Duncan Supports “Homeward Bound”

Great news! Our own Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Duncan has signed on as a co-sponsors for H.J. Resolution 55, better known as the “Homeward Bound” bill. That’s the best thing I’ve heard out of Nashville in awhile.

This is the get-out-of-Iraq bill I blogged about when there were still no supporters from Tennessee. I am proud to say that has changed. Duncan has stepped up in the proud tradition of the Volunteer State and done the right thing for America, for our soldiers, and for Iraq. Duncan joins Sheila Jackson-Lee and Ron Paul of Texas, John Lewis and Cynthia A. McKinney of Georgia, and Walter B. Jones, Jr. of North Carlolina as Southern members of Congress supporting “Homeward Bound.” Check here and see if your favorite legislator has signed on. If not, then why not?

My drinking buddy Scot Danforth wrote this letter of support to Duncan, sending it with over 100 names of petition signers from our “Bring Them Home” Rally. I urge all you Tennessee Bluenecks to write Duncan, raise a toast, and send him a Christmas ham!-T

Scot Danforth
5709 Lyons View Pike, Apt. 6303
Knoxville TN  37919
October 1, 2005

The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr.
2267 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515–4202

Dear Representative Duncan,

Thank you for recently becoming a co-sponsor of H.J. Res. 55, known as the Homeward Bound Act, a binding resolution calling for President Bush to announce by the end of 2005 a withdrawal plan for our soldiers in Iraq. Specifically, the bill calls for the withdrawal to begin no later than October 1, 2006.

I’m certain it was very difficult for you to sign on to this bill. It is not necessary for me to summarize the horrors of the Iraq War, nor the bad planning, the poor reasons that led to the invasion, and the use of the military for what can only be described as an offensive, not a defensive, war. All of this, I am sure, is well known to you. What H.J. Res. 55 begins to do is provide a way of talking about what the proper role of our military is and how this adventurousness is detrimental to that proper role. To some, whatever our government does is patriotic. But we must begin to have a serious conversation that recognizes the heroism of our fighting forces, while also recognizing that employing them in a quagmire is not patriotric. It will be a wrenching conversation for many, but if lives can be saved and further folly can be averted, it’s well worth having.

Toward that end, I want you to know that you have the support of many of your constituents. I am enclosing the names of over a hundred signers of a petition in support of H.J. Res. 55 from the Knoxville area. Please feel confident that many of your fellow citizens support you in the struggle to bring our troops home. We owe them nothing less.

Sincerely,


Scot Danforth