Terry: Silence is Leadership

Feb 13, 12:19 PM CST

In today’s edition of the Omaha World Herald, Representative Lee Terry is quoted as saying the following: “I would like to say that we should re-communicate our support for our troops there and not cut funding for them, while standing silent on the surge.” (Emphasis added) [Omaha World Herald, 2/13/07]

Nebraska Democratic Party State Chair, Steve Achelpohl released the following statement this morning:

“In November, the American people voted overwhelmingly against the do-nothing, say-nothing, Republican-controlled Congress that our nation experienced in recent years. It’s a new day in Washington – and it is time for Lee Terry to begin speaking up for the people of Nebraska and stop hiding in the corner, hoping someone else will lead for him.

All Nebraskans should stand by the men and women who are fighting daily in this war. However, “standing silent” on the tough decisions does nothing to support our troops. They deserve a rigorous debate. They deserve to know where their representatives stand on the issues and proposals being considered. They deserve leadership, not silence.”

– by eric | Send this to a friend

  1. Thanks for this. I saw this quote in the paper and couldn’t believe it. I hope that we all continue to hold Terry and all of our elected officials accountable. I’ll keep my eye out for what he says on the House floor in the next two or three days.
    — Dave Sund    Feb 13, 12:23 PM CST #
  2. “It’s a new day in Washington – and it is time for Lee Terry to begin speaking up for the people of Nebraska and stop hiding in the corner, hoping someone else will lead for him.”

    That’s Lee Terry in a nutshell. I have never seen anyone in representative government try so hard not to be noticed.
    — Don Kuhns    Feb 13, 01:18 PM CST #
  3. Alas our Nebraska Reps are just lapdogs for the failed and failing Bush Iraqi policy. Things are not getting any better in Iraq and based on two news items things could get much worse very quickly.

    The first news items concerns the claims that Iran is sending arms to Shi’as. This is the administration’s latest attempt at saber-rattling in preparation for some sort of intervention against Iran.
    The second item was Putins blasting the U.S. as a power hungry war monger. I believe the two stories are related because Russia (and China) will eventually back up Iran against any U.S. action against Iran, which will take the conflict to a new level of confrontation and danger.

    What started out as a tribal war between Sunni and Shia tribes grew to a sectarian war. Next the Saudis (and probably Jordanians) clandestinely started to support the Sunnis in a proxy war against the Shi’as and their Iranian supporters. If the insanity doesn’t stop we will Russia and China supporting Iran who is supporting the Shi’a against the Sunni supported by the Saudis. The U.S. currently caught in the middle will then have to change sides and support the Sunnis.
    — John Turek    Feb 13, 03:50 PM CST #
  4. So why does Mr. Fortenberry get a pass on this issue?
    — Charlie Janssen    Feb 13, 10:58 PM CST #
  5. I can assure you he won’t, Charlie. Not to pat ourselves on the back too much, but between the NDP, Kyle at the New Nebraska Network, Lisa’s new Smith Watch, and us over at UNO Democrats, the Nebraska blogs have done a pretty good job of keeping an eye on our representatives.

    They’ll all be on the record after this week, and I think we’ll all have something on the “stay the course” Republicans.
    — Dave Sund    Feb 14, 01:24 AM CST #
  6. Charlie-

    The New Nebraska Network has offered its take on Fortenberry, Terry, and Smith’s latest positioning on Iraq.

    The Timid Trio – Standing Silent on Iraq

    Hope you’ll find the article (and its attempt to hold Fortenberry accountable) to your liking.
    — Kyle Michaelis    Feb 14, 12:46 PM CST #
  7. Thank you Kyle and I think the bonus question that was asked of Mr. Fortenberry (The Gentleman from Louisiana that speaks for Nebraska) needs to be asked. If our very civilization is in jeopardy, why not 500,000 troops or more instead of 21,500?
    — Charlie    Feb 14, 02:56 PM CST #
  8. So Terry is hiding in the corner and playing the silent card? I ask everyone who voted for him this- ” Have you ever seen Terry stand up and say anything about anything important?”
    — Rob Daniel    Feb 16, 06:43 AM CST #

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