#47Traitors or #47Patriots ?

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Almost immediately when word broke about Tom Cotton and the 46 other Senators signing a letter to clarify U.S. law to Iran a hashtag began to circulate:  #47Traitors.  However, it may have been more appropriate to have used the hashtag in this format: #47Patriots.  Since Cotton and his group did nothing different, despite what Bidden says, that others have done in the past.  In fact Cotton and his group is right so why should we call them traitors?  The word "Traitor" implies that these Senators have turned against America, when in fact they have only clarified American law to a regime that has broken just about every International Law there is in the last thirty plus years.   The fact is the word "Traitor" is harsh, wrong, and outright slander against these Senators.

First, let's look a little at history - a history that Joe Bidden seems to forget - the fact is Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen, and even former Presidents have been going behind the backs of current Presidents to talk with foreign countries for years.  It's nothing new folks - by the way, where were all the "#traitors" during these times?  Here's a brief rundown of when our Democrat friends have gone behind the President to talk to foreign countries:

Senators John Sparkman (D-AL) and George McGovern (D-SD). The two Senators visited Cuba and met with government actors there in 1975. They said that they did not act on behalf of the United States, so the State Department ignored their activity.

Senator Teddy Kennedy (D-MA). In 1983, Teddy Kennedy sent emissaries to the Soviets to undermine Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy.
 
House Speaker Jim Wright (D-TX). In 1984, 10 Democrats sent a letter to Daniel Ortega Saavedra, the head of the military dictatorship in Nicaragua, praising Saavedra for “taking steps to open up the political process in your country.”  

Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Kerry jumped into the pro-Sandanista pool himself in 1985, when he traveled to Nicaragua to negotiate with the regime. 

Representatives Jim McDermott (D-WA), David Bonior (D-MI), and Mike Thompson (D-CA). In 2002, the three Congressmen visited Baghdad to play defense for Saddam Hussein’s regime. There, McDermott laid the groundwork for the Democratic Party’s later rip on President George W. Bush, stating, “the president of the United States will lie to the American people in order to get us into this war.” McDermott, along with his colleagues, suggested that the American administration give the Iraqi regime “due process” and “take the Iraqis on their face value.”  (Citation)

Nancy Pelosi went to talk to Syri behind President Bush's back even provoking then Vice-President Dick Cheney to claim she did not have the right to negotiate with foreign countries (sound familiar?) (Citation)

Hmmm... so we can see that what Cotton did is nothing new.  Whether you agree with Cotton and the forty-six others is beside the point because both parties have participated in these actions in the past.  So, to use a #47Traitors is a little to harsh- especially when we have a current Secretary of State who has done the same thing (see Kerry's name above) when he was serving.

Now the bottom line - what Cotton said is true.  Any agreement that the President makes with Iran must be approved by Congress.  If that agreement is not approved by Congress, then it becomes nothing more than an "Executive Order".  As we know from much debate, Executive Orders can be overturned by the next President.  In fact, Executive Orders can be overturned by the President who issued it.   Iran's claim that if the President makes an agreement the United States must honor it based on International Law is simply....for a lack of a better word....stupid.  In the first place, the United States Constitution must be upheld first and foremost before International Law.  As stated above, the President's agreement must be approved by Congress.  If it is approved by Congress, then sure, the United States will honor the agreement - but really - we are going to sit back and be lectured on International Law by Iran?   The Iranian government has broken more international laws in thirty years plus than any other country on the face of the planet.  The only thing the Iranians should be experts on regarding International Law is their ability to dodge it, go around it, or outright break it.

The bottom line - Good job Senator Cotton- You and your forty-six fellow senators are simply saying what Americans have been saying all along.  It's time for someone to listen to the people who elected them for a change and that's something that many in Washington forget soon after they arrive.....Cotton on the other hand is a different kind of senator and a different kind of leader.   Cotton is listening to the people not only in Arkansas, but he's listening to them around the nation.  WE don't want a nuclear Iran.  We don't want our allies in harm's way and we don't want the United States in harms way.  I sleep better at night, feel better for my children's future, and feel better for America's future knowing there is someone in Washington fighting the fight we sent him there to fight.  No, the forty-seven are not traitors by any stretch of the imagination.  In fact they are #47Patriots standing up for the people of our country and clarifying that this President can not make deals that are binding without Congress' approval.  Those in Washington may have just found out that walking in "Tall" Cotton is hard to do when the people back home support him.

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