically this sleeper cell organization of Shiite death squads," she said.

On the Surge in Iraq "--we have set the bar so low it's buried in the sand at this point." - Barack Obama

by Lietta Ruger on Thu Aug 30, 2007 at 10:16:36 AM PST

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