Republicans Hand Down Order on Debating Iraq: “Don’t Mention, You Know, Iraq”

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The House of Representatives has begun debating the Democrats’ Iraq War resolution that expresses disapproval of the president’s troop increase. Republican leadership has handed down an edict on how all good GOPers are to behave.

We know this because Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-MD) office somehow got a letter from Reps. John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) to their Republican colleages entitled “Iraq Resolution Debate, Their Terms or Ours?” I’ve excerpted below. Via ThinkProgress:

“The debate should not be about the surge or its details. This debate should not even be about the Iraq war to date, mistakes that have been made, or whether we can, or cannot, win militarily. If we let Democrats force us into a debate on the surge or the current situation in Iraq, we lose.”

“Rather, the debate must be about the global threat of the radical Islamic movement.”

There’s more on this “global threat” — enough to make Muslims around the world think we’re fighting a war against them, even — and a jab at the “liberal mainstream media.” Read the full letter in pdf format here.

Update: Democratic talking points here.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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