I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I'll have to ascribe it Richard Clark, a stalwart progressive from the
Cafe Utne Forums. No promises he didn't read it somewhere else, as a he didn't claim to be the originator of what I will call the "Silver Bullet for Iraq." As internet-driven, buzz-type ideas, though, I'd say it's a real winner.
Here's how we do it - this Winter:
A referendum, in Iraq, on whether or not US Troops should stay, or go. If they vote to continue a massive US Troop presence, we stay. If they want us to leave, we go.
Democracy in action folks. If Bush did this, he would have an honorable way to get us out of Iraq, which is what we all really want anyway. Please write to your congressman to urge him or her to bring a resolution to the House floor. This is an honorable way for this nation to either leave, or stay, in Iraq. A fair election, a matter decided by the Iraqi people, who should be deciding their own fate - what better way to end this disaster, and bow out gracefully? Or if monkeys fly, and they vote for us to stay, then so be it.
I have to emphasis the importance of a completely UN-run oversight of the vote counting, and checking for irregularities. Such a vote would empower the Iraqi people to take political control of their own destiny.