Lincoln Davis calls war ‘perfectly complete victory’
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“The war was as complete and as perfectly conducted as any war in the history of man,” said Davis during a Democratic fund-raiser Saturday night at Bobby Ray Elementary. “The question now is can we establish democracy in Iraq? It’s going to be difficult, but we’ve got to try. We’re there and we’ve conquered. We’ve got to try it.”
The war also gave Davis an opportunity to comment about the ongoing battle concerning patriotism. He says it’s simply not fair – or accurate – to classify a person as un-American if that person questions decisions made by President Bush.
“It’s not right in America is someone speaks out on an issue and the other side calls them unpatriotic,” said Davis. “If I question things the president does, it doesn’t mean I’m not patriotic.”
Davis said the war received his full-hearted support when the United States attacked Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction. But he said it was curious how our goals shifted midway through the war from finding weapons of mass destruction to liberating the people of Iraq. Davis said he doesn’t support risking American lives to free people from oppressive governments. He added if that’s going to become U.S. policy, there are many, many nations America will have to attack starting with Cuba.
Concerning his domestic policy, Davis urged people to follow national politics and know how he votes on important issues. He said he won’t shy away from telling his constituents how he feels on any issue.
“As long as I’m serving you, you have the right to ask me why I voted in such a way and I’ll tell you why,” said Davis who was sworn into office Jan. 7. “I’m working for you on a two-year contract and it won’t be long before I ask you for another two years.”
Davis said he will always vote for bills that provide better educational opportunities for children. He also said he is concerned about benefits for seniors and veterans, jobs and economic growth, and a strong national defense.
“When you talk about education, No Child Left Behind is such a great tag line and catch phrase,” said Davis. “But the program doesn’t do any good is we don’t fund it.”
State Sen. Jerry Cooper was also on hand and he took a few minutes to talk about a guest who recently spoke at a Republican fund-raiser in Warren County. While refusing to mention the person by name, it was obvious Cooper was talking about radio talk show host Steve Gill. Cooper said he feels Gill has done as much damage to Tennessee as any person out there, and said Democrats need to band together to fight people like him.
“As a Democrat, I don’t think it’s wrong to have proper education for our children,” said Cooper. “I don’t think it’s wrong to provide prescription drugs for our elderly. I don’t think it’s wrong to have the best transportation system as possible.”
Individual awards were handed out to Joe Kuhn and Ernest Morton for their efforts to better the Democratic party. Kuhn was honored for lifetime achievement, while Morton was recognized for recent hard work.