Understanding the Next War Money Vote

-Includes an extension to all U.S. government agencies and personnel of the current prohibitions in the Army Field Manual against torture.

“This Congress will continue to fight for change to President Bush’s 10-year, trillion dollar war. Democrats are committed to bringing our troops home soon, repairing the readiness of our military and refocusing our efforts to fight terrorism around the world.

“Congressional Republicans who have continued to support the President’s war will have a choice to make: keep voting to run out the clock on the President’s term in order to make this failed policy the next President’s responsibility, or stand with the American people and vote for a New Direction in Iraq.”

Yet again, this looks, sounds, and smells like a pro-war anti-war bill. It funds the occupation for additional months, requires Bush to begin a withdrawal (something the worst year of Army recruiting since Vietnam compels him to do anyway), and asks him for a plan to do something everyone knows he won't do. This is a bill that will be vetoed if it clears the Senate. The important question is who will vote for the no-strings-attached bill that will follow it. But a strong indication on that will be who votes for this one.

According to the Associated Press, we can count on at least Lynn Woolsey (along with Dennis Kucinich):

“While the measure was expected to pass the House, some Democrats said they would still reject it because the December 2008 date was nonbinding. 'It doesn't matter if we're voting to send the president $50 billion or $50,000, this Congress should only pass funding bills for Iraq that are used to fully fund the safe and orderly withdrawal of our brave men and women from Iraq, and bring them home to their families,' said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., a co-chair of the Progressive Caucus.”

That's two. What about the other 88? Can we count on them? And if we cannot, why should we ever take their word seriously again?