TRUTH sets us free! stop the lies and distortions!

there is and has been much ballyhoo around here about the current state of the iraq funding bill.  ALL of the statements made have been inflamatory, speculative AND incorrect.

we do NOT serve our community by these distortions and inaccurate depictions of the delicate negotiations occurring right now in congress.

c-span has spoken to members of the democratic party to ask what is happening with this bill - and the explanation makes damned good sense!  the democrats are NOT caving - they are working to ensure the quickest withdrawal possible WITH republican support!

come below and i will explain it to you as cspan explained it earlier.  then weep for the time and energy and respect that has been lost in these past few days.

cspan reported that the democratic members of congress have said that the reason they are considering removing the timelines from the iraqi spending bill is that the republicans have gone to bush and told him that if nothing happens with this "surge" by september, he will lose their support!

IF the democrats force the issue right now, they will undercut the republicans who have stated to bush that he MUST have significant support and success in iraq by september or they will not support him. (translate that into voting for timelines, withdrawal, or what EVER means it takes to end this debacle).

by allowing the bill to pass WITH this direct challenge BY the republicans to bush and not forcing a democratic bill through that would force a veto and polarize the republicans, the democrats stand to gain significant support in stopping - yes, ENDING - this war.

so, people who are so determined to use terms like "spineless", "caved", etc., i ask you this simple question:

which do you prefer?  our troops brought home as quickly as possible under our system of laws OR a pyrrhic victory where we get to claim WE voted to BRING THEM HOME while they, in reality, are forced to stay much LONGER in iraq because we backed the republicans (whose support we need) into a corner!

for christ's sake, people!  PLEASE think before you react in the future?

we NEED republican support to end this war.  we do NOT have the votes to do it on our own, no matter HOW much we want it.

so, please consider re-directing your efforts to contacting the offices of those who are essential to withdrawing the troops:  the republicans!