A night on the town.
by Frederick
Crowd questions Walsh on Iraq war
Thursday, February 22, 2007
By Mark Weiner Staff writer
Rep. James Walsh wanted to hear what was on the mind of his constituents Wednesday night.
Central New Yorkers responded in a big way.
An overflow crowd of more than 150 squeezed into the Syracuse Common Council chambers for a town hall-style meeting with the 10-term member of Congress.
Questions about the war in Iraq and security in the Middle East dominated the meeting, with seven out of 16 speakers raising the issue during a public question-and-answer period.
Walsh, R-Onondaga, said he expected Iraq would be a hot topic after the House of Representatives voted last week in a nonbinding resolution to reject President Bush’s plans to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq.
“I hope all of you will see me as a willing partner,” Walsh said before taking questions. “We may not always agree on everything, but I think you’ll see tonight that not everybody in this room agrees on everything.”
Walsh was among only 17 Republicans nationwide – and the only one in New York – to vote against the president. It was a move that brought Walsh some criticism from his longtime supporters, but it was mostly welcomed by a respectful crowd Wednesday night.
Carol Baum, of the Syracuse Peace Council, was among those who thanked Walsh for his vote last week, but she prodded him to do more to end U.S. involvement in the war.
“I really appreciated that you voted for the nonbinding resolution not to send more troops to Iraq,” Baum said. “But why not take the next step?”
I can tell you, it was personally satisfying to shake Congressmen Walsh’s hand and tell him thank you for your vote. You better believe, however, that I followed up with, “it’s just the first step.” I told him you don’t have to worry about cutting off funding for the troops who are in harms way…if they aren’t over there anymore.
Come on people, get out there and let ‘em know.
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Comments
I love that idea – don’t have to worry about cutting off the funding for troops in harms way if they are not there any longer. Great!
That is such a great point, and how lucky that you got to say it right to your representative. There aren’t very many opportunities like that. Well done.
That’s very encouraging…
Unfortunately, probably due to her new prominence, I don’t get the opportunity to attend such a meeting with my representative.
Oh well, just have to rely on relentless criticism.
Ya, it’s funny how they all of a sudden want to listen after be reelected by a slim 3000 vote margin.
Well done my friend,
Been very busy as of late so I apologize. I trust the fam and weather haven’t been TOO harsh.
It’s a balmy 70 something here, hey are those daffodils blooming?
Why yes B, they are.
Awesome, Fred! I feel the energy regenerating as I type. =)
They (repug, dem, whomever) need to know we appreciate their positive steps…but also that many more steps are needed!
[...] which they represent. This is the purpose of the House of Representatives, more so than the Senate. The Syracuse Peace Council deserves a large thanks for mobilizing the people and making sure the true majority’s voice [...]
[...] written about my encounter with Representative Walsh before. I praised him in a post that was swallowed in the great hosting holocaust in mid September [...]