Portraits of Courage
Barbara Lee
California 9th Congressional District
We all know where we were on the fateful day of September 11, 2001 when first we heard - It was early here and I was at the computer in my pajamas when I received a cryptic email from my son, "What a crazy day this is...!" Anxious at the tone of his message I asked what he was talking about, and he suggested I turn on the TV...
The memories and images - the horror - remain fresh and indelible. In the days to follow, we all watched with continued horror as events unfolded and our collective life changed forever. Many also remember that on September 14, 2001 Congress cast an historic vote, granting unlimited decision-making powers to the President with respect to a so-called war on terrorism. Counter to the provisions of the Constitution, Congress relinquished to the President the power to declare war, the prerogative and responsibility of Congress. One can only surmise the thinking and motivation of our representatives in Congress in their near-unanimous vote on this matter...
One lone voice raised the one question that needed to be asked about the motion before Congress - How is it that this body was turning over to the executive branch not only the duty of the legislative branch, but the processes of checks and balances so critical to the governing of the nation...? And in the end, only one lone voice said, "Nay" to the motion, urging caution and restraint, lest we become the evil that we deplore...
Barbara Lee was that one voice. It is interesting to note that in the days that followed a number of her colleagues approached her off-the-record and indicated their allied beliefs that this was not only an illegal action, but an immoral one, but for reasons of political survival and not wanting to appear un-American they could not voice opposition to the President. How sad a commentary this is. Where was integrity on September 14th...? Where was courage...?
Barbara denies that her vote was an act of courage - It was simply the right thing to do, and doing what is right, what you're supposed to do, isn't an act of courage - it's just doing your job. Perhaps. It certainly is expected that you do what you're supposed to, to do your job - not everyone who supported Barbara's position did that on that day. And, to take steps in the face of total opposition from your colleagues, isn't a simple matter. At the very least, one has to consider that Barbara put self-interest aside, personally as well as politically, to do what was right. She was branded by some as unpatriotic, a traitor, and for her act of conscience received personal threats from unthinking misguided individuals - so, by any measure her stand certainly was courageous...
The announcement of the demise of truth, integrity, and doing what's right was premature - Thank you, Barbara...
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