Terrorists pay close attention to Congress, seeking "messages."

[Sparkly]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050720/ap_on_go_co/congres... ;_ylt=AiPZ86QQElaGX.LWyXNfxUWs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3OXIzMDMzBHNlYwM3MDM-

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., author of the Iraq provision, stressed that calls for an early withdrawal were counterproductive to security aims in Iraq.

"Words matter," she said. "Incessant calls for an established date for withdrawal from Iraq have a negative effect. ... Do we want to send a message to the terrorists that their war of attrition is succeeding?"

Democratic revisions suggesting mere "benchmarks" were also rejected. Can't send terrorists that message.
But Guantanamo? That's different. No messages there.

The GOP-controlled House also voted 304-124 to accept another contentious amendment stating that the detention and lawful interrogation of detainees at Guantanamo is essential to the war on terrorism.

Terrorists don't notice "messages" from Guantanamo or Abu Ghraib, ya see. It's just that Democrats are wimpy.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (news, bio, voting record), R-Calif., sponsor of the measure, said those who object to the military's detainee policies at the Cuban base "generally are opposed to a very tough and aggressive and engaged American foreign policy overseas."

(Foreign policy overseas, as opposed to foreign policy here...)

Democrats argued that reports of prisoner abuse at Guantanamo have hurt U.S. efforts to fight terrorism. "It is not at all clear that the symbol that Guantanamo has become has made us more secure," said Rep. Earl Blumenauer (news, bio, voting record), D-Ore.

Shhh, Blunenauer -- don't send that message, it undermines the troops! It provides aid and comfort to the enemy!! Republicans are being reeeeally careful with their "messages!"