Mission Accomplished a.k.a. Rep. Markey (D-MA) signs pledge to vote NO on supplemental

[unhappycamper]

As part of the Occupation Project, Peace activists occupied the Medford office of Congressman Markey for two days.

Mr. Markey met with a large group of activists yesterday evening for about an hour and a half. After personally welcoming each person, the first thing Mr. Markey did (after we all settled in) was to give us a signed copy of the pledge to vote NO on the $100,000,000,000 supplemental appropriation. Mission accomplished. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Here's a copy of that signed pledge: http://smedleyvfp.org/page8/page10/files/markey_pledge.pdf


I need to digest that meeting a bit more before I'll comment, but here's an analysis of the meeting by one of my VFP Brothers:

Hi folks,

First off, let's be clear on one thing. It was a victory - we got what we came for when we occupied Rep. Markey's office. Markey signed the pledge we asked him to sign, which is enclosed. We are putting out a press release to that effect later today. However, he was very slippery and viewed his signing this as opposing a strict Bush measure for another $100 billion but not opposing something that Rep. Murtha comes forward with, which may have conditions on the $100 billion, to try to make it difficult for Bush to meet these and conduct the war and occupation as he has been doing. Markey, the political animal that he is, says you have to get the 218 votes and that is true. But he never answered to my satisfaction my question which I asked three times. And that is why can't he go ahead and get the 218 votes to tack on the Murtha conditions as an amendment and THEN VOTE NO ON THE WHOLE APPROPRIATION EVEN IF YOU ONLY GET 190 VOTES? I pointed out that the Republicans cannot vote no on that, since then there is no appropriation at all and the war if over. So they would vote yes and you try to get as many Democrats as possible, even if it is only 190, to vote against the appropriation. Am I missing something here or does this make total sense?

All Markey could do is say well there is going to be a supplemental with or without the Murtha conditions. I'm sorry, but this is just not OK. We want him to take leadership and try to get the 218 to vote it down even if it is a difficult or even impossible task.

I think the Democratic leadership has no intention of really trying to cut off the funding or they would take the strategy I suggested. They are afraid being labeled as "not supporting the troops" and do not fight back against that by saying how it *is* supporting the troops to bring them home.

I think we need to really hold Markey to this pledge. He can weasel around all he wants, but the thing does say pledge to vote against 2007 supplemental. I personally was shocked that he signed this, since if he then votes YES on the Murtha supplemental and the final supplemental it looks really bad for him, and looks like he was being dishonest with us. We need to point out to these guys that if they vote yes on the final $100 billion in whatever form, they own the war.

I remarked to another VFP member that coming out of the meeting I felt a little greasy, unclean. Funny how politicians can make you feel that way. And Markey is one of the more progressive voices!

Thanks to all the veterans who showed up at the meeting, where numbers really mattered. We had a great turnout of around 50 people. And thanks to all the folks from other groups in and out of the district who also showed up. Your presence made a big difference. Thanks to the vets who took time off from work to occupy the office Tues. and Wed. And while I am at it, thanks to the staff in Ed Markey's office for their hospitality to us. And to Caroline Cole for helping write a terrific press release and getting us more press than we have ever gotten in the past. I'm learning a lot from you, Caroline. Thanks to Carlos Arredondo for coming yesterday - your presence and bearing witness is always incredibly moving to all of us. Melida - make sure he sees this. MFSO people - Nina Douglass in particular - thanks for coming too. Charley - please make sure she sees this since I don't have her email address.

A particular thanks to the 7 or 8 veterans who were willing to risk arrest if Markey did not sign the pledge by staying in his office. You know who you are.

I am really interested in hearing from other people on this.

And now Smedley VFP is interested in continuing the Occupation Project. We are now talking about Rep. Marty Meehan...

[babylonsister]

1. You people are incredible, uhc! Big Nom!

I had a discussion with a DUer yesterday who seemed to think it counterproductive for Dems to protest any other Dems. With this result, I beg to differ.
And props to Markey for being there and available to his constituents, something not all politicians are willing to do. I see he was acting like a politician by not responding to your suggestions, but perhaps once you planted the idea, it will grow.
Thank you all!

[Skidmore]

2. We certainly do need to hold other Dems accountable

when lives are at stake. I heartily agree with you.

[Call Me Wesley]

3. Great news!

Let's hope he'll be honest. :thumbsup:

[PuraVidaDreamin]

4. hurry up and digest!

I want YOUR impressions

[unhappycamper]

5. I'se aworking at it, boss.

BTW, I left Brian a comment on his CC Times opinion piece & posted a thread in GD asking folks to show a little DU love.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x265757

p.s. I put in my $0.02.