[From the diaries by susanhu.]

Since the run up to the War in Iraq, right-wing conservatives have sought to use a new McCarthyism to silence debate on the most important issues faced by the United States.  Leaders who challenge the flawed policies of the administration are labeled as cowards or as unpatriotic sympathizers with terrorists.  Operation Yellow Feather is a grass roots effort to tell Republican “chicken hawks” that we will not tolerate their “Red Scare” tactics.

Last week, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania) stated his public position that the U.S. troops in Iraq should be redeployed outside Iraq in a manner consistent with their own safety.  Rep. Murtha is a brave and distinguished man.  He left college to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.  He gave lengthy service as a Marine, rising through the ranks to become a Colonel.  He again volunteered for service in Vietnam.  He was a decorated veteran, receiving the Bronze Star for Combat, two Purple Hearts, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the Navy Distinguished Service Medal.
In a effort to blunt the effect of Murtha’s serious call for a withdrawal of the troops, Republicans hurriedly offered a sham Bill on the issue that had almost no support.  During debate on the issue, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), a freshman Rep., called Murtha a coward:

A few minutes ago I received a call from Colonel Danny Bubp, Ohio Representative from the 88th district in the House of Representatives. He asked me to send Congress a message: Stay the course. He also asked me to send Congressman Murtha a message, that cowards cut and run, Marines never do.

Schmidt’s comments were heckled on the floor of our Congress, and she was forced to withdraw them from the record.  But she and state Rep. Bubp deserve to know that we were watching, and that we won’t stand for neo-McCarthyism, where heroic opponents of this flawed war are discredited as cowards and traitors.

You can help.  Please print off one of the protest forms below and send them to the offices of Rep. Schmidt and Rep. Bubp.  Take the time to write a personalized note on your form, explaining that the “chicken hawk” tactics of the Republican party will not be tolerated.  Let’s bury their offices with “chicken hawk” feathers, so that the next time they feel like squawking in public, they will remember that we are watching them.

Here are the forms:

Lost Your Chicken Hawk Feather?
The Chicken Hawk Unit Patch
The Classic Yellow Feather (Make sure to explain)
The Ugly Chicken Hawk  (Fill in the voice bubble)

Send your forms to:

Rep. Jean Schmidt
8044 Montgomery Rd. Suite 540
Cincinnati, OH 45236

Rep. Danny Bubp
77 S. High St
11th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Oh.  And I’m sure they would love a rushed fax copy, if you have the time.

Jean says fax her for news about coffee at this number (513) 791-1696 (I am quite sure she would like “chicken hawk” news at this number as well).

Danny can be faxed at his office:  (614) 644-9494.  Let him know that he could still volunteer for war duty — Rep. Murtha did.

If, after sending the forms and faxes, you’re still feeling like you’d like to do more, contact your local media and let them know about this protest.  And if you live anywhere near Jean or Danny’s offices, by all means, try to stop by and deliver your “chicken hawk” form.  Let them know in person how much you dislike their McCarthyite tactics.

You are welcome to share this information far and wide on the Internet.  In fact, we hope you do so.  We hope to keep these lovely people warm with piles of “chicken hawk” feathers.  It is getting awfully cold for Republicans in Ohio about now.

Thanks to the New Hampshire Gazette at nhgazette.com for the Chicken Hawk Unit Patch, and all the folks at the Booman Tribune for the cooperative effort.  Let Operation Yellow Feather commence.