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Monday, September 09, 2002
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A Word from Joe:
OLD FASHION DEBATE GOOD FOR THIS CONGRESSIONAL RACE!
What we need is good old fashion debate on the issues of the day. I was pleased to join my opponent, Mike Rogers for a live, televised debate on Tuesday night at Jacksonville State University. The debate was sponsored by the Anniston Star, JSU and TV 24.
The debate gave us both a chance to face the camera and the voters and plead our case as to why we want to represent them in Congress. I feel good about my performance and give Mike credit for a good debate as well. Issues need the light of day. Voters need more than commercials and slick mail. Voters need to 'kick the tires' and 'check under the hood' before selecting a candidate.
I am ready for more debates. We need at least several more debates so we can talk about all the issues and our plan to help our people in East Alabama. Let's keep talking and telling our story. We have much momentum after this debate. Passion, heart and being wise about the issues affecting our nation is winning over name dropping, special interest bosses and partisan agendas. Keep the debate going. Thanks for your support!
SEEK THE CONSENT OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE WILL OF CONGRESS BEFORE INVADING IRAQ
As our country readies itself for a war with Iraq, it is imperative that the President and his cabinet confront the American people and Congress to fully inform us about the missions, costs and exit strategies associated with military action.
Saddam needs to go. He is a threat to the whole civilized world. He has hurt his own people and rules with terror, not democracy. His actions threaten peaceful nations and people. Acts of terror cannot be tolerated. I fully support his ouster and and civil, democratic rule in Iraq.
How do we proceed? Over 3,000 Alabamians and 62 Guard and Reserve Units are on active duty. Many active military personnel from Alabama are deployed in the war on terror. I support the troops and will fight to see that they have what they need to succeed and return home safely.
There is a process and a debate that needs to take place before commiting this nation to protracted war in the Middle East. It begins with assessing the threats, risks associated with geo-political instability in the region. Most importantly, is the cost to our own nation. American soldiers are the best in the world. They are ready to go and succeed on any mission given to them. Let's not compromise their safety, mission, or certainty of return by forfeiting a chance to get full cooperation of the American people, our international allies, and Congress, before massive troop commitments are made to this war.
When America commits, let us commit! Let's be 'One America', but we must be together. Let's have a real debate now on the appropriate use of force, the duration of occcupation, the financial cost and the consequences to our actions to world stability. But let's put America First. This land is our land and our interests must be defined and defended.
Let us all pray for peace in our world and in our land. Let us pray for the leaders of our nation as they deal with matters at hand. May God Bless America!
