FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
June 15, 2006

I rise today in opposition to this simple-minded resolution. President Bush and Republicans in Congress would have you believe that the War on Terror and the War in Iraq are one and the same. But terrorism is not exclusive to a geographic or political entity.

Terrorism is the result of an accidental or intentional trauma inflicted on humanity. Numerous examples exist within our own borders.

My son is terrorized by the threat of destruction posed by the ignorance, of President Bush in his steadfast opposition to addressing the very real threat of global warming.

Parents are terrorized by the lack of treatment for children born with diabetes, leukemia, and multiple sclerosis. Yet right-wing evangelical Pharisees dictate prohibitions on stem cell research that could cure these and other diseases, saving lives.

Middle-class Americans are terrorized by the outsourcing of jobs. elimination of pensions and health benefits, and expansion of predatory lending. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce promotes these terrifying practices, driving working families to fear for their financial future.

All Americans are terrorized by more than 30,000 handgun deaths each year. This trauma is condoned and promoted by the National Rifle Association, a bipartisan terrorist organization.

Our brave servicemen and women in uniform are terrorized by the Iraqi insurgency and civil war. Though 2,500 American soldiers and countless Iraqi citizens have died, the right wing noise machine encourages additional deaths by coloring as pro-terrorist those of us who dare to acknowledge the futility of the President's War in Iraq.

Terrorism is a very real threat, but it comes in many forms other than those found in Iraq and, as I've outlined here today, we are doing precious little to combat it in America.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution and to join me in a call to redirect our attention, our federal dollars, and our lives to our needs here at home.