Clinton, Obama, and Cluster Bombs

If you're a friend of mine, or a fan of "Get Your War On," you probably know how important the issue of cluster bombs and landmines is to me.

It was America's use of cluster bombs during Operation: Enduring Freedom that led me to start GYWO seven(!) years ago this fall, and it has been my pleasure and my honor to donate the royalties from the two GYWO anthologies to Mine Detection & Dog Center Team #5, a landmine removal team in western Afghanistan.

If you ever attended a GYWO reading, you probably sat through my video of landmine removal teams in the field, or listened to me read off statistics about that dangerous mission, or indulged me by taking an informational flyer about MDC Team #5 and the sacred work they do.

(If you bought one of the GYWO books, you've helped that work, and I thank you.)

Cluster bombs and landmines are particularly terrifying weapons that wreak havoc on communities trying to recover from war. They are fatal impediments to reconstruction and rehabilitation of agricultural land; they destroy valuable livestock; they disable otherwise productive members of society; they maim or kill children trying to salvage them for scrap metal.

Over 150 nations have signed the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty. It pains me that our great nation has not. But in the autumn of 2006, there was a chance to take a step in the right direction: Senate Amendment No. 4882, an amendment to a Pentagon appropriations bill that would have banned the use of cluster bombs in civilian areas.

Senator Obama of Illinois voted IN FAVOR of the ban.

Senator Clinton of New York voted AGAINST the ban.

Analysts say Clinton did not want to risk appearing "soft on terror," as it would have harmed her electibility.

I'm not a single-issue voter. But as Obama and Clinton share many policy positions, this vote was revelatory for me. After all, Amendment No. 4882 was an easy one to vote against: Who'd want to risk accusation of "tying the hands of the Pentagon" during a never-ending, global War on Terror? As is so often the case, there was no political cost to doing the wrong thing. And there was no political reward for doing the right thing.

But Senator Obama did the right thing.

Is Senator Obama perfect? Of course not. Nobody who voted for 2005's wack-ass energy bill is perfect. Nobody who voted to reauthorize the Patriot Act is perfect.

But of the two remaining Democratic candidates, one decided her vote on Amendment No. 4882 according to a political calculation. The other used a moral calculation.

I'm 35 years old, and over the years, I've had two experiences in the voting booth: I've voted for politicians I really respected, who I knew could never win. And I've voted for politicians I didn't really respect, because I knew they could win.

Tomorrow, I'm going to vote for a politician I really respect, who I know can win.

Comments

[resonate]

Cluster bombs and disgusting and this just solidifies even more why Im voting OBAMA 08 all the way! A real change for once.

[moda31]

i fear for anyone who doesn't find this disconcerting(to put it mildly) but of course this isn't the kind of thing that gets a lot of media attention. i guess hillary wasn't dedicated to fighting for children on this issue.

[facingeast]

I agree! I didn't know about this vote on cluster bombs , but the way HRC voted fits my image of her precisely. We have a real gem in Obama. Let's make it happen.

[Ides]

I've been preaching this to the masses for as long as I could and people here have absolutely ignored me. Good to see someone with a stronger voice than me bring this up.

[mouselion]

The fact that the U.S. STILL hasn't outlawed its own use of land mines is absolutely outrageously shameful.

It breaks my heart that we are so rich and powerful as a nation, yet total Neanderthal bone-heads.

Criminally negligent. Morally bankrupt.

[katemadison]

Obama is not perfect...­....but he's awfully darn good.

[Sundialsvc4]

There is no single issue that drives my concern, and no "savior" to whom I look for political salvation. The truth that has been expressed for the last seven long years about these very same people cannot be expunged from the public record, and will remain as an affront to those who bother to look at places like http://thomas.loc.gov, where the Congressional Record is kept.

Whether you call it "cluster bombs" (vs. "mines") or "interrogation" (vs. "torture") or "bunker busters" (vs. "nukes") ... the damnation comes from the simple fact that we are being asked to draw a distinction among words -- and to ignore the horrible thing that faces us regardless of whatever word we pick.

Our country is bankrupt and ruined, in all the ways that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower strove to warn us about, forty-seven years ago last month. We are no longer a strong and righteous nation but a pitiful, bankrupt vassal waiting to be dragged into future greater doom as though by a ring through our noses... while our leaders run their fingers through piles of leprechaun gold.

And not a single leader who strives to grasp the Ring of Power for himself or herself -- and not a single Member of Congress or candidate -- has any devisings whatsoever to alter this doom to the slightest degree.

This is what we face.

[deb813]

Thank you for your opinion. I did not need it as being a constituent of Hillary Clinton I am acutely aware of why she makes every vote she makes. She is the most calculatingly, transparent political animal ever. She will say and do anything to win votes. Include vote for abysmal bills that cost people their lives just to look strong on defense.

I am an Obama supporter who was inspired and who educated myself on what he stands for and his plans for the country and I will have no problem voting for him tomorrow in my primary.

[senadovie]

Hmm. Now that Edwards isn't running, I need to study Clinton's and Obama's voting records and policy papers. This post gives the early lead in my voting decision to Obama. Still, I need to find out how many "Present"s he recorded in Senate voting, and why.

[Europeanview]

Thank you very much for your post. I linked to here from The Zoo.

[Leo]

Clinton casting a vote based on political expediency? What a surprise.

[vsign]

O Obama is building a constituency in the democratic party who he will pander to - rich white women, black americans and our youth.

Why not let it happen? We welcome new voters.

A person who masquarades himself this much and affects our youth this much has too much power NOW!

"Young people unite and do away with the old people! Tear down the bridge to the past and follow me! I will deliver the power to you, you so deserve. "

Who said this?

I don't think voters should give political power to a person masquarading as a religious leader. Isn't that what voters did on the other side in 2000 and 2004? Isn't the result the same? Too much power in the presidency. Too much "hubris".

[MajorKong]

Once you plant a mine, it has no friends. They remain deadly to friend and foe for many years after the war is over.

[RationalDem]

Thank you for your post...I imagine it will help some voters make up their minds.

[WomanInOrangeSweater]

As someone who has been undecided since Edwards dropped out, this is the first thing I've seen in any media that actually helps me with the choice I face tomorrow. Thank you.