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Op Ed: Mustering the Courage to End War »
Posted by: Spadecaller 2 years, 11 months agoSENATOR Edward M. Kennedy's proposal last week to withhold funds for escalating the war in Iraq is a bold effort to stop what many Americans perceive as a lost cause.
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Spadecaller
Welcome to my profile. About me: I'm an artist of several kinds; from bull to painting. I don't spare too many words. Most ...
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Comments: 25
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 6:50 a.m.Exerting the power of Congress to end an unpopular war has its risks. Many believe that these risks are perceptual, at best, and motivated by corporate interests. Are the threats similar to the tactics used by waving WMDs in the faces of Americans to scare them into waging war?
Are we trapped in the spin of politics leaving our troops in harms way? I believe so. Defenders of the Iraq War allege that cutting off funding will endanger our troops. They insist that our withdawal will precipitate a blood bath in the region. What are their true concerns -- to save Iraqi lives? I think not.
Is this just more propaganda to support the Bush Adminisration's interests in Iraqi oil? The Iraq Study Group believes that a diplomatic solution remains our best alternative -- not escalaton or maintaining the status quo.
Can Congress muster the courage great enough to endure the politcal treachery that awaits them? We may hope so, but it is only public pressure that can make the difference now.
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rathskeller
Jan. 16, 2007, 8:11 a.m."Bold, aggressive dissent is what a healthy democracy requires and it's needed now more than ever". That pretty much summed up the story for me...Should probably have it printed on our money...Peace...
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mcgrievysr
Jan. 16, 2007, 8:31 a.m.Let's hope that a coordinated courageous effort by Congress will be the first positive step in getting the soldiers home. Bush will continue to resist, I'm sure, but the Republican chickenhawks will at least be on the way out. An end may be in sight for this travesty, but will our nation be bankrupt when it's finally over?
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 8:39 a.m.Our government cares little or nothing about the Iraqi people; we are involved in a race for oil and power through weapon sales. The key contenders, aggressors, and victims, are: Saudi Arabia, China, U.S. Israel, England, Iran, Jordan, Syria, the Sudan, and Iraq.
Not that our corporate controlled government would comply, but our best solution for the Iraqi people is for us to bow out and by proxy contribute to rebuilding their country through a coalition -- a diplomatic pool of Arab nations.
But the real problem is our corporate owned government, which refuses to take its hand out of the cookie jar.
And, where are the rest of us: left behind at home, and our troops abroad fighting for their treasure.
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Amazing1
Jan. 16, 2007, 9:05 a.m.Lordy, Lordy. How I pray for a courageous Congress to put the spike to this futile business. It is not a war, it is an occupation. We have no business being there.
We have the problem of the corporations who have been profiting so handsomely from this fiasco. And we could suggest that they hire their own troops. (There are an estimated 100,000 mercenaries in Iraq at this moment.) But if the troops are withdrawn, the corporations will be left with their mercenary forces, looking for all the world like just what they are. Greedy businessmen whose only concern is the oil rich territory on which Iraq sits. And their meddling has absolutely nothing to do with spreading freedom and democracy.
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JustCallMeV
Jan. 16, 2007, 11 a.m."Courage is the discovery that you may not win, and trying when you know you can lose." - Tom Krause
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 10:03 a.m.State of the Union:
With a constitutional government and a representative democracy we pledged our allegiance.
We promised our loyalty to the laws for which our courts are obligated to uphold, and for which our representatives are sworn to defend.
WE once had this elusive thing we frequently call "democracy". It was always on borrowed time, and as reality suggests, our lease has expired.
Today, it's a theory and a hope.
We now have a representative dictatorship with a Congress that reflects the will of their lobbyists and an executive branch that defends corporate interests without any concern for the constitution or the American people.
Consequently, we have acquired a dictator, to sit in the White House. A man who signs legislation and at will writes in his "signing statements."
We have a war that is out of control and a monarchy siphening off the spoils while using the blood of our troops, and the lives of Iraqi citizens.
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aniokly
Jan. 16, 2007, 10:03 a.m.Senator Kennedy is in no position to recommend anything. The money has already been appropriated for the additional troops, and once they are there any attempt to cut their funds will be seen as cutting, and running. The Democrats will be labeled weak on defense, and Arab sympathizing scum. And they are. They are weak on defense, and have no clue about National Security.
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mcgrievysr
Jan. 16, 2007, 10:49 a.m.aniokly-----I guess that the ISG recommendations mean as little to you as they to do our "fearless" leader. You're still blindly following the White House rhetoric to "stay the course and waste more money and human lives" on this unwise occupation.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 10:49 a.m.aniokly
Partisan politics as usual. Still unable to evaluate a valid suggestion because it comes from someone you choose to disparage for an event that took place over thirty years ago. Enough already!
More Americans are becoming concerned about their nation not partisan prejudices. We want the war stopped.
These hollow slogans "democrats will be labeled weak on defense, and Arab sympathizing scum," are detrimental to our nation - throw backs to McCarthyism; calling Americans traitors. Shame on you.
People, at last, can readily see through that propaganda. The current polls show that.
That some of the right wingers still parrot the old GOP line without any thought about the facts, is laughable; especially when many of the Republicans, themselves, are acknowledging the administration's failures.
The facts are clear that our nation is presently at more risk, and the world is on the precipice of a regional war in the Middle East. Wake up.
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flyrod
Jan. 16, 2007, 11:10 a.m.I'd have more respect for this move if it had come from anyone except Sen. Kennedy.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 11:22 a.m.Some people can't see past their prejudice for the messenger to be able to see the message.
But if you want to wallow in the muck of partisan politics, Ted Kennedy's drunken debacle was nothing for him to be proud of. Bush's military non-record is certainly pertinent, and an embarrassment. And, for that matter, his wife's drunked drivers mishap, which took a life as well. Cheney had a few cocktails before shooting his friend, and did he face the music? No. I think we better stick to the issues; it's better for our nation's welfare.
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mcgrievysr
Jan. 16, 2007, 11:56 a.m.flyrod----"I'd have more respect for this move if it had come from anyone except Sen. Kennedy".
But, it's amazing how much can get done if nobody cares who gets the credit. As Spadecaller is implying, don't shoot the messenger.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 11:24 a.m.Yes, prudent and sober thought on defending our nation from terrorism is a separate issue.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 12:30 p.m.It is one of the important issues; the other is restoring our democracy so that we dont become like the terrorists who we have committed ourselves to overcome.
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Bobcat6
Jan. 16, 2007, 12:07 p.m.Anyone but Ted Kennedy! If he has his way then I will hold him and all nazi liberal politicians personally responsible for any terrorist acts committed on our soil after that. And I will consider all of U to be terrorist supporters who have no idea what you're talking about. In other words, TRAITOROUS MORONS! Remember U have to be aware of stupid people in large groups.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 12:34 p.m.I don't even read Bobcat6 posts when I see his two capitalized words "TRAITOROUS MORONS"
If he wants anyone to take his comments seriously, he should learn to communicate like a human being and drop the childish name-calling.
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Spadecaller
Jan. 16, 2007, 12:40 p.m."While Nixon's operatives would later ridicule his dissent and question McGovern's patriotism, it was McGovern and his allies who were ultimately correct about the futility of the Vietnam War.
By 1975, American involvement ended when Congress finally refused continued appropriations for the fighting.
"Today, history treats the dissenters far more favorably than Nixon and Lyndon Johnson. Some of them jeopardized their political careers in an effort to save the country from the recklessness and duplicity of two successive presidents."
"Bold, aggressive dissent is what a healthy democracy requires and it's needed now more than ever."
AMEN!
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Hobe
Jan. 16, 2007, 7:10 p.m.Ted Kennedy, The Drunk Of Chipaquatic... This guy may have caused the DEATH of a beautiful young Woman... However his career was apperantely more important???
He was for it before he was aganist it??
While the corrupt policitians in Washington play the politics, are Men and Woman are at great risk in Iraq and around the world???
What a shame the Policitians in Washington cannot get together and do the right thing 'Whatever that is' for all Americans???
Ted the Drunk is a disgrace???
Sincerely,
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NelsonR
Jan. 16, 2007, 10:43 p.m.Hobe, I read a lot of truth within this thread and then I observed yours. The disparaging rhetoric by the right wing is why Bush will perservere in the continuous unwarranted war within Iraq.
No amount of persussion by me or other poster will change your opinion. My only recommendation, read History.
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