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Rep. Lynn Woolsey
Six years ago, almost to the day, Rep. Lynn Woolsey stood up in the House of Representatives to speak against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Petaluma Democrat’s early anti-war stance is among the hallmarks of her tenure on Capitol Hill since the former Petaluma city councilwoman was elected to Congress in 1992.
In 2006, Woolsey marked the 150th “bring our troops home” speech. On Wednesday night, she delivered her 350th speech.
Woolsey delivers a new speech every time, a spokesman said, and all 350 speeches are in binders on her desk.
Most of them are “special order speeches,” which can be from five to 60 minutes in length and routinely occur at the end of a legislative day, when few members are on the House floor.
Woolsey’s speech-making — measured in the number of days appearing on the House floor — ranked her fifth on a list of House members, according to a tally of C-SPAN video archives for the 110th and 111th Congresses, through March 18.
Woolsey spoke on 210 days, finishing just one day behind Rep. Joe Wilson, the South Carolina Republican who gained notoriety for shouting “You lie” during President Barack Obama’s health care speech to Congress last September.
Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, topped the tally with 352 speaking days. Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Ill., spoke not a single day.
— Guy Kovner
The Press Democrat
Madam Speaker, on April 20, 2004, I rose in this chamber to say that we needed a new approach to national security — to say for the first time, before any other member of Congress, that it was time to bring our troops home.
I have continued to speak out just about every night that the House was in session. But I never imagined that almost six years later, I would need to do so for the 350th time. But that’s what I’m doing today.
Because our service men and women are still in harm’s way in both Iraq and Afghanistan — on missions that violate core American values and undermine American security. We have come a long way in building a movement that opposes these disastrous military conflicts, but still our leaders stubbornly cling to a disastrous policy.
What we’re doing in Iraq and Afghanistan is disgraceful. It is a stain on our nation. It will someday be remembered as a shameful episode in American history.
Seven years ago this week, Baghdad fell. Remember, that was the moment when Iraqis were supposed to throw flowers and weep with gratitude that we had invaded their country. But how did Iraqis recognize the sixth anniversary of their so-called “liberation?” With massive, colorful protests against the continued presence of American troops.
Protests that brought Shia and Sunni together. Protests organized around the very idea that national unity against the U.S. occupation is stronger than Iraqi sectarian divides that are centuries old. Protests that included the trampling of American flags. Protests, in one case at least, that featured the burning in effigy of President Obama and Vice President Biden.
Meanwhile, one of the big developments out of Afghanistan this week is the death of several civilian bus passengers at the hands of American gunfire near Kandahar.
This tragedy comes at the very moment and in the very region where U.S. forces are prepared to launch a major offensive. The push to defeat militants in Kandahar will require strong support from the civilian population, but instead this incident has people taking to the streets shouting “Death to America!” and “Death to infidels!”
Seven years in Iraq, eight and a half years in Afghanistan — and we still haven’t figured out that you can’t win people’s affection, loyalty and trust by waging war on their country.
To truly capture their hearts and minds — and also to defeat terrorism and make America safer — we need a smart security approach. That means empowering Iraqis and Afghans with civilian support and humanitarian aid; with programs to alleviate poverty, build schools, promote public health, and so much more.
The current approach is alienating the populations we’re trying to win over — and emboldening the very insurgents we’re trying to destroy.
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Look at any issue this woman says shes committed to;ending the Iraq/Afghan wars,public option and Dept. of Peace!?!?!she has accomplished NOTHING on any of these issues.Throw in her weak intellect and incoherent public statements,is it not time to ask;”Why don’t we give someone else the chance to represent us”I can’t wait to vote against this incompetent waste of time!
I am not a democrat and I have not supported Lynn Woolsley in the past but this time around I believe that I will. America has been sold a lie and most men believe it. This war in the end will have accomplised nothing. Things will go back as they were over there but not here — if we could only see the body bags — would things be different. How many more children will not have a parent. What kind of people will they be as adults?
As a former member of the Navy, Americas’ forces need to be strong and vigilant, as we do have threats in the world.
However, spending our entire treasury on two wars against countries that can’t send a missile to reach us is INSANE.
Please get our troops out of these wars that only is enriching international war corporations and making paupers out of Americans.
Anybody commenting on this board that we should be in Iraq should feel free to volunteer and get your ass over there…we have boys and girls from the national guard, who signed up to help their state in times of natural disasters, in war zones for YEARS. I want my taxes to pay for MY roads to be fixed and drivable, not Iraqs roads.
Sorry war hawks, the military is for Defense, not Offence, and we don’t have the resources.
I would posit that it is insane to support spending tax money on wars that we were lied to to get involved with, and then scream like hell when some tax dollars might be spent on making sure everyone can access health care without going bankrupt.
Way to go Lynn Woolsey! I’m a proud supporter of our Congressional Representative who has the guts to say what all the corporate-sponsored politicians – Republicans AND Democrats – cannot without serious consequence.
Sad to see that we have to get past so many tea-baggers – even here in what seems like a half-enlightened Sonoma County.
Improved education/opportunity = fewer right wingers
@ James Pera
I couldn’t agree more. It’s dumbfounding to hear droves of clueless “Americans” who blather on about how we’re accomplishing nothing in the War on Terror. People think we are just the Jolly Green Giant mashing entire civilizations into the ground..for no reason at all. Bear in mind these are the same idiots who pump HUNDREDS of gallons of fuel a month into their beat-up Volkswagens, Volvos and Subarus that are painted w/ slogans like “No Blood For Oil”, “(Mission)Nothing Accomplished” and “End(This)less War”.
What’s equally astounding is the few Liberal friends I talk to. Some have no clue about current events, even things that were said/done by the very people they voted for!
Lynn Woolsey, it is YOU that is a disgrace. You are no different than many other congressmen and women who represent this great nation–bickering utter nonsense about the political flavor of the month and trying to figure out better ways to line their bankbooks
and retirement packages…
Yeah, Woolsey is a disgrace. A total fraud.
I totally agree Woolsey is a disgrace to this nation and the men and women who, unlike her are defending it!
I have never in any election voted for her and I really hope more people realize she is a discrace to our district and this nation.
No more career politions that don’t listen to their constituents, we must vote them out and vote in people like Jim Judd that listen to, and represent the people.
“WAR WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR?”
READ ALL ABOUT IT:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/04/17/iraq_veteran_kills_self_outside_va_center_in_ohio/
“WAR IS A RACKET”
S.D. BUTLER MOH Major General USMC
What is MOH? Medal of Honor.
He publicly stated, “war is a racket” after he concluded he had been a hired gun for Wall ST. Yes, that same Wall ST that just defrauded you and me.
Iraq is a war crime. It pains me to say, but I said it befor and I’ll say it again – IRAQ IS A WAR CRIME.
Who am I? I am a UNITED STATES MARINE who is authorized to wear the Combat Action Ribbon.
Thank you Congresswoman Wollsey for speaking the truth about these wars. They are shocking and awful
The veterans of this war are being mistreated , just like veterans of past war including the revolutionary war.
God bless America and God bless you
Woolsey is a complete and utter failure. So what that she give 350 speeches against the war? Talk is cheap. With majorities in both the House and Senate and a Democrat President, she can’t get the troops out of the Middle East. She is pandering to her liberal constituents, the only ones she DOES listen too. Jim Judd is running against her in the Fall. She is past her expiration date and needs to retire.
Maybe Lynn should be quiet and listen to her constituents and the majority of the people and stop spending taxpayers money uncontrollablyl.
Don, Guido, Bob, and everyone else unhappy with Woolsey’s performance need to take a look at Candidate Jim Judd. He’s one of us and won’t forget it. Check him out at http://www.jimjuddforcongress.com/.
Ms. woolsey,
Is this all you have to do for $165000 per year plus benefits, plus expenses? Won’t you please try to spend some time saving this country from Obama’s socialism?
Thank you Lynn, for standing up to the corporate war machine. I suspect all your negative rants are from homebodies, not volunteers serving in Iraq/Afghanistan. Your continued re-election shows you represent the liberal wing of the Democratic party, which is alive and well. We vote, too.
Ms. Woolsey, I look forward to the day when we have a Representative who truly represents the views of their constituents. You are an embarassment!
Guido from Santa Rosa
Thank you Lynn for telling the truth even though many of these comments would have us believe otherwise. We need to get out of Iraq NOW and stay out.
I can’t believe someone this stupid is in public office.
Woolsey, you are a disgrace to this nation and the men and women who, unlike yourself, are defending it!
Those men and women risk their lives everyday to uphold their oath as members of the military, to protect and defend the Constitution of this nation, something you have refused to do .
That is the oath you take to, but some how all we at home believe you swore to was to take from the hard working and give to the lazy. That, and to build bike paths around city dumps!
You really are a disgrace to this district and this nation!
I’ve heard her left wing, commie rants before; she is a brain dead traitor who is typical of her era-hippies and pot smokers. She is one of the most useless politicians I’ve ever met. Retire and move to Humbolt county where you can hang out with the other commies and pot smokers. She’s PATHETIC, and so are the idiots who kept sending her back to DC
Thank you Rep. Lynn Woolsey
Sane people need you!
Progressives Kill Progress.
“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
C.S. Lewis (1898 – 1963)
Lynn Woolsey is a nut! She will be thrown out of office along with the rest of her socialist comrades in Congress and the White House.
Don’t Re-Elect Incumbent Policitians!
Ms. woolsey,I find your actions in the U.S.Congress shameful.You DO NOT speak for me
Sorry Lynn,
Since this video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiyO9VBGhHA I am having a hard time believing in your progressive cause any longer. Once a hard core supporter and a lifetime Democrat, but now I think it is time for you to retire. Voters, send a message back to Washington this November and retire Lynn Woolsey. She is no different than Pelosi and Boxer. We need business minded people in Washington that know how to balance a check book. We need to get back on track and get people back to work. I admit, I was one of them and I was wrong…the progressives movement is nothing more than a government takeover. Vote all incumbents out! Send a message back to Washington.
It is funny that Rep. Woolsey would make such a foolish rant upon Capitol Hill. Woolsey is a shameful representative. She is a 1960′s relic, which has no clue about National Security. She probably doesn’t even know what National Security is. I find it funny she talks down the Wars and then shows her mug at the Veterans Day Parade in Petaluma or at the Homecoming of a local unit that just returned from one of the two War fronts. It is Representatives like Lynn Woolsey that cause our enemies to have hope against our Just Causes in the World. Dissent is one thing, but her ignorant rants about Iraq and Afghanistan are seen as laughable around the rest of the country. Woolsey, like all Leftist always deny the facts on why we are in Afghanistan. Does she remember 9/11? Probably she does, but like all people from the Bizzaro world, she cannot come to terms with reality. When it comes to Iraq, Woolsey like all Leftists, want to leave from the debate the Iraq threat and the Iraq Liberation act of 1998. Bill Clinton Stated and I quote:
“Iraq admitted, among other things, an offensive biological warfare capability, notably, 5,000 gallons of botulinum, which causes botulism; 2,000 gallons of anthrax; 25 biological-filled Scud warheads; and 157 aerial bombs. And I might say UNSCOM inspectors believe that Iraq has actually greatly understated its production…. Over the past few months, as [the weapons inspectors] have come closer and closer to rooting out Iraq’s remaining nuclear capacity, Saddam has undertaken yet another gambit to thwart their ambitions by imposing debilitating conditions on the inspectors and declaring key sites which have still not been inspected off limits…. It is obvious that there is an attempt here, based on the whole history of this operation since 1991, to protect whatever remains of his capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction, the missiles to deliver them, and the feed stocks necessary to produce them. The UNSCOM inspectors believe that Iraq still has stockpiles of chemical and biological munitions, a small force of Scud-type missiles, and the capacity to restart quickly its production program and build many, many more weapons…. Now, let’s imagine the future. What if he fails to comply and we fail to act, or we take some ambiguous third route, which gives him yet more opportunities to develop this program of weapons of mass destruction and continue to press for the release of the sanctions and continue to ignore the solemn commitments that he made? Well, he will conclude that the international community has lost its will. He will then conclude that he can go right on and do more to rebuild an arsenal of devastating destruction. And some day, some way, I guarantee you he’ll use the arsenal….” (President Clinton-1998 )
So Rep Woolsey, it is you who is uninformed and shameful. Please get informed about why we are the country we are. We are the UNITED STATES. We are the country that protects its own and helps others when they cry out for help…
So it is you madam who are a scar on not only American leadership, but our area. Please hurry and lose the 2010 election. You losing would do us all in District 6 and the Nation a great service. For those of us that served on Both fronts we know about what has worked, you Rep Woolsey don’t. We that have been shot at, served side by side with the locals and that have lost better people then you could ever be can tell you it is worth it and ots working. You state:
“To truly capture their hearts and minds — and also to defeat terrorism and make America safer — we need a smart security approach. That means empowering Iraqis and Afghans with civilian support and humanitarian aid; with programs to alleviate poverty, build schools, promote public health, and so much more.”
Well Madam Representative, thats happening. Where have you been the last 8 years? In a hole? Maybe you should go see for yourself, rather then going to a secure Forward Operating base for a photo shoot, or talking out of the side of your mouth in Washington D.C.
Rep. Woolsey the fact is, you have no facts….
Ms. Woosley: You’re Shameful and I think it is time for you to go. Lisa B
Woosley is shameful
Lynn Woolsey is a disgrace to this great nation. She should be thrown out in November!