Mother of Army cavalry scout confronts Senator Snowe in Maine: "We need to get out."

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Back Home, More Frustration
By Elizabeth Williamson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 12, 2007; A06

BRUNSWICK, Maine The woman stood waiting amid the lunch counter clatter at the Grand City Variety Store to confront Olympia J. Snowe.

"We need to get out," Stephanie Slocum told Snowe, one of Congress's most conflicted members over the war in Iraq. It was the Maine Republican's first week of her summer break, and Slocum was among the first of many constituents who would tell her the time to act is now.

The self-described "proud mother of an Army cavalry scout," Slocum is taking Iraq personally. She told Snowe in a matter-of-fact voice about her 27-year-old son, who is now home but shouts angrily at her, whose body trembles, who at times feels he is still in Iraq and who, if Congress does not begin to redeploy troops by September, will be sent back. She spoke of her son's leave that never came, the goggles to protect him that she had to buy herself and the mental health treatment he has just given up. Because, he told his mom, "what's the sense" if he has to go back.

"Outrageous," Snowe said of the problems. "I would encourage him to continue to get his care."

"I do, but you know how it is," Slocum said. "In the Army . . . if you get the therapy, it's shame on you."

As she spoke, Slocum's poise slipped, and her voice shook. She was frustrated, most of all, with the failure of Washington to make it end -- and frustrated, too, with Snowe's careful hedging on Iraq. "I think you've changed your position a little bit, and we're very appreciative of that," she told her senator. "But it doesn't seem like whatever we think -- as the majority of people in Maine and across the country -- it doesn't seem to have any impact."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/11/AR2007081100914_pf.html

[MADem]

1. Ya know, when those uncomplaining Mainers take that attitude, it's all over but the shouting.

Olympia needs to get correct or she'll get gone--even though she's admired.