I applaud U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, for his decision to boycott the speech by Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu [“Congress can’t run from the issues,” Northwest Voices, March 3]. Let’s be honest, the sharing of information was not why Netanyahu spoke to Congress. That speech was an affront to the U.S. president. It is yet another illustration of the partisan politics that continue despite promises of working for the people of this country.
There was no need for Netanyahu to speak on Capitol Hill. His speech reflecting his perspective could have been given and well received anywhere in D.C. The floor of Congress was chosen without regard toward, whether you like him or not, our president. This was not a speech to inform, this was a speech to defy and an attempt to embarrass our president, Barack Obama.
I agree that this is an important issue and McDermott should be knowledgeable in all sides of the story. My belief is that McDermott is an intelligent man who is well aware of all sides. His absence was a statement in defiance of the symbolic reason behind the location of the speech.
Peggy Thesing, Shoreline