Shays wants Iraqi (people to) vote on troop withdrawal

[sabra]

Source: Conn Post

WASHINGTON — As the Iraq war enters its fifth year, Rep. Christopher Shays wants the Iraqi people to decide whether American troops should stay or go.

Shays this week plans to offer an amendment to a supplemental spending bill that would require the president, within 60 days, to develop an exit plan from Iraq. The timeline for withdrawal would be entirely the president's to decide, but would be put to a vote in Iraq — either through its Council of Representatives or a public ballot.

If 60 percent or more approve, Bush's plan would go forward. If not, a phased withdrawal would begin immediately under Shays' proposal.

"If Iraqis want us to leave, I'm happy to leave," Shays said.

Read more: http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_5484007

[saigon68]

1. Better to involve the Oil Companies

Let them vote:

</sarcasm>

[aquart]

2. They command our army now?

What do they care how many of our soldiers die? Are they waiting for them at home?

[peacetalksforall]

3. Can you imagine a vote that the U.S. wouldn't be involved with in

some way or another - donating ES&S, Diebold machines, etc. with technicians from the country of xxxxx (Russia? - weren't their reports of Russian technician-troubleshooters in 2004?_.

[rodeodance]

5. I have read a few bloogers from Iraq---some Do want us to stay------they

now believe this surge IS protecting them.

bad time to take a poll I think. Risky at best

[PATRICK]

4. It is understood

that the pressure is on the Iraqi puppet government to surrender the control of their own oil to the usual private companies as part of an agreement for a withdrawal. Pretty hefty blackmail but it is always below the radar if people like Mr. Shays and the uninformed American public continue to ignore the hand stuck in the cookie jar.

They will not be allowed to vote without that rider. The other part of the blackmail is that they would like American security to take the brunt of sectarian violence while the Shiites consolidate control despite the civil war. Their two choices would be to prepare to go it "alone" with American aid, or somehow escape American clutches to receive the same kind of aid from their brother Shiites in Iran. transitioning to either one means loss of independence and the latter- though preferable to Shiites- is more than actively blocked by Bush who intends to attack Iran and knock them back. There is no ideal independent solution in the current web of occupation and aggression caused by the US. They have NO choices while we are there. A vote is hardly necessary, and if not permitted, if wired with enthralling, constant predator conditions, is a shameful absurdity. In all of this Bush is the problem, the heart of the problem and the exploiter of problems. The only vote necessary and clear is the one dumping Bush permanently. Then and only then can people try to deal with their own critical issues.

There are simplistic solutions and easy ones. It is just that those with the legal power will not exercise their duties on our own turf from where all the death and destruction currently ensues.

The Iraqis will not get a chance to vote, Mr. Shays, until you vote Bush out on any number of charges or criminal despotic confrontations with the law, the nation and the world. You want to solve the Iraq problem, that is the first step. Put up or shut up.

[Barrett808]

6. But they did that during the "purple-finger" election

The result was overwhelmingly in support of candidates who opposed the US occupation and promised to end it asap.

[heatstreak]

7. K&R

[salin]

8. very interesting approach.

Gives cover to GOP for a withdrawl - but I can't imagine many of the jr fan faction would ever allow such a vote to happen. Bet this dies on the vine - but it is an interesting idea.