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Tag(s): Congress Democrats; Congress Failed Oversight Democracy; Democrats DNC; Impeachment; Iraq War; Military Industrial Complex; Republicans-GOP; Right Wingers Endangering America
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May 30, 2007 at 01:18:28

"Shallow Throat": Dems' Cave-In Is Truly Scary

by Bernard Weiner, The Crisis Papers Page 3 of 3 page(s)

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"When General Petraeus tells the Congress in September that the U.S. is making 'clear progress' with the surge but needs another ten thousand troops and six months more time to turn around the situation in Iraq, there will be a political insurrection inside the Pentagon, with mass resignations of the highest-ranking officers in the military, conservative men and women willing to take on the Bush Administration and those officers who choose to stay and obey these reckless, likely illegal Administration orders. These officers of conscience will not acquiesce to more self-destructive madness, more wrecking of an already stressed, stretched-too-thin military and National Guard; more shredding of the Con--"

I interrupted: "Are you suggesting the possibility of an armed confrontation between the two sides, or just a massive public airing of different points of view about U.S. military policy around the world? Is this what you meant by the possibility of martial law?"

"Hear what I'm saying. There are growing rumbles from both inside and outside the government: If the situation after September looks hopeless in preserving the Constitution and re-establishing a sane foreign/military policy, and if key nations decide to retaliate against America by calling-in the U.S. debt bonds they hold (thus ruining the United States economy), nothing will be off the table inside this country," said Shallow Throat, and quickly left the room.

I sat there stunned, unable to move, petrified by fear. #

*Bernard Weiner, a playwright/poet, has had numerous conversations ( http://www.crisispapers.org/weinerpubs.htm#shallow ) with the Shallow Throat character over the past six years. Holder of a Ph.D. in government & international relations, he has taught at universities in California and Washington, worked for the San Francisco Chronicle as a writer/editor for two decades, and currently co-edits The Crisis Papers (www.crisispapers.org). To comment: crisispapers@comcast. net .

First published by The Crisis Papers and Democratic Underground 5/29/07.
http://www.crisispapers.org/essays7w/scary.htm

Copyright 2007 by Bernard Weiner.

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www.crisispapers.org

Bernard Weiner, Ph.D. in government & international relations, has taught at universities in California and Washington, worked for two decades as a writer-editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, and currently serves as co-editor of The Crisis Papers (www.crisispapers.org).

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Spencer McNeil is the New Hampshire State Director for the Gravel for President 2008 campaign. He can be reached at spencer@gravel2008.us or via telephone at 617 548 8153.
SMcNeilSpencer McNeil is the New Hampshire State Director for the Gravel for President 2008 campaign. He can be reached at spencer@gravel2008.us or via telephone at 617 548 8153.

A Legislative Plan to End the War?

Those who are looking to end the war should consider the Gravel United States Armed Forces Withdrawal from Iraq Act. If they like the idea they should contact their members of Congress and ask them why they are not supporting it.

Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel has a plan that will end the war in Iraq in three months with all US troops home in six. This plan recognizes that under the United States Constitution the power of the Congress is superior to the power of the Presidency.

Mike’s plan is to pass a law in the Congress making the war in Iraq illegal. Failure to comply with the law would be punishable by five years in jail without possibility of parole. The President of the United States is required to follow the law like any other American citizen.

Of course, once the law is passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is likely that President Bush will veto it. Mike Gravel’s plan would call for the Senate and House Democratic leadership, Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to bring the bill to a vote day after day, 7 days a week, 30 minutes per day, forcing the media spotlight to shine on those Senators and Congressman who are prolonging the war until pressure from their constituents produces a two-thirds majority sufficient to override the Presidential veto. (If the law is filibustered in the Senate initially, the same procedure would apply.)

Mike Gravel is a legislative strategist who served two terms in the US Senate fighting for "unpopular" causes and winning against the odds. He released the Pentagon Papers and successfully ended the US military draft by conducting a five month filibuster in the US Senate. Most other options for ending the war fall into the "do the right thing" category or involve timelines that extend far off into the future. Rather than wait, let’s force our elected representatives to listen to the will of the American people by introducing Mike Gravel’s draft legislation, the United States Armed Forces Withdrawal from Iraq Act, and end this destructive and unnecessary war now.

by SMcNeil (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 8 comments) on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 10:49:39 AM