Crazy Uncle Joe

To the Editor:

Although the news, issues, and politics of Newtown are the focus of communications in The Bee, it is important to remind ourselves that our little State of Connecticut has contributed so much to the national agenda by reelecting Senator Joe Lieberman. He continues to support the Bush doctrine vis-à-vis the Mideast. Recently he questioned the National Intelligence Estimate of the United States (NIE) report, which indicated that Iran has abandoned its nuclear weapons program, and he continues to be a voice for preemptive military action against Iran. Senator Lieberman recently stated the following: “…even if Iran has suspended its direct drive for a nuclear weapon, its continued efforts to develop the technological know-how that would allow it, at short notice, to be able to assemble a nuclear weapon are just as threatening.” That leaves open the specter of preemptive invasion of Iran by the US by equating knowledge of nuclear weapons to production of nuclear weapons.

 When endorsing John McCain for President yesterday, Senator Joe Lieberman indicated that McCain was the best equipped to lead the US in the war against the Islamic fascists that attacked our country. The Connecticut Senator continues to promote his full support of the US Mideast policy. It is well documented that Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11, had no WMD, and posed no threat to the US at the time of our invasion.

It has been reported that Afghanistan is back as the primary terrorist threat and that we will be sending more troops into that country. In fact, Afghanistan war is predicted to be longer and more costly than Iraq. Isn’t that where the true 9/11 terrorists retreated and are harbored? Perhaps we should have concentrated on Afghanistan and those who attacked us instead of reshaping Iraq. Now Russia has delivered nuclear fuel to Iran. Just one more reason to invade Iran … maybe even Russia, right Senator! But what about Pakistan, India, Israel, and other regional powder kegs, Senator? They have nukes. Why?

Currently, the United States has a health insurance nightmare, a mortgage crisis, a recession on the way, a receding middle class and expansion of poverty, an overwhelming national debt, a trade crisis, a climate crisis, and more. Take a look around our affluent community of Newtown and you will see evidence of these problems. But Lieberman chooses to support McCain and a misguided war opposed by most Americans and costing us both in the blood of soldiers and civilians and the US treasure of over three trillion dollars. Lieberman has priorities. Our little state has influenced our aggressive Mideast war policy by reelecting Senator Lieberman. He has transitioned from the Democratic VP candidate in 2000 and a Democratic Presidential candidate in 2004 to a self-described (December 17, 2007) “crazy uncle” of the family who comes out with outlandish statements and questionable actions. This may be an accurate self-description, Senator. It is good to know that our “crazy Uncle” Joe is representing Newtown and Connecticut in the United States Senate.

Richard English

3 Curry Drive, Newtown                                          December 18, 2007