The Cong. Progressive Caucus hearings on Iraq:

[TayTay]

are going on now. DUer KarenDC is live-blogging the hearings at DKos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/27/84014/9724

This is the agenda: (From the DKos posting)

David Swanson and I will be liveblogging the following tomorrow morning:

U.S. Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-California), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Maurice Hinchey (D-New York), and Maxine Waters will be co-chairing a second forum on ending U.S. military operations in Iraq and bringing U.S. troops home, while helping the Iraqis regain control over their country and their future.

What: Bipartisan Congressional Forum on How to Bring the Troops Home from Iraq

When: Thursday, April 27, 2006, 9:00 AM - 11:00 A.M.

Where: 2325 Rayburn House Office Building

Who: Hosted by U.S. Representatives Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee, Maurice Hinchey, and Maxine Waters, plus other Members of Congress
Witnesses to include:

• Paul Pillar, Former National Intelligence Officer for the Near East and South Asia from 2000-2005 and long career in the CIA, faculty member of the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University, and author of Foreign Affairs feature article in March/April issue entitled “Intelligence, Policy, and the War in Iraq”

• U.S. Congressional sponsors of pending legislation specifying plans and timelines for concluding U.S. military operations in Iraq and bringing home U.S. troops (U.S. Representatives Jim McGovern and Barbara Lee)

• Ms. Faiza al-Arji. She is a native Shia Iraqi, married to a Sunni Iraqi. They have three sons who currently live in Amman, Jordan. She will speak about her family’s experiences in Iraq before and during the war and subsequent occupation.

• Dr. Dahlia Wasfi. She was born to a Jewish mother and an Iraqi father. She recently put her medical career on hold to visit with family members in Iraq, and recently returned from a three-month stay in Basra and Baghdad. She will describe her experiences in Iraq and discuss the life of Iraqis under occupation.

• Charlie Anderson (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, U.S. Navy-Ret.) He served with the Marine Crops’ Second Tank Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. He is now the Southeast Regional Coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War and will discuss his experiences in the military during the war in Iraq.

I think, but am not sure, that this is being broadcast on WPFW, Pacifica Radio. (Not sure.)
Sorry, This is not being broadcast, which is a shame. There is a good panel here.

http://www.wpfw.org/

http://www.congressionalprogressivecaucus.org/

[babylonsister]

1. Thanks, Tay Tay! nt

[Greeby]

2. kicked

:kick:

[annabanana]

3. why the hell isn't cspan there?

[e-mail]

[babylonsister]

5. Great question; many of us wrote asking them to air it, but

I guess our requests fell on deaf ears.

[blm]

59. Cspan's motto - First do no harm..... to BushInc.

.

[rodeodance]

7. I looked at their schedule. this even is NOT listed.

[rodeodance]

4. n and k

[rodeodance]

6. says the room is filling up:-see here

..The room is filling up (0 / 0)

It is ever so much larger than the last room, so I am taking this as a sign that the Repubs are not quite so powerful, or so bossy!

The reunion feel is palpable. Code Pink, Cindy, Paul from Peace Action, Bill Goold, David Swanson--most of these folks are in contact with each other but have not publicly appeaered together in some months. One of the Iraqi women I met last month is here to testify as well.

It feels important.

by karendc on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 05:58:32 AM PDT

[rodeodance]

8. keep this KICKED

[rodeodance]

9. you may be able to Listen live from here:

Try this link (0 / 0)

http://www.wpfw.org/

There is a listen live feature, but I can't access it here.

by karendc on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 06:04:16 AM PDT

[TayTay]

10. I had this radio link up and no hearing

There was a call-in show. Let us know if this changes.

Thanks rodeodance for helping here. (I am at work and occasionally have to, ahm, work.)

Also: http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/04/liveblogging_th.html

[rodeodance]

12. i go to work later. I am very disappointed tht cspan not covering!

[rodeodance]

13. Pacifica is not carrying either at this time.

[fedupinBushcountry]

22. I was listening

I thought I heard them say they would broadcast from 1-3 p.m. today. Will check back there then.

[TayTay]

23. Excellent, thank you!

This is great. I wish C-Span was there as well.

[rodeodance]

31. so it might be broadcasted later. thankx

[rodeodance]

11. Cindy talking--from the blog:

Cindy Sheehan is speaking with Verna now. They are discussing the need to withdraw troops immediately. "George Bush is lying; we know he is lying." The first person to testify is Dr. Paul Pillar. He is a Vietnam Vet, a Phd in Philosophy. He will discuss his perspective: The early aspirations we had are not going to happen; that is a reality. These things follow: Short-term is important. Two variables stand out: Iraqi leadership reflects a whole generation of Iraqi leaders stunted under Hussein. The second is untoward incidents--terrorist incidents--these escalate tensions between Sunni and Shi'ia. He brings up the fact that power and water were not secured and that is a huge factor.

[rodeodance]

14. comments by Dr. Pillar:

#

by karendc on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 06:04:16 AM PDT

#
Barbara Lee asks the first question (0 / 0)

of Dr. Pillar.

"Is there a civil war taking place now?"

Answer: It's semantics. As Secty. Rumsfield correctly said, we are not seeing the firing on Ft. SUmter. This is more like Lebanon--no front lines, organized militias, bodies on the streets every day. By that standard we are seeing a civil war today. It can get worse from here..."

"From your background and perspective, what would be the advantages of placing multinational forces and removing our troops?"

Answer: "There is no good choice here. I recommend a not-sudden but sooner-rather-than-later withdrawal."

by karendc on Thu Apr 27, 2006 at 06:20:52 AM PDT

[rodeodance]

15. a not-sudden but sooner-rather-than-later withdrawal."--Pillar

[TayTay]

16. Whoa: The Rethugs are discussing allowing floor debate

on the IRaq War. Something must have scared them. This is new.

[rodeodance]

19. where did you hear this?

[TayTay]

21. There is also a live-blog at DCP

Where I got this: http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/04/liveblogging_th.html

Pillar, in closing: What is most of concern are the trends. The totals of casualties per month are trending up. We are seeing a lot of attention on the new leadership--stronger than the old, but they are forceful proponents of the Shi'a interests and Sunnis are concerned.

We are not seeing much progress.

[rodeodance]

25. saying armed services wants to hear from the 6 generals

Posted by: karen at April 27, 2006 09:30 AM

I had read yesterday that head of the Armed Services Committee (Republican) wanted to hear from those 6 Generals who want Rumsfeld out - they would be asked to testify in the Senate.

One other thing - video on media shown only once - on Sat. Night Live
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/04/25.html#a8046

http://www.democracycellproject.net/blog/archives/2006/04/liveblogging_th.html

[babylonsister]

17. Can anyone hear this anywhere? nt

[rodeodance]

20. not me

[rodeodance]

18. ** Pillar:

** Pillar: The significance of the borders has been overplayed the administration--faulting Syria, Iran, etc...it is true Iran is indicating support for insurgencies but there is no evidence they are involved. Saudis are worried about what will come back at them--especially jihadists who are from Saudi Arabia. They are already focusing on the border issue. Rep. John Olver asked about Kirkuk. Pillar said this is the highest emotional conflict--over oil. Lynne Woolsey: "The President is dancing around starting to withdraw the troops, right around the elections. Would the troops left there now be more vulnerable? In regards to permanent bases, they think they're there for a long time. These bases are cities. We can say they are not permanent; how can we assure they will not be?" Pillar: I'm not a military analyst. But the war judgement, what goes through the minds of the troops and what their actual mission is--that's a huge question. All the Pentagon plans he knows about are looking obsolete. But the cost we are paying in being seen as a military occupier is too high.

[TayTay]

24. Faiza al-Arji testimony

Iraqi Ms. Faiza al-Arji. She is a native Shia Iraqi, married to a Sunni Iraqi. They have three sons who currently live in Amman, Jordan. She will speak about her family’s experiences in Iraq before and during the war and subsequent occupation.

**********

Hearing:

Faiza is telling what it is like in Iraq right now. They used to live in a mixed culture. The occupation created sectarianism. Bremer divided Iraq. The north for the Kurds, the middle for the Sunnis, the south for the Shi'as. She says "we never heard of such a thing before."

[rodeodance]

26. the divider strikes again.

[rodeodance]

27. Rice & Rumsfeld not exactly welcomed with open arms:

Rice & Rumsfeld not exactly welcomed with open arms

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0604270181apr27,1,7098539.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed

This is sounding more like Vietnam all the time in that we were not invited & aren't wanted & there seems to be no end.

[TayTay]

43. More Faiza

Faiza is angry that the other Members of Congress are not here. "If I were supporting the war, they would be here." She is a civil engineer, and has two boys. She is telling the story of her son going missing four days. They had to pay money to release him--they left Iraq and are living in Jordan now. She is saying that Bremer divided Iraq. Faiza is telling what it is like in Iraq right now. They used to live in a mixed culture. The occupation created sectarianism. Bremer divided Iraq. The north for the Kurds, the middle for the Sunnis, the south for the Shi'as. She says "we never heard of such a thing before."

[TayTay]

28. Dr. Dahlia Wasfi.

Dr. Dahlia Wasfi. She was born to a Jewish mother and an Iraqi father. She recently put her medical career on hold to visit with family members in Iraq, and recently returned from a three-month stay in Basra and Baghdad. She will describe her experiences in Iraq and discuss the life of Iraqis under occupation.


Dr. Wasfi giving the medical background and updates. Her testimony is devastating. She is demanding immediate withdrawal of troops -- "we don't want a timetable, we want a priority."
--- from DCP


Dr. Wasfi (1+ / 0-)
Recommended by: fedupinBushcountry
giving the medical/health manifestations of the sanctions. She points out that the health concerns continue today. There has been NO reconstruction in Basra.

Bombing damage and disrepair prevail. No maternal healthcare, no supplies.

This testimony is devastating, folks. I will see if we can get a transcript
---- from DKos

[TayTay]

29. Charlie Anderson , Iraq Vet

Charlie Anderson (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, U.S. Navy-Ret.) He served with the Marine Crops’ Second Tank Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. He is now the Southeast Regional Coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War and will discuss his experiences in the military during the war in Iraq.
********************


From the hearing:

Charley talking about why he joined the military--ideological and for college support. He saw it as a career. But he feels his service to his country ended before his miltary service did.

Why he was sent to Iraq: WMDs and ties between Saddam and Al-Queda, But soldiers do not question why. He was completely unprepared for desert survival and was such a poor shot that he never was allowed to practice. He had no body armor at first. He had no ammunition and was told not to shoot unless "Death was imminent". He could not think of another reason why he would shoot...

[rodeodance]

30. some comments from Charlie and Dr. Wasfi

....Charlie Anderson (Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, U.S. Navy-Ret.) He served with the Marine Crops’ Second Tank Battalion during the invasion of Iraq. He is now the Southeast Regional Coordinator of Iraq Veterans Against the War and will discuss his experiences in the military during the war in Iraq.

are up now.

Posted by: karen at April 27, 2006 09:44 AM

Faiza is telling what it is like in Iraq right now. They used to live in a mixed culture. The occupation created sectarianism. Bremer divided Iraq. The north for the Kurds, the middle for the Sunnis, the south for the Shi'as. She says "we never heard of such a thing before."

Posted by: karen at April 27, 2006 09:51 AM

Dr. Wasfi giving the medical background and updates. Her testimony is devastating. She is demanding immediate withdrawal of troops -- "we don't want a timetable, we want a priority."

[TayTay]

32. This is heart-breaking stuff.

I wish this hearing was on C-Span. The American people need to see this and need to see how the incompetence in planning and carrying out this horrible war has effected the people who live in Iraq and the American troops who carried out the chickenhawks' plans.

[rodeodance]

33. (John Conyers just arrived) and comments from Woolsey

(John Conyers just arrived)

Woolsey: Faiza is more and more frustrated by audience size. Those of us here are fighting for your cause every single day. The Republican leadership has announced they WILL be having debates on Iraq. Everyone here is making a difference.

Waters: Thanks to everyone who has been crying in the wilderness, trying to get this President to hear. She is apologizing to the Iraqi panelists for the killing of Iraqi citizens. (She asked them): Rice and Rumsfield are in Iraq, shaking hands and grinning and talking about progress. What about that message?

Ms. al-Arji: "They make a propaganda for themselves."

[rodeodance]

34. Whow--what a smackdown on Rummy and Rice (who are there now)

....Waters: Thanks to everyone who has been crying in the wilderness, trying to get this President to hear. She is apologizing to the Iraqi panelists for the killing of Iraqi citizens. (She asked them): Rice and Rumsfield are in Iraq, shaking hands and grinning and talking about progress. What about that message?

Ms. al-Arji: "They make a propaganda for themselves."

[TayTay]

35. Rice & Rummy

Dr. Wasfi: When Rice and Rumsfield go to Iraq, they never leave the green zone. They represent the people who are creating the civil war.

[rodeodance]

36. "The betrayal of the troops here is the worst"

.....The betrayal of the troops here is the worst (0 / 0)

I can't even imagine what Charlie went through and how he ever survived it. This whole war was a giant scrrew-up from the very beginning and a disgrace.

[rodeodance]

37. saying Rice and Rummy never leave the Green Zone

....Posted by: karen at April 27, 2006 10:06 AM

Dr. Wasfi: When Rice and Rumsfield go to Iraq, they never leave the green zone. They represent the people who are creating the civil war.

[rodeodance]

38. "They represent the people who are creating the civil war."

[fedupinBushcountry]

44. Just another

photo-op and propaganda. Probably checking out how the building of the U.S. embassy is going. They are a disgrace.

[TayTay]

56. Hearing ending.

Closing remarks:

The messages presented today ARE getting to the American people, but we are doing what the Congress OUGHT to have been doing for the past few years. When you can't get the official hearings, holding your own works!

All the resolutions are important, and Pacifica is doing it's part as well.

What impact will these hearings have on the forthcoming elections?

Rep. Allen says: One thing that is happening is that the people are AHEAD of this administration and Congress. As people become aware that we are fueling the insurgency itself, it is a major issue for voters.

Rep. Lee: In what's left of this democracy, there is still accountability, and people will hold their officials responsible. Katrina, Ohio, Iraq, all being understood and the links to hypocrisy are there. (Website: http://lee.house.gov/)

[TayTay]

57. CLOSING Question

Okay, it's a 'gimme' for me.

FINAL question (0 / 0)
from Maxine Waters; (Website: http://www.house.gov/waters/)

Should Rumsfield resign??

(This room thinks so...)

[rodeodance]

39. a few groups that are present.

....Medea Benjamin and Gael Murphy, Code Pink
Ann Wright
Cindy Sheehan

[TayTay]

40. Rep Olver (D-MA)

If we were to withdraw our troops now, would the Malaki adminstration be able to take care of the reconstruction? Would attacks stop under Maliki?

Faiza: Most Iraqis believe the December elections produced a minority of good leaders. Iraqis will refuse this Constitution and they want to rewrite it. Not all the majority leaders are bad, but the good people are being marginalized.

[TayTay]

41. Oh, good rejoinder to the * Admin

and their constant reminder that it took the Americans years to get a Constitution after the Am. Revolution:

Dr. Wasfi (0 / 0)
pointing out that we are not exactly the best modelers of democracy; we have exported joblessness, health care nightmares, and drugs.

When the British were kicked out of the 13 colonies, the founding fathers did not ask them to help draft the Comstitution...

[rodeodance]

42. Iraqis will refuse this Constitution and they want to rewrite it. ----

John Olver, MA (1+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
fedupinBushcountry

If we were to withdraw our troops now, would the Malaki adminstration be able to take care of the reconstruction? Would attacks stop under Maliki?

Faiza: Most Iraqis believe the December elections produced a minority of good leaders. Iraqis will refuse this Constitution and they want to rewrite it. Not all the majority leaders are bad, but the good people are being marginalized.

[TayTay]

45. Woolsey and Anderson discussing (0 / 0)

the lack of support for the veterans--reenlistment bonuses denied to injured personnel who cannot complete the tour, vets charged for blood-soaked vests that became medical waste...

[TayTay]

46. There is a glimmer of hope

Signs are positive about Maliki, according to Faiza.

--- DCP

[rodeodance]

47. Woolsey and Anderson ---vets charged for blood-soaked vests

Woolsey and Anderson discussing (1+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
fedupinBushcountry

the lack of support for the veterans--reenlistment bonuses denied to injured personnel who cannot complete the tour, vets charged for blood-soaked vests that became medical waste...

He (Charlie) is part of a group called Bake Sales for Body Armor.

[rodeodance]

48. Members of the House who have introduced legislation: McGovern, Lee, and A

.....Maxine Waters introducing (0 / 0)

Members of the House who have introduced legislation: McGovern, Lee, and Allen.

McGovern saying he blames the Congress, who looked the other way while Bush planned for this war.

The simple motivation for McGovern's Bill (HR 4232)is simple: no more money, no more troops. He does propose an ORDERLY withdrawal, not a rout. No arbitrary deadlines either. It recognizes the need to leave NOW.

[TayTay]

49. McGovern is a Mass Dem as well

http://www.house.gov/mcgovern/

The text of his resolution is not on his website. (Grrrrrr!)

[rodeodance]

51. .Re-enlistment bonuses ---Army wants Wounded to pay it back!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/27/84014/9724


...Re-enlistment bonuses (0 / 0)

given to soldiers who are wounded in Iraq, the Army wants these soldiers to pay it back. They are sending collection agencies after them.

My husband a 20 year retired Vietnam veteran came home yelling about this. He said this as far as he knows was never done to even Vietnam soldiers. He said so now they are being punished for being injured. Disgraceful.

[TayTay]

52. OMG! This is criminal.

Can you even imagine having a kid come home wounded and then having the very government who sent them out to this godforsaken war send them to a collection agency because they got bullet wounds or IED damage to the equipment.

This is so damn immoral, I barely know what to say. I'd love to see the Hannity's and Rushbots and so forth answer to this testimony.

[ProSense]

62. Thanks for this thread! Here is an ABC article on this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1033397&mesg_id=1033397

[TayTay]

50. Treatment of Vets (OMG!)

Charlie has PTSD (0 / 0)
and he described what that meant for him--cowering behind a couch, unable to work, and angry. He is calm and focused here, but the toll has been paid.

See this link for a recent discussion about PTSD and a video on Hidden Wounds. You can advance the file through speakers. So sad.
http://ksgaccman.harvard.edu/iop/events_forum_video.asp?ID=2973

[Norquist Nemesis]

53. Looks like the Cons are playing hookey again!

It's titled as a 'bi-partisan' but unless they are the "and other members of Congress" and just don't want their name in print...

Anyone know of any Cons that are joining in?

[TayTay]

54. Not yet.

However, it is significant that they want to start to talk about Iraq on the House floor. This is a House that was strictly controlled and no debate was allowed on any of this under Tom Delay. The Rethugs must really be scared about the fall elections to let something as volatile as Iraq come up on the floor for discussion.

This stuff is just sickening. Why can't we get hearings like this up? We need better MSM, but we also need a better Progressive Dem network that has podcasting abilities. Sigh! This is powerful stuff.

[TayTay]

55. Rep Tom Allen

Tom Allen's (D. ME) bill, bipartisan legislation on permanent bases.

We simply do not know what they are going to do. But there is a lot of concrete being purchased, and it looks fairly permanent.

We need to make it an official policy that we will not leacve permanent bases.

When they made their case, there was no response on the Republican side. They do not want a debate on it. So keeping the amendment in is meaningful.


Allen: http://tomallen.house.gov/article.asp?id=346

[TayTay]

58. Thanks for reading

I will post if I find out that this hearing is getting a broadcast, either video or radio, and let people know.

It sounds like it was a very powerful first person statements and the exact kind of thing the American people need to see to have a more complete picture of what is going on in Iraq. So, of course, we won't see it. Sigh!

[TayTay]

60. Just spoke with KarenDC, there will be coverage later

PoliticsTV was there and will hve video later on.

I think there will also be a replay on the radio. I'll post the info when I get it.

This was a powerful hearing and, I was just told, there will be more.

[jenndar]

61. Thanks for the info, Tay. n/t

[karendc]

63. BREAKING

OK, DCP central (my house) launched Cindy Sheehan, David Swanson, Medea Benjamin, Gael Murphy, Ann Wright, and three Iraqi women (Aseel Al-Banna, Dr. Dahlia Wasfi, and Faiza al-Arji) at the Hart Office Building a few minutes ago, where they are carrying pink roses and a clear message to Sen. Bill Frist: troops in Iraq need to come home NOW, no permanent bases.

Will keep you informed.

Please help to keep the stories alive that all of these people are sharing. I cannot tell you how moved I was today to hear the testimony. Testifying, even in an informal hearing to a small group of Members of Congress, is an important means of conveying truths.

To put a face on this war; to hear firsthand the results of policies put into place by people we elected to office, is to remind us all what it means to live in a democracy. It means, to me, TODAY anyway, that we all must work together to end this horror.

[ProSense]

64. Thanks for the update. Did the get to Frist? Did he respond? n/t