A Democrat resolution denouncing U.S. involvement in Iraq passed on a 3-2 party-line vote in a Senate committee today over objections that the measure would send the wrong message to the world and undermine American troop morale.   

About 75 people signed up to testify either in favor of or against the resolution during the hearing, which ran approximately four hours.

Speaking early on against the Democrat proposal was Don Ottaway, 22, who recently finished a 14-month tour in Fallujah, Iraq. He is an Army sergeant and graduate of Cherry Creek High School.

“I have no regrets about my service,” Ottaway said. “Freedom is not free. The reality of war is why we have a blanket of freedom.”

Ottaway said the wording of the resolution was “offensive” to him, and that most of the Legislature hasn’t seen firsthand some of the successes of the U.S. troops in Iraq.

“People there had the chance to vote for the first time, and we’ve opened up schools and churches,” Ottaway explained. “We’re fighting for all of you and a lot of people we don’t even know.”

Proponents of the Tupa-Gordon resolution called the Iraq War an “immoral, dishonest, disheartening conflict” and said the debate was in the best interest of the state and country.

One witness in favor of the proposal, whose testimony earned a “thank-you” from Gordon, contended the situation in Iraq is a far lesser challenge than global warming and energy.

Among the resolution's many critics, Ron Hall, a 29-year military veteran, mentioned

that his son has served two tours in Baghdad and would go back again if called upon.

“Our service is about family, and that’s what we’re about,” Hall said.

Retired Air Force Gen. Bentley Rayburn testified that events going on within the U.S. have a positive or negative impact on service members serving overseas.

“They see a state of morale and success of the mission as one and the same,” he said.

During his introduction of the resolution, Tupa suggested that since there was no debate on the Iraq War in Washington, D.C., a dialogue is necessary locally on the issue.

“It’s perfectly appropriate for the state to weigh in on what goes on in D.C.,” he said.

Yet, Diggs Brown, a military veteran and Fort Collins city councilman, said state politicians should not act as armchair generals and referred to the resolution as an “insult.”

“You need to get out of the way of the troops and let them get this win,” he said. “When did cut-and-run become an American value?”

Brown’s comments spurned a response from Gordon, who said chalking up another U.S.-war win in our column by adding more troops was wrong.

Dale Parrish, of La Salle, directed his thoughts directly at Gordon and said the senator was wrong to refer to Iraqi insurgents as patriots. He called on Gordon to be censured by the Legislature, an opinion quickly dismissed by committee chairman, Senate President Pro tem Peter Groff, D-Denver.

“Democrats have been wrong on this issue for many years,” said Parrish. “Senators should be pulling for victory in Iraq instead of defeat. The American people deserve better than give up and come home.”