House begins debate on Iraq, finally

While John Warner and his group of flip flopping asinine trolls encouraged, then voted to delay then encouraged, and will likely soon delay again, debate on Iraq in the Senate, the House actually began debate today on Bush's war policy. As is the usual, Republicans accused anyone who disagrees with the Bush plan of emboldening the enemy and hating the troops.

Someone needs to remind the Republicans that among the newly elected Democrats in Congress, three of them are Iraq war vets.

"We stand together to tell this administration that we are against the escalation, and to say with one voice that Congress will no longer be a blank check to the president's failed policies," said freshman Rep. Patrick J. Murphy (D-Pa.), who was a captain with the 82nd Airborne Division in Baghdad. "The president's plan to send more of our best and bravest to die refereeing a civil war in Iraq is wrong."

Republicans focused on loftier themes, warning darkly about ceding Iraq to Islamic radicals who are bent on destroying not only the Middle East but also the American way of life. "We are engaged in a global war now for our very way of life," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio). "And every drop of blood that's been spilled in defense of liberty and freedom from the American Revolution to this very moment is for nothing if we're unwilling to stand up and fight this threat."

The resolution is a do nothing, non-binding resolution that simply puts on record that Congress is opposed to the troop escalation, while at the same time affirms Congress' support for the troops. Debate is expected to wrap up on Friday.