The
Washington Business Journal reports that anti-war activists, led by Cindy Sheehan, protested a press conference being held by Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahn Emanuel. Rep. Emanuel (D-IL), the fourth highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, was holding the press conference to discuss the Democratic proposals on lobbying reform.
Emanuel finally gave up trying to be heard over the chants, and retreated to a caucus room where Democrats were meeting.
Sheehan says she has nothing against lobbying reform, but she and her fellow anti-war activists want Democrats to know they will keep pressuring Congress to end the war in Iraq.
A few comments on this should suffice. First, one only need to mention the names of Jack Abramoff and Duke Cunningham to demonstrate how important the issue of lobbying reform is. The Republican-run House of Representatives showed how desperately meaningful reform is needed. For Sheehan to attempt to attract attention away from serious reform proposals is shameful.
Secondly, Sheehan's tactics of pressuring the Congress to end the war are misplaced. The Legislative Branch of the Federal government has almost no role in the crafting and implimentation of foreign policy. Since no credible individual is advocating that the Congress cut the funding for the War in Iraq, there's not much that can be done by the Democratic Congress.
Finally, Sheehan demonstrates that she is cut from the same cloth as the Administration cheerleaders who shout down anyone who would question the President and his handling of the war. By preventing Rahm Emanuel from conducting his press conference, Sheehan and her crowd embrace the bullying and anti-free speech tactics of their political opponents.
iraq
