The Hagel-Nelson-Saddam Highway: What did the Democrats promise Nebraska to betray Iraq’s democracy?

Yesterday, Nebraska’s U.S. Senators Chuck Hagel and Ben Nelson changed their minds about democracy in Iraq. They decided to vote against it. Why?

What did the Democrats promise them for their betrayal of freedom?

Reversing their own votes 12 days earlier against a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, this time Hagel and Nelson joined 48 other senators to vote for the March 2008 abandonment of Iraq’s democratically elected government.

Bypassing freedom. It was a stunning turn-around. One week, they say it’s irresponsible to give the fascists a coast-is-clear date. Two weeks later, they give the fascists what they want.

What happened? It’s hard to explain how two senators from the same state were the only senators to change their votes on a war and peace, tyranny versus freedom question. Was it the smell of pork?

What did the Democrats offer Hagel and Nelson to suddenly change their minds? An Interstate 80 bypass in Sarpy County? Both Hagel and Nelson seem interested in it. What else could it be? It’s hard to tell, now that the Democrats have pressured the Congressional Research Service to keep earmarked “pork spending” secret.

Name that highway. Has Iraq lost its chance for freedom because Hagel and Nelson want their names on a road to Sarpy County? If so, let’s make sure Saddam Hussein’s name is on that highway, too.

Frank Warner

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Comments

[Neo]

SEN. Dianne Feinstein has resigned from the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee. As previously and extensively reviewed in these pages, Feinstein was chairperson and ranking member of MILCON for six years, during which time she had a conflict of interest due to her husband Richard C. Blum's ownership of two major defense contractors, who were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.

Talk about bipartisanship.

[Kevin]

"Two weeks later, they join the fascists."

Peaceniks is probably a better word to describe them, and infinitely more insulting in my book.

As if one side can declare peace without declaring surrender. Friggin' peacenik ijjits.

[Kevin]

Frank,

I've noticed that all of my favorite blogs that use typepad require me to type in a code after commenting as a final step suddenly. Is this Typepad's thing, or did you all simultaneously decide to impliment this bug/feature?

[Frank Warner]

I have nothing to do with the code, but it makes sense to help keep out the spam artists.

I don't think you're forced to type in that code every time. It's maybe one-third of the time.

Typepad has been using the filter for months. Oh, and by the way, getting back to the topic, damn Hagel and Nelson, the sell-outs to tyranny.

[Kevin]

"Oh, and by the way, getting back to the topic, damn Hagel and Nelson, the sell-outs to tyranny."

Indeed.

(but it IS every single time)

[Frank Warner]

Is it? I'm trying it right now....

[Frank Warner]

That one didn't take any code.

Damn Hagel and Nelson!

[Frank Warner]

But that last comment did force me to type in a code.