August means vacation time for Wyoming and Iraqi lawmakers

It's not really a coincidence that Iraq and U.S. lawmakers are out on vacation during August. The month traditionally is reserved for vacations, a long rest before life gets really serious in September. Entire European cities close up in August, its residents feeling to Mediterranean beaches and alpine chalets. You occasionally see a vanload of French tourists criss-crossing Yellowstone National Park this time of year.

But mostly you see politicians back home glad-handing and back-slapping. Yesterday in Grand Teton National Park, V.P. Dick Cheney motorcaded from his Teton Pines Country Club home to attend a dedication ceremony for the new visitor's center dedicated to the late Wyo. senator, Craig Thomas. He passed a few demonstrators along the way, and reaction to his speech, according to the story in the Casper Star-Tribune, was lukewarm at best. Some in the crowd didn't even applaud and others applauded but remained seated. Horrors! Might have had something to do with the Veep's reputation as Destroyer of Worlds -- and also the fact that park visitors yesterday morning had to pass through tight security screening to get in. Later, at the Teton Pines C.C. entrance at the intersection of U.S. Hwy. 22 and Village Road, some 250 demonstrators gathered to listen to speeches and music by writer Alexandra Fuller, musician Peter Chandler, and Democratic State Rep. Pete Jorgensen.

Acording to a story in New West Jackson Hole, Military veteran Nick Rowley addressed the crowd:

“What you all are doing here is you’re here supporting the troops,” Rowley told the crowd. “We need more of that…As soldiers we make a promise to fight for freedom and we expect to be sent into harm’s way only when necessary and for the right reason.” About the official rationale for going to war, Rowley added, “It’s all based on a lie. The morale (among the troops) is not good. It’s only getting worse and no one is doing anything about it.”

Meanwhile, Rep. Barbara Cubin is tending her ailing husband in Casper. Sen. Mike Enzi will be in Jackson this week and then on to Douglas for the Wyoming State Fair on Aug. 18. He also will be in Cheyenne. Newly minted U.S. Sen. John Barrasso was playing in a Cheyenne bocce ball tournament yesterday and serving as chair of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research. His co-chair was his fiance, who is a breast cancer survivor. Barrasso has jumped right into the fray in D.C., too, voting recently against the bill to fund children's health care. Wonder how a physician can vote against children's health care legislation and then, with a straight face, support breast cancer research? Me too.

Every single one of these Wyoming politicians has been unquestioning in their support of Bush's war in Iraq. As they travel the state, it's good that some people are asking them questions about it.

What does the Iraqi parliament do in August? If they are seeking an escape from the chaos, they can't possibly remain in Iraq. But renting a villa in the south of France might look bad. Maybe they just hunker down at home as their constituents do. I haven't read many stories about this. Have you?