By David Swanson
Last June, Congressman Tom Perriello wanted to vote against war funding, because — much as he loves wars — he opposed the IMF bailout attached to it. So, the White House and the Democratic Party gave him a choice. He could vote No and be cut out of the family, “dead to us.” Or he could vote Yes and nice things would happen. Perriello voted yes, and the Party bought radio ads to promote him. Van Jones, then a White House employee, came down to Charlottesville to do a press event with Perriello announcing nothing at all. Steny Hoyer, then and now Majority Leader in the House, came down to do a press event with Perriello to announce nothing at all.
And here we are again. Another off-the-books “emergency” war supplemental spending bill: this one to escalate the war in Afghanistan. And the Democrats are attaching so much good stuff to it that the Republicans may all vote No. But then there could be Democrats who also want to vote against the good things or against the war escalation or both. What to do? Here’s a possible clue:
The Secretary of Agriculture Has Just Scheduled a (Virtual) Event With Perriello:
Telephone Town Hall Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Argiculture Tom Vilsack
Date: Thursday, June 17, 2010
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Dial toll-free: (877) 229-8493; Access Code: 14581#
Description: This recession has hit everyone hard, but especially our small towns and rural communities. That’s why I’ve fought for economic development in our rural areas, expanded support for rural hospitals, and supported our agriculture and forestry industries in Virginia.Because rural areas face unique challenges and offer unique opportunities, I would like to invite you to participate in a free telephone town hall with me and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack this Thursday, June 17, from 6:50 pm -7:50 pm.
Sec. Vilsack and I will be available to answer any questions, hear any concerns, and receive any ideas that you may have. The call is completely free and you can join in at any point during the hour. We plan to discuss issues of importance to our rural communities such as the promotion of the agriculture and forestry industries, economic development, and access to health and dental care.
Again, I hope that you will join Secretary Vilsack and me for this free telephone town hall meeting so that we can hear what is important to you as we continue to promote healthy and vibrant rural communities. All the details are below and I look forward to hearing from you on Thursday.
What: Telephone Town Hall with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
When: Thursday, June 17 from 6:50—7:50 pm.
How: Dial toll-free (877) 229-8493 and enter access code 14581#.
Who: All constituents are encouraged to call in to listen, ask a question, or share a concern.
This could mean nothing other than ongoing good standing. Perriello is not necessarily a made man in this mafia yet. But there are grounds for suspicion.
Will anyone ask Perriello about his relationship with the White House and the Party?
Ha! No reporter in VA-05 will even ask him how he plans to vote on the war escalation funding.