An Email Exchange With Sen. Carl Levin (D, Michigan)

Dear Senator:

Thank you for the letter regarding your recent visits to Iraq and Afghanistan. I commend you for actually taking it upon your self to visit those two countries in person rather than commenting on the current state of each from the safety and comfort of your offices here in Michigan and in Washington DC.

However, having said all that, I find it disingenuous at best that you would tell our courageous men and women in harms way in Afghanistan and especially in Iraq, that they have the extraordinary support of Democrats in Congress, let alone of all their fellow Americans. They certainly don’t have the support of Rep. John Murtha, based on the defeatist rhetoric that flies out of his mouth on a regular basis, do they? Calling for immediate withdrawal from Iraq and ranting on and on about how we’re losing the war is not supporting the troops. Sorry to inform you of that. Please pass that along to your distinguished colleague from Pennsylvania.

You need to stop sending out mixed signals Senator. You either support the troops, or you don’t. Tell me, how does it feel that your party, the Democrat Party, has sold itself out to the radical left, Cindy Sheehan, Moveon.org, Code Pink, World Can’t Wait wackos of the world? A party whose spokespersons are none other than un-hinged lunatics such as the likes of former President Jimmy Carter, almost President Al Gore and that complete fool Dr. Howard Dean.

You said:

“Sadly, the same cannot be said of Iraq. The political and security situation in Iraq is deeply troubling and threatens to grow worse.”

I’m sorry Senator, but I can’t read these sentences without believing this is actually wishful-thinking on your part, hoping for complete failure in Iraq, rather than heart-felt concern. You see, Senator, I don’t think you do support the troops, or the War in Iraq, even though you’re on record as supporting the taking out of Saddam Hussein before and after 9-11-2001:

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Letter to President Clinton.
- (D) Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, others, Oct. 9, 1998 Source

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them."
- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002 Source

No Senator, I think your party, the Democrat Party, has degraded and degenerated to the point where it will do and say anything, will do whatever it takes and will associate with whomever they have to to regain power, even if it means leading this great country to complete and utter defeat against as great an evil as the modern world has ever known.

Is that really what you want your legacy to be Senator Levin? I pray for the sake of our country and of the free world that it isn’t.

Sincerely,

Peter Peltier-Ferndale, MI

On Mon, 3 Apr 2006 11:45:36 -0400, senator_levin wrote
Dear Mr. Peltier:

On March 27th, I delivered a statement in the Senate reporting on my recent trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. The focus of the trip was to assess the situation in both counties. During my trip, I had the opportunity to meet with our troops, including many from Michigan; senior U.S. military and civilian officials; and Afghan and Iraqi leaders. In light of your previous correspondence, I thought you might be interested in this brief report.

Each time I have visited Iraq and Afghanistan, I have been deeply impressed by the very high morale, dedication and professionalism of our servicemen and women. During my trip, I conveyed to them the extraordinary support they have from Congress and from the American people, regardless of our debates and differences over policy matters.

I was encouraged by the progress in the political and security situation in Afghanistan. While much work remains, President Karzai has led his nation with a firm and steady hand, and I am hopeful about the future of Afghanistan.

Sadly, the same cannot be said of Iraq. The political and security situation in Iraq is deeply troubling and threatens to grow worse. The recent increase in sectarian violence has become the number one security problem, and Iraq’s political leadership continues to struggle with the formation of a national unity government. During my trip, I told Iraqi political leaders, including Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and representatives from the two main Sunni Arab parties, that the Iraqis and only the Iraqis can decide their fate.

I believe we need to be successful in Iraq because the outcome there will have a major effect on the region and on our own security. To achieve this success, I believe it is important that the U.S. make it clear to the Iraqis that if they are unable to come together and form a government of national unity, we must reconsider our presence in Iraq and that all options will be on the table, including withdrawal of our forces. The Iraqis must understand that our willingness to bear the burden of providing security in Iraq has limits.

My complete statement on my trip to Afghanistan and Iraq can be found on my website at [http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=253153].

Sincerely,

Carl Levin

If you would prefer not to receive future email updates from me, you can unsubscribe by clicking here: http://levin.senate.gov/contact/unsubscribe.htm