Ads Don't Kill People, Wars Do

Everywhere I go on this campaign -- from Iowa to New Mexico -- I hear people asking when is this war going to end and when will we get all of our troops out of Iraq? Everyone, myself included, is tired of waiting for this war to end and tired of feeling let down by the people we elected.

The message I hear on the road seems pretty clear to me, but apparently the people in Congress aren't getting it. I know legislating is hard work -- I spent 15 years in Congress -- but I believe that when the people have given you a mandate, and soldiers are dying, it is your solemn duty to get the job done no matter what it takes.

Two days ago the Senate had a chance to help get more of our soldiers home for longer periods of time -- but the measure failed. Yesterday they had a chance to set a timeline to start withdrawing troops -- but that failed too. And today, another measure that would've required a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq failed. Three chances to make a difference, lost. But instead of continuing to push on the most important issue facing our country right now, yesterday Congress spent their time debating and condemning a newspaper ad by an anti-war group.

Let's get some perspective here -- ads don't kill people -- wars kill people. And it is long past time to end this war.

From my many years of diplomatic negotiations I have learned that persistence is key to wearing down the most recalcitrant opponents. So I will be persistent -- and I hope you all will too. If we don't get this done now, we may not have a chance again until a Democrat is in the White House in 2009. That is too long to wait.

And while I firmly believe a Democrat will win in November 2008, I also know that some of the other candidates don't share my clear vision for ending the war.

I have been asking them -- how many troops will you leave behind?

My answer is zero.

Their answers are starting to remind me of the same rhetoric we hearing from DC, a little too much hemming, a little too many "we'll see's."

Every day Congress fails to end this war is another day Congress fails to do what we elected them to do. Americans have lost patience with Congress and with the leaders they elected to end the war. But you know what? We have the power. We can end the war.

Let's do that together.

Comments

[mgh234]

Am I the only one that thinks the Democrats are turning as immoral as the Republican­s... We consistently chastise the right for killing hundred of thousands of Iraqi's, yet then call for a complete withdrawal. If we don't leave peacekeepers (preferably with the help from the U.N.) hundreds of thousands will be killed...b­ecause of our war, the different ethnic groups are filled with too much hatred.

If you think this hatred and animosity will suddenly dissipate when we leave, I have to seriously question your "foreign policy experience" you tout every day (Although I'm certain you know the consequences of a full withdrawal, I'm assuming you're having this position to differentiate yourself from the other candidates)

A counter-argument can (and has) be made that "its not our problem" if Iraqi's die when we leave...bu­t yes it is: Moral responsibility transcends borders. I would utterly be dismayed with our government if we would go and destroy a government and society and then state it’s not "our problem." It is our problem - our countries problem - and just because its the "Republican's war" doesn't mean we can somehow give up this responsibility.

As a corollary to this, why are the same people who are willing (begging) to send troops into Darfur to stop that genocide, the same ones that want a complete withdrawal of all troops which will certainly cause (well… speed up) a genocide?

Please stop getting stuck in the rhetoric…

[LizM]

Governor,

With all due respect, many of us are still waiting for an answer from you as to what you would do AFTER you pull ALL of the troops out and chaos reigns in Iraq. I know, I know...cha­os reigns now...but you ain't seen nothing yet!

In other words, and to be perfectly clear...ho­w do you propose to facilitate a political solution in Iraq with no US personnel, military or otherwise, in Iraq? I mean, NO US TROOPS would necessarily mean NO US CIVILIANS, as well, would it not?

Perhaps you no longer believe that the US should promote a political solution in Iraq.

How long must we wait for your answer?

[VeniceDave]

Governor Richardson has made his plan very clear. First, a complete withdrawal of American military presence in Iraq, replaced by a UN-facilitated all-Muslim peacekeeping force; a coalition conference of all the factions in Iraq; a security conference of the surrounding nations, who have an interest in a stable Iraq, and a donor conference of nations for rebuilding the country.

As Governor Richardson has said, the peace process cannot begin until we are out of the country.

[ChristIsntComingBack]

Private security firms. There are close to 180,000 of them over there now, more than the troops. I support the troops but not the private security firms.

As for chaos, you're implying that the US is responsible for it. We didn't start the fire. We fanned the flames and continue to do so by arming every side of playing them against each other, save for the Kurds, who have historically been the smarter strategists.

[julierb]

Chaos reigns now. It is because we are there that the chaos started, and continues. Why is everybody so willing to accept the position that if we pull out, there will be more chaos???

[aicon]

Gov Richardson, you need to get your fellow democrats to grow a due spine and warm up your constituents to act up more and gather forces. Why don't you all start by boycotting FOX Channel? And how about calling onthe hypocrisy of the nasty closeted GOP pedophiles that preach morality and abuse children or seek mensroom sex and are still in the Senate. Call it as it is! They dont have a problem to trash you whenever they can!

[jackbauer0396]

But, mgh, what would you say to the people who might argue that it's our presence there that is causing uprising, and as soon as we leave that will quell the fervent opposition to the government?

I'm not arguing this myself. Let me explain my position on Iraq. It was a terrible mistake, maybe the worst made in US history. Shame on the GOP wafflers who try to establish some good will with the anti-Iraq war crowd by saying "right intentions, wrong plan". That's BS, this war was mismanaged and waged for God-know-what reason. But Monday-morning quarterbacking doesn't get our troops home without, as mgh said, facilitating genocide. I don't think pulling out is the right choice. I don't think staying there is the right choice. Because there IS no right choice. But exactly what solution gets our boys and girls home, and what solution creates a stable government in Iraq? How do we balance the two? It's such a complex solution that I don't think the "right conclusion" can ever be made, and some sacrifices must be made. Whose shoulder that sacrifice is laid upon, I do not know.

[transendentilist]

It's time for us to stop enabling the Iraqis. There has been chaos and bloodshed for the last 4+ years. That arguement doesn't hold water, and is used to keep us there indefinately. Over 70% of all Iraqis want us out.
This is Iraqs fight now. Sure we should aid them financially and logistically, but our troops have done their jobs, and did it bravely and for the most part, honorably. It's time to stop using them for IED fodder, and get them home.

[maddogbitesback]

Peace keepers cannot keep peace if war is desired. I think it is desired right now in Iraq. And it has been ever since the British created Iraq from three groups who had no use for each other.

[gvincent]

I'm a pretty big fan of the Governor's strategy, but I can't help but be skeptical of the Iraq plan. While it would be hard to find someone better suited to handle American foreign relations, I'm not sure that this is a well thought through plan when most army personnel, present and past, would disagree with most of the facts that Bill Richardson proposes. Nor do I have faith in the Iraqi government or the governments of the surrounding nations. Federalism works. Centralized governments don't.
http://www.crookedinc.com

[BillZBubb]

"Federalism works. Centralized governments don't."

That's an absurd generalization. The whole of history is rife with counter-examples.

[Ahoenobarbus]

Name three.

[OckhamsElectricRazor]

The problem is not with the 'isms'. It is Iraq that does not work. Iraqi government was none of our business before we invaded; it is none of our business now; and it will continue to be none of our business when we leave.

Our goal should be humane disengagement with focus on righting as many of wrongs that we committed as we go.

[maddogbitesback]

Truer words were never spoken. You are sharp Ockham.

[Hoelder]

Centralized government works only with people that believe in government. Republicans do not believe in government. That is why we have $9 Trillion in debt with a spend and thrift Republican President.

[DRaymond]

Too much effort is being spent in the anti-war efforts in the wrong places. It doesn't need to be spent berrating the people who are already voting for the war resolutions. They would undoubtedly continue to vote yes and it is preaching to the choir. It is also misspent attacking generals, who are implementers and not policy setters.

Where the energy must go, ALL of the energy, is on any Republican senator up for re-election in 2008 who isn't already voting for the resolutions. Instead of attacking the general move-on and the rest should be making it absolutely clear to them exactly the massive effort that will be spent on unseating them unless they change their vote.

[dawlishgal]

Re: "It is also misspent attacking generals, who are implementers and not policy setters"

It was BUSH who set Petraeus up to be the "policy setter." In doing so, he tried to wriggle out of personal blame for further chaos and destruction, but he also has made the military into a propaganda branch of the Bush administration.

As a willing member of the Bush team, Petraeus has made himself vulnerable to legitimate criticism of the Bush team. And, since he obvioulsy is pushing the Bush agenda, he deserves whatever criticism is made of the way he distorts the picture in Iraq in order to keep our troops in peril.

[HelenIsaacson]

How we we get the "massive effort" going? One way for anyone sitting in front a computer to start is to get the names of these Senators (see thomas.loc.gov) and email their offices. Many of them may not wish to hear from you if you are not a constituent, so if you have friends in one of the Senators' states ask them to do the work. Also, don't forget to contact Democratic Senators who have been too timid to vote for any substantive legislation that could end the war in Iraq. Does anyone out there have any other ideas or information on how to best identify and contact these Senators? For those willing to leave the computer and get active in your community, the group I helped start last year, the Bay Area Grandmothers Against the War, would be happy to supply you with free materials and any advice you ask us for. Check us out at www.gawba.org and contact us at gawba.orga.org or 510-845-3815. If you have any other good ideas on how help those in the Congress who are trying to end the war, please let us know.

[maddogbitesback]

Truer words were never spoken.

[transendentilist]

At this point in the game, the so-called military experts have been wrong at nearly every turn. The top military brass NEVER rocks the boat. They never go against the CIC, so why should we trust them further?
Thank goodness for sane people like Gov. Richardson.
We are being used by the Iraqi government for all they can get out of us. They have had 4 years to get their army and police forces together, and they are still dismally inefficient and cluttered with insurgents, death squads and secret militias.
America had it's bloody wars for independence and liberty. It's time Iraq had theirs. It's their country, not ours. Let them work it out for themselves. That whole, "if we just leave there will be chaos," arguement, is erronious anyhow. Iraq has BEEN in chaos for 4+ years now. Our presence has been a big part of it. We are causing more chaos, merely by remaining there. We are the occupiers.