Bloglander

Earlier today in the White House Rose Garden, President Obama announced he has decided the U.S. should use military force against the Syrian government in retaliation for chemical weapons attacks. However, he will wait for Congressional authorization. A vote in Congress most likely won’t happen until lawmakers return to Washington D.C. on Sept. 9.

Members of Congress, including those from Idaho, had told Obama any military action should require approval from Congress. Much of the recent discussion about Syria has focused on that aspect, so lawmakers haven’t yet given much indication about which way they will vote. Many have requested feedback from constituents.

Here’s what local lawmakers have said this week about military action in Syria:

Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

In a statement released Friday, related to an article published Wednesday:

“The use of chemical weapons, as well as conventional weapons, on innocent civilians in Syria is abhorrent and must end. However, as the recent past has taught us, we must be exceedingly cautious in making any decision that holds the possibility of entangling our nation in a long, drawn-out conflict.”

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Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)

In a Tacoma News Tribune article published Wednesday:

“Senator Cantwell has serious questions about the strategic goals of a military strike in Syria and possible outcomes,” the statement said. “She looks forward to hearing more from the Obama administration on its strategy to promote a stable Syria and avoid open-ended involvement in an escalated regional conflict.”

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Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)

Posted on Facebook on Friday:

“As the crisis continues in Syria, should the President determine military action is necessary, he needs to respect the Constitution and recognize the authority for action in Syria must come from Congress. The violation of human rights and loss of life is horrendous, yet the President must make his case to Congress and the American people before launching any military strike. Keep calling my office to let me know your thoughts.”

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Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID)

Posted on Facebook on Wednesday:

“Many of you are asking my thoughts on Syria. Syria is a difficult and tragic situation and one that I continue to monitor. U.S. involvement in Syria must be consistent with protecting our national security interests. It is paramount that the President engage in a full dialogue with the American people and with Congress before taking any action.”

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Sen. James Risch (R-ID)

In a Friday interview with the Idaho Statesman, Risch questioned the long-term consequences and whether it was America’s responsibility to interfere:

“We shouldn’t just be attacking to be punitive,” Risch said in a telephone interview Friday. “I have real reservations about this. . . .What concerns me the most is where are we going with this?”

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Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID)

In a newsletter statement dated Friday:

“…it is imperative that President Obama consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military forces against Syria. The president should not be under any illusion that Congress will be silent should he move forward without our consent. When it comes to the power to declare war, Congress’ rights, and the president’s responsibilities, are not open to interpretation; they are established facts. What’s at stake here isn’t the wisdom of going to war with Syria – that is a debate that can and should take place – it’s the question of whether the president will follow the Constitution and whether the Congress will demand that he follow it.”

The newsletter statement concludes:

“President Obama has yet to make a credible case for action in Syria.   The United States – as a free people – should be eternally vigilant against threats to our liberty, both foreign and domestic.  But we must do so after robust debate in Congress about the appropriateness of action in Syria and a vote for or against authorization.”

Thank's for always helping out us local artist's, and making us feel
welcome. It hurts that Spokane has nothing to actually help most of its
artists whether it be band's, painter's or dj's. But the Hop is very much
loved by all who know it, and the efforts of all involved are very much
appreciated.

Seriously?! Leave if we offend you so much. Pretentious b*****s like you
are why I don't live in a more cosmopolitan city anymore. You take stupid
things like clothing labels and make them the defining characteristics of
what you think a persons worth is. Go away.

WOW. I am in awe of the vapid and waspish sediment you shared of
your 'view' of Spokane. Let's have a little history lesson, shall we?
Spokane, is known as the INLAND EMPIRE, was and still is a major hub for
Western Montana, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Washington. Having stated
that, let's think on our major industries of this area, if you said
farming! You are right! Most people work and work hard for their money, and
see spending hard earned money on a pair of Louboutians a joke. A thousand
dollars for a pair of shoes, let's pass a reality check on you, if you can
afford that good for you, most of your neighbors can't. Nor would they want
to, because, see, another thing about your neighbors? They are too busy
enjoying the varied and active outdoor life our part of the world offers,
instead of absorbing the latest Vogue cover to cover. So to criticize
Nordstrom's for doing the smart business model and selling to their target
customers is silly, they are in business to make money, not cater to your
every whim. As far as name dropping, again, I am sorry- if you feel you
just simply cannot pop downtown for a 'fix' there is this marvelous thing
called the internet- shop your little heart out. Finally, as far as the
homeless in Coastal cities being much more presentable, please see first
paragraph, sorry- We work here, we don't take handouts or hand me downs.
When people of means dump their closets in the name of charity, just to go
on a consumerist binge at their Mall du jour. So, let me offer this helpful
tip: If you are craving high fashion, urban excitement, and restaurants
that fit your caliber? Might I suggest packing your crap and hauling your
butt about 2,573.6 miles east, you will run to all the culture you can
stomach, and Spokane, will still go along on its happy way, all the more
happy to lose another ill fitting, off the rack, carbon copy Glamazon.
Signed-Spokandylander

Cheers to the greatest woman in the world my wife of 32 years! Mary Sharon.
Thanks for sticking by me thick and thin baby. Will love you always. Hubby

RE: Perplexed Here's a little free advise for you and your
Louboutins.....MOVE! I am perplexed why what others wear bothers you so
much. Not everyone has money to burn on useless, overpriced clothing like
you. What the hell is a Louboutin anyway? Wait... I don't care.

Who bemoans the scarcity of Wang and Saint Laurent fashions on Spokane
bodies - you're joking, right? Or maybe your Jeers is part of an undergrad
sociology class project? To prevent the young and impressionable from
thinking you're authentic, here goes: Spokane is not a third world country,
but it's not a sister city of Beverly Hills. It is part of mainstream USA.
Spokane's median household income is nearly one-third less than the state
level, and nearly one-fourth less than the national. Spokane shoppers might
love Louboutin shoes, but a typical pair costs well more than a month's
rent. Such 'self-expression' just doesn't mesh with more frequent choices
facing people, like: 'should I get that tooth fixed, get the car its badly
needed tune-up, or treat myself to a new pair of glasses not held together
by duct tape? I'll buy up as many Wang and Chloe items I can find - just as
soon as they hit the racks at Goodwill, 'kay, sweetie? Have you ever
considered spending a year or two in the Peace Corps? I promise you'd come
back no longer 'simply perplexed' about all tacky clothes assaulting your
vision here. (Your view that female downtown shoppers don't dress well
enough to 'make their husbands want them' is bizarre in too many ways to
even address. BTW, what do you do for a living? Our younger population
could use practical job advice).

Big Jeers to Spokane in general. This is an up and coming city with many
benefits but we are stuck in a Redneck, Racist, Good Ol' Boy, It's Not What
You Know But Who You Know society. If we don't pull our heads out of our
asses we might as well pick up the whole pile of dung we have created and
move to the west side. Seattle/Tacoma area does not need another useless
joke of a city. Clean it up Inland folk. If you want Olympia to take us
seriously than we need to mature the hell up! I didn't go to Gonzaga so I
hope this story gets some ink.

This is to the man who bashed in my car window to steal a small black nylon
bag. As you found out, it contained three plastic containers that had been
used to feed some stray cats. I hope you enjoyed licking out what was left.
(It was Friskies Ocean Whitefish & Tuna--YUM!) The next time you're hungry,
just leave me a note and I'll put out a big can of dog food for you. (I'll
even throw in a spoon.) And by the way genius, you left your fingerprints,
so you can expect a visit from the police very soon.

To those who do not tend their kids; I came back from Hawaii and I read the
two Jeers on parenting. One was a mother of a "Special Needs" child. First
of all, I am a "Special Needs" child and there is nothing wrong with
saying "Special Needs". I've grown up now and I understand that if your
child meets medical standards they tend to call them "Normal." The person
in this article about parents not tending to thier kids was not complaining
about the kids crying. I believe that they were complaining about Mr and
Mrs. "Don't give a damn" who are too busy with their phones or shoving food
in their faces or playing games, that they do not tend to the child.
As "Decent Human Beings" shouldn't we worry about the child? I know kids of
all kinds can run the emotional gammit in minutes, that's not the issue,
the issue is inattentive parents. As to the lady at Winco, yes we shouldn't
rush to judgement, but there is a huge difference between telling a
child "Please be quiet", and "Don't use yourr immagination or I'll take
your toy." A child's immagination is like an arm or a leg. The child must
use the immagination until they acquire experiences all by themselves. Like
Stewie from "Family Guy" thinking that the park was dangerous at night
because a lion and robot fight each other. He won't know why people say
that until he gets his own experience. Let's be a great community and
attend to the kids.