Jim McDermott at his finest

Jim McDermott D - Seattle voted against the following:

BILL TITLE: Condemning the recent attacks against the State of Israel, holding terrorists and their state-sponsors accountable for such attacks, supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and for other purposes

Official statement from Congressman McDermott's office is now listed below.

Well here is an audio file of the Congressman on the Bryan Suits radio show a couple of years ago, just before the start of Iraq War ver.2.0

This audio recording, about 24 minutes shows Congressman McDermott razor sharp mind in action as he refers to the United States of America as "they", 21:35 in. Almost as shocking is the fact that the Congressman would go on a major Seattle radio station, one of only two in the city that is seen as having a conservative tilt, walking into enemy territory, and clearly he has no idea who the radio host is when he asks 38 year old Lt. Suits if he was in Vietnam, 12:45 in. The first time I listened, I literally said, "I think he was drunk". It really starts heating up around 9 minutes in when Bryan Suits asks if the Congressmen is a "Vietnam War Veteran".

UPDATE:
Here is the official statement from Congressman McDermott's office:

Rep. Jim McDermott (Wa-D)

Statement

House Resolution 921

July 20, 2006

Mr. Speaker,

It was with unwavering support for Israel, its safety, security and right to exist, that I cast a vote today against House Resolution 921. Hezbollah, not Israel, started this conflict with an ambush, and Israel has every right to defend itself. There is no doubt about that. Nor is there any doubt anywhere about America’s deep and abiding commitment to Israel.

A resolution in the House of Representatives will not change what the world already knows, but it might encourage what the world already fears: a wider war with greater casualties, undermining fragile but crucial support for Israel among Arab nations, and further endangering Israel and other innocent civilians across the region.

I am especially troubled by the fact that H.Res 921 goes far beyond reaffirming our unwavering commitment to Israel by declaring unlimited support for potential military action anywhere in the region. The resolution says we: “support Israel’s right to take appropriate action to defend itself, including to conduct operations both in Israel and in the territory of nations which pose a threat to it.” (emphasis added)

This raises the ominous prospect that the House has given the Administration a pre-recorded vote to support any action, at any time. Could that include a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities? The resolution is a blank check, and we know that policy has failed in Iraq, and has only incubated further violence and terrorism.

No one can for one moment accept rockets in Haifa, Nazareth, or anywhere in Israel. But demanding that the Lebanese government rein in Hezbollah while bombs rain down on a variety of targets, some civilian is not the answer.

Widening the war will inflame tensions, increase casualties and decrease any prospect for a permanent peace. The United States can best support Israel and the Arab world by vigorously pursuing an end to the violence, the resumption of a peace process and a commitment to unite the region to isolate terrorist groups and all who oppose a just and lasting peace for all people.

Thank you.