NEED URGENT HELP ! In locating Various recent Democrat's Iraq plans!

[FrenchieCat]

I read this editorial from the Sunday pages that states once again......Democrats have no Ideas and/or plans for Iraq.

We all know that this appears to be the GOP's line of defense on the fact that they have soooo fucked up in reference to Iraq. Instead of them having to answer for their gigantic misadventures in Iraq they continue to talk about "staying the course" aka doing nothing, and retort; "well, Democrats have no ideas...so which is worse?"

But what is worse than the GOP's "Do nothing even if it's falling apart" rethoric is that I am sick to death of having to hear this "propaganda" parroted by the media 24/7 in reference to our Democrats!

Please understand that whether one agrees with Democratic "Plans & Ideas" is not the issue here...rather the issue is have Democrats been making suggestions (giving Plans) as to what needs to be done in Iraq? And I'm not just talking about "presidential aspirants" either.


Here's the editorial!
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/special_packages/sunday_review/15592447.htm

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I am writing back to this "person" (he's not a journalist far as I'm concerned), and I am posting my letter here. What I need are links to "plans" and "Ideas" on Iraq that were articulated by our Democrats. I'm a supporter of Wes Clark, and so I know he has proposed plans over and over again,, so that one's not a problem. I also know that Joe Biden has proposed something....and I've got that too! What I need are fairly recent Democratic proposals because I want a Shitload list to hand this "guy"!

Pretty Please provide links that show an actual plan or well enough detailed ideas -- Thanks in advance!

Here's my letter:

Dear Mr. Polman,

"Democrats have no ideas" your headline reads--So just how long are we to be fed this particular so often repeated line? Should each and every Democrat come out with the exact same idea, in unison, on the same date, at the same time while standing at the same location holding one microphone? Will this be the time that the media chooses to finally acknowledge that the problem isn't the ideas that Democrats have, the problem is that for whatever reason, the media refuses to give Democrat's Iraq ideas any airplay and instead keep repeating the same mantra; Democrats have no plan.

I understand that if one says something long enough, many will think it true; and I know that this strategy can work. However, your headline would have been more honest had it stated, "REPUBLICAN STRATEGY OF "DO NOTHING" AKA STAY THE COURSE ISN'T WORKING--IRAQ FALLING APART AFTER 3.5 LONG YEARS, BILLIONS SPENT AND THOUSANDS DEAD!"

Republicans have the power to enact and therefore should have more ideas than Democrats. But when I take a survey on who has come out with the most ideas that differ from "staying the course" which is a slogan, not a strategy; Democrats win....hands down!

So for you to state that Democrats have no ideas on Iraq is nothing more than a bit fat lie. Here's some Democrats' ideas on what to do in Iraq? Which one of these do you reject as an "Idea"? Also please provide Republican "Plans" that differs from the administration's plan that isn't working in Iraq. thank you.

Gen. Wesley Clark - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/25/AR2005082501623.html
House-Senate Democrat letter to Bush - http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/House_Senate_Democrats_write_Bush_call_0731.html
Sen. Joe Biden - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/23/AR2006082301419.html
Sen. Levin & Sen. Reed's Iraq amendment - http://www.senate.gov/~levin/newsroom/release.cfm?id=257387
Various Democrats in unison - http://bostonreview.net/BR31.1/posen.html
Rep. John Murtha - http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05322/608402.stm
Rep. Marty Meeham - http://www.house.gov/meehan/BrookingsSpeech.htm
Sen. Russ Feingold - http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/05/10/20052525CR.html
Democratic Party - http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/pdfs/20060329_realsecurity.pdf
Sen. Diane Feinstein - http://feinstein.senate.gov/06speeches/iraq827-oped.htm
Rand Beers - http://www.foreignpolicyforum.com/view_article.php?aid=376
American Progress - Progressive Think Tank full of Democrats - http://www.americanprogress.org/atf/cf/%7BE9245FE4-9A2B-43C7-A521-5D6FF2E06E03%7D/STRATEGIC_REDEPLOYMENT_2.0.PDF
Sen. Ted Kennedy - http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/speech.cfm?id=378c21d6-5b3d-48cc-8ef0-37febf238f52

Respectfully,

XXXXXXXXXXXX

If I didn't include something from someone, just provide me with it. Some folks got press for what they proposed...more than I want to plow through when I know that their supporters know exactly where to go and get just the right thing! :)

If you want, join me in writing to the guy.....so that he can STFU!

Also, if you pen a letter, it should be sent to every newspaper in the United States (which is what I will be doing for the next week).....cause personally, I'm sick and tired of this "Democrats have no plan" bullshit they continueously spew! :mad:

[snowbear]

1. Your letter is AWESOME !!!!

Wow!!!

Send it in.. send it in!!!

[phillysuse]

2. Letter to Dick Polman - Philly Inquirer

Loved your letter to Dick Polman.
Here's mine sent last night.

Dear Mr Polman,

I was disappointed by your piece in the Inquirer
today. First, you criticized the Democrats that they
do not have a unified plan for Iraq. I have to ask
you, does Bush? Stay the course is hardly a plan. And
it is his responsibility to have a plan. As Colin
Powell put it regarding the Pottery Barn and Iraq -
"You break it, you own it", the Republicans should be
considered responsible to come up with a plan. I
haven't seen one yet.
Second, since we do not have a parliamentary system in
the United States with a single leader, it is not
reasonable to expect the party out of power in a
midterm election to coalesce around one figure. Third,
I agree with you that many of the candidates for
President you enumerate - Hillary, Feingold, Kerry and
Warner - do not have a "plan" for Iraq.
Fourth, I think you need to note that even if the
Democrats had a unified plan, they are a minority
party unable to even get a room to hold a committee
meeting in Congress about their plan and they would
lack supoena power at this time.
Fifth and last, there are Democratic candidates
running with rather good ideas about how to resolve
the Bush mess in Iraq. For example, take Eric Massa,
running in the NY 29th. His web site lists his plan
for Iraq as follows:

A Political Solution: Separate the Warring Parties.
There are limits to what military power can accomplish
alone. With a sensible diplomatic and political
strategy, and with the cooperation of our allies, we
can implement a solution similar to the NATO plan that
resolved the Bosnian conflict. In that ethnic and
religious civil war, we separated the warring parties,
created a loose federation of three semi-autonomous
states, and then allowed them to develop their own
government. Without addressing the underlying ethnic,
religious, and economic tensions, no peace treaty or
constitution can endure.

An Exit Strategy: Out in less than 24 Months.
President Bush recently announced: "We're not leaving
so long as I'm the president." This is unacceptable.
The Administration needs to admit its mistakes and
seek alternative solutions rather than simply
prolonging the war until it becomes somebody else's
problem. To better combat terrorism, and help
stabilize the region, we need to redeploy the military
to a mission with realistic goals that can be
accomplished. Accordingly, US Commanders should begin
planning a redeployment to be completed within the
next twenty-four months.

Accountability: The Key to the Future. Congress has a
Constitutional obligation to hold this administration
accountable for its failures and for the ever-rising
human cost of this endless war. The
Republican-controlled Congress has continually failed
in its oversight responsibilities by simply
rubber-stamping a string of questionable policies.
That is not leadership—and the veterans, voters, and
taxpayers of the 29th District deserve better.

Like General Clark, whom he worked for in Bosnia, he
knows that any plan for Iraq begins with the
recognition that the military has done what it does
best and that a political solution must be forthcoming
and it will only be forthcoming when those in the
region are involved including Syria and Iran. He also
realizes that the country of Iraq is a colonial era
remnant and that realistically it may not survive as
an intact country with its present boundaries.

As I read your piece, I couldn't help but wonder if
you were yet another journalist paid by the Bush White
House in that you spouted their talking points so
well.

phillysuse


I also wrote a shorter letter to the Inquirer Letters to the Editor which they probably won't publish but I encourage all of your to write them as well so they know what their
readership thinks about Polman.

Here's mine


To The Editor:

Dick Polman criticizes the Democrats for not having a
unified plan for Iraq. My question for Mr Polman and
the Inquirer is this:
Does George Bush have a plan for Iraq? Stay the course
is not a plan. Shipping more young Americans over to
die from IED's while running convoys around the
country is not a plan. Getting Iraqi soldiers to
"stand up" when they won't leave their homes is not a
plan.
Since Bush is the President and the Congress is
controlled by the Republicans, let's see their plan
for success in Iraq. When the Democrats take control
of Congress November 7, they will be able to address
this issue with legislation, committee hearings and
subpoena power and they will come up with a plan for
success. Until then, the ball is in Mr Bush's court.

me

[FrenchieCat]

7. Thanks Phillysuse....

Your point is very true......Guess he wants Democrats to offer plans so that they can be promptly ignored! :crazy:

That said, the Democrats have offered up plenty of plans and ideas.....

The "guy" is lying, plain and simple! And is blatant about it!

[fedupinBushcountry]

3. I think you forgot someone

who has been trying to put forth his ideas all along.

26. S.1993 : A bill to provide for a comprehensive, new strategy for success in Iraq that includes a sustainable political solution and the redeployment of United States forces tied to specific political and military benchmarks.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. (introduced 11/10/2005) Cosponsors (None)
Committees: Senate Foreign Relations
Latest Major Action: 11/10/2005 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

*****************************************************************************


Question: On the Amendment (Kerry Amdt. No. 4442 )
Vote Number: 181 Vote Date: June 22, 2006, 11:07 AM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected


Number: S.Amdt. 4442 to S. 2766 (National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007 )
Statement of Purpose: To require the redeployment of United States Armed Forces from Iraq in order to further a political solution in Iraq, encourage the people of Iraq to provide for their own security, and achieve victory in the war on terror.

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00181

[FrenchieCat]

4. I was looking for a recent plan for John Kerry.....but is it possible

that you could locate wording that is a bit more detailed? I wanted plans....and the link you provided is just a roll call, the the three statement of purpose isn't gonna quite do it IMO. I don't want this writer-guy to be able to get off the hook.

[fedupinBushcountry]

5. Is this detailed enough for you

SA 4442. Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. FEINGOLD, Mrs. BOXER, and Mr. LEAHY) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2766, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2007 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:


On page 437, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:

SEC. 1084. UNITED STATES POLICY ON IRAQ.

(a) Redeployment of Troops From Iraq.--

(1) SCHEDULE FOR REDEPLOYMENT.--For purposes of strengthening the national security of the United States, the President shall redeploy, commencing in 2006, United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007, in accordance with a schedule coordinated with the Government of Iraq, leaving only the minimal number of forces that are critical to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces, conducting targeted and specialized counterterrorism operations, and protecting United States facilities and personnel.

(2) CONSULTATION WITH CONGRESS REQUIRED.--The President shall consult with Congress regarding the schedule for redeployment and shall submit such schedule to Congress as part of the report required under subsection (c).

(3) MAINTENANCE OF OVER-THE-HORIZON TROOP PRESENCE.--The President should maintain an over-the-horizon troop presence to prosecute the war on terror and protect regional security interests.

(b) Iraq Summit.--The President should work with the leaders of the Government of Iraq to convene a summit as soon as possible that includes those leaders, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, for the purpose of reaching a comprehensive political agreement for Iraq that engenders the support of Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds by ensuring the equitable distribution of oil revenues, disbanding the militias, strengthening internal security, reviving reconstruction efforts and fulfilling related international economic aid commitments, securing Iraq's borders, and providing for a sustainable federalist structure in Iraq.

(c) Report on Redeployment.--

(1) REPORT REQUIRED.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, submit to Congress a report that sets forth the strategy for the redeployment of United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007.

(2) STRATEGY ELEMENTS.--The strategy required in the report under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

(A) The schedule for redeploying United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007, developed pursuant to subsection (a)(1).

(B) A schedule for returning the majority of such redeployed forces home to the United States.

(C) The number, size, and character of United States military units needed in Iraq after July 1, 2007, for purposes of counterterrorism activities, training Iraqi security forces, and protecting United States infrastructure and personnel.

(D) A strategy for addressing the regional implications for diplomacy, politics, and development of redeploying United States forces from Iraq by July 1, 2007.

(E) A strategy for ensuring the safety and security of United States forces in Iraq during and after the July 1, 2007, redeployment, and a contingency plan for addressing dramatic changes in security conditions that may require a limited number of United States forces to remain in Iraq after that date.

(F) A strategy for redeploying United States forces to effectively engage and defeat global terrorist networks that threaten the United States.


http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r109:1:./temp/~r109ime89D:e201953:

[FrenchieCat]

6. Yes, thank you!

I needed the actual plan and ideas of an alternate to current actions in Iraq.

:hi:

I will include this link in my letter and attribute it to John kerry.

[fedupinBushcountry]

8. Your welcome

:patriot: