Activists call on Congress to end war
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Members of the House of Representatives received over 2,000 petitions Wednesday from active-duty military personnel asking them to end U.S. involvement in Iraq.
Appeal for Redress, an organization that collects petitions from troops currently serving who are dedicated to removing U.S. troops from Iraq, held a press conference on Capitol Hill to deliver the petitions to Congress. Jonathan Hutto, co-founder of Appeals for Redress, announced that his organization would be sponsoring a forum for all presidential candidates to specifically address the war in Iraq, and to warn against military action against Iran.
If candidates accept, the forum will take place in South Carolina in February. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee was among the five lawmakers who voiced their support at the press conference. Lee said although she wants the occupation in Iraq to end, she does not want U.S. forces to believe that troop withdrawal signifies failure. "I don't want [the troops] coming home to the allegation of defeat,” she said. “For it was not a defeat on the battlefield, it was a defeat at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”
- CNN’s Aspen Steib
The poll in witch is based this article don't have any scientific value because the sampling margin error of plus-or-minus 6.5 points. Any poll to be scientifically acceptable, the margin sample error needs to be equal or minus 3 percent.
2000 disgruntled personnel out of 150,000 deployed (1.3%)
I guess the 1.3% should speak for the other 98.7%?
How about the 20% of the population that wants to outlaw ALL abortion?
How about the 5% of the population convicted of sexual assault on minors determining the legality of consent?
How about methadicts (1-2% of population) deciding if drugs should be legal?
Take that, Rush Limbaugh!
It's good to see that the political diversity among our military servicemen is finally being demonstrated.
well, sheila jackson lee, you admit your politicizing the war if you just think of it as a defeat for 1600 penna. ave and not as defeat of America against Islamo-fascism.
Hundreds of thousands marched in the streets during the Vietnam war and the Nixon administration only increased their bombing campaigns. He, like Bush, said he wouldn't be swayed by protests or what the "people" want. War will continue as long as huge profits can be made and future profits (i.e., stability in the region to protect "American interests") can be assured.
It's very disheartening, but sadly appears to be the truth.
Congress is ending the war right under Bush's nose. Watch and see. Congress has had enough of this administration.
Since when did the All-Volunteer Military suddenly become a democracy?
Gee – hear I thought there is a chain of command and that the Generals, President, and Joint Chiefs of Staff make the decision of how to prosecute any conflicts.
This bottom-up approach to Military Command is new to me!
sorry, but i do not believe it was all at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I believe it is loud mouth senators who speak to openly, let the troops do their jobs and leave the politics out of it.
Any person sponsoring the circulating of a seditious petition among the military forces of the United States during a time of armed conflict should be apprehended, incarcerated, and tried for treason. Shame on those who would use our brave soldiers as political tools to achieve their own ends!
soliders who don't want to be there should be removed for undermining the mission. phony soldiers
Congress,led by oil-thirsty and pro-israeli senators and congressmen authorized the President to invade Iraq.That "poor" country is breaking down now to "small" pieces.Remember what General Powell said to the President before the invasion!If you break it,you own it.And that's what is likely is going to happen.Maaaaay be the US can fix it by the time the last barrel of oil is extracted from Iraq-a century from now and none of us will be around to see if that happens!
My opposition the war is simple: I'm not willing to put my tail on the line for this sham war and I don't expect anyone else to put their tail on the line for me. I consider any able-bodied civilian who supports this war to be a hypocrite.
I was never convinced that this war would protect the US from WMD. It was never about that. Before the 2000 elections Jeb Bush, Dick Cheney, I. Lewis Libby, Donald Rumsfield and Paul Wolfowitz were part of a think tank called "Project for a New Amemican Century". PNAC was advocating an attack on Iraq long before 9/11 mostly for reasons having to do with long term stability of oil markets and the theory that removing Saddam would simplify the Israel/Palenstine problem.
Here's a link to what they were writing about US foreign policy towards the Middle East back in 2000 http://www.newamericancentury.org/iraqmiddleeast2000-1997.htm
Also, here's a link to their statement of principles signed by half of the Administration http://www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm
Entirely unrelated is something I noticed because I've been living in Barcelona for the last six weeks. The price of oil is at an all time high, but oil prices are measured in dollars. The dollar is historically weak (even the canadian dollar has achieved parity). When I was in the US economists were saying that we are experiencing inflation due to high energy prices but for everyone else in the world oil prices are the same as usual, just the dollar is weaker. To me it looks like a stealth devaluation of the dollar.
Alert Field Marshall Rush.
More 'phony' soldiers speaking their minds.
160,000 military personal in Iraq.
2,000 petitions to end the war.
Hmmm.....
It is about time! Our service men and women are being used unmercifully by our government officials. How many stints do they have to do in a war that cannot be won because of cultural differences.
I support our troops 200%, but I do NOT appreciate the fact that this war is nothing more than a political war.
The Republicans are too stubborn to call a halt to it all. The Democrats are a big disappointment because they are not STOPPING the war as promised...they continue to fund it.
Americans are loved, but overseas they just laugh at our officials.
It is high time the military families spoke out about their loved ones. They are NOT receiving the benefits promised, not are they getting the proper care promised...it's all wrapped neatly in a package called "Fight For Me But I Really Don't Care."
Our officials should be ashamed!
6 years ago, i said the war is not answer. US in iraq is pointless.
Bet they're all Democrats..