In an Op-ed piece in today's Hartford Courant, Joe Lieberman wrote: "I believe that Ned Lamont's strategy of pulling all our troops out by an arbitrary, politically determined date will lead to the collapse of Iraq..." OK, then, a question: Why doesn't GOP Rep. Chris Shays' new call for a withdrawal, most of which Shays says could take place next year, constitute the setting of an equally "arbitrary, politically determined" date? Why wouldn't Shays' proposed withdrawal lead to the "collapse" of Iraq, too?

I’ve been amazed at the passion and involvement of the people I’ve met. You’ve turned out at town hall meetings to ask Sen. Lieberman why he didn’t give up his Senate seat in 2000 when pursuing national office – although his victory would have meant Gov. John G. Rowland would have appointed his replacement. You’ve asked why his glossy brochures don’t mention foreign policy or the war. You’ve remembered how he waited until the very last minute to vote against Clarence Thomas, how he has failed to fight other Bush appointees that will tilt the Supreme Court to the right for generations. You’ve pointed out how Sen. Lieberman never comes to your town for meetings with citizens; he comes for fundraisers.

Thanks to your courage and common sense, the people of Connecticut have spoken loudly and boldly: We want change.

"I hope he comes [to the Democratic picnic]. I think it'll give an opportunity for many of us to vent our anger," said Peter Berg, a Democratic Town Commitee member and Lamont supporter.

"I told him through his office, that as a duly elected Democratic official, he's putting me in an uncomfortable, almost embarrassing position. We have a duly elected candidate, who was endorsed by a historic turnout of state Democrats in the recent primary. I don't have to march [in the Labor Day parade] with [Sen. Lieberman], the DTC doesn't have to march with him, so why would he want to make it look like he's in good graces with the Democratic Party?" [Newtown First Selectman Herb] Rosenthal continued. "He is not in good graces with state Democrats."