For Immediate Release

Later today, we’re going to deliver a message with a backbone on it to Rep. John Sullivan’s Tulsa office as part of a rapid response to the Congress’ weak compromise on the Iraq supplemental bill. Here’s my statement on the bill and on the event:

Representative Sullivan needs to vote against the Iraq supplemental bill. The bill has no real timelines or real accountability for the Bush administration. A vote for this bill is a vote to continue President Bush’s failed Iraq policy.

It’s time for Congress to show some backbone and reject this blank check for endless war. We’re delivering a backbone to Rep. Sullivan to remind him that folks here in Tulsa are expecting strong leadership, not weak compromises.

In an email this morning, MoveOn encouraged all 3.2 million of its members to urge Congress to vote no. In part, the email reads: “Every single Democrat must vote against this bill. This is a key test vote on whether your representative is serious about ending the war.” The email was sent by MoveOn’s Nita Chaudhary.

Please let me know if you have any questions or want any further comments.

Mike Workman
MoveOn Tulsa
MoveOn Regional Coordinator for OK-AR

From Bubbaworld.net:

If you have business with Adair County Sheriff Charles Hartshorne do not bother going by his office or even calling on the phone, as his staff will tell you the sheriff is not in.

And they would be telling you the truth, for Sheriff Hartshorne is not in his office. He is not in the courthouse. He is not in the town of Stilwell, the county seat. He is not even in Adair County.

All of which makes sense, as he is also not in the state of Oklahoma or the United States for that matter.

It turns out that Adair County Sheriff Charles Hartshorne is in Iraq, working for a private company that trains Iraqi civilians to become law enforcement officers.

Recently Sheriff Hartshorne, in a published letter to the “Adair County citizens” said:

I will still be your working sheriff. Let me assure you I am not deserting you or my office. No matter where I am, I am always in contact with and overseeing the daily operations of my office.

A published report by the Muskogee Phoenix revealed that Undersheriff Tim McCollum said he speaks with Hartshorne via telephone about every two days. That same report indicated that Commissioner Sam Chandler said the last time he was aware of Sheriff Hartshorne being in the county was on April 1st. Read more…

From Bubbaworld.net:

If you have business with Adair County Sheriff Charles Hartshorne do not bother going by his office or even calling on the phone, as his staff will tell you the sheriff is not in.

And they would be telling you the truth, for Sheriff Hartshorne is not in his office. He is not in the courthouse. He is not in the town of Stilwell, the county seat. He is not even in Adair County.

All of which makes sense, as he is also not in the state of Oklahoma or the United States for that matter.

It turns out that Adair County Sheriff Charles Hartshorne is in Iraq, working for a private company that trains Iraqi civilians to become law enforcement officers.

Recently Sheriff Hartshorne, in a published letter to the “Adair County citizens” said:

I will still be your working sheriff. Let me assure you I am not deserting you or my office. No matter where I am, I am always in contact with and overseeing the daily operations of my office.

A published report by the Muskogee Phoenix revealed that Undersheriff Tim McCollum said he speaks with Hartshorne via telephone about every two days. That same report indicated that Commissioner Sam Chandler said the last time he was aware of Sheriff Hartshorne being in the county was on April 1st. Read more…

Rep. Mary Fallin wrote on the Hill Newspaper’s Blog that the non-binding resolution passed by Congress Friday was the “product of a political game.” Fallin warned her fellow legislators that the “situation before us is deadly serious”.

“If we pass this resolution, we will send precisely the wrong message at precisely the wrong time to one of the most dangerous and sinister enemies we have ever faced.” She concluded the post saying:

“Our soldiers deserve real answers to the problems they face in Iraq, not political posturing which risks emboldening their enemies. I sincerely hope that the House of Representatives rejects this resolution and begins working in a bipartisan fashion towards a plan for victory in Iraq.”

UPDATE: Passing of Iraq Resolution Lacked Substantive Debate

“I’d rather have seen the resolution fail. But I was pleased that there were so few Republicans that supported it. I just wish we had the opportunity on the floor to actually debate these issues. A few minutes from each person to speak isn’t enough.

As a freshman, I’m very disappointed. I was elected to come to Congress to voice the concerns of my Oklahoman constituents. But we can’t speak freely because of constant suspension of House rules and closed debates.”