BOTH PARTIES ATTEMPT TO SHIFT THE BLAME TO IRAQIS RATHER THAN ACCEPT THEIR SHARED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE IRAQ QUAGMIRE
The 2008 elections for Congress and the presidency seem to be the dominant domestic factor in determining the outcome of the Iraq War. The Democrats are using the war to position themselves to win the presidency and expand their majority. The Republicans are trying to keep their base happy until it is too late for incumbents to be challenged. And, the president is using his veto power to show he is still the “decider” not Congress.
http://democracyrising.us/content/view/912/151/
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A GENERAL RESPONDS TO PRESIDENT BUSH’S VETO
Dear Mr. President,
Today, in your veto message regarding the bipartisan legislation just passed on Operation Iraqi Freedom, you asserted that you so decided because you listen to your commanders on the ground. Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear -- most notably General Eric Shinseki, whose foresight regarding troop levels was advice you rejected, at our troops' peril. The legislation you vetoed today represented a course of action that is long overdue.
http://democracyrising.us/content/view/906/151/
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ANALYSIS OF THE 2008 APPROPRIATION FOR IRAQ
Congress is now considering President Bush's request for an additional $145 billion to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through September 30, 2008. The House Armed Services Committee is including these funds in the Defense Authorization Bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which runs from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008. Of this, $142 billion will be for the military and $3 billion will be for the State Department. President Bush submitted this request on February 5, the same date on which he requested $93 billion for the wars for this year's budget and $482 billion for the regular baseline military budget for FY 2008 (a 62% increase over the baseline military budget in 2001).
http://democracyrising.us/content/view/908/151/
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TWENTY PEACE ORGANIZATIONS WRITE TO REID AND PELOSI TO URGE END NOT COMPROMISE; ACTIVISTS PLANNING TO SWARM ON WASHINGTON
Democracy Rising joined with 20 peace and justice organizations urging Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi in fulfilling “the mandate for peace the voters delivered last November, and send the president a bill to fund only the safe, orderly and complete withdrawal of all US troops, contractors and bases within six months.” As the Congress and Bush administration work to find common ground the peace movement is making its’ position clear – do not give in to Bush, push to really end the war. http://democracyrising.us/content/view/904/151/
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LIKE A FRESH WIND COMING DOWN FROM ALASKA
Mike Gravel is determined to start a debate about the fundamentals of democracy in his quest for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President. For over a decade, given the failures of elected politicians, Mike Gravel has been engaged in some extraordinary research and consultations with leading constitutional law experts about the need to enact another check to the faltering checks and balances – namely, the National Initiative for Democracy, a proposed law that empowers the people as lawmakers.
http://democracyrising.us/content/view/911/151/
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To keep up to date on the news from Iraq and Capitol Hill visit www.DemocracyRising.US
The Democracy Rising peace project seeks to bring the troops home and end the occupation of Iraq.
