SanFranGate

Lone dissenter in House war vote is Oakland's Lee

Edward Epstein, Chronicle Washington Bureau Saturday, September 15, 2001

Washington -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, the only member of Congress to vote yesterday against giving President Bush the ability to wage war on international terrorism, said her "moral compass" guided her decision.

"However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint," said Lee, whose district includes Oakland and Berkeley.

"I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States," Lee said during the House's five-hour debate on the war resolution.

Lee, who was elected in 1998 to succeed Democratic Rep. Ron Dellums, the district's longtime anti-war congressman, has opposed U.S. military action before. In March 1999, she was the only House member to vote against a resolution supporting U.S. troops involved in the bombing of Serbia.

Tuesday's attacks "forced me to rely on my moral compass, my conscience and my God for direction," she said yesterday.

Instead of military action, the Bush administration should fight terrorism through improving intelligence, sharpening domestic security, and arresting and trying those behind the attacks, Lee said.

"Do we know where military action will focus? How many countries will end up being involved?" she asked. "It could spin out of control."

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2001

Answers

And wasn't UC at Berkley the college that cheered about the bombings?

-- Anonymous, September 15, 2001

Did it? Bastards.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

I think you are referring to the bombing of Serbia?

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

No, I read an article in the past few days about students at UC berkley cheering after the plane crashes into the WTC. I have read so much, I can't remember where - maybe something on Lucianne?? It pissed me off so badly that these idiot students have no concept of what our country stands for.

Sorry about the reference to bombings - it just seems like we were bombed.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

NYPost

WHY POL CAST HER 'NO' VOTE

By BRIAN BLOMQUIST

September 16, 2001 -- WASHINGTON - The lone congresswoman to oppose the $40 billion aid package and resolution allowing President Bush to use force against terrorists is no stranger to being out on her own limb.

Rep. Barbara Lee, a liberal Democrat from Berkeley, Calif., was the only member of Congress two years ago to vote against supporting the troops in Serbia and Kosovo.

Following a unanimous vote in the Senate, the House late Thursday voted 420-1 to give Bush the green light to use "all necessary and appropriate force" against the terrorists, as well as any government harboring them.

Lee was the sole dissenter.

"However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint," she said.

"Let's step back for a moment and think through the implications of our action today so that it does not spiral out of control."

Before getting elected in 1998, the 55-year-old African-American former social worker was a congressional staffer to the dovish House Armed Services Chairman Ron Dellums, a Democrat who came from the same congressional district.

That district is overwhelmingly liberal and unlikely to punish Lee for her controversial votes against military action.

In the last election, Bush nearly finished third in the district behind Green Party candidate Ralph Nader. Nader got 9 percent of the vote, Bush had 12 percent, and Democrat Al Gore won 79 percent.

Lee's staff didn't return calls yesterday to explain her latest vote. But after her 1999 vote against supporting the troops, she said she was "surprised" at being the only dissenter.

"Being the only 'no' vote is troubling. It's staggering. You wonder if there's something you've missed . . . I believe in peace. I've been a peace activist all my life," she said.

"I believe the way we resolve conflict is not through military action and bombing."

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001