“…this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq yesterday,” Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) April 19, 2007

The Democrat’s Senate Majority Leader made this startling declaration of defeat to the media on Capitol Hill.  Can you imagine what emotions our troops in the field, and those preparing to deploy must feel?  Or, maybe even more profound, how must the spouses, children, and family feel at home praying for their loved one wearing the uniform.

Al Qaeda in Iraq must be pleased, and the rest of the terrorist insurgents.  Can you imagine a greater incentive for the enemy than a declaration of defeat from the Leader of the Senate?  Can you imagine anything that might embolden the enemy more – or discourage our own troops more - than Reid’s words? 

I fully expect that Reid will never suffer the fate he deserves.  And, I am no lawyer.  But, I can read and reason.  And, Harry Reid has committed an act of treason.

Main Entry: trea•son
Pronunciation: ‘trEz-&noun
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French treison crime of violence against a person to whom allegiance is owed, literally, betrayal, from Old French traïson, from traïr to betray, from Latin tradere to hand over, surrender
: the offense of attempting to overthrow the government of one’s country or of assisting its enemies in war; specifically : the act of levying war against the United States or adhering to or giving aid and comfort to its enemies by one who owes it allegiance —trea•son•ous /-&s/ adjective
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.

A regular citizen may say these words and have little impact on our enemy, the safety of our troops, or the outcome of war. But, when the Majority Leader of the United States Senate declares “this war is lost”, it can only be seen for what it is, “giving aid and comfort to its (the United States’) enemies by one who owes it allegiance.” 

Reid has allowed his disdain for President Bush and his lust for political power to overcome his objectivity and judgment.  Public discourse and debate are one thing, but endangering the lives of our troops is quite another.  Reid has crossed a terrible line.