shame·less (adjective) – characterized by or showing a lack of shame
I’m used to seeing Republicans shamelessly exploiting tragedies to advance their political agendas and to raise money but it was still a shock when I learned that Terri Lynn Land, the former Republican Secretary of State from Michigan, is attempting to raise money off of the tragic events unfolding in Syria. Just days after we learn that our government has confirmed that the Syrian government murdered hundreds of its own people (including children) with toxic nerve gas, Land sent out a fundraising letter that exploits this human suffering to advance her campaign against Democratic Congressman Gary Peters.
A Republican Senate candidate in Michigan, Terri Lynn Land, sent a fundraising email Thursday telling conservatives to “stand up to the president” on Syria — an unusually partisan solicitation on an issue of national security that has divided the right.“The president has failed to show how this internal conflict in Syria affects our national security, and his proposed military strategy has proved ineffective in the past,” she writes.
The email asks supporters to sign a petition urging her undecided Democratic rival, Rep. Gary Peters, to join her and vote “no.” At the end is a red “DONATE NOW!” button.
Reasonable people can disagree on our path forward with regard to Syria and its use of chemical weapons on its own citizens. Republicans, as the article points out, disagree on this. Land herself didn’t come to a position on it until late last week and Gary Peters is still considering the evidence and listening to input from his staff, military experts, and his constituents.
I myself am truly ambivalent about it in the truest sense of the word. However, what I do know is this: it’s a decision not to be made lightly and not to be made without great deliberation and thoughtfulness. Land’s exploitation of this human tragedy caused by evil men is shameless beyond measure.
Terri Lynn Land is currently unemployed, at least in government. She has much less information about this issue than Congressman Gary Peters does and is certainly far less informed that the President of the United States. Her position as a member of the Republican National Committee affords her no better insight into this situation than you or me or any other ordinary citizen.
This is nothing more than a crass attempt to raise money from a tragedy for which there truly are no good responses or solutions. Land owes Michiganders an apology for politicizing it for her own personal gain. Michiganders should think long and hard about whether this woman has the wisdom, good judgement, and political chops to be a member of the United States Senate.
Based on what I have seen so far, she absolutely does not.
