Nothing but pride seeing Rep. Kucinich lead Democratic response to President's Afghanistan policy

[bigtree]

. . . on C-Span now. Rep. Kucinich delivering opening remarks for 3 hour debate: http://www.c-span.org/

the resolution:

HCON 248 IH

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. CON. RES. 248

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 4, 2010

Mr. KUCINICH (for himself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. FILNER, Mr. JONES, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. PAUL, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. MASSA, Mr. GRAYSON, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. SERRANO, and Mr. MICHAUD) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan.

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),

SECTION 1. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM AFGHANISTAN.

Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan--

(1) by no later than the end of the period of 30 days beginning on the day on which this concurrent resolution is adopted; or

(2) if the President determines that it is not safe to remove the United States Armed Forces before the end of that period, by no later than December 31, 2010, or such earlier date as the President determines that the Armed Forces can safely be removed.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hc111-248

[Echo In Light]

1. k/r

[Mari333]

2. knr

[tekisui]

3. knr!

[Sebastian Doyle]

4. Hell yeah!

Speak the truth, Dennis. And fuck what the haters think!

[berni_mccoy]

5. Why not Iraq?

[bigtree]

10. the congressman sponsored numerous resolutions saying just that

. . . which didn't make it to the floor (for whatever reason).

In this instance, Speaker Pelosi has said the Kucinich withdrawal resolution will 'satisfy the need' for a vote on Afghanistan . . .

______________________________

At a roundtable with reporters, Pelosi said many House members "are eager to have a vote soon on Afghanistan" and the resolution the Cleveland Democrat plans to introduce early next year will likely satisfy that need.

Pelosi says it will be up to Obama to convince members of Congress to approve the money he needs to send extra troops to Afghanistan. Members of Congress will have to base their votes on their "consciences and constituents," she said.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/12/17-3

[berni_mccoy]

15. Thanks for the background.

I think that this has a real chance of passing the House. I don't think it will pass the Senate, but we'll see.

My only concern is that there is the real issue of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the abandonment of the original mission has made things worse than better. If there is any way things could be made better, we should seek to do that. Even Greg Mortenson who has done more good in Afghanistan than anyone, through bringing Education to the region, believes the Taliban are a real threat to stabilizing the country. He has stated, at least in an NPR interview last month, that he supports dealing with the Taliban and that they can't be reasoned with.

[Mari333]

6. watching the dlc blue dogs and the republicans sucking up to the war machine

on cspan..tell me again..is there any difference between the goddamned bluedog dems and the republicans? I dont see any

[bigtree]

7. heh

I'd like to hear from the folks griping about Dennis 'voting with republicans' on the insurance bill.

[Mari333]

13. only thing I ever saw in the middle of the road was roadkill

some people need to get off the fence. thank god for dennis.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. It will be interesting to see how the alleged "liberals" vote on this.

I expect a lot of nay votes and a whole lot of excuses for supporting a lost war.

[Oregone]

11. Theyll toe the party line against Kucinich

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Yep. But watching them try and spin their votes while claiming to be liberal will be fun.

"The Fascists will shoot you.
The conservatives will applaud the Fascists.
The moderates will watch the executions on TV.
The Liberals will cry over your grave and feel guilty for turning you in to the Fascists."

SDS saying.

[avaistheone1]

9. k&r

[G_j]

12. the debate would not be taking place

without him.

[berni_mccoy]

16. I don't agree. There were many progressive co-sponsors on that bill, not the least of whom

was Grayson. I think Grayson would have forced this debate as well.

[G_j]

17. Well, I'm grateful to all involved!

I hope it leads to better things.

[bigtree]

18. still watching