Wampum

It's refreshing, neh?

Kudus to Marcy Winograd (Progressive Democrats of Los Angeles) who carried the water in California.

Also noted: John Edwards came into the press room alone Sunday after his speech, went straight to the podium, and asked simply: "Questions?" That's good style and it shows comfort in the exercise. The speech was good too. Pity we weren't there, as we were accredited, along with about 50 other bloggers.

A note on the three basic choices:

1. fund the war an additional twelve months with out-by conditional on some "milestones",
   
2. fund the war an additional two months, the Murtha bill,
   
3. the about-to-be-vetoed Pelosi-Reid bill
   

The first places the Congressional authority in the hands of others. This has been the fundamental problem of leaving the out-by issue to some exotic Iraqi political appointee, who does not have to face the voters, American or Iraqi. The Constitution does not allow the transfer of war making powers (Article I, Section 8) to foreign princes or puppets. It is form with the capitulation, not only of the substance of the particular, but the capitulation of the general principle of co-equal branches of government. A "Bozo NoNo" for Democrats and Republicans who might teach civics.

The second is a better alternative, neither transferring to the Executive, or some foreign third-party, Congressional authority, nor accepting the Executive's demand for twelve months of unconditional funding.

The third is the best alternative, leaving the Executive nothing after the veto but the utter, absolute authority of the Congress over Article 1, Section 8 issues.

I'm glad to see John Edwards asking people to sign a petition to encourage Democrats in the House and Senate to stick with the Pelosi-Reid bill.

I've signed it.