Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio
Telling it like it is. This is through Paradox at DailyKos. Rep. Ryan of Ohio gave an impassioned speech on the floor of the House recently, telling why young people in this country believe that, if Bush is re-elected, that the draft will be brought back and those young kids will be sent unwillingly to war. From Ryan’s speech, it is apparent that a Republican called it a “big Internet hoax.” Here is the text of the speech (best as I could transcribe myself, it hasn’t hit the news yet):
I rise in opposition of this bill, but I would like to clarify something. We’re not trying to scare kids, this president’s foreign policy is what’s scaring the kids of this country. And if people had said today, why are people believing this? Why are people believing this ‘big Internet hoax’?Well, [these are the same people that] told us Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11, same people that told us Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, same people that told us we were going to be able to use the oil for reconstruction money, same people that told us that we’d be greeted as liberators, not occupiers, same people, same president that told us the Taliban is gone, same president that told us that Poland is our ally two days before they pull out, same president that tells us Iraq is going just great, same president that tells us the economy is going just great, same people that told us the tax cut was going to create millions of jobs. Same people that told us that the Medicare program only cost $400 billion, when it really cost $540 billion. So please forgive us for not believing what you’re saying! Please forgive the students of this country for not believing what you’re saying. Not one thing, not one thing about this war that has been told to the American people, that’s been told to these college students has been true. Not one thing. Bremer says we need more troops, the Pentagon says we need more troops, and this president can’t get them from the international community. There’s only one option left [the draft]. Let’s be honest with the American people.
If you’d like to see the video–he really delivers it well–you can view it here (Quicktime, 2.2 MB), or using a PC here or a Mac here (Windows Media, streaming), or listen to an audio MP3 version here.
I have had the oppertunity to meet Tim before and after he entered politics and on this day he makes me proud that he earned my vote. This kind of passion is what is found in many governments across the world and works as a checks and balance system. Since our media refuses to ask our current president a hard to answer question maybe it is time we look for our own elected officials be it republican or democrat to step up and act like patriots as congressman Ryan just did.
-Brad Benedictus
Tim Ryan is a leader………
He says what many of us wish to say but do not have the forum to say it. This is what leader is to do. Tim Ryan is the reason I am going to run for office in Ohio in 2008, because he showed me that speaking what many of us feel can make a difference.
Brian Benedictus
(D) Columbus
Hi turned on the tv and you where on talking about food stamps. A couple of years ago had to apply for food stamps because of hard times due to accident . Got food stamps for a faimly of three for a couple of months . Well anyway ate like i never ate before steak shrimp whatever i wanted ate like a king . My point is we make about 35,000 a year I cant eat like i did on food stamps cant afford it Maybe for single people it needs to go up but i dont think so for faimles. They just need to make the food stamps stretch just like they would do with money. The only thing i think would be helpful if it included toiltries shampoo barsoap tolietpaper. That would save money for the faimlies on food stamps for other things. well thankyou and have a good day!