Only Member Of Congress To Vote Against War On Terror Says She'd Do It Again

[rug]

Barbara Lee said presidents have been “hiding behind” the 2001 war authorization “to engage in unilateral action.”



Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee

By Laura Barrón-López
04/08/2017 04:13 pm ET | Updated 13 hours ago

WASHINGTON ― Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said she received death threats after she cast her vote against launching the “war on terror.” She was the only member of Congress to do it.

Lee cast the only vote against the 2001 bill that would give President George W. Bush the Authorization for the Use of Military Force, also known as the AUMF, that he needed to start the war against al Qaeda and its affiliates.

But 16 years later, the California Democrat would do it again. The airstrikes launched by President Donald Trump on Syria this week only further convince her that her vote was the right one.

“I knew such a broad authorization could be used for any action, anywhere in the world in perpetuity,” Lee told the Huffington Post on Friday. “It’s really shocking to me that we haven’t had any debate and vote on a new authorization.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/only-member-of-congress-to-vote-against-war-on-terror-says-shed-do-it-again_us_58e8eb1de4b058f0a02f9ac7

[KG]

1. I regret I have but one rec to give.....

[BlueMTexpat]

4. Same here! eom

[Kentonio]

2. Courageous lady, and proved completely right on this

[luvMIdog]

3. I think their plans all began with 'The New World Order'

[malaise]

7. You are correct n/t

[ghostsinthemachine]

5. I remember the words people used

Against her. I remember her at the SF anti war rallies, speaking the truth despite the death threats.

[malaise]

6. She was right then

and she's right now.

Apparently some folks believe that making America great means killing people in their homelands and imposing rulers who support the looting and plunder of sovereign states - the quintessential schoolyard bully on steroids.

Of course many don't see the contradictions between that approach and Putin's machinations re America.

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Kicking. eom

[llmart]

9. I was with her back then...

and I still believe she and I were right (and any others who thought the war mongering in the US was despicable).

[wryter2000]

10. That's my Congresswoman

❤️Barbara Lee

[Auggie]

11. She is a courageous representative who, unfortuantely, must often scramble for campaign donations

Her Oakland District is not a wealthy one.

[StrictlyRockers]

12. "BARBARA LEE SPEAKS FOR ME!"

I love her! She used to be my Congresswoman. I have personally lobbied her, spoken with her and handed documents over to her.

[rug]

13. 9/14/11

If one's principle are there three days after 9/11, they will always be there.

[StrictlyRockers]

14. To me, she's more right and right about more things than anyone else in Congress.

Barbara Lee for President!

[KPN]

15. You rock Congresswoman Lee!

[HeartachesNhangovers]

16. I used to live in Barbara Lee's district, and

I'm torn about her. On the one hand, she pretty much always votes against any military action or funding bill, and also opposes the death penalty - and I agree with her on those points. On the other hand, she seems to be completely without influence in Congress. Being the lone dissenting vote is pretty much the story of her career.

So is it enough to be right, even if you are ineffective in getting the right thing done? It's hard to say, but I think I'd rather have an effective legislator that's right most of the time.

Presidential material? I'm sorry, but even though her heart's in the right place, she hasn't shown the ability to get things done.

[rug]

18. That reflects more on her colleagues than on her.

The question is why are they less willing than her to get the right things done.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

19. Good question - I don't know the answer.

[Solly Mack]

17. K&R

Yep

[zentrum]

20. She learned the lessons..

...of Viet Nam. "Barbara Lee speaks for me!"

Wish she was a Senator from California.

[lordsummerisle]

21. k&r n/t