Getting out means getting out - by Senator Russ Feingold

[kpete]

Getting out means getting out
by Senator Russ Feingold
Fri Jul 13, 2007 at 12:00:59 PM PDT
With Senate Democrats increasingly united, it looks as if for the first time, a majority of the Senate will support binding legislation with a firm end date for our open-ended military presence in Iraq, something I first called for, with support and input from so many of you, back in August of 2005.

This would be a watershed moment but we all agree that it has taken far too long to get here. The binding language in Levin-Reed makes this amendment significant and I will support it. But there are aspects of the amendment that are cause for concern – in particular, the exception for "providing logistical support" to Iraqi troops could give the administration too much wiggle room to "repackage" its failed military mission instead of redeploying our troops.

I understand people’s concerns about this Administration trying to exploit even narrow exceptions in any legislation ending our involvement in the Iraq war. A running theme of this Administration is to twist the law in its favor rather than uphold the law on behalf of the American people. Congress must not be vague with its legislation. Right now, the bill I introduced in April along with Majority Leader Harry Reid, which is supported by a majority of Senate Democrats, requires the vast majority of our troops in Iraq to be safely redeployed by March 31, 2008, after which funding for the war would end. The bill currently provides three narrow exceptions – protection of U.S. facilities and personnel, training and equipping Iraqi security forces, and conducting targeted operations against al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations. It has always been my belief and my intention that these exceptions would require a minimal U.S. presence in Iraq and I have consistently said as much. But I’ve been hearing a lot of speculation that the exception for training and equipping in particular could be a loophole the Administration would try to exploit. Passing legislation that allows tens of thousands of American troops to remain in Iraq won’t be good enough. So as I continue to push my legislation to end funding for the war, I will also tighten it to try to remove any possibility that the President could continue keeping large numbers of U.S. troops in Iraq.

Until we begin significantly reducing our military presence in Iraq and thereby eliminate the perception that we are in Iraq as an occupying force, no political solution will be reached, no multinational effort will advance, and the violence and bloodshed will only continue. And America’s troops will continue to put their lives on the line for a policy that is weakening, not strengthening, our country in the global campaign against al Qaeda.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/7/13/141751/474

[mzmolly]

1. Thanks Kpete, rec number 2

:hi:

[codepinkdc]

2. Let's bring ALL the troops home!

I agree that the Levin-Reed amendment is an important first
step, but you are right, Senator, we need to go further. We
cannot leave this administration any wiggle room, because we
know from experience that they will take that little bit of
wiggle room and stretch it until there is enough room for a
dance party!

CodePink: Women for Peace also strongly supports bringing all
American troops and private contractors home from Iraq, not
just "the vast majority." The truth is that American
troops have lost their credibility in Iraq. They are seen as
the enemy and no matter how many are left behind, they will be
seen as a target, not only for Al-Qaeda, but also for those
Iraqis who see any American presence as an occupation.

American efforts to train Iraqi troops have been woefully
unsuccessful. Today, July 13th, Reuters reported that,
"The number of Iraqi army battalions that operate
independently, with no assistance from U.S. forces, has
dropped from 10 to six over the last two months." Our
efforts to train US forces are clearly not working and keeping
US troops in Iraq to continue this kind of training puts young
Americans in harm's way for a lost cause.

I am grateful and supportive of your efforts to redeploy
American troops, Senator, but please consider the consequences
of leaving any troops in the region. Its time to bring ALL our
troops home now!

[lyonn]

4. Getting all our troops out seems more critical than ever after

the clash between our troops and Iraqi police today or yesterday where 6 Iraqi policemen were killed and one Lt. was capture by our forces. What does that say about any kind of safety of any troops left for training purposes. Why couldn't we train them in another country.

Feingold and Boxer are out there often trying to get their Dem counterparts to get smart and do the right thing and they seem to be ignored. Ugh

Our presidential candidates need to get tough, definitive about the direction george has taken us in and how there needs to be major changes in how our govt. is run. They are too worried about the votes they may lose it seems. This is the strategy that has lost the Dems Many races through the years, too cautious.

You gotta respect Feingold and Boxer for being so outspoken. Boxer was great the other day on the Senate floor ranting about the war and lawbreaking george.

[newyawker99]

5. Hi codepinkdc!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[pberq]

3. Go Russ!

Imagine if all the Dems in Congress had this point of view.