Conservative editorial board goes over the top defending war apologist

If you need any more proof of the conservative bias of the media we have the Oakland Press editorial board attacking a liberal organization for pointing out the obvious fact that the Iraq occupation and civil war are immoral.

The editorial page, where conservatives live and rule, said we “should be upset over the outrageous tactics of a group known as MoveOn.org.” after member Bruce Fealk of Rochester Hills said U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, “should urge the U.S. Senate to "vote the right way and atone for his sins as a good Catholic boy." “

I don’t see anything outrageous, unreasonable or offensive about calling on someone’s morals and religion to speak out and try and stop an immoral war. This was a war that was sold to the American people using fear, handpicked evidence and misdirection, and it is an immoral war that has seen the U.S. use and condone torture, incidents of murder and kidnapping and widespread corruption condoned and aided by the Bush White House. Knollenberg is one of the president’s and the war’s biggest supporters and apologists.

This war goes against everything the U.S. stands for and has always made us the good guys. It has also killed more than 4,000 U.S. service members and wounded, some horribly, more than 25,000 service members. No one really knows how many Iraqi civilians have died since the conflict began, but estimates put them in the tens, if not hundreds, of thousands. The United Nations estimates that 35,000 civilians were killed in Iraq during 2006 alone.

Knollenberg is for the war, but apparently against the troops and their well-being. According to the excellent Knollenberg watch blog, “Vote no on JOE,” Knollenberg voted against fully funding the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, guaranteeing them training and appropriate armor; voted to continue awarding contracts to corrupt Halliburton; and opposed expanding access to the military's TRICARE health insurance program to thousands of Reservist and National Guard members who are doing a lion’s share of the fighting and dying in Iraq.

Knollenberg has even refused to even talk or meet with groups like Americans Against Escalation in Iraq or their representatives even as more and more of his constituents join their ranks everyday.

As for the alleged religious reference, where was the Oakland Press when rightwing groups like right to life were urging the Catholic Church to refuse to give Communion to Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2002 and U.S. Sen. John Kerry in 2004 because they did not share their point of view. To me making a statement asking someone to act morally does not compare to actively trying to stop a politician you disagree with from worshiping as they have a right to.

You can also read what Mr. Fealk has to say about his statement at “Vote no on JOE.”