"Stand Up Against the Surge" - Molly Ivins

Oh, no.

Molly Ivins died yesterday. Her column "Stand Up Against the Surge" was my catalyst for re-starting this blog, and for the political protest I am making in my own small way.

Here's the column: "Stand Up Against the Surge" by Molly Ivins.

If you don't have time for the whole column, just read this. Molly wrote:

"We are the people who run this country. We are the deciders. And every single day, every single one of us needs to step outside and take some action to help stop this war. Raise hell. Think of something to make the ridiculous look ridiculous. Make our troops know we're for them and trying to get them out of there. Hit the streets to protest Bush's proposed surge. If you can, go to the peace march in Washington on January 27. We need people in the streets, banging pots and pans and demanding, 'Stop it, now!'"

OK, now. In honor of Molly, get up and walk away from your computer. Buy a yard sign. Start a petition. Call Congress. Do something, anything, to show that you believe the war is wrong.

Molly Ivins, you were a heckuva writer. And an inspiration to us all. Rest in peace.

Contacting My Congresspeople

Yesterday, I did two things about the war, my two small drops in the bucket. I'm aware that there are several bills (some binding, some nonbinding, some even bipartisan) working their way through the Senate and the House.

This statement from Sen. Ted Kennedy is a start: "Our bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and no additional dollars can be spent on such an escalation, unless and until Congress approves the President’s plan." Read more about Kennedy's bill here.

Read about several other bills and resolutions about the war here.

So here's what I did:

First, I called Senator Patty Murray's office in Washington, D.C. My previous conversations have been very quick. I say: "I'd like to register my support for SB Number -- whatever --" They say: "Thank you." and that's it. I always have the sense that the aides who answer the phone are sitting there with some sort of tally sheet. (I'm old enough to visualize a handwritten tally on a legal pad, but it's probably electronic, now that I think of it).

Yesterday, I wanted more details. I asked what Senator Murray was going to do regarding Senator Kennedy's bill, among others. The aide said that Senator Murray was not going to issue any statements until the language of those bills (and others) was finalized. I suppose that's wise, politically. I guess I'll have to watch the news, and call back as things progress.

Next, I took my own picture with a clear message to Congressman Jim McDermott. On the day before the "war" began, my family met Congressman McDermott following a giant protest at Green Lake. We walked together and told him we opposed any military action in Iraq. It's time to send him a message again. MoveOn.org is collecting photos like this for a photo petition they'll be delivering soon. (You might want to check that out, too, and participate!)

Gratitude today? I suppose I'm grateful for our political process. But I really, really want it to work. "Checks and balances" will be my mantra as I walk the Very Large Dog.