More in Congress want Iraq exit strategy, Unease grows as war backing fall

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON -- Faced with plummeting public support for the war in Iraq, a growing number of members of Congress from both parties are reevaluating the reasons for the invasion and demanding the Bush administration produce a plan for withdrawing US troops.

A bipartisan group of House members is drafting a resolution that calls on the administration to present a strategy for getting the United States out of Iraq, reflecting an increasing restlessness about the war in a chamber that 2 1/2 years ago voted overwhelmingly to support the use of force in Iraq.
...
Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina, a conservative Republican who voted to authorize force, said his district is growing weary of a war that has cost the lives of more than 1,600 US troops and left more than 12,000 wounded.
...
Jones said he felt misled by the administration on the reasons for the war because no weapons of mass destruction have been found. ''If I knew what I knew today, I would not have voted for the resolution," Jones said.

Representative Marty Meehan, a Lowell Democrat who also voted for the war resolution, said he and some Democratic colleagues are working with five to 10 House Republicans on a resolution calling for an exit strategy to ease the United States out of Iraq. He said he hoped to get the support of 25 or more Republicans, despite the fact that only six voted against the war resolution.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2005/06/11/more_in_congress_want_iraq_exit_strategy/

[babylonsister]

1. Music to my ears that can't happen soon enough!

Now, if they'd all just link the DSM in there somewhere; I know of the perfect scapegoats.:evilgrin:

[renaissanceguy]

33. That's just what I was going to say.

If only Kerry had said this during the debates: "Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have authorized the war. I believed the president, and he lied to me."


http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/472476

[converted_democrat]

2. yes!

[CRK7376]

3. It's about time

COngress gets their head out of their butts and start coming up with an exit strategy. The way I see it after 8 years of the shrub dictatorship we will have been at war for 7 of those years....Is that a whiff of Vietnam I smell?

[koopie57]

4. "reevaluating the reasons for the invasion "

hummm... reevaluating the lies? which one? and could it be possible that after reevaluating the lies they will still support the invasion? Who knows with this bunch of clowns.

[dbt]

5. Jesus Freakin CHRIST!

Never mind that anyone with ANY sense KNEW that Iraq was absolutely NO threat to the United States.

Never mind that the death toll approaches 1700 and there's NO telling what bu$hler's little war is costing the economy.

But let the 06 mid-term elections get close and SUDDENLY Congre$$ starts doing its JOB?!?!?

:freak:

[Bob3]

6. John Kennith Galbraith once said something to the effect

that while political courage is lauded in speeches and civics one must never under estimate the salutary effects of political cowardice - fear of losing their seat has made many an elected official act for the common good despite his own deep personal convictions otherwise.

Or as Mel Brooks said in Blazing Saddles: "Holy smokes - we have to protect our phony baloney jobs gentlemen!"

These are small and petty men - and Personally I don't care what the hell makes them put pressure on * to get out of Iraq - I don't care how the hell we get out - all I know is we have to get out.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

44. yes, they're doing the right thing...after exhausting all the alternatives

But, I, as you, will take whatever is necessary to stop this madness. MKJ

[Castilleja]

15. You said it!

They are somehow just a little late to the party there.... I guess they can take off their blindfolds and earplugs now.

[leesa]

7. The question, Walter Jones, is WHY you didn't know. I knew. Many people

knew. Why didn't you, you lazy partisan hack.

Here's an exit strategy...Send some planes and helicopters over today and pick up EVERY American in the country.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

8. It wasn't just GOPer Jones that voted to use force, it was also a bunch...

...of Dems who were afraid to say "no" back when the vote was taken. Why didn't they know there were no WMDs? Because they didn't get the National Intelligence estimate summary that stated that that there were deep reservations about the presence of WMDs in Iraq. All Congress got was all of the preliminary information that portrayed Iraq as armed to the teeth with WMDs of all types.

IMHO, it's going to take more than a few Congresspeople presenting a resolution to force the NeoCon Junta to change course.

[jazzjunkysue]

18. It was never intel: It was public opinion. Now that the polls are tanking

the legislators are making excuses for following the polls. They never gave a shit either way, or had the character to ask the questions at the time. They follow public opinion, and the truth be damned.

This is proof we're making a difference. Our protests and action groups, especially Move ON and Common Cause, which are not really allied to either party have effected public opinion, finally, and we're getting our "representatives" to listen.

The blogs and emails and petitions and fund raisers are making a difference. This puts PNAC on notice that they can't do this again in Iran or Syria or china or anywhere.

[bpilgrim]

20. it was MANUFACTURED CONSENT

by our leaders... same as it ever was, but your right, we are having an impact, by simply spreading the word but that is no guarantee when your dealing with FASCIST and make NO mistake that is what they ARE.

peace

[tabasco]

9. Somebody better Stand up for our soldiers !

Goddamn Congress went along with this fucking trumped-up bloodbath and now they only react because they are worried about votes. Goddamn traitors all of them. I will not cast a vote for any politician that voted for this fucking war. I voted for Kerry to get Bush out but I held my nose.

WHO IS THINKING ABOUT OUR SOLDIERS?!? They don't want to be there and they are dying because of A PACK OF LIES !!

[intheozone]

11. I couldn't agree with you more, I feel exactly the same! nt

[malaise]

29. Bingo n/t

[cloudythescribbler]

30. WE of the peace movement need to stand up -- and need a strategy!

The answer is, as always, that you can NEVER leave ANYTHING of importance up to the politicians. Democracy works only when the PEOPLE are mobilized. Now, a majority seems to be tiring of the war, but the peace MOVEMENT is still on the margins.

Elsewhere under this news item's larger thread I discuss PEACE MOVEMENT STRATEGY. Those interested can email me or send a DU message, or start a thread I suppose, discussing it (I've tried a few times and will try again).

[NNN0LHI]

38. Point of order

All the soldiers volunteered for this shit. For whatever reason they signed on the dotted line. The Iraqis didn't. They woke up in terror some night with bombs falling on their heads. I think losing sight of that fact is a mistake.

Don

[tabasco]

40. I didn't lose sight of Jack Shit.

You lost sight of the fact that the vast majority of our troops on active duty/reserves didn't sign up under Bush or since the Iraq war started. And because I am pissed at the treatment of the military doesn't mean I don't give a shit about the Iraqis.

I suppose you think all the troops that volunteered since Bush are complicit in the crimes of the administration. Whatever.

[The Stranger]

10. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, August 7, 1964

Joint Resolution of Congress H.J. RES 1145 August 7, 1964

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That the Congress approves and supports the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression.

Section 2. The United States regards as vital to its national interest and to world peace the maintenance of international peace and security in southeast Asia. Consonant with the Constitution of the United States and the Charter of the United Nations and in accordance with its obligations under the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, the United States is, therefore, prepared, as the President determines, to take all necessary steps, including the use of armed force, to assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty requesting assistance in defense of its freedom.

Section 3. This resolution shall expire when the President shall determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured by international conditions created by action of the United Nations or otherwise, except that it may be terminated earlier by concurrent resolution of the Congress.

Repealed, June 24, 1970

[warrens]

12. It's CYA time

A lot of these guys have to run next year against pictures of local kids in coffins. This might be the tipping point, when the sane GOP finally revolts against the nutcases and warmongers who have taken over their party.

[Barkley]

13. We're Winning!

When Republicans like Jones "fess up" its a victory for peace.

I'm still waiting for my Sen. "DiFi" of CA to say:
"If I knew what I knew today, I would not have voted for the resolution"

I know that the people at the DU deserve some credit for the turnaround we're seeing.

Despite cancellation of the news and the media's focus on the Micheal Jackson trial, run-away bride and a host of other meaningless events, somehow the truth is coming through.

The Dems need to seize on Bush's incompetence for '06 and propose an exit strategy that can be endorsed by all of the Party's constiuents.

[Upfront]

31. I am Still waiting

for kerry to say it.

[LightningFlash]

14. Finally .....Wake the sleeping giant...

And get all the senators together......Prepare to Impeach BUSH FOR PURE LIES AND SPREADING OF HATE!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :crazy:

[jobycom]

16. Ah, so the horrendous slaughter of innocent people doesn't motivate them

but the unease of their consituencies does? Walter Jones says his district is "growing weary" of the "war." Nice, Walter. Wouldn't want your voters to be bored.

This isn't nearly good enough. Impeachment and imprisonment should be our goal. If they just back out now because they are bored, without punishing the guilty, then no message is sent.

I'll take withdrawal however we can get it, but I won't let up on calling for prosecution. The murderers should by held accountable.

[Lorien]

22. Just to clarify

"weary" means "not wanting to experience any more of.." "Tired, exhausted", not "bored". I think it's safe to say that we're all weary of the GOP, BushCo, and bloodshed at this point.

[jobycom]

25. It's still too weak

It doesn't mean outraged, horrified, sickened to the core of their souls.

[Lorien]

26. I'm sure the newpaper reporter

doesn't speak for every soul in the district.

[wildcat78]

23. Imprisonement is too nice!

Bush and Cheny should be tried for treason, found guilty and placed in front of firing squad. That would be my only satisifaction.

DeWine is up for reelection in '06 and he couldn't give a damn about what we think.

[hadrons]

17. Walter Jones (R: Hack) sounds sanier than John Kerry

Jones said he felt misled by the administration on the reasons for the war because no weapons of mass destruction have been found. ''If I knew what I knew today, I would not have voted for the resolution," Jones said.

I recall Kerry saying the opposite

[Lorien]

19. I was thinking the same thing

Does Kerry really believe in this war, or is it just a matter of not wanting to say "I was wrong" or "I was mislead"?

[bpilgrim]

21. stop BASHING

:evilgrin:

peace

[ecoalex]

24. Impeachment, not an exit stragety is urgent

After buchco is gone the troops can be called home.

No to war in Iran !

[JerseygirlCT]

27. Words I think might have made a big difference

if uttered by Kerry before the election:

''If I knew what I knew today, I would not have voted for the resolution," Jones said.

[Upfront]

32. Kerry

Would have won.

[JerseygirlCT]

41. Well I still think

he did. But that would have made it more of a sure thing, certainly.

I think he got nervous about being seen as changing his mind after all the stupid "flip flop" stuff. Not saying he blew it on that one was a big mistake, in my humble opinion.

[cloudythescribbler]

28. Proposed Peace MOVEMENT strategy to go along with such measures

The peace movement is definitely not as strong as the popular support for peace now would sustain. And that is something that the peace movement activists need to rectify in three concrete strategic ways:

First, and most important, there needs to be some kind of mass-based peace organization to reach out to a much higher degree to the mainstream, the people who have NEVER been to a peace rally regarding the Persian Gulf. For that, only one type of organization can really do the trick fast -- to reach the vaguely antiwar but non-political/barely political mass, you need an organization that canvasses door-to-door for donations and members the way Greenpeace and PIRG do. But they can't just be 'managed' organizations of the type critiqued by Theda Skocpol in DIMINISHED DEMOCRACY. This organization, as ACORN and some other groups do in many urban neighborhoods, must also ORGANIZE members into active chapters, asking each when they become a member if they are willing to be contacted to be organized or whether they only want a subscription.
This kind of coupling of canvassing/mail order (where they don't canvass yet) with chapter organizing (not limited to urban neighborhoods) can bring hundreds of thousands of ACTIVE NEW people from places where the peace movement is now weak into the movement.
EVERY member of Congress should have some members of this group ("PeaceAmerica" or something like that) to pester them. This group, not only opposing the Iraq War but certain other basic issues of militarism (like Star Wars and bunker buster bombs) could develop a mass base in the millions, and could easily finance itself with the canvass money after a minimal initial money investment; indeed, it could be a framework for a sustained movement against militarism and interventionism at the grass roots, something this country really lacks.

There is much more to be said about how issues of demands and militancy should be handled, but that is just an opening idea. Anyone interested can email me.

Second, and also crucial, is to insist at the UN, that the General Assembly, where the US does not have veto power, hold one of its "special sessions" on the war in Iraq. There have been at least a half-dozen over the last 30+ years that I have been involved in politics, and more before that. Then ALL countries would have one vote, and it would be possible to hear from and even establish rudimentary negotiations with some organization POLITICALLY representing the resistance in Iraq. It is important to bring these issues out of the arena of terrorism and repression and into the arena of political demands and political power. (Noam Chomsky has noted many times how the US, being weak in the latter and strong in the realm of force PREFERS the arena of force deciding matters.)

Third, as for Congress, we need a core of really strong pro-peace members of Congress, especially in the House, ones who would oppose the war in Kosovo as well as Iraq, (separating the liberals from the progressives) to form a Peace Caucus. This caucus would be in a position to work with the peace MOVEMENT, and bring its demands to a broader range in Congress. Only this way will there be a SUSTAINED pressure for peace in Congress, linked to a well-organized national peace movement of the kind still lacking today. Then this caucus could work within broader arenae like the proposal mentioned in the BOSTON GLOBE piece today, and keep the fires burning perennially, instead of an item here or there, that doesn't really succeed in cracking the VERY powerful walls of the imperialist state. And that is what we have -- whether you like the buzzword or not -- it's imperialism.

[damntexdem]

34. They need to develop a strategy:

first demand an exit strategy, then

vote to impeach.

[ailsagirl]

35. I think the only way chimpo will be brought down is if

rethuglicans start abandoning ship en masse.
:smoke:

[burrowowl]

36. Why didn't they oppose it to begin with?

I don't have their resources to research Bu$h's claims, but knowledge, common sense, paltry research capacity, I figured it out: aluminum tubes BS, bio-warfare truck, over 20,000 sorties many dropping bombs since the end of Gulf War I, etc.
They remind me of an Air Force General at a conference in Mexico over International Air Traffic Control Procedures. The a$$hole didn't know New Mexico was a state? Where in the hell did he think a hugh chunk of the Nukes are stored and where the damn bomb was deveoloped. This was during the SAC era. I'll bet they are just as ignorant now!
The KKKrass ignorance, be it Repukes or Dimbulbs just irks the hell out of me. But I guess better late than never, to show their attonement they should start setting up BU$H AND HIS WHOLE ADMINISTRATION IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURES!

[Coexist]

37. Will the good news never end today?!

I am so charged - I wish I could be in DC the 16th

[msmcghee]

39. And how many of these smelly congressturds . . .

. . who wanted to support our glorious chimp-master in 2003 happen to be up for re-election in 2006?

Just asking?

[GetTheRightVote]

42. Today is not soon enough for me and those soldiers I am sure

We must keep the pressure up so they do not back down from this withdraw of our soldiers.

:kick:

[CTLawGuy]

43. wow

Representative Walter Jones of North Carolina, a conservative Republican who voted to authorize force, said his district is growing weary of a war that has cost the lives of more than 1,600 US troops and left more than 12,000 wounded.
...
Jones said he felt misled by the administration on the reasons for the war because no weapons of mass destruction have been found. ''If I knew what I knew today, I would not have voted for the resolution," Jones said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Wow, that's better than what John Kerry said.