Will Schumer be the next Solarz?

For those of you who don't remember, Steve Solarz was a Congressman from Brooklyn during the 1980's. He was an up and coming Democratic star. Originally, a professor at Brooklyn College, he entered politics as a reformer. Once ensconced in Congress, he became a prolific fund-raiser -- for himself. He also became smug and arrogant, thinking himself undefeatable as he moved to the right on issues of importance. He voted for the Reagan budget and Reagan's pet boondoggle, Star Wars -- both of which were responsible for robbing the "Peace Dividend" of billions of dollars in the wake of the end of the Cold War. He ended up losing to Nydia Velasquez when his all white district was penciled out of existence to increase the representation of Latino voters. Progressive forces were not unhappy to witness his demise having demonstrated against this so-called liberal turned cold-warrior.

Sound all too familiar? Chuck Schumer is playing the same game. A staunch ally of the Sharon government in Israel, he has supported the Bush war without reservation. In the past few weeks, as revelations of torture and abuse have surfaced, many Democrats including John Kerry, himself, have called for the resignation of Donald Rumsfeld. Where is Schumer on this? Nowhere. "I want to hear more," he's been quoted as saying as if the photographs that have flooded the TV screens around the world were not enough. As if the recent exposes showing this torture was not an isolated incident by seven soldiers but a policy, an order that emanated from the very highest offices -- as if that information were still not enough.

On top of that intransigence, he has now stated that he is opposed to showing any more torture photos on TV because he wants the rights of the victims to be protected (sounds like a press release from the Pentagon to me). One might ask, where was Mr. Schumer's concern for the rights of the victim when American Muslims were being arrested and held incommunicado for months in Brooklyn's Arabic communities? Despite repeated requests by peace forces for him to speak out on these terrible violations of first amendment rights, Mr. Schumer remained silent. So much for his concern!

Chuck Schumer has amassed tens of millions of dollars for his future campaigns. The rumor mill is spinning with stories of his plan to run for New York State governor. For the last few Sundays, Brooklyn Parents for Peace have been sponsoring a Sunday night vigil at 7:30 at Schumer's residence at 9 Prospect Park West. The demand? That he speak out against the war. That he join with his fellow Democrats in demanding punishment for those higher-ups, like Rumsfeld (and, we might add, Rumsfeld's boss as well), responsible for the gross abuse of human rights of the Iraqis detained by the U.S.

Mr. Schumer must know that his silence is being interpreted by many as complicity in these crimes. He would do well to remember the fate of the complacent and smug Stephen Solarz. The dozens that picket his home this Sunday, can turn to hundreds next Sunday, which, in turn can turn to thousands in the months ahead.

Incidentally, the protest at Schumer's home continues into the future: every Sunday night from 7:30 to 8:30 at 9 Prospect Park West (at Carroll Street)in Brooklyn's Park Slope. Please spread the word and join us.


Brooklynites in front of Chuck Schumer's house last night.


Solemnly putting the names of dead Iraqis and
Americans in a casket. Mr. Schumer are you listening?