MoveOn Moves Against Obama On Afghanistan

[freddie mertz]

MoveOn Moves Against Obama On Afghanistan

Sam Stein

First Posted: 12- 1-09 02:49 PM | Updated: 12- 1-09 03:08 PM


The progressive advocacy organization MoveOn.org formally opposed President Obama's troop surge strategy on Tuesday, calling it "wrong" and urging its five million members to call the White House to voice their displeasure.

The group's anti-escalation statement was long predicted. But the politics of it still seem noteworthy. MoveOn played an integral role in rallying grassroots support for Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. And it remains one of largest organizing, if not ideological, forces within the progressive community today.

"After talking to MoveOn members about this possibility for months, it's become clear what most of us think: This is wrong. Everyone knows that George W. Bush left a mess in Afghanistan, but escalation only deepens our involvement in a quagmire," the email reads.

"It'll cost the lives of thousands of American troops and Afghan civilians, and it won't make us safer. And with urgent priorities like health care, the climate crisis, and a struggling economy to tackle here at home, it simply does not make sense to divert billions more dollars to this war. More and more foreign policy experts are coming to the conclusion that military escalation is not going to solve the problem in Afghanistan. And the majority of Americans already oppose the war. So today the President needs to hear from those of us who disagree with his decision. Today, can you call the White House and tell the President that we want him to focus on bringing our troops home, not escalating our involvement in Afghanistan?'"



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/01/moveon-moves-against-obam_n_375677.html

[freddie mertz]

1. This was probably inevitable.

Senators like Feingold and Sanders are speaking out as well.

Lots of progressives and Dems are going to take a stand against this.

I'm sorry it has come to this.

[polichick]

2. And rightly so. Dems may cave but moveon usually gets it right. nt

[ej510]

3. Obama knows this war is full of shit yet he

chooses to escalate for political reasons. This will be part of his legacy.

[polpilot]

4. Obama's not so stupid as to know this is wrong. I'm calling Michelle...

She'll straighten his ass out. She's our only hope now.

[vaberella]

5. Fabulous...because no one gives a fuck as to what the President has to say.

He's just for bloody show anyway.

[freddie mertz]

6. You have it wrong. People care very much about what he has to say.

They are very much concerned about the cost and conduct of this very long, so far very unsuccessful war.

He have all witnessed the recent events there, and are rightly unenthusiastic about expending lives and treasure supporting a corrupt, illegitimate regime.

It's not a show, it is a very real and very serious situation.

[vaberella]

8. No they don't. You happen to be one of them.

When I see people going on a rampage on this board about he's this or that. About how he's a war monger and a Bush 3 before the man even gets a chanc to speak to the American people. Where leaks are coming from left and right and running on shit.

Or the idiots who choose to ignore what he has said in the past in relation to this topic and say he's a disappointment----are not people who fuckin' care.

If they were, the amount of freak out threads on this board would not have happened. The amount of I'm disappointed in the President thread would be more along the lines of Let's wait and see. The amount of numbers quoted as fact when the POTUS has spoken also says tht most people don't care. Because if they did the would listen.

So please don't sit there and tell me people care what about what the fuck he has to say. Those people are limited few if I take any of these posts into consideration.

[freddie mertz]

9. I don't think I have called the president a warmonger or Bush 3

Not my style. But as you guys always say, "if you've got the links," I'll fess up to it.

As for freaking out, you seem pretty lathered yourself.

You should calm down.

I will be watching and listening tonight as closely as anyone will be. I consider it my civic duty.

Bye.

[vaberella]

12. I never said you did personally...did I.

However, your posts have been along those lines. But when people run on speculation before listening to what POTUS has to say..well..

[freddie mertz]

18. Well the speculation turned out to be accurate.

And once again, I do not hate the president nor do I consider him a warmonger.

I think the policy he announced is a mistake.

That is really about it.

[polpilot]

16. He lacks honesty. 'I'm not fighting for healthcare for all. I don't care.' That's honest.

'I want to be re-elected and I have to appear strong...so I've transformed into a war enabler.' That's honest and truthful. He'll be a laughtingstock to-nite at all of the toasts given by the war profiteer and his speedy descent wasn't pretty.

[Ken Burch]

11. There's nothing he could POSSIBLY say that could make escalation make sense

And LBJ said the boys would be home for Christmas.

How many will have to die before you get it?

[spoony]

7. OMG MoveOn is freeper trollz!

Ban them now! lol

[freddie mertz]

10. Yes, that has already started up above.

Who are these crazy people?

[AllentownJake]

13. The Coaltion is Cracking

Not good.

[bvar22]

14. Good for MoveOn.

I will consider supporting them again.
For a while, they were nothing more than a propaganda outlet for The White House.
I am happy to see they are willing to break with Rahm's "Message Discipline" on this very important issue.

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/04/10-1

[frylock]

15. knr

[ClarkUSA]

17. I'm on my county's MoveOn Council and I and others on the Council won't be doing so.

This is fine to ask for but it's not a given that many will call.

Unlike many folks here on DU, MoveOn has supported President Obama on a large majority of issues, including HCR,
so they are honest players whose opposition I respect but disagree with.

[freddie mertz]

19. I understand your POV, and it is one I can respect

While disagreeing with it.

Is that so hard?

[ClarkUSA]

21. Take your own advice from now on instead of preaching to me.

<<Unlike many folks here on DU, MoveOn has supported President Obama on a large majority of issues, including HCR,
so they are honest players whose opposition I respect but disagree with.>>

[freddie mertz]

22. You won't even take a compliment for speaking rationally?

Jeez.

[ClarkUSA]

23. Patronize much?

I always speak rationally. The problem is that many here rarely listen rationally.

[freddie mertz]

25. Pearls before swine, I guess.

Bye bye, Mr. Perfect.

[ClarkUSA]

26. lol! It didn't take you long to show your true colors, did it, Ms. Holier-Than-Thou?

So much for taking your own advice, patronizing and false as it was. :eyes:

[LynnTheDem]

20. So do I.

Escalating this losing battle, more blood dripped into the sands...

What a total waste of lives and resources.

Troops. Home.

NOW.

[Dr Robert]

24. MoveOn is a Xenophobic organization

But contrary to their statement,
some battles are worth fighting.