One Utah

I have always had an in ordinate amount of respect for Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. Despite being a Republican, Mark has shown tremendous backbone in supporting progressive causes including equality for the GLTB community, youth programs, education, and a “normal” interpretation of law. Mark is the only Republican I have ever voted for, and I will do it again because “I know” his heart is better than it was today.

But I was surprised and disappointed by his comments today in his speech to the small Pro-Bush crowd at Liberty Park.

After confirming Mayor Rocky Anderson’s right to free speech, he very disingenuously suggested that Rocky’s anti-Iraq war/Bush speech was disrespectful and inappropriate in view of the coincidence with the funeral of a Utah Marine. He also used the word “stupid” to describe Rocky’s decision to speak out about the Bush’s lying us into this war and Rocky’s demand for the truth.

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff knows better. By calling Rocky’s actions stupid, he is calling me stupid and the THOUSANDS of us who cheered Rocky today for his courage, stupid. Mark knows well that we protest this war BECAUSE we support the troops.
If you disagree with this war, if you disagree with the reasons for which US Marine Adam Galvez died, if you SUPPORT the troops risking their lives in an unjust and illegal war, then Rocky’s speech and words are more appropriate than silence.

We are losing almost TWO soldiers per day in this war. Per Mark Shurtleff’s remarks, we should all just shut up and morn the dead. I personally, can’t think of anything less patriotic.

Mark Shurtleff needs to apologize or Mark Shurtleff needs to announce his support for this war despite the lies. And it is hard not to notice that he did not.

Mark Shurtleff DID NOT announce his support for the war in Iraq because while Mark Shurtleff is a politician, Mark Shurtleff is not stupid.

Mark Shurtleff is between a rock and a hard place…his conscience and Utah.

This entry was posted Wednesday, August 30th, 2006 at 6:40 pm and is filed under National Politics, Republicans, Rocky, SLC Politics, Utah Politics, War. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.