Dakota Beacon

Part One: Dedication

The 2008 Republican Platform begins with a respectful dedication to our

“…heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And Mercy more than life.”

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America the Beautiful

Katharine Lee Bates

The dedication immediately brought to mind Senate Concurrent Resolution 4015, introduced by Senators Mathern (D) and Dever (R) and Representatives Kretschmar (R) and Metcalf (D). The resolution introduced in and passed by the North Dakota Senate is presented below:

That the Sixty-second Legislative Assembly urges Congress and the President to

immediately halt offensive military action and pursue peace in Iraq and Afghanistan without the use of United States military forces and to disengage and safely withdraw American forces from those countries at the earliest opportunity and to instead support, through an appropriate expenditure of funds, peaceful, nonmilitary methods for decreasing the global risk of terrorist activities and to specifically expend funds to improve the lives of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan using nonviolent, peaceful methods.

The amended House version that was returned to the Senate is presented below:

That the Sixty-second Legislative Assembly urges Congress and the President to pursue peace, freedom, and democratic rule of law in Iraq and a just rule of law in Afghanistan through the combined efforts of nongovernmental organizations and international and United States military forces as they disengage from conflict and assist these countries in the transition to peaceful and stable governments while continuing to support and honor American forces who have dedicated themselves to protecting the United States of America and helped to bring an end to violence against women and all citizens and have promoted the just cause of freedom around the world, and to support, through appropriate means, our brave military personnel and their families, and to support effective and secure governments in Iraq and Afghanistan which will decrease the global risk of terrorist activities.

Senator Dever moved that the senate concur with the House amendments, which motion prevailed on a voice vote. Then, on the question of final adoption by the Senate, the resolution was declared lost on a voice vote.

Yes, the North Dakota Senate chose not to go on record in support of freedom, the rule of law, ending violence against all citizens (especially women) and effective and secure governments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Further, The Senators did not call for a recorded vote to identify their individual views!

Thank God in heaven that our brave American fighting men and women have infinitely more courage than most of the spineless members of the North Dakota Senate. North Dakota Senators should know the difference between “Cut and Run”, which dishonors previous sacrifices, and “Complete the Mission”, which honors previous sacrifices.

If many of these Senators expect to be re-elected, they have a lot of explaining to do!

My personal hope is that many will retire, leaving future tough choices to new leaders with a backbone.