Approaching Our 6th Year Of War

For too long a bi-partisan majority of Congress has sat idle while President Bush has continued to carry out his occupation of choice in Iraq with a blatant disregard for the mandate given by the American people in the election of 2006.

We are rapidly approaching a landmark number of 4,000 troops killed in action with over 30,000 seriously wounded. The cost of the war is astronomical and the price continues to skyrocket. The surge has brought success in a sense that violence has decreased, but that does not erase the fact that our troops and innocent Iraqi people continue to be killed, almost daily.

Even if we look at this occupation from President Bush's standpoint our military has accomplished every mission given to them. There were no WMDs to disarm, Saddam Hussein is dead, the Iraqi people have had three democratic elections, we built, trained, armed, and financed a new Iraqi Army and police force, and we have completed a full year of the surge that was implemented as a short-term military tactic designed to create an atmosphere peaceful enough for the Iraqis to achieve a political reconciliation and unite under one Iraq.

This summer we will still have 140,000 troops bogged down in Iraq, more than we had before the surge was implemented.

Now President Bush is finding more excuses for our troops to stay in Iraq indefinitely. He has even attempted to make "under the table" deals with Nouri Al-Maliki for a permanent US troop presence in Iraq, even though Al-Maliki is a fragile leader who will probably be gone as soon as the end of the Bush presidency -- provided he is lucky enough to make it that long.

Getting back on point ...

Given what we know, that President Bush has no regard for the power of Congress or the wishes of the American people, nor will our Congress (as a whole) stand up to the President, it is now up to the people to do everything within our power to take a stand against this travesty inflicted upon America and the nation of Iraq.

It is no longer an option to give members of Congress the comfort of knowing that they will have our votes regardless of their legislative voting record on the war. I am clearly referring to Democrats who vote in lockstep with Republicans on war-funding bills only to complain about having to do so. On occasion, I interact with some of these members of Congress and their staff, when challenged with their voting record, they are quick to respond with "we have to elect more Democrats" or "We just don't have the votes" despite the fact that they have more votes than the Republicans who keep winning.

It is now time to let them know that we are well aware that they took our votes for granted and we won't be fooled again. It is perfectly reasonable not to feel compelled to vote for Democrats with voting records practically identical to John McCain because of the "lesser of two evils" dilemma. The only way Congress will respect the "power of the people" is for them to be fully convinced that we are perfectly willing to vote them out of office for their cowardly inaction.

I know for a fact that we who are out there in the streets fighting for a change of course in Iraq are sick and tired of having to hang our heads in shame every time our members of Congress cave into George W. Bush and his Republican "minority" in the House and Senate.

If the Republicans can prevail every single time with less votes than the Democrats, why can't the Democrats for once just stand strong and united sending a strong message to Bush that he won't get a dime except for a binding agreement for a fully funded withdrawal of our troops? Why not? Hillary and Obama are saying they will start bringing the troops home right away once they become president. So why don't Democrats in Congress start the process now? Are they afraid? At this point, it is hard to tell.

This is coming from someone who spent the last three years fighting on behalf of the Democratic party, primarily on the war issue. I remain a Democrat, and I'm not leaving my party, but if Democrats don't "get the memo" soon, I will do everything I can to empower Democrats who will actually do the job that their constituents elect them to do.

Blind loyalty to a political party has proven to be ineffective on the war issue. Unless of course you are a Republican (due to the fact that they keep winning).

Soon Congress will have another opportunity to vote on a bill to fund the war in Iraq for the duration of the Bush presidency. Today, the Senate voted on a bill that would advance the debate on cutting off funding for the war -- but what is the catch? Only time will tell what the Republicans have up their sleeve in regard to this vote. In the meantime, we need to put as much pressure on our members of Congress to take advantage of what may very well be their final chance to start the process of ending George W. Bush's occupation of Iraq.

Comments

[LizM]

In view of the great confusion and misinformation surrounding the Biden strategy, I wanted to share this,

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=284741&&

[francoise]

John,

We can only admire your stubborness, the energy and time you spend fighting to try and influence the politicians for them to save some lives by ending this war and occupation.

Unfortunately, politicians have their own agenda. I don't think they care much about the lives which are wasted in Iraq. They'll vote according their own interests and according to what will be more efficient to get them or their party elected.

Ending the war now might not bring many advantages to the Dems. There's the risk of a bloodbath in Iraq, which would benefit the Republicans and Mc Cain. It also would deprive Obama and Clinton from some of their promises and arguments during the campaign.

Therefore American soldiers will go on being sacrificed for the benefit of political agendas.

Disgusting ? Yes.

Soldiers are men and women with feelings, emotions, and lives full of hope, love, and dedication. But the military as a whole body is a tool that is used by governments for the best or the worst and sacrificed by governments with hardly a single thought for the soldiers. Which is why voting is of the utmost importance : giving to a man and his party the power of deciding how to use the military is of the utmost importance, both for the individuals who are soldiers, and for the individuals who will pay for the soldiers.

Thank you for not being discouraged, John. The task to try and get politicians into doing the right thing despite their own agendas is enormous. Especially nowadays, when everyone is just patiently waiting for the next president to be elected for the problems to be solved. Meanwhile, doors are kicked in the middle of the night, IEDs are exploding, spreading more hatred, more injuries, and more deaths.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you francoise -- it is great to hear from you again.
V/R
John

[francoise]

I missed reading you a lot, John. My internet line was out of order for the last three weeks, yes, it took me all that time to succeed in moving the butt of the national phone company for them to mend the system. You've got to love having a nationalized single company in a socialist country where internet guys work 35 hours a week... that is, when they're not striking !

So I couldn't wish you a happy Valentine day. I might be too late today, nevertheless as you're one deserving as much happiness as it's possible, I hope you had a nice Valentine. Considering your life now with some relativity, I assume that all your days, whether Valentine or not, are much happier now than when you were deployed.

John, have you written about your time there ? There are many milblogs nowadays, however as you were there at the very beginning what you went through is an experience you might want to share. Your testimony is valuable, because you write with more culture and more intelligence, more objectivity, than many soldiers. Moreover you've been back for some years so you've analyzed what happened. Although perhaps you've got sort of a moral contract not to reveal what you went through and you've got to censor your writing. Anyway as I would be very interested in reading a book written by you about the war, then I thought I'd tell you. It would make a nice change to read something smart written by an eye witness.

Well, now I'm going to cook something for dinner, which is going to be a difficult task with all my fingers crossed in hope for Obama ;-)

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080227/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_politics

[LizM]

This is just more proof - as if we need any more - of the urgency to implement Senator Biden's strategy, or one very much like it!

[Researchguy66]

Amen, brother...More than disappointed, I've been angry at the Democrats in congress. Far from taking our votes in 2006 for granted, they've turned Iraq into a circus - trotting out the clown car, whenever the crowd gets bored. They've shown as much respect for the seriousness of the issue as Rudy Giuliani has done for 9/11.

I'd love to see Iraq and Afghanistan as priority number one in this country, above all others, as it should be whenver we ask our soldiers to travel abroad and do our dirty work.

Our party leaders, including candidates Obama and Clinton, should be pushing this issue forward every day. That two very powerful senators, one of whom may well be President in less than a year, cannot find some way to act NOW is reprehensible to me.

It's not enough to just vote for withdrawal. We'll need stress and anxiety treatment, good jobs for newly returned vets, educational opportunities, mental health, physical health and a society that welcomes these men and women home, gratefully, with open arms as victors.

There's a lot of work to be done and it's about time someone starts doing it. I'm holding my party accountable in November.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

Researchguy66,

Thank you for your reply, I especially liked this part: "It's not enough to just vote for withdrawal. We'll need stress and anxiety treatment, good jobs for newly returned vets, educational opportunities, mental health, physical health and a society that welcomes these men and women home, gratefully, with open arms as victors.There's a lot of work to be done and it's about time someone starts doing it. I'm holding my party accountable in November."
V/R
John

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Well said, JB, I've been harping on people with party loyalty before or above Constitution and country loyalty for a long time. It's why I stay Independent, we seem to have a large contingent on BOTH sides of the isle that are really part of a one-party system that belongs to the lobbyists.

There is more than 2 lobbyists for EVERY member of CONgress, and that's JUST the registered PHARMACEUTICAL lobbyists. Imagine the hundreds of lobbyists offering members 'legal' BRIBES every day.

Votes favoring corporations over Constitution and the citizens of OUR country are seemingly 'engineered' to look close, but that's likely to play voters for fools. The Constitution and OUR citizens NEVER win those corporate before country votes, and the closed-door, business-as-usual, across-the-isle deals will continue to the detriment of OUR country. At least, that is, until lobbyists are completely OUTLAWED, and INCUMBENTS are USUALLY voted OUT.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

NoFactsJustTruth,

Well said. Have you read this piece in Rolling Stone?

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/18349197/the_chicken_doves

V/R
John

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Great artical in the Stone, John, Matt Taibbi MUST be reading my stuff.
Just kidding, but I HAVE been harping on the subject of lobbyists actually running OUR country through their legal bribes, AND the dems defection for that same money and questionable political position, for a long time now. I'm sure some bloggers I send comments to think I'm a stuck CD(broken record makes me feel old), but there's NO doubt left for those that open their eyes, lobbyists and their bought government criminals are effectively a 'one-party' system that plays the voters for stupid ...frequently.

Apologies for not getting back quicker, I posted my comment this morning as I was going out the door, leaving for work.

One week before the election of '06, upon seeing an interview on 60 Minutes, I then brought word of the Speaker's "...off the table" statement to the HuffPost threads, accused her of being bought, and was immediatly set upon by commenters that first refused to believe it. At least until I next provided the interview transcript, but even then it was still shoot the messenger time from the blindered Dem party members.

The kool-aid drinking members of BOTH parties seem to believe that, when it comes to the success of THEIR party, ANYTHING goes, - no matter what THEIR actions may do to OUR Constitution, Our country and 'We the People', it appears to be an an unmitigated near-nazi philosophy that 'the end justifies the means'.

One thing MOST of CONgress does seem to agree on lately, is selling out OUR Constitutional Rights, OUR troops and the citizens of OUR country for the corporations and industries that're ALREADY making record profits. Perhaps they cannot see that their 'little change here and little change there', over time, has done considerable DAMAGE to OUR Constitution and the 'Rule of Law'. Or, perhaps they see and DO NOT CARE.

Either way, such a member, just as the preznutz himself, does NOT deserve to hold office.

[dogman44]

John, I live out in the boonies and don't hear
much about demonstrations in these parts of N.M. Nor does the msm seem to cover any protestations against the war or any of the
myriad of moral and ethical American values that have been violated, not to mention out and out lawbreaking! Even Huffpo carries very
little news of demonstrations. How often do you attend protests and what is the high and low average of attendance in your guesstimate?
Too many of our representitives forget that
that's what they are, "our representitives!!!"
Instead they are in lockstep with the new monarchy that has formed. They are part of that privileged monied class that profit off
war like big dogs, but when it comes to fighting, they and their's stay stay home in
their castles hording their wealth. Our founding fathers were land rich but I doubt any
of them ever envisioned the amount of wealth being consentrated as it is today in such a small number of hands. Much like the royals we
left the old world to get away from.
Take care of yourself soldier, peace be with you. Thanks for listening to us and speaking out for us.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

dogman44,

I have attended mass protest against the war in DC and Philadelphia that drew crowds in the tens of thousands. There are other more frequent demonstrations like vigils that usually consist of a few dozen people. It is a rarity that they ever get any decent coverage from the media.

I really appreciate this part of your comment:

"Too many of our representitives forget that
that's what they are, "our representitives!!!"

Thank you for sharing it, and it nice not to be alone on this.

V/R
John

[itmaybetoolate]

You are spot on,John! But, honestly, I begin to feel that my voice just doesn't matter. I have written, emailed and called, but both of my senators are bushie loyalists who don't even bother to respond to me. And, my representative, who claims to be a liberal, responds with those "thank you for your views" form letters. When I heard Paul Reickoff (sp?) on a talk show this evening talking about the urgent need for more mental health services, I began to think that perhaps I can make some difference by volunteering at our local VA hospital. Maybe being willing just to listen would be of help. I just don't know anymore. And, I am afraid that neither Hillary nor Obama will be much better. I believe that McCain will back them into a corner on this issue during the national campaign and they will agree to continue in Iraq for some significant period of time.
Thanks for fighting the good fight!

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

itmaybetoolate,

I feel and understand your frustration. That is why I continue to keep on pushing for change, whether or not there is still time, I just feel that I have to keep trying. V/R John

[itmaybetoolate]

I really do appreciate the fact that you respond to many of us. I also appreciate your service to our country - past and present. It gives me some hope that it isn't too late to turn things around.

[LizM]

Have you ever interacted with the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr.?

If you have not, I would really urge you to spend some time with him on the subject of a comprehensive and viable strategy to promote and facilitate a sustainable political settlement in Iraq that will allow for the withdrawal of US forces without leaving a failed state behind along with some very serious and negative consequences for the US and the world for decades to come.

But, fair warning...be prepared to spend a lot of time because the Senator has much to tell you about Iraq and how it all relates to Afghanistan, Pakistan and America's security. And, he will want to pick your brain, too! Of course, you"ll have to promise to report back here.

In the meantime, you may want to check these links out...

http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=293550&
http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=284636&&
http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=284259&&
http://biden.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=279243&&

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

LizM,

An ardent Biden supporter I take it :-) ?

I agree that Joe Biden has vast foreign policy expertise. I don't always agree with Senator Biden, and I am familiar with his work as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

V/R
John

[LizM]

...guilty, as charged...and still trying hard to get over Iowa!

Though I don't always agree with Senator Biden on every issue, all the time, there is no one who understands better what will be required to change the course of US policy to end the civil war in Iraq or, at the very least, prevent a regional conflagration.

I would be very interested to know your thoughts on the Biden strategy for a political solution based on federalism and the Iraqi constitution. There is no other political solution on offer by anyone and it seems to me that, eventually, everybody and their brother will be on board with this one...out of necessity, if nothing else. I just hope that by the time that happens, time will not have run out for a political solution.

[Bob Egan]

Whenever I read or hear someone saying how well the troop's have done their job, I can't help but remember what happened when we were negotiating with the North Vietnamese to arrange our departure from Nam!

One of our macho Generals reminded a Viet General with great pride, "We were never beaten in the field"! The Viet General's answer, ~~"Thats irrelevant"!

It's not the troops that screwed this thing up, it's the stupidly criminal leadership that were too arrogant to learn a damn thing! When mistakes are not acknowledged, there will never be a correction. THE FIASCO GOES ON AND ON WITH NO END IN SIGHT!

The only thing actually working about the "surge" is the spin coming out of the White House!

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

Bob Egan,

I could not agree more.

V/R
John

[fairwitness]

"...the surge that was implemented as a short-term military tactic..."

This was just another deception practiced on the credibility of the dems who allowed it (and the public which didn't but had no voice).

Bush/Cheney had and have every intention of occupying Iraq for the rest of our lifetimes--it's the OIL. It's always been the oil. Empires have always looted the resources of their conquests. That's what they do. That's what, alas, WE do now. That and kidnap, imprison, torture, murder, lie, cheat and steal with impunity. We are exactly what we thought we hated.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

fairwitness,

And you are very well within your limits to feel that way. What Bush has been allowed to get away with by this Congress is obscene.

V/R
John

[DoninJoisey]

It is why I'm an independent - voted for Perot twice. I read that there are now more people that call themselves Independent than either republican or democrat.
I liked what the republicans SAID - integrity, fiscal responsibility, competence - but the hypocrisy and incompetence they demonstrated made a mockery of that. I voted straight democrat in '06 - for what? To hear Pelosi say, "Impeachment is off the table" - WHY?
I am now down to 3 choices - Obama, Clinton, or McCain. Only Obama even offers the HOPE of any change - with McCain or Clinton there would be no change.
Note how Obama attracts independents. Clinton has an edge in states that are closed primaries - where independents are excluded from voting in democratic primaries. In "open" states, Obama has brought in independents.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

DoninJoisey,

I have contemplated switching from Democrat to Independent -- but it is the "Progressive Caucus" and the "Out of Iraq Caucus" that keeps me in the Democratic party. They are doing the right thing, and have been consistently. V/R
John

[LizM]

How do the "Progressive Caucus" and the "Out of Iraq Caucus" propose to end the civil war in Iraq, or do they just want to get out and consequences be damned? Don't you believe that there is still time for a political solution in Iraq?

[Bob Egan]

Following the voting records of our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, shows that each individual REPRESENTATIVE, will cast just enough "correct" votes to snow the public into thinking they are doing a reasonably decent job! The "bad" votes are covered by somewhat plausible excuses! There seems to be just enough collusion going on that the "bad" legislation gets by in such a way, that the opposition can be blamed! It's a 'shell' game folks!

As an INDEPENDENT, I can honestly say that both the Democratic and Republican parties have many good things to say! I just wish those two parties would come back!

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

Bob Egan,

Hence my argument that many Democrats vote the same way as the Republicans, on the war issue, the only difference is the Democrats complain about it.

V/R
John

[oldpotsmuggler]

Did GWB set out to sabotage McCain or is he just so dull that he's not even aware of the consequences of his blunders? There is just no way in hell that people are going to go into Nov. with more troops in Iraq than were stationed there for the first three years and find that to be acceptable. "Stay the course" sounds all well and good unless staying the course is obviously the most stupid thing to do. Uping the troop count is a virtual admission that we have wasted all of the money and lives spent in Iraq. Further, it's an admission that Iraq can never be self protecting because their military now has many more bodies than ours does and they must be completely ineffective if they have not been able to displace any of our troops. We've finally gotten them trained and now we need more firepower than before they were able to contribute? The math on that one is just not going to go over well.

I wish it were being trumpted all over the press that main stream Dems in Congress are being challenged at the Primary level this year. I hope that it's true but just not being well publicized. Something! By my count there are no more than 50% of the Dems whom we should allow to continue to hold their seats and if we do they can surely be counted on to take every opportunity to give us more of the same.

How very sad.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

oldpotsmuggler,

Very well put.

V/R
John

[alkamm]

The idea that electing Democrats isn't the best answer to the Republican rubber stamps is sad. Although it's not that simple, without having a filibuster proof majority, the Democrats can only chip away at the war by cutting funds we'd need to redeploy.

If you think that the Republicans keep winning, check out the election results that pulled both houses of Congress to the Democratic side.

Lockstep politics are killing the Republicans, and their short term winning tactics only ensure their inevitable strategic insolvency.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

alkamm,

I go by the scorecard -- take a look at how many war-funding bills the Democrats prevailed on, and you will find that the answer is zero.

V/R
John

PS. I know my blog will not be popular, however, it is true and necessary.

[LizM]

But, cutting off funding will not end the civil war in Iraq...will it? By changing US policy in Iraq there is at least a chance of ending the civil war in Iraq, IF time hasn't already run out.

[desmirl]

John,
First, tell the Democrat phone solicitors, "No money as long as you keep enabling the President in his war." And mean it. I was on the phone for ten minutes with a solicitor for the Congressional Democrats yesterday, and they told me the conversation was being recorded to insure quality--and I certainly hope it was. When I got through, the solicitor was all but crying, and I hadn't even gotten warmed up with my listing, one by one, of the invertebrates in Congress (aka Democrats) who have voted for every dollar Bush wanted for Iraq. I reminded her that as long as this immoral, illegal war continues, more people are going to die, and I, at least, wasn't going to put money into the campaigns of people who didn't have the spine to stand up to an out-of-control president. If nothing else, people understand money, and if every Democrat who gets a call from the Congressional Democrats would say flat "NO! NO MONEY!" maybe these spineless congresscritters would get the message.
P.S.
Keep up the fight, John. You have my support and admiration.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

desmirl,

As always, you are right on point. Thank you.

V/R
John

[IngeniousGirl]

ok, you got me very motivated so I just fired off this missive to Ms. Boxer (I can't be all friendly and nice anymore after checking out the earmarks and I have a stake in this game like all of us, so here is my letter).
Dear Ms. Boxer, I am new at following politics in Washington. In particular I am appalled at the democrats who have failed to use their constitutional rights to prevent money from funding this war.
I don't want excuses about well we need to do this or there are so many republicans, or we lack a majority. Enough.
I saw the earmarks for you and Senator Feinstein. I am appalled at 50% of the democrats seated in the Congress at the moment. I am requesting that you share my sentitment with Senator Reid and Feinstein that there are many of us here in California who are just about fed up with your "leadership" at the same time dipping in to the trough of public money for earmarks to sweeten the deal for San Francisco and Nevada.
I have a son in Iraq. He has lost friends there. The weapons are not adequate for the solidiers on the ground. The roation is criminal, the war was, is and always will be criminal.
For some reason Americans have awakened all across this country and are watching more closely than ever before. I never ever have written to anyone in my 59 years about legislation and politics.
I am standing up for this by writing to you, and I don't want a staffer sending me platitudes back. The last time I wrote a Congresswoman from California, the response was addressed "Dear Esq.".
As a constitutional scholar having studied since my early 20's and having served as Chief Legal Officer for many publically held and privately owned large corporations, now in retirement, I understand how business gets done. The senate is not getting business done, it is coasting on the hope we are not paying attention.
I am paying attention. I expect to receive an intelligent response on how you and the democratic senate are going to use the remaining months of the Bush presidency to stop his gambit of keeping 140,000 troops in Iraq, war mongering over Iran, using fear as the trump card. What in the world are you all thinking?
It is just so sad we have lost 4000 soldiers with over 30,000 severely wounded and they are seemingly forgotten in this whole political mess. I hope when you and your fellow senators go to nice lunches and parties you are thinking about us who sacrifice each day to keep America safe.
Yours truly,
(keeping my name private for my son)

[IngeniousGirl]

desmirl, last summer through November I got those calls and told the solicitor I am done giving money to a party that fails to realize its power under the consitution to withhold the money to fund the war. I finally told them, take me off their list and I would fund individual candidates who believe in ending the war.

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

desmirl,

I really this part of your comment:

"I reminded her that as long as this immoral, illegal war continues, more people are going to die, and I, at least, wasn't going to put money into the campaigns of people who didn't have the spine to stand up to an out-of-control president."

It is perfectly stated. V/R John

[John Bruhns - Huffpost Blogger]

desmirl,
I really "LIKE" this part of your comment:
"I reminded her that as long as this immoral, illegal war continues, more people are going to die, and I, at least, wasn't going to put money into the campaigns of people who didn't have the spine to stand up to an out-of-control president."
It is perfectly stated. V/R John