I had assumed everyone knew my precise position on not funding the Iraq Debacle. I find that is not the case. For my own reference purposes, I repeat what has been my position since January 2007; articulated clearly in this February 2007 post:
Many ask ‘so what is a Democratic Congress to do?’ With Mitch McConnell promising filibusters to all attempts to revoke the Iraq AUMF, cap troop levels and to cut funding for the Iraq Debacle, what is it I am asking of the Democratic Congress.
Let me explain again – I ask for three things: First, announce NOW that the Democratic Congress will NOT fund the Iraq Debacle after a date certain. You pick the date. Whatever works politically. If October 2007 is the date Dems can agree to, then let it be then. If March 2008, then let that be the date; Second, spend the year reminding the President and the American People every day that Democrats will not fund the war past the date certain; Third, do NOT fund the Iraq Debacle PAST the date certain.
Some argue we will never have the votes for this. That McConnell will filibuster, that Bush will veto. To them I say I KNOW. But that does not fund the Iraq Debacle. Let me repeat, to end the war in Iraq, the Democratic Congress does not have to pass a single bill, they need only NOT pass bills that fund the Iraq Debacle.
But but but, defund the whole government? Defund the whole military? What if Bush does not pull out the troops? First, no, not defund the government, defund the Iraq Debacle. If the Republicans choose to shut down government in order to force the continuation of the Iraq Debacle, do not give in. Fight the political fight. We’ll win. Second, defund the military? See answer to number one. Third, well, if you tell the American People what is coming for a year, and that Bush is on notice, that it will be Bush abandoning the troops in Iraq, we can win that politcal battle too.
Understand this, if you want to end the Iraq Debacle, this is the only way until Bush is not President. If you are not for this approach for ending the war, tell me what you do support. I think this is the only way. And if you shy away from the only way to end the Debacle, then you really are not for ending it are you?
The first Presidential candidate I supported was Tom Vilsack, the former chairman of the DLC. How could that be? you might ask. It is because he said this in January:
Congress has the constitutional responsibility and a moral duty to cut off funding for the status quo,” said Vilsack. “Not a cap – an end. Not eventually – immediately.
I have been accused of being obsessed. I plead guilty. I have been obsessed with ending the Iraq Debacle.
94 comments
Skip to comment form
Author
a caller sd. U.S. hasn’t done enough to do the job right; send more troops; draft. He was from Oceanside, closest town to Camp Pendleton. Amazing.
A Kucinich supporter made some noise.
Absolutely no discussion of defunding now.
The guest was a professor from SDSU, born in India. Definitely not a fan of partion, post India/Pakistan. But, the guest seemed to think if we don’t fight them over there we’ll be fighting them over her; w/o citing any evidence for that theory. This was a well-spoken, thoughtful acadamic. Very disappointing.
P.S. A good idea to post such a concise foundation for your ultimate opinion. concise bedrock
This is the key I believe and it seems to me that it can be made eminently palatable for even the most hawkish.
Bush claimed that “major combat operations” ceased way back when. Since then it’s been an occupation, an ineffective peace keeping mission and/or a debacle.
Redeployment and a massive withdrawal is a positive strategy that needs to be adopted by setting a date certain. That allows for an orderly transition.
Rather than being a surrender date it is a completion date.
impeach!
it’s become ever more obviously the only option.
And his a Republican!
Vote Ron Paul 2008, the only sure bet to end this war.
Author
for batting back the idiocy on the Feed and Forage Act.
Link.
… to this comment by kid oakland regarding discharge petitions? This is something I don’t know much about.
I’m not asking you for a long screed here, but I would like something substantive (i.e., more than a one liner!).
have refuted the logic of this view. Democrats won’t do it. Thus, your view that it would work if Democrats did do it is refuted.
Seriously, I remember reading this post back when. It seemed like the right idea then. Don’t see what’s changed, now.
the proverbial hothead a year or so ago (time gets weird now a days) I too am obsessed but when the vehicle your using refuses to even start what then? Nothing will move them. They are stuck in a political and moral morass that cannot even comprehend, or maybe so, what they do! So what do we do? Just yell. Some ague for time, some for compromise (appeasement), some revolution, but as a large number clamoring for change how can we affect the dynamics set up by a machine that grinds all opposition down to either traitor or unfeaseable?