A question about Ted Kennedys speech today

[blues90]

From what I gather he is going to put forward a bill that stops the escalation . He wants to do this before it's too late . Does this mean that they will have a way to stop this escalation before it begins after bush gives his rant of lies wed or does this bill stop more escalation after the first escalation ?

[Monkeyman]

1. There are some big legal ??

[bdamomma]

2. maybe these senators know bush will divert those soldiers

to Iran. Bush is totally unhinged.

[whistle]

3. Escalation is what this is all about and that is the term the democrats need to use

...the only surge that is happening is the blood flow from Dubya's head into his ass!

[Avalux]

4. It will be a resolution - much like the resolution before the war.

Kennedy's argument is that the resolution allowing Bush to invade Iraq is obsolete; based on WMDs that didn't exist and against Saddam Hussein who is no longer in power. A new resolution must be drafted that deals with the current situation and that states an escalation in troop levels cannot be done without approval from Congress.

The resolution will not stop Bush, but must be done BEFORE more troops are sent in, to show Congress did not approve of the escalation. It's a game, and Kennedy's move is a good one - it'll be a springboard for future action.

[blues90]

5. So basically bush can send in more troops

But at least congress has spoken up against this in a open manner and there is no way of knowing when or how many troops bush can actually sent to Iraq for this escalation ?

[Avalux]

6. They can't stop Bush right now, unfortunately.

But if they have a resolution that they will not support and will not FUND an escalation and he snubs them and goes ahead, it's on record. Kennedy said the resolution will state that Congress will continue to fund the troops already there, but will not fund an escalation.

No way of knowing how many troops and exactly when, although the number for this go-round seems to be set at 20K. I did hear they won't all be sent at once; logistically impossible.

[Peace Patriot]

7. Here's how it could go. They pass the Resolution, and a similar one in the

House. Bush/Cheney say fuck off. They send the Resolution to budget committees, to sort out the escalation money from current levels money. They deny escalation money. Bush/Cheney dip into other budgets. (I'm sure they have lots of unaccountable slush funds.) Pelosi/Reid send Bush a second letter*, asking why is he escalating when they told him not to, and what funds is he using?, accompanied by subpoenas for financial records. Bush/Cheney say fuck off. Waxman and Conyers introduce a bill of impeachment in the House.

Magna Carta time.



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*(The first letter they sent, a day or two ago, was very strong on no escalation. So I presume they back Kennedy's Resolution. Also, generals, hawks, all sorts of people are saying no escalation. The Dems have good support across the board--70% of the American people, and much of the nation's establishment--to steel their spines in this all important confrontation on the "balance of powers." One other thing: I think they have the votes, or Kennedy would not be introducing this Resolution this early.)

[Peace Patriot]

8. Great thread on why Bush is escalating. It's the PENDING oil contracts!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3073715&mesg_id=3073715

You really, really must read. A whole new dimension on the thing--and I think the writer may have hit the nail.