I really don’t understand these people sometimes. Out here in New York, Eric Massa is releasing a special video right before Christmas Eve which will likely not come as a very nice present in the Christmas Stockings of our troops overseas.
Washington, D.C.- Today House member Eric Massa (D-NY 29th District) renewed his call for an “up or down” vote on funding for the additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan that was announced by President Obama. It has been eight years since Congress has had a meaningful debate on this critical issue and the public deserves to know where their Congressional Representatives stand. This push for an “up or down” vote from Congressman Massa comes one day before Christmas Eve, which is also the 3,000th day of the war in Afghanistan and the 30th anniversary of the Soviet-Afghan War. Rep. Massa previously called for an end to this war in its current form during a floor speech on November 4th, 2009.
Obviously there is a valid debate over the nation’s future in Afghanistan, just as there was over our actions in Iraq. But really… on Christmas Eve? It’s one thing to blame it on Bush and the Republicans, but the Democrats have their own Commander in Chief in office now and he has also committed to expanding our role in Afghanistan, at least for the time being. Christmas is one of the worst times to be stuck far from home in foreign lands wearing our nation’s uniform. (I speak from personal experience on this one.) It’s hard enough to be away from your family and friends at the holidays. Do we really need to send them a message that their own Government is questioning the validity of their reason for being there when it’s clearly not going to be changing at least for the next 18 months?
This is a very poor showing by Massa and extremely tone deaf. If you want to do something for the troops, Congressman, give them your unconditional support. You’ll probably be spending the break with your family. They can’t.