April 12, 2015
I'm Really Getting Tired
By Dr. E. Faye Williams
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - Having spent the greater portion of my adult life in the political arena - even going so far as to run for office in the US Congress - I think I know a bit about "the game." Although the business of the people cannot rightly be called a game, just as in sports, there are rules that govern the conduct of all those who interact within that venue. That means that all participants, regardless of the outcome of legislative interests, will conduct themselves reasonably. Or, at least, that's what I was led to believe.
Regrettably, some expectations, or things that we’ve learned and been led to believe, fall afoul of those with whom we’re engaged. In the last six years, I have found this to be true in the theater of national politics - especially as it concerns President Barack Obama. Frankly, I'm really getting tired of it!
I woke up on Good Friday and, true to my normal routine, checked my computer for newsworthy events had occurred through the night. I was angered as I read a CNN Breaking News feed which stated, "The proposed deal on Iran's nuclear program would pose ‘a grave danger’ to the world and threaten Israel's existence because it would leave Iran with an infrastructure it could use to produce nuclear bombs when restrictions on its program eventually are removed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today."
Maybe I'm still "raw" about Netanyahu's speech in Congress a few weeks ago, but I see his comment as an intrusion into orderly political discourse in this country. I know that, as the leader of Israel, he has the right to express any opinion he wishes, but he has tainted his objectivity and undermined the interests of the US by conspiring against my President with the likes of John Boehner and Tom Cotton.
It used to be that "politics stopped at our shores," meaning that US foreign policy could only be viable if it were expressed with one voice. Historically, that "rule" held firm until the Obama Presidency. Now Speaker Boehner invites Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of Congress in opposition to the diplomatic efforts of the President. As one who didn't vote for "President Netanyahu," I am insulted by his presence that conflicts with the president I voted for.
More insulting is the letter sent by Senator Cotton to Iran and a subsequent letter sent to the UN by Mitch McConnell. Both letters dramatically infringe upon the duties of the Department of State and, based upon my understanding of the word SEDITION, are clear examples of that.
I am also growing increasingly frustrated by Mitch McConnell and his intransigence regarding the vote on the nomination of Loretta Lynch for Attorney General. As you read this, it has been over 150 days since her nomination and, with no purpose other than to frustrate President Obama and punish Eric Holder, McConnell has shown his commitment to the vow he made in 2009 to block the President's efforts to govern at every turn. Now that the 51st committed vote for Ms. Lynch's confirmation has been identified, there is no reason for McConnell to delay a Senate vote.
Republican hypocrisy is running rampant. They profess loyalty to the nation, yet they actively undermine the Chief Executive. They profess concern for US interests, yet support a course that would most likely lead to war. They profess a desire to replace the current Attorney General, yet they hold him hostage to a job where there is an obviously qualified replacement.
Back in the day we called that "talking out of both sides of the mouth" and I'm really getting tired of it. Talk about this with your senators. It’s time to vote!
(Dr. E. Faye Williams is President/CEO of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc., 202/678-6788. www.nationalcongress bw.org)