Tomorrow is the vote in Congress on the Iraq Supplemental. This is why progressives are in strong opposition:
What's wrong with the supplemental? The deadline for removal is not until August 31, 2008. And, even then loopholes will allow as many troops as President Bush wants to stay in Iraq to "capture or kill" Al Qaeda or other terrorists and to train Iraqi soldiers. These are loopholes big enough to drive a war through! The requirements for sending combat ready troops can be waived by the president so exhausted troops that are inadequately trained can be sent into this quagmire. And, the supplemental does not restrict the president regarding using the funds to attack Iran.
Kevin Zeese
Executive Director
Democracy Rising US
The legislation can be found, in all its loopholed glory here:
Iraq Supplemental: Continue to Fund a Hopeless Situation Until A Date Uncertain
What's wrong with the Iraq Supplemental:
- It will keep the war going well into 2008;
- It omits Cong. Barbara Lee's amendment, which would have fully funded withdrawal by the end of the 2007;
- It gives the President the right to waive requirements that troops sent to Iraq must be properly trained, equipped and rested;
- The funds can be used for attacking Iran, since the final version removed language saying the president had to get authorization from Congress before attacking Iran.
- It gives George Bush another $100 billion for war when there is no military solution to the violence in Iraq.
WHO IS OPPOSED TO THE IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL?
ORGANIZATIONS & PUBLICATIONS OPPOSED to IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL
Progressive Democrats of America
US Labor Against the War
Nation Magazine Opposes Iraq Supplemental
AfterDowningStreet.org
True Majority
Democracy Rising US
Democrats.com
Working Assets
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Military Families Speak Out
CODE PINK
The Backbone Campaign
Institute for Public Accuracy
United for Peace and Justice
Peace Action
INDIVIDUALS OPPOSED TO THE IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL
Jonathan Tasini: No More Blank Checks: Vote NO on Iraq War Money
Howard Zinn: Howard Zinn Replies to MoveOn’s support for the supplemental
Norman Solomon: The Pragmatism of Prolonged War
John Stauber: 96% of MoveOn Members Did Not Show Support for the Pelosi Bill
Sheldon Rampton: Iraq: Why Won't MoveOn Move Forward?
and there's more to come...
SENATORS OPPOSED TO THE IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL
Senator Russell Feingold
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS OPPOSED TO IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL:
NO
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Lynn Woolsey
Rep. Maxine Waters
Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Rep. Raul Grijalva
Rep. John Lewis
NO but need to be called for confirmation
Rep. Steve Cohen (The Hill)
Danny Davis (The Hill)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (The Hill)
Rep. Keith Ellison (The Hill)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (The Hill)
Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald (The Hill)
Rep. Pete Stark (The Hill)
Rep. Diane Watson (The Hill)
BLOGGERS OPPOSED TO THE IRAQ SUPPLEMENTAL
OUT OF IRAQ BLOGGERS CAUCUS
Over at Talk Left, Big Tent Democrat is organizing the Out of Iraq Blogger Caucus:
Corrente Wire
Drawing the Line
I Take It Personally
Edger
Just A Bump in the Beltway
NION
downwithtyranny
My Left Wing
propaganda press
Gun Toting Liberal
VidiotSpeak
Lotus -- Surviving a Dark Time
Still undecided?
We are not politicians, we are citizens. Let the politicians advocate half-way measures if they choose, but only after they have felt the full force of citizens who speak for what is right, not what is winnable in a shameful timorous Congress.
Timetables for withdrawal are not only morally reprehensible in the case of a brutal occupation (would you give a thug who invaded your house, smashed things up, and terrorized your children a timetable for withdrawal?) but logically nonsensical. If our troops are preventing civil war, helping people, controlling violence, then why withdraw at all? If they are in fact doing the opposite -- provoking civil war, hurting people, perpetuating violence -- they should withdraw as quickly as ships and planes can carry them home.
If Congress thinks it must compromise, let it. But we should not encourage that. We should speak our minds fully, boldly and say what is right, whatever they decide to do..
"I would add this: To me it is tantamount to the abolitionists accepting a two-year timeline for ending slavery, while giving more money to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act.
"There is an understandable predisposition for reasonable people to compromise, but there are compromises which are real, and others which are surrenders. See the new movie THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY. The Irish rebels were offered a compromise, which gave them the Irish Free State, something palpable, a ledge to stand on from which to fight for more, which they have done. There is nothing palpable in this "compromise," only a promise whose fulfillment is in the hands of George Bush, and meanwhile funds the ongoing slaughter in Iraq."
Howard Zinn Replies to MoveOn’s support for the supplemental
Which side are you on?? Call Congress TODAY !! 888-851-1879.