Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) Stands Up, Calls For Immediate Gaza Cease-fire

[babylonsister]

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/01/02/rep_donna_edwards_d-md_stands/

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD) Stands Up, Calls For Immediate Gaza Cease-fire
By M.J. Rosenberg - January 2, 2009, 7:03PM


Donna Edwards is one of the up-and-comers of the new Congress. A young African-American, she knocked out the lobby's favorite, incumbent Al Wynn, in a primary. She ran to Wynn's left on every issue and creamed him.

And she's already making waves. Her Silver Spring district is just a few blocks from where I live in Chevy Chase. Paging Chris Van Hollen.

"I am deeply disturbed by this week's escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip, as I have been by the ongoing rocket fire into southern Israel. To support Israel and to ease the humanitarian crisis facing the people of Gaza, the United States must work actively for an immediate ceasefire that ends the violence, stops the rockets, and removes the blockade of Gaza.

"Israel has a right to protect its citizens, but I remain convinced that military measures have only a limited role to play -- a political and diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only way to stop the violence permanently and bring long-term stability to the region. As Americans, we too have a strong interest in ensuring peace, stability, and security in the Middle East and that is why I am committed to supporting active American diplomacy in the region, working together with partners in the international community, from the earliest days of President-elect Obama's administration. America should not sit on the sidelines, as we are doing today -- this does a disservice to our own national interests and security and is unhelpful in bringing stability and security to Israel and the Middle East."

[peacetalksforall]

1. Our heroine du jour! Congratulations, Donna! and her constituents!

Bravo!

[stillcool]

2. lone voice in the wilderness...

there's probably a shit storm coming her way.

[seemunkee]

3. She doesn't represent Silver Spring

She's my rep. The MD 4th is a crazy gerrymandered district that goes from Germantown west to Olney, south to White Oak and over into PG county down toward Hillcrest Heights and wraps around DC.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

4. Another lonely voice in the wilderness of American politics. K&R

[Sultana]

5. Yay! A politician w/ a backbone

will others follow her lead?

[TahitiNut]

6. Conscience, smarts, and looks! Wow. Trifecta.

Good for her! :applause:

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. Seems like a neat lady

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kbi0MR1w2A

[mike_c]

8. rec'd, but I want to hear U.S. leaders STOP bowing and scraping...

...to the pro-genocide lobby and stop couching every criticism of Israel in terms of support. I do NOT support the actions of the state of Israel and I'd like some strong political representation on that point.

[eridani]

9. Good for her n/t

[BlueMTexpat]

10. I wish that Donna were my Cong Rep ...

unfortunately, my voting residence is farther north, so I just missed being in her district.

She is saying what needs to be said ... and I hope that she is not crucified politically for doing so, as some others have been.

Brava, Donna! :toast:

[JustAnotherGen]

11. She is the maam!

Another for "Israel SHOULD protect its citizens"

But this isn't 'protection'. Not in my opinion. And I'm pissed to high holy hell that they started this shit five minutes (hyperbole) before President Obama takes office.

I'm a selfish nationalist American. I don't give two hoots and a holler about Gaza/Israel when Israel is being sooooo over the top.


We have better things to focus on as a country -

Like how we can't pour anymore money into a lost cause (the Middle East in General) at the continued expense of the Health of Americans (National Health Care).