By JasonFromWaltham [Add to my Buddy List]
Posted to JasonFromWaltham's weblog (Soapbox) on Thu Jan 22nd, 2004 at 06:00:01 PM EST
http://jasonfromwaltham.forclark.com/story/2004/1/22/1801/68576
Below you will find the letter Kerry sent me when I urged him to stand against the Syria Accountability Act back in October of 2003. I am a Kerry constituent and have seen how much he has neglected MA since running for President. Feel free to flame or email me. This is the Kerry I know.
I am 28. Syria has been an issue all my life. Why did he give THIS administration the tools to become increasingly belligerent against them? Why now?
The voting record on this "Act" can be found at
http://capwiz.com/c-span/issues/votes/?votenum=445&chamber=S&congress=1081
Edwards voted in favor of it. Lieberman and Kerry missed the vote. At least Edwards took a position.
Text follows bellow
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October 23, 2003
Dear Mr. XXXX:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Syria Accountability Act. I appreciate knowing your views on this important issue.
As you may know, Syria has an extensive history of human rights violations, connections with terrorism, arms proliferation, previous involvement in narcotics trafficking, and illegal occupation of Lebanon.
The Syrian government has historically ruled by methods such as torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, prolonged detention without trial, and limits on freedom of speech and the press. Since 1979, the State Department has regularly placed Syria on the list of countries that
support international terrorism, and has also accused Syria of pursuing a nuclear weapons program.
I supported talks between Secretary of State Colin Powell and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, which took place on May 3, 2003. At this time, Secretary Powell iterated that Syria must stop supporting terrorist organizations and harboring escapees from Iraq. Since the meeting,
Secretary Powell has said that Syria has taken some limited steps towards reform, but that these limited steps are not enough. Like Secretary Powell, I am concerned that Syria is not whole-heartedly working towards meeting U.S. demands. We must ensure that Syria does not acquire and
distribute additional weapons thereby exasperating tensions in the Middle East, raising potential threats to Israel, and undermining arms control.
I cosponsored the Syria Accountability Act to hold Syria responsible for its support for terrorism, occupation of Lebanon, and possible pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. I am hopeful that substantial Congressional support for the Accountability Act will influence Syria to meet the demands raised by Colin Powell in May in a more timely and transparent manner. The Accountability Act includes bans on the export of military items and of dual use items to Syria, and requires the president to impose at least two additional bans, chosen from the six included in the Accountability Act. The Accountability Act does not give the president the option of prohibiting the U.S. from exporting food and medicine to Syria.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your views with me on this important matter.
Sincerely,
John F. Kerry
United States Senator
Kerry and the Syria Accountability Act | 6 comments | Group threads together | Post A Comment
(#6) (No rating)
by JasonFromWaltham (jasondavis@massforclark.com) on 01/22/2004 07:11:41 PM EST
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In the house both Kucinich and Gephardt skipped the vote too.
http://capwiz.com/c-span/issues/votes/?votenum=543&chamber=H&congress=1081
(#5) (No rating)
by JasonFromWaltham (jasondavis@massforclark.com) on 01/22/2004 07:01:20 PM EST
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Absolutley. People make fun of Teddy all the time, he does not deserve it. I may not always agree with him, but at least he cares enough about me as a constiuent to vote and take a stand and fight once in a while.
FYI - FAUX JUST HAD A RESEARCHER ON (#4) (Rated 5.00/1)
by grannyfran on 01/22/2004 06:53:43 PM EST
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discussing Dem candidates voting records. Of the 119 bills which Bush has supported or endorsed, Kerry only cast a vote 28% of the time! I don't remember the exact figure, but Edwards and Lieberman did a little better -- around the 50% range. Gephardt was the worst -- 19%. They've all been too busy running for president to be on the Senate floor and do their jobs.
In contrast, Teddy Kennedy was present to vote on 93% of the 119 issues. I guess this shows who's been minding the store and kind of dismisses their "While Wes Clark was busy being a Republican, I've been fighting for Americans against Bush and the neo-imperialists and for Democratic values" arguments.
(#3) (Rated 5.00/1)
by JasonFromWaltham (jasondavis@massforclark.com) on 01/22/2004 06:27:39 PM EST
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This one I WANTLahane to spread all over the place.
(#2) (No rating)
by JasonFromWaltham (jasondavis@massforclark.com) on 01/22/2004 06:18:16 PM EST
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Thanks. I just wish all of MA knew how many of our "democrats" aren't really living up to what they say they are doing. Since joining the party I have needed to drink heavily to keep my sanity. :D
(#1) (Rated 5.00/1)
by TOTALLY COMMITTED on 01/22/2004 06:11:17 PM EST
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Go get him, Jason! What a pr*ck!
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