This is pathetic, insider politics at its worst: Frank Wolf is holding a "town hall" for one of his big contributors, EDS, which has given him over $8,000 the past few years. But he's blowing off his constituents on the Iraq War. Sad to say, it looks like if 10th District residents want to talk to Wolf about Iraq, they'll need to start cutting him some checks...
Frank Wolf `Chickens Out' and Refuses to Address Constituents about War in Iraq, Instead Appears at Exclusive and Private Town Hall`Iraq Summer' Campaign to be Joined by Iraq War Veteran, Concerned Virginians for a Rally Outside Wolf's Private Town Hall, Will Call on Congressman to Participate in Aug. 28th `Take a Stand' Day to Explain Iraq Stance to All Constituents
Herndon, VA - On July 12, 2007, the `Iraq Summer' campaign, along with local Virginia veterans hand delivered a letter to Rep. Frank Wolf inviting him to address his constituents about the Congressman's continued support of the President's failed policies in Iraq at a public town hall on August 28th - `Take a Stand' Day. Unfortunately, the campaign did not hear back from Congressman and instead had to read that he declined the invitation in the July 18th publication of the Herndon Connection. However, Congressman Wolf has made himself readily available to conduct a private and exclusive a Town Hall meeting at the EDS Company in Herndon on Thursday, August 9th at 9:45AM.
In response, the `Iraq Summer' campaign, along with Iraq war veteran John Bruhns and outraged 10th congressional constituents will hold a protest rally outside the EDS building, which a include a constituent in a full chicken costume highlighting the Congressman's shameful refusal to face the people of vast majority of Virginians who want to see a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq.Over the last several weeks Americans Against Escalation in Iraq's "Iraq Summer" campaign has rolled out the welcome mat in preparation for Frank Wolf's arrival by signing up hundreds of Wolf's constituents as volunteers, holding rallies in front of his office, and planting lawn signs and going door-to-door throughout his immediate neighborhood. But Congressman Wolf has been nowhere to be found in his district until now.
"Iraq Summer" is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Republican members of Congress, including Senator Warner, Reps. Thelma Drake and Tom Davis, who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national "Take a Stand" day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.
By the way, John Bruhns is an Iraq vet who was awarded the combat infantry badge and was honorably discharged in 2005. John was a big supporter of Jim Webb in 2006, and is a frequent commentator on the Iraq War.
Courtesy of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq
P.S. EDS is a major defense contractor. See here for more.
If these people were serious about talking with Frank Wolf about Iraq, they would leave the special interests and the theatrics aside. Clearly, they anticipated that Wolf wouldn't respond to them, and in truth, I doubt they wanted him to anyways. As far as stunts go, this is a fairly predictable and uninspiring one.
The travesty here is the lame attempt to decry this as "insider" politics, or portraying it as Wolf blowing off constituents interested in anything other than ousting him from office for being a Republican. Either Lowell is vapid enough to buy into this horribly one-sided argument, or is fully aware of it and is pushing it anyways. Either way, its beneath reasonable political discourse, unless the only discussions you're interested are in bitterly divided partisan shouting matches that go no where.
Just a few questions for you, not that I expect a serious answer from our latest in a long line of Republican apologists and trolls.
If John Bruhns wanted a meeting with Frank Wolf, I imagine he would get one. But that's not what this is about. This isn't a meeting with John Bruhns, its an egg-throwing contest sponsored by "Americans Against Escalation". When you have a title like that, and your "invitation" to your "forum" includes the line "support Bush's failed policies", its pretty damn clear that this "forum" isn't interesting in hearing what Frank Wolf actually has to say. They have their minds made up. This isn't a free exchange of ideas, its a partisan organization interested only in pushing a partisan agenda.
There is a difference between meeting with concerned citizens, and meeting with anti-Republican activists. If you don't understand that difference, then you're a lot dumber than I had you pegged for. But I think you do understand the difference, and are blowing it aside in order to be complicit in this charade of outrage.
By the way, if you can only make ad hominem attacks and not an actual argument (e.g., why Frank Wolf is right to support the Bush Iraq policy in lockstep fashion), then you are simply being a troll and will be banned. Alternatively, make your argument, why you support the Iraq War or whatever, why you think Frank Wolf's such a great Congressman, and you will be free to post here. Thanks.
If you actually look at the words I typed (somehow, I get the feeling you didn't), you'll see the condition I put on the sentence: "If you don't understand the difference between concerned citizens and anti-Republican activists," then you are dumb. So the questions is, Do you understand that difference? As I stated in my post, I think you do. Therefore, you are not dumb.
And again, I never accused everyone of putting things into a black-and-white mold. Just you. Eric actually does a good job of responding to reasonable posts in a reasonable manner, instead of simpling piling on with more heavy-handed partisan shrieking. That is a feat you have never accomplished, at least in regards to me.
And yes, you are complicit in this charade. The invitation to Frank Wolf from a leftist anti-war group was a stunt to begin with, and its being carried to its logical, partisan end. You are surely aware of this, but instead of approaching the issue honestly, you chose this tactic. Its a charade, period.
I told you before, Congressmen are interesting in meeting with concerned citizens, but not with special interest groups. Groups like "Americans Against Escalation" are a partisan, anti-war interest group. I don't see Jim Moran meeting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Where's your outrage over him "blowing off" concerned citizens of his district? Its ludicrous, and you know it.
I've never made a single ad hominem attack, but if you feel that people who don't agree with your views should be banned, then its your site and do as you wish.
Almost every person, group, lobbyist, corporate event coordinator, etc, who wants to either speak to their Representative or have the Representative appear at an event has a well known agenda. And that agenda is very rarely open for honest debate.
Does the AAE want to throw eggs? Probably. How is that different than the lovefest a pro-war group would throw for Wolf? As a representative of all the people in his district, friend or foe, Wolf *should* be willing to deal with them. Are you saying that Wolf shouldn't meet with people who disagree with him?
That, apparently, is these commenters' version of Democracy.
As you admitted, this group wants to do nothing but throw eggs at him. Nothing positive would result from such a meeting. Why, then, should Wolf show up? AEE is going to get what they want either way, so its not like he's doing the group a disservice. If they are going to benefit either way, and Wolf has nothing to gain by showing up, then why do it?
I noticed you trying to paint a story with this brush, but there is a stark contrast between groups of people, lobbyists, businesses, and the like, and with special interest groups like "Americans Against Escalation". I appreciate the fact that you're willing to admit that you recognize the difference. I wish others on this site would allow themselves to be as honest.
Sadly, when we're dealing with politics, that group doesn't exist. Unless they're his personal friends, family members or next door neighbors, anyone who seeks out Wolf has a very specific agenda in mind. And they will almost never be willing to listen (they'll pretend to if it helps, but they won't really listen). They are after something - and usually that something is well known by all involved long before the meeting takes place.
My point was that John's group is not significantly different than any other group who seeks time with Wolf (or any elected).
Look, people aren't just born hating Republicans, or wanting to save the environment, or hoping to cut down trees in national forests, or supporting government programs to help the poor, or for restricting gay marriage, or anything else a person/group would want to meet a congressman for. They all arrive at their position through experiences of some sort - just as the members of AAE have reached their position. The AAE are just as real (and legitimate) as any other group.
There is no stark difference between any of these groups. Personalities, tactics, and position differ greatly, but the core is the same for all of them. There is no difference between special interest groups and regular interest groups - they're all "interest groups" with a very specific agenda and a plan to get what they want out of the government.
So ultimately there is something to be learned by looking at who a politician meets with. Does he/she only meet with like minded groups, with financial donors, or with everyone? Are they afraid of their detractors or will they go toe to toe with those they don't agree with? This "who they meet with" aspect is certainly not the only thing, but it is worth a look.
And if Wolf has a history of avoiding groups who are against his stance and favors meeting with contributors, well... everyone can draw their own conclusions about what it means.
BTW, after seeing the picture of the chicken, are people really surprised Wolf didn't attend?
However, to counter you, I think that group *does* exist, it just doesn't exist among individuals who make up a group that consists of one issue and one issue only, who feel extremely strongly about that issue, are pre-dispositioned against people who disagree with them, and want to meet that person to talk about the issue. I think Frank Wolf could have a fantastic meeting with John about the environment, even if they were on two sides of the issue.
And don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that the AEE is illegitimate. They serve a democratic purpose and they get people involved, for better or worse, in the debate. But I don't look down on Congressmen for not meeting with such groups.
As for Wolf's record of meeting with groups he disagrees with, I don't know it that well, so I can't comment much on it, but such an investigation into that would be much better suited on the front page that this article, and would generate much better discussion than the kind that this article aimed to generate. And while I don't know Wolf's record on that, I would be interested in seeing how many Democrats, for instance, meet regularly with right-leaning groups, or some of the more far-right groups, just as a basis of comparison.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church
10125 Lakehaven Court
Burke, VA 22015
Two Republican Congressmen, two different approaches towards dealing with their constituents. Interesting.
And if you think the world got any better, or Davis' votes improve, because he shows up and tells them what they want to hear -- I've got a bridge to sell you. . .
I don't want RK to turn into Policy Soup.
by: Veritas @ Thu Aug 09, 2007 at 16:22:24 PM EDT
bad politics (0.00 / 0) posted....
......while pandering to EDS who has kicked 200k to his campaign since 1996.
So Veritas, can you point out the source for your information. I am not saying that you are incorrect, just would like to locate the source.