My member of Congress, Loretta Sanchez (D-Garden Grove), did something pretty amazing yesterday. She voted against four additional months of funding for Bush’s failed war in Iraq. She actually stood up and voted against keeping our brave troops in the middle of someone else’s civil war for any longer. Loretta did the right thing, and as a constituent I am proud.

Now unfortunately, she was not in the majority. The Republicans were nearly unanimous in voting to continue George W. Bush’s failed war. In the House, they were able to pull away enough Democrats to succeed in passing a bill that gives Bush four more months of carte blanche. That was enough to send the bill to the Senate, where it passed with bipartisan support.

This is a bittersweet moment for me. I am proud that my Congresswoman did the right thing yesterday. I am proud that the vast majority of California Democrats did the right thing in the House yesterday. I am proud that Senator Barbara Boxer was one of fourteen in the Senate to do thr right thing. However, I am NOT proud that Congressional Republicans would not budge in allowing Democrats to override Bush’s veto of legislation that would have actually put an end to this ridiculous war. They enabled Bush to succeed yesterday in temporarily thwarting the will of the American people.

Even though I am proud of what my Congresswoman did yesterday in listening to what the wishes of Orange County voters and the will of American voters, I am ashamed that most of Congress would not listen.

(After the flip for more…)

Now this is not the first time when Loretta Sanchez has demonstrated real courage on the House floor. She voted against the “PATRIOT” Act that has done nothing to secure this country, and everything to destroy our Constitutional rights. She voted against authorizing that invasion of Iraq that Bush so wanted. She voted against the “Partial Birth Abortion” Ban Act that did nothing to save lives, and only succeeded in destroying women’s reproductive rights. She voted against the “PATRIOT” Act again when it came up for reauthorization in 2005. She voted against a “Secure Fence” Act that did nothing to solve our immigration problem. And last fall, she voted against the Military Commissions Act that allowed Bush to completely disregard the Constitution. When others took the easy way out, Loretta Sanchez stood up and made the tough choices. She voted her conscience, and voted for what’s best for this district and this nation.

UPDATE: by Brian…As long as there is some space here, let’s talk about tonight’s activities.  There are going to be lots of Iraq War vigils all over the country.  Four in California are listed in the event section, but there will be a lot more.  Moveon.org has an archive (by Zip) here.Check it out if you are so inclined…

For more pics from Saturday’s event, as well as a little verbal explanation, follow me after the flip…

We began at Pioneer Park in Garden Grove. I joined my friends at the Orange County for Obama group to raise awareness about the upcoming election, as well as about Barack Obama’s progressive campaign of hope. I’d say that we were quite successful in reaching out to Orange County’s progressive community. [And yes, Brian and all you Bay Area people, THERE ARE ORGANIZED PROGRESSIVES IN ORANGE COUNTY! hehe : ) ]

After the rally at Pioneer Park, WE ALL got up on our feet, and we began to march together. We marched to my Congresswoman’s office, politely asking (or at least, most of us were…) Loretta Sanchez to take some real, binding action to end this war. Unfortunately, she was not in her office. However, we left her our “troop withdrawal slips” and marched on. Finally, we landed at the busy intersection of Chapman Avenue and The City Drive in Orange (near The Block, a popular shopping area).

I think most everyone driving by heard our message loud and clear. ; )

So overall, I think that we were quite successful in raising awareness AND raising hell. Hopefully, all of us will keep up the good work until ALL OF OUR TROOPS ARE SAFELY OUT OF IRAQ! And hopefully, that will be very soon.

To find out more about making peace in The OC, check out what the OC Peace Coalition is up to. And if you want to take local action to help a truly great progressive win the Presidency in 2008, please join us at OC for Obama. THERE ARE PROGRESSIVES THROUGHOUT ORANGE COUNTY, and we’d love for you to join us in making a difference.

(And finally, I should thank our fearless OC for Obama grassroots leader, Zinnia Menardi, for sharing with me all these great photos…
All so I can share them with all of you!) : )