Democrats: Work to Get Us Out of Iraq ... or Else

[babylonsister]

http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/48912/

Democrats: Work to Get Us Out of Iraq ... or Else

By Hunter , Daily Kos. Posted March 8, 2007.

What we need now are people who can lead. The Dems must do what Bush is entirely incapable of -- define how to end the war and start working toward that goal.

Let me try and make something clear to the Democratic members of the House and Senate. There's a world of hurt coming your way, and time is running out. On Iraq, there are no more Friedman Units. There are no more acceptable six month windows to see if the same "plan", called a different name, will produce different results.

The situation in Iraq continues to decay; the pressures on our armed forces and, especially, reserve forces continue to edge closer to the breaking point; our troops continue to be put in harm's way on the off chance not that a "plan" will work, but that an in-country miracle will occur.

The Bush administration has, in planning and execution of the Iraq war, failed at every turn, and on every level. There is no current plan, only a handful of adjusted troop rotations that we are now calling a "surge", even while our primary ally sends troops home. The military itself recognizes that the number of troops provided is completely insufficient for the task.

The administration, fearing being tarred with a failed and unnecessary war, has determined that the only way to avoid having the war be branded as failure after it ends is to simply make sure, for as long as possible, that it does not end. Large segments of the Republican Party, similarly fearing the political ramifications of failure more than they value either American or Iraqi lives, doesn't give a damn to either lead or follow. Both will block any attempt at a plan. Tough beans.

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[leftchick]

1. it isn't going to happen this election cycle

hardly any Dem mentions the permanent bases and I have never heard any talk about the US imperial palace/embassy. They are too worried about their political careers and what the corporations want. It isn't about what we want. :(

[babylonsister]

2. I just saw this this a.m., and I'm sitting here in disbelief. Fall 2008?

I fear you're right, and I'm very unhappy about that. (PS These Army Times links don't last long but you'll be able to find the story on the Times' homepage.)

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/03/aptrooppullout070308/
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/03/aptrooppullout070308/

Democrats to unveil fall 2008 pullout plan

By David Espo - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 8, 2007 6:12:57 EST

In a direct challenge to President Bush, House Democrats are advancing legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of next year.

Democratic officials who described the measure said the timetable would be accelerated — to the end of 2007 — if the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki does not meet goals for providing Iraq’s security.

The conditions, described as tentative until presented to the Democratic rank and file Thursday, would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The officials who described the measure did so on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to speak until after it was presented to the Democratic caucus. They also stressed the provisions were tentative until then.

Underscoring the debate among Democrats, several opponents of the war issued a statement late Wednesday saying they “have had a constructive dialogue with members of our party’s leadership. ... However, at this time, we have not reached any final agreement.”
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[leftchick]

4. I was just reading this in the NYT

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/washington/08military.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1173360640-PutV2GscdY62Tz3nBg43yQ&oref=slogin

Naturally the relevant questions are never brought up in the times. And once again the long term bases and US palace are conveniently missing. They have every intention of keeping the US as occupiers for the next thirty years or so. Think Korea. Also note that the only Democrat I have seen to stand up to this forever war plan is Dennis K. This Sucks BIGTIME.

[USA_1]

3. United for Peace Anti-War Activities

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=3524

4 Years Far Too Many -- Help Make This the LAST Anniversary
February 26th, 2007


Bill Adams -- 1/27/07, Washington, DC

Bush's escalation in Iraq is underway, and the bloodshed continues; dozens of people are killed and hundreds wounded nearly every day. And yet Congress, and its numerous presidential hopefuls, continues to dither on cutting the funding for the war and setting a timetable for withdrawal. Elected with an overwhelming mandate for peace, they can barely find the courage to pass a non-binding resolution to oppose the escalation, let alone stand up to the White House on plans to attack Iran.

On March 19th the fifth year of this illegal, immoral, disastrous war will begin, and we must mark this occasion with the loudest and widest demonstrations for peace that we can muster. ANSWER is organizing a March on the Pentagon on March 17, and Troops Out Now Coalition is calling for an Encampment to Stop the War beginning March 12 in Washington, DC. We encourage you to attend these actions if you are able to do so. At the same time, United for Peace and Justice knows that our movement must also be vocal and visible in every community across the country, around the 4th anniversary and beyond.

We must capture the momentum of the huge numbers of new people coming to the realization that this war must be stopped. UFPJ member groups and allies from Alaska to Florida are working hard to organize a wide array of actions, including vigils, marches, rallies, nonviolent civil disobedience and more, to mark this tragic milestone and to raise the demand to bring the troops home

We urge you to take a moment now to find an event to participate in, to begin planning one or to make your arrangements to go to DC. Whatever you do to mark the 4th anniversary, start spreading the word now to ensure a great turnout! To make Congress, the White House, the media and our communities take notice, we need to be loud and we need to be everywhere, saying, END THE WAR and BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!

Find a 4th Anniversary event in your area:

Point your mouse over the map and click to zoom in; click again to get event details. Right-click to zoom out.

Due to technical limitations, only one event in a particular city appears on the map; to see the full list of 4th Anniversary events, please click here.

On January 27th, hundreds of thousands surrounded the U.S. Capitol to send a loud, clear message to Congress. Since then, our movement has been keeping the pressure on through initiatives like the Occupation Project, initiated by UFPJ member group Voices for Creative Nonviolence. Over the last few weeks, dozens of congressional offices around the country have been "occupied" by people demanding that their members of Congress pledge to cut off funding for the war.

And that momentum will continue through the 4th anniversary and beyond. Check the UFPJ calendar to find activities close to you, and be sure to post all activities you plan on that same calendar.

Several Major Events:
March 17, Rally for Peace in Fayetteville, NC: The home of Ft. Bragg, Fayetteville is also the place where an annual rally for peace is held on the anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. On Saturday, March 17th, this military town will be where military families, Iraq war veterans, and veterans of other wars will gather with people from throughout the South to march behind the banner demanding: Real Support for the Troops, Bring Them Home Now!

Veterans Caravan to the Gulf Coast: Veterans for Peace will launch its second caravan from Fayetteville after the March 17th rally, bound for the Gulf Coast, where the huge task of recovery and rebuilding remains far from finished. The caravan will include representatives from Veterans For Peace, Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Iraq Veterans Against the War, signers of the Appeal For Redress, and possibly several war resisters.

March 18, March in NYC to End the War: UFPJ-NYC is calling on every New Yorker, every community group, every church, mosque and synagogue, every student organization, every tenant association, every labor union to take to the streets to say NO MORE!

March 16-19, the Declaration of Peace Campaign, building on the work begun last fall, will engage in nonviolent civil disobedience and peaceful resistance in cities across the United States to mark the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

More than 100 rural towns in Maine will participate in a campaign called "From Every Village Green." The organizers have put together a straightforward step-by-step action plan for those who would like to hold such an event in their town, in Maine or elsewhere.

On March 16, the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq will gather for a religious service in Washington, DC. Gathering to call for an end to the U.S. war in Iraq and to make it clear that they oppose Christian support for this bloodshed, Christians from many denominations will pray for an end to the war beginning at 7 p.m. at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and then take part in a candlelight procession to the White House. Over 400 people have already committed to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience at the White House as part of this event.

How You Can Get Involved:
Check the calendar on the UFPJ website to find an antiwar activity near you -- and then be sure to help get the word out and help make that event as large as possible.

Plan your own activity (and be sure to post it on the UFPJ calendar!):

*

organize a vigil in front of the offices of your members of Congress;
*

get people together to stand with signs and banners against the war in the busiest part of your town;
*

hand out leaflets to high school students to make sure they know the military recruiters are not telling the truth;
*

plan an act of nonviolent civil disobedience at the office of a military contractor, a recruitment station, or the district office of your Congressional representative;
*

organize a march through a part of your city or town where lots of people will see you, and in memory of Molly Ivins, bring pots and pans to appropriate events (i.e., not to silent vigils) and make some noise!

Collect signatures on our national petition to Congress: No matter what you are doing on and around the 4th anniversary, we hope you are talking to people about the war and how they can get involved. One tool you can use is the new petition being circulated by United for Peace and Justice.

Write letters to your local newspapers, call in to radio talk shows, and try to get media coverage for any antiwar activity you are involved in: Be sure to explain why you oppose the war, why you think it needs to end now, and why you don't want a new war in Iran!
Together, we the people will end this war!


Cost of the War in Iraq

$406,443,730,826


The link includes a map of nationwide activities. Unfortunately, it also shows that there will be fewer activities in the Red states. You folks in those areas need to get off your duffs and become involved soon if you want this war to end.