Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn seemed to be particularly concerned about not knowing who was taking part in the Arab Coalition. That information is readily available on CNN and MSNBC. I cannot, in good faith, recommend Fox News if facts are important.
While Ms. Blackburn is critical of the way the President is handling the war against the terrorists, she was unable to offer any suggestions.
Perhaps if Congress had remained in session during these critical times, they may have been more fully informed about the planning and execution of the efforts being made to annihilate the terrorists. However, remaining in session would have made it impossible to avoid taking a stand for or against the war. And, perhaps if Congress was not so busy trying to keep their jobs, they would have more time to do their jobs.
Ms. Blackburn, you represent Tennessee. The next time you go on national TV, I encourage you to be better prepared. Unbridled hostility toward the President is simply not enough.
You may want to lend your voice and outrage to the newest failure of the President. He saluted with a coffee cup in his hand demonstrating the complete lack of respect he has for our service men and women. That information will be available to you on Fox News.
Cecilia Lewis
Ooltewah
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I like Rep. Blackburn am confused about what countries comprise Mr. Obama's coalition to fight ISIL or whoever we're fighting but not in a war.
I took your advice, Ms. Lewis, and checked MSNBC's on line articles and found no list, just references to "the coalition."
I found a CNN story with Secretary Kerry claiming a coalition of forty nations and found the following information:
Australia will send some combat aircraft to the United Arab Emirates and provide military advisers to Iraq. France may send some aircraft and ammunition. Canada has provided ammunition and tangible equipment and will send 50 special ops. Germany is said to be sending military aid to the Kurds who are part of the coalition, at least in the minds of the people in Washington.
Then CNN listed Great Britain and the Netherlands as partners but they weren't really doing anything militarily. Turkey and Egypt were on the list as hopefully providing help. Iran was on CNN's lust but they've made it clear they will not be a part.
I had to go the the Guardian to find out that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates provided aircraft and pilots in the bombing campaign.
Adding the nine nations that are actually proving military assistance to the US, that equals 10. The Kurds are not a nation. Hardly a list of 40 nations. It's easy to see how someone could be confused as to who is in the coalition.
You would have better supported your argument, Ms. Lewis, if you had provided the names of the nations. Or were you as confused as the rest of us as to who these other 30 nations are?
Ralph Miller
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Mr. Miller,
A quick check of the State Department website will give you a complete listing of the 50 plus nations participating in the coalition against ISIL. The State Department posted this list last Friday, and any junior Congress person should have the list at hand. Certainly, anyone as vocal as Marsha Blackburn insists on being, would know who is participating.
I counted 54 nations on the list, from Albania, to the United Kingdom, all of which are contributing in some way, or another. You may want to peruse the list yourself, in your free time.
Your implication seemed to be that if the nations didn't have planes in the air, and boots on the ground, their contribution was of no help. I think the United States could use a little monetary assistance in prosecuting this war, as missiles and bombs are not cheap. Therefore, any assistance is welcome. Countries participating in the coalition, such as Moldova, Morocco, Japan, Estonia and Lithuania, may not be able to muster much of a military response, but they are helping.
Rod Dagnan
Chattanooga