Barbara Lee, Lynn Woolsey and Maxine Waters ROCK!: Their idea for getting out of this mess....

[marmar]

from After Downing Street:


CONGRESSWOMAN WOOLSEY'S REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY:

“Today Congresswomen Waters and Lee and I are introducing a bill that would bring our troops home from Iraq within a six month timeframe.

“The Bring Our Troops Home and Sovereignty of Iraq Restoration Act is the first comprehensive legislative proposal to end the occupation and provide a framework to help bring stability back to Iraq.

“Last Wednesday night, President Bush demonstrated to the world that he continues to remain blind to the realities on the ground in Iraq. Instead of putting forth a plan that would withdraw our troops, the President is increasing our military presence, by escalating the number of troops by over twenty thousand. What President Bush fails to grasp is that our military presence is only fueling the insurgency, plunging Iraq further into chaos and civil war.

“The November elections showed just how fed up the American public is with the President’s failed Iraq policy. It is time to honor that mandate. It is now up to the Congress to catch up with the will of the American public.

“During his weekly radio address on Saturday, President Bush challenged those of us who disagree with him to offer a plan of our own. Today, we stand before you, and the American public, to take up his challenge.

“The Congress has already appropriated funding that will support our troops and keep this occupation going for at least another six months. That funding instead should be used to finance an aggressive withdrawal plan that brings our troops home to their families. Our bill would do exactly that.

“Our plan will also…

1. Withdraw all U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq within six months from date of enactment.

2. Prohibit any further funding to deploy, or continue to deploy U.S. troops in Iraq. The bill does, however, allow for funding to be used, as needed, to ensure a safe withdrawal of all US military personnel and contractors, diplomatic consultations. Funding may also be used for the increased training and equipping of Iraqi and international security forces.

3. Accelerate, during the six month transition, training of a permanent Iraqi security force.

4. Authorize, if requested by the Iraqi government, U.S. support for an international stabilization force. Such a force would be funded for no longer than two years, and be combined with economic and humanitarian assistance.

5. Guarantee full health care funding, including mental health, for U.S. veterans of military operations in Iraq and other conflicts.

“In addition the bill would:

6. Rescind the Congressional Authorization for the War in Iraq.

7. Prohibit the construction of permanent US military bases in the country.

8. Finally, we believe that Iraqi oil belongs to the Iraqis. Once the oil is in the international market, the U.S. will certainly have access to our share. That’s why our bill ensures that the U.S. has no long-term control over Iraqi oil.

“Our plan, with the exception of Veterans’ benefits, will cost the American people pennies on the dollar as compared to continuing the occupation for two more years. It will save lives, bodies, and minds, and it will give Iraq back to the Iraqis. It is an important step in regaining our credibility in the region and throughout the world, and provides the President, and this Congress, with a comprehensive way to respond to the majority of Americans who want our troops to come home.”

________________

CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS' STATEMENT

Rep. Waters, Rep. Woolsey and Rep. Lee Introduce Legislation to Conclude the Iraq War

Washington, DC - Today, Representative Maxine Waters (CA-35), Representative Lynn Woolsey (CA-6), Representative Barbara Lee (CA-9) and other Members of Congress introduced legislation that would conclude the United States' involvement in Iraq within 6 months of the enactment of the legislation. Congresswoman Waters' statement is below:

"First, I would like to thank Representative Woolsey, Representative Lee and all the others here today for their work to conclude the war in Iraq. The individuals here today have been a strong and consistent voice in calling for a conclusion of the Iraq war.

"Today, we are here to unveil legislation introduced by Representative Woolsey and supported by each of us that would conclude the United States' involvement in Iraq within 6 months. .......(more)

The rest is at: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/woolseybill

[gratuitous]

1. What?! Giving away Iraq's oil?

Phew, all Dubya has to do is see that one provision to pronounce this plan to be no plan at all. If all the sweet, sweet Iraqi crude isn't under the direct control of his cronies, what was the point of going into Iraq in the first place?

Besides the war profiteering, I mean.

[marmar]

2. True. Alberto Gonzales is probably already prepping sedition charges against them.

:)

[kimmerspixelated]

3. Exactly!

[Az_lefty]

4. This plan makes more sense than anything bush has offered up...

I especially like #4. For anyone that wants to call this "cut and run" the provision is there for an international force if the Iraqi's want it. Good start.
:applause:

[Tom Joad]

5. Lee is my rep. almost always speaks for me.

[Bryn]

6. I LOVE this one!

8. Finally, we believe that Iraqi oil belongs to the Iraqis. Once the oil is in the international market, the U.S. will certainly have access to our share. That’s why our bill ensures that the U.S. has no long-term control over Iraqi oil.


Dubya and Cheney will shit in their pants! Ha! :woohoo:

[IndianaGreen]

7. This is the way to get out of Iraq, the alternative being a protracted struggle with Bush.

I doubt that Congress will pass this bill, unless Bush does something even more reckless like attacking Iran.

At least we have a lot of Democrats advancing their own plans to get us out of this criminal war, whether it is a non-binding resolution, a troop level cap, or some other measures that will restrain Junior's war making impulses.

In the end, Congress may have to impeach Bush and Cheney in order to stop them from turning Iraq into a regional war.

[midnight]

8. Quick. Pass this bill and bring them home for the fourth of July

celebration.

[calimary]

9. Waters wants to thank her colleagues. I think we should thank them,

too. AND her. She's co-chair, I believe, of the Congressional Out-of-Iraq Coalition (I think that's what it's called). It's loaded with Good Guys, and she's at the helm. She's just terrific! She has been terrific for a LONG time. Continuing to make us Californians PROUD!!!

:thumbsup:

[Larry Allen]

10. Thank you Maxine Waters, Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee

Finally an Iraq war bill I can support. Is there a Senate version?

[Just-plain-Kathy]

11. Whenever there's a plan IT comes from a democrat!

:kick: