Symbolic Measure Introduced in Senate

The New York Times has published the text of a Resolution prepared by Senators Biden (D-DE), Levin (D-MI) and Hagel (R-NE), which says the plan to send more troops to Iraq is not in America’s national interest. And, of course, since it’s written in Senator-speak, it’s wordy and cumbersome. But what I don’t understand is why there are two glaring typos in this text and why does it say that “more than 2000” American troops have been killed in Iraq and “more than 22,500” have been wounded in Iraq? Everyone knows more than 3000 American troops have been killed in Iraq and more than 47,000 American troops have been wounded in Iraq. About those typos and why do I care? Because it’s sloppy. The published text reads “Whereas the United States strategy and presence on the ground in Iraq an (sic) only be sustained with the support of the American people and bipartisan support from Congress." One paragraph down the text reads, “Whereas maximizing chances of success in Iraq should be out (sic) goal." It’s difficult enough to get through the Whereases and the six Nowtherefore conclusions without having to mentally correct typos and statistics. Foreign Relations Committee chairman Biden says, “This resolution will demonstrate — and it will demonstrate it right away — that support is not there for the president’s policy in Iraq…the sooner he recognizes that reality and acts on it, the better off all of us will be.” Neither this resolution, nor any resolution will ever make our insane president recognize reality, even when it slaps him in the face. And reality has been regularly slapping George W. Bush in the face since the Dems began controlling Congress after the November elections. However, I’m not saying the Resolution is a bad idea. Public outcry is what caused the Bush administration to agree yesterday to end it’s wiretapping without warrants policy. The new policy is merely a step in the right direction, not a solution, since the new policy has created yet another secret process. Still, without the public getting in high dudgeon over the egregious misuse of power regarding wiretapping Americans, even this small step would never have been made. The New York Times calls the Senators’ Resolution “symbolic”. And that is exactly what it is…a symbolic show of concern. “The resolution…would not be binding”, the NYT said, “And the White House said it would have no effect on Mr. Bush’s plan to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq…But sponsors of the measure said Congressional passage would send a powerful message that the president could not ignore, and its adoption could be a precursor to further efforts by opponents of the war to place limits on his use of the military in Iraq or to limit financing for the war.” Of course the President will ignore this Resolution. But the Bush administration will not ignore it. And even though the White House has made an end-run with regard to warrantless wiretaps, in an effort to forestall a court review of its wiretap policy, it won’t work. Dems intend to continue their investigation into wiretapping without warrants. These little steps are fine. But I so want Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to be publicly humiliated. Isn’t there some way that can be done?