Here is a letter my friend sent to John McCain today. I hope it inspires

[NoSheep]

some of you to compose your own and mail it to him. I regret that I removed the header along with his address. If someone knows it, perhaps you could post it in this thread.


Dear Senator McCain:

I am an independent voter and thinker. Given your reputation for “straight, yet informed, talk,” I’ve followed your statements with particular interest over the last few years.

I am writing to share my opinion of your comments regarding the infamous July 23, 2003, British war memo. On last Sunday’s “This Week” on ABC, you reportedly said, "I do not believe that the Bush administration decided that they would set up a scenario that gave us the rationale for going into Iraq." (CNN)

For the sake of brevity I shall not recount the laundry list of indications pointing to politicization of the Iraq war by both Bush and Blair Administrations; rather I am writing about your comments and the memo alone. Here’s CNN’s summary:
“According to the minutes, a British official identified as ‘C’ said that he had returned from a meeting in Washington and that ‘military action was now seen as inevitable’ by U.S. officials.
“‘Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD,’ the memo said ‘But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. The NSC had no patience with the U.N. route, and no enthusiasm for publishing material on the Iraqi regime's record. There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action.’
“The memo further discussed the military options under consideration by the United States along with Britain's possible role and quoted Hoon as saying that the United States had not finalized a timeline, but that it would likely begin ‘30 days before the U.S. congressional elections,’ culminating with the actual attack in January 2003.” (Underline added.)
Unfortunately, sir, what you seem to publicly “agree with” and “believe” does not match the preponderance of objective evidence. America needs leaders offering the intellectual honesty and backbone to say, “One plus one is two.”

Sincerely,



:patriot: :patriot:

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Sounds like a great letter. Looks like all "thinkers" shold start

holding letter writing parties.

[NoSheep]

2. Shamelessly kicking in hopes it inspires.

:kick:

[splat@14]

3. Like McCains independence, hoped for a better response.

(it must have been hard to hold his lunch while publicly embracing Bush during the campaigns). I didn't hear the interview but I hope that he'll pursue this. I never heard it said that he wouldn't, just that he didn't believe it.
I've been after both my senators also (Hutchison and Cornyn) but don't expect much beyond the standard reply......

"Dear Splat,

Re: Bush lies

Eat shit & die.

Abusive letter to follow,

Love,
Kay & John"

[flpoljunkie]

4. Great letter, but am afraid McCain, the war monger, has already sold his

soul to Dubya. Perhaps your letter will let him know Americans are aware of his sellout.

[NoSheep]

5. That's basically what we hoped to accomplish. Just to let him know

we've got his number.... The entire country ain't buying this shit.

[sojourner]

6. Here's mine...posted a minute ago on another thread. Comments?

Haven't sent it yet....wanted some input. THKS
-------
Dear Senator McCain:

I am writing in response to your comments regarding the leaked British memo which alleges that President Bush conspired (too strong a word?) to get British cooperation for his planned war on Iraq. I do so with a sense of outrage that you would insult the average American’s intelligence by stating, “… I do not believe that the Bush administration decided that they would set up a scenario that gave us the rationale for going into Iraq."

Most of us were there, Senator McCain, when the President started up the war drums. I personally doubted that any justification existed for this war, aside from the Administration’s own agenda. I listened to the explanations being made at the time and drew the conclusion that they were “trumped up” charges. The one bit of “evidence” that did give me pause was Colin Powell’s testimony to the UN – but my confidence in that was shaken once I observed how the war was conducted.

For a war conducted in search of WMD would place the highest priority on securing the sites containing explosives. To allow people to loot and destroy would simply not be smart military strategy. And we have in our military the best and the brightest – do you not agree? Furthermore, a war that liberated a people would not require American troops to pull down a hated dictator’s statue while a small crowd of spectators looks on. (I’d rather expect to see mobs of people taking it down themselves while our troops looked on in amazement.)

I would prefer that I could place my confidence in the “Leader of the Free World” – so I take no pleasure in having seen one after another of the President’s allegations shown to be based on distorted and faked intelligence. But to stand today and claim that the President did not set up the scenario is dishonest of you, if you possess the intellect that I expect you do. It may be politically expedient. But it is dishonest and you ought to be ashamed – if you have the moral fiber that I believe you do.

I happened to be in Great Britain in June, 2003. I read with some interest the articles coming out in the British press about the “sexed up” intelligence behind the war, and saw firsthand the anger of a people who knew they’d been lied to. Prime Minister Blair has had a lot of explaining to do with the British people with regard to this war.

But the British people were not traumatized by the events of 9-11 like Americans have been. And they have had the luxury of a free and open press that brought out a healthy debate over facts and allegations such that they could make informed judgments about their government’s activities.

This is in stark contrast to the homogenized “on message” coverage of events that has been the mainstay of American media. And thanks to an overblown sense of “patriotism” that has been rampant since 9-11, all logical debate about the war (indeed, about the government) has been cast aside in favor of unquestioning support. So the President and his Administration have gotten away with lying to the American people, to the Congress of the United States, and to the world.

You have clearly thrown in your lot to support and continue this deception. I am disappointed and ashamed.

[splat@14]

8. Like it a bunch........Kick n/t

[NoSheep]

9. Excellent. These letters are important. We have to let him know we

are paying attention. I can only imagine Rove has been making him promises. "You could be next McCain....so what's it gonna be? Next to be fed to the lions(cause you know we can do it) or next for the White House? The choice is yours." :grr:

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Well done!

[the phantom shouting]

10. Letter to John McCain

Dear Senator McCain,

Well, Alright!

I just finished reading the cnn.com report of your recent comments regarding the infamous Downing Street Iraq memo on ABC's 'This Week' and I couldn't be more impressed. From one die-hard party man to another, it was truly remarkable the way you stuck to your guns in the face of overwhelming evidence contrary to your stated belief that you "do not believe that the Bush administration decided that they would set up a scenario that gave us the rationale for going into Iraq."

Over the course of the past five years, I have watched many American heros fall gallantly on their swords for their commander-in-chief, but none have gone down as shamelessly as you, or with as resounding a thud. Good God, it's inspiring sir, the way you have tossed aside whatever remains of your credibility for the benefit of a man who in the 2000 primaries had absolutely no reservations whatsoever about stabbing you repeatedly in the back. No sir, you took those punctures with pride, and you never winced once.

And when the dust had cleared from the 2000 election, did my man John McCain hold a grudge? No way, Jose! I remember swelling with pride when I read that after the defeat, the first words out of your mouth to your former opponent were: "Thank you sir, may I have another?"

I hope the young republicans coming up through the ranks are taking heed of your patriotic example and understand that throwing away all personal respectability and political capital is a small price to pay to gain favor with George W. and the boys behind him who run the show. For, as we both know, the Bush clan have set themselves up to rule for a long time to come.

God Bless You! I tell all my friends that you are the biggest Bush supporter in Washington and once again you have proven me right.

Keep up the great work!

Sincerely,
J. Riley

[NoSheep]

11. Dammit, I LOVE a smartass!

Welcome to DU :applause:

[JRob]

12. Nice...