Edwards puts up petition to YOUR Representatives to Stand Firm on Iraq

[mnhtnbb]

If you were hesitant to sign Hillary's petition, please sign this one.
Hillary's petition did not indicate that if you were a constituent
of another Senator or Representative, that the signatures would be shared.


John Edwards '08

Tell Congress: Stand Up To President Bush - End the War Dear Betty,

Today, right now, you and I have the best chance in years to help end the war in Iraq but we must take immediate action.

Here's the situation: Both houses of Congress have voted across party lines to bring our troops home with a plan to fully fund their redeployment and safe return. President Bush has vowed to veto this funding because it hampers his ability to wage endless war—he'd rather block funding for the troops than listen to the overwhelming majority of the American people who want the war to end.

Yesterday, Bush called a special press conference and made his strategy crystal clear: veto funding for the troops and then blame Congress for the results. He's betting that Congress will buckle under the pressure and just drop their plan to end the war. We cannot let that happen.

So today, I'm launching an emergency petition to Congress, urging them to stand firm on Iraq. We have to show every senator and representative that their constituents will not be fooled by Bush's ploy—Congress must not abandon the plan to end the war. We're aiming to gather at least 100,000 signatures before the showdown begins after Congress returns to Washington next week. Please add your name today:

http://johnedwards.com/r/9390/246385/

President Bush's calculation is simple. He knows the people are against him and his occupation is a failure, but because he controls the bully pulpit he thinks he can control the debate. So he'll continue to use the full might of his legendary spin machine to tell the American people that Congress is de-funding the troops, even as he vetos that very funding with his own pen.

As the President of the United States, Bush has a responsibility to the troops, and he has failed this responsibility over and over again. Congress also has a responsibility: To decide how to spend the people's money—and to say when enough is enough.

It's true that Cheney, Rove, and the rest of the president's team are master political calculators—and they do have a head start in shaping the headlines and controlling the spin.

But this is not the time for political calculation. This is the time for political courage.

If Bush vetoes the funding bill, Congress should send it back to him just as before—with a plan to bring the troops home. And if he vetoes it again, they should pass it again. And they should do this as many times as it takes for Bush to understand that the American people will not be bullied into writing another blank check for his war without end.

For years, Bush has abused the rhetoric of patriotism to frighten his opponents and divide our country—we can't let Bush get away with it anymore. When Congress funds the troops with a plan to bring them home, they are supporting the troops. When Bush vetoes that funding, he is responsible for blocking the money the troops depend on—nobody else.

But where will our representatives in Washington find that political courage, in the face of such powerful opposition? They will find it where courage has always been strongest in our nation's most critical moments. They will find it in the voice of the people—they will find it in you.

Will you add your name—your voice—to our call for courage? We're aiming to gather a hundred thousand signatures before Congress returns to Washington, and we can't do it without you. Please sign today:

http://johnedwards.com/r/9392/246385/

Thank you for standing up,

John Edwards
Wednesday, April 4, 2007

P.S. - Gathering 100,000 voices in the time we have will require all of us taking that extra step. Will you forward this email to friends and family members who also want to end this war, and ask them to join you by signing this petition?

P.P.S. - You can find links to detailed summaries of both the House and Senate funding packages and troop drawdown plan here. (Links will come up on the petition page)

[AshevilleGuy]

1. Done! n/t

[mnhtnbb]

2. Thanks!

[flpoljunkie]

3. But, will Edwards support Feingold bill which Reid will put to a vote if Bush vetoes the Iraq bill?

Senator Kerry said yesterday he would cosponsor the Reid/Feingold bill.

[mnhtnbb]

4. Put up a link to the Feingold bill. There's a link to the Senate appropriations

which you can read what's included so you can see what Edwards supports.
He supports drawing down the troops (included in the appropriations)and the funding that is included.

[flpoljunkie]

5. Feingold: SENATE MAJORITY LEADER COSPONSORS BILL TO REDEPLOY TROOPS FROM IRAQ

Statement from Russ Feingold which includes the language of the legislation which will be introduced when Senate reconvenes April 10th. Bold print mine.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER COSPONSORS FEINGOLD BILL TO REDEPLOY TROOPS FROM IRAQ

April 2, 2007

Washington D.C. - U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced today that they are introducing legislation that will effectively end the current military mission in Iraq and begin the redeployment of U.S. forces. The bill requires the President to begin safely redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq 120 days from enactment, as required by the emergency supplemental spending bill the Senate passed last week. The bill ends funding for the war, with three narrow exceptions, effective March 31, 2008.
“I am pleased to cosponsor Senator Feingold’s important legislation,” Reid said. “I believe it is consistent with the language included in the supplemental appropriations bill passed by a bipartisan majority of the Senate. If the President vetoes the supplemental appropriations bill and continues to resist changing course in Iraq, I will work to ensure this legislation receives a vote in the Senate in the next work period.”

“I am delighted to be working with the Majority Leader to bring our involvement in the Iraq war to an end,” Feingold said. “Congress has a responsibility to end a war that is opposed by the American people and is undermining our national security. By ending funding for the President’s failed Iraq policy, our bill requires the President to safely redeploy our troops from Iraq.”

The language of the legislation reads:

(a) Transition of Mission - The President shall promptly transition the mission of United States forces in Iraq to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (d).

(b) Commencement of Safe, Phased Redeployment from Iraq - The President shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq that are not essential to the purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall begin not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds - No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces after March 31, 2008.

(d) Exception for Limited Purposes - The prohibition under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure of funds for the limited purposes as follows:

(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations.

(2) To provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel.

(3) To train and equip Iraqi security services.

http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/07/20070402.html

[mnhtnbb]

6. I don't see why Edwards wouldn't support this bill. Here's a link

to his position in February of this year. At that time, he wanted all combat troops out of Iraq within 12-18 months.

http://blog.johnedwards.com/story/2007/2/14/112343/492

[JNelson6563]

7. Done!

:kick:

[mnhtnbb]

8. Thanks!

[citizen snips]

9. done

n/t

[mnhtnbb]

10. Thanks!

[iamjoy]

11. DONE (eom)

[mnhtnbb]

12. Thanks!