Feckless US policy on Yemen means "oversight" has become "overlooking"

Despite Senators Grassley's and Ernst's claims to be diligent at oversight, what we've seen instead is overlooking of US military operations in Yemen. This overlooking does not represent my interests and concerns as a USAF veteran, a member of Veterans for Peace, and as a constituent living in Iowa. In view of the recent bombing of a school bus full of children in Yemen and other atrocities committed by Saudi and SAE airstrikes supported by US air refueling, reconnaissance, and special forces, I urge Senators Grassley and Ernst to immediately reconsider their positions and vote to support pending legislation on the Senate floor to curtail US military involvement in Yemen. These bombings of civilians have been going on for three years with only feckless oversight from Congress. Children in school buses, patients in hospitals, and guests at weddings represent no threat whatsoever to our security as Americans living in Iowa. What these atrocities do represent is our Iowa Senators' dereliction of duty with oversight responsibilities of US foreign military involvement. The overlooking of these atrocities represent a lack of critical thinking and due diligence that we desperately need from Congress if our nation is ever to regain a position of righteousness in global affairs. If Senator Grassley is unable to fulfill these oversight responsibilities, then I urge him to retire. Advanced age is no excuse for complicity in war crimes. If Senator Ernst is unwilling to stand up to campaign financeers who profit from war, then cowardice is no excuse for complicity in war crimes.

John Ivens

DeWitt, IA