Simpson College Democrats

Reasons & Plans for Iraq

2005-12-06T01:52:00.000-06:00

What do you think?

Here is what Rep. John Murtha thinks about Iraq. Comment with what you think...

November 17, 2005

The Honorable John P. Murtha
War in Iraq

(Washington D.C.)- The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of us. The United States and coalition troops have done all they can in Iraq, but it is time for a change in direction. Our military is suffering. The future of our country is at risk. We can not continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action in Iraq is not in the best interest of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region.

General Casey said in a September 2005 Hearing, “the perception of occupation in Iraq is a major driving force behind the insurgency.” General Abizaid said on the same date, “Reducing the size and visibility of the coalition forces in Iraq is a part of our counterinsurgency strategy.”

For 2 ½ years I have been concerned about the U.S. policy and the plan in Iraq. I have addressed my concerns with the Administration and the Pentagon and have spoken out in public about my concerns. The main reason for going to war has been discredited. A few days before the start of the war I was in Kuwait – the military drew a red line around Baghdad and said when U.S. forces cross that line they will be attacked by the Iraqis with Weapons of Mass Destruction – but the US forces said they were prepared. They had well trained forces with the appropriate protective gear.

We spend more money on Intelligence than all the countries in the world together, and more on Intelligence than most countries GDP. But the intelligence concerning Iraq was wrong. It is not a world intelligence failure. It is a U.S. intelligence failure and the way that intelligence was misused.

I have been visiting our wounded troops at Bethesda and Walter Reed hospitals almost every week since the beginning of the War. And what demoralizes them is going to war with not enough troops and equipment to make the transition to peace; the devastation caused by IEDs; being deployed to Iraq when their homes have been ravaged by hurricanes; being on their second or third deployment and leaving their families behind without a network of support.

The threat posed by terrorism is real, but we have other threats that cannot be ignored. We must be prepared to face all threats. The future of our military is at risk. Our military and their families are stretched thin. Many say that the Army is broken. Some of our troops are on their third deployment. Recruitment is down, even as our military has lowered its standards. Defense budgets are being cut. Personnel costs are skyrocketing, particularly in health care. Choices will have to be made. We can not allow promises we have made to our military families in terms of service benefits, in terms of their health care, to be negotiated away. Procurement programs that ensure our military dominance cannot be negotiated away. We must be prepared. The war in Iraq has caused huge shortfalls at our bases in the U.S.
Much of our ground equipment is worn out and in need of either serious overhaul or replacement. George Washington said, “To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.” We must rebuild our Army. Our deficit is growing out of control. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office recently admitted to being “terrified” about the budget deficit in the coming decades. This is the first prolonged war we have fought with three years of tax cuts, without full mobilization of American industry and without a draft. The burden of this war has not been shared equally; the military and their families are shouldering this burden.

Our military has been fighting a war in Iraq for over two and a half years. Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty. Our military captured Saddam Hussein, and captured or killed his closest associates. But the war continues to intensify. Deaths and injuries are growing, with over 2,079 confirmed American deaths. Over 15,500 have been seriously injured and it is estimated that over 50,000 will suffer from battle fatigue. There have been reports of at least 30,000 Iraqi civilian deaths.

I just recently visited Anbar Province Iraq in order to assess the conditions on the ground. Last May 2005, as part of the Emergency Supplemental Spending Bill, the House included the Moran Amendment, which was accepted in Conference, and which required the Secretary of Defense to submit quarterly reports to Congress in order to more accurately measure stability and security in Iraq. We have now received two reports. I am disturbed by the findings in key indicator areas. Oil production and energy production are below pre-war levels. Our reconstruction efforts have been crippled by the security situation. Only $9 billion of the $18 billion appropriated for reconstruction has been spent. Unemployment remains at about 60 percent. Clean water is scarce. Only $500 million of the $2.2 billion appropriated for water projects has been spent. And most importantly, insurgent incidents have increased from about 150 per week to over 700 in the last year. Instead of attacks going down over time and with the addition of more troops, attacks have grown dramatically. Since the revelations at Abu Ghraib, American casualties have doubled. An annual State Department report in 2004 indicated a sharp increase in global terrorism.

I said over a year ago, and now the military and the Administration agrees, Iraq can not be won “militarily.” I said two years ago, the key to progress in Iraq is to Iraqitize, Internationalize and Energize. I believe the same today. But I have concluded that the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq is impeding this progress.

Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency. They are united against U.S. forces and we have become a catalyst for violence. U.S. troops are the common enemy of the Sunnis, Saddamists and foreign jihadists. I believe with a U.S. troop redeployment, the Iraqi security forces will be incentivized to take control. A poll recently conducted shows that over 80% of Iraqis are strongly opposed to the presence of coalition troops, and about 45% of the Iraqi population believe attacks against American troops are justified. I believe we need to turn Iraq over to the Iraqis.
I believe before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy. All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free. Free from United States occupation. I believe this will send a signal to the Sunnis to join the political process for the good of a “free” Iraq.

My plan calls:

To immediately redeploy U.S. troops consistent with the safety of U.S. forces.
To create a quick reaction force in the region.
To create an over- the- horizon presence of Marines.
To diplomatically pursue security and stability in Iraq

This war needs to be personalized. As I said before I have visited with the severely wounded of this war. They are suffering.

Because we in Congress are charged with sending our sons and daughters into battle, it is our responsibility, our OBLIGATION to speak out for them. That’s why I am speaking out.

Our military has done everything that has been asked of them, the U.S. can not accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. IT IS TIME TO BRING THEM HOME.

Democrats Fight for Vets!

2005-11-11T18:58:00.000-06:00

"Today, our nation honors the service and sacrifice of America's 24.9 million veterans. As dedicated patriots who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedoms and values, they understand better than most the true meaning of courage. We owe each and every one of them an enormous debt of gratitude.
"So many of these brave men and women joined our armed forces to protect and defend our nation, asking only that their government keep its promise to take care of them when their service was done. Sadly, Republicans in Washington have failed to make those promises a priority.

"While Democrats are fighting to fund combat-related trauma centers, VA medical and prosthetic research, and programs to expedite the processing of benefits claims, Republicans in Congress have stood in the way. While Democrats are fighting to get full TRICARE benefits for all members of the Guard and Reserve, which would help thousands afford health insurance for their families, the Republicans in Congress have blocked this. And, while Democrats have fought against the Bush Administration's underfunding of veterans' health care by $3.7 billion, Republicans in Congress have refused to join us.

"Together, America can do better. Our veterans deserve better. Republicans in Congress need to put aside their broken promises and empty rhetoric about supporting our veterans and join Democrats in standing up for the brave men and women who have served our country. We owe at least this much to those that have sacrificed so much for our nation."

About Time!

2005-10-12T21:45:00.000-05:00

Bush approval dips below 40 percent

NBC-WSJ poll shows only 28 percent believe U.S. headed in right direction

WASHINGTON - It has been weeks since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast; since gas prices began spiking to record highs; and since Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq, held her antiwar vigil outside President Bush’s Texas ranch. But, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, the fortunes of the Bush administration and the Republican Party have not yet begun to recover.

For the first time in the poll, Bush’s approval rating has sunk below 40 percent, while the percentage believing the country is heading in the right direction has dipped below 30 percent. In addition, a sizable plurality prefers a Democratic-controlled Congress, and just 29 percent think Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers is qualified to serve on the nation’s highest court.

"Any way you slice this data, I think these are just terrible sets of numbers," said Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart, who conducted this survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff.
The poll shows that Bush’s approval rating stands at 39 percent, a new low for the president. In the last NBC/Wall Street Journal survey, which was released in mid-September, 40 percent approved of Bush’s job performance while 55 percent disapproved. In addition, just 28 percent believe the country is headed in the right direction, another all-time low in Bush’s presidency.

Steve King & Joe McCarthy?

2005-10-03T19:26:00.000-05:00

Joe McCarthy: American Hero?

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
DES MOINES – Adding to his list of extreme and inflammatory comments, Congressman Steve King called Senator Joe McCarthy, whose interrogations of alleged Communists was condemned by the Senate, a “Hero for America”, and called a peace and civil rights activist not “consistent of American values.”

King led the opposition Tuesday to legislation to naming a post office in Berkeley, CA after noted local peace and civil rights activist Maudelle Shirek. Alleging unfounded ties to the Communist Party, King said her background “sets her apart from, I will say, the most consistent of American values.” [AP, 9/27/05]

Congresswoman Barbara Lee, sponsor of the legislation, rejected King’s comments as inflammatory and compared his allegations to that of Joe McCarthy.

The Associated Press reported, “‘I think that if Barbara Lee would read the history of Joe McCarthy she would realize that he was a hero for America,’ King said of the senator who was censured by the Senate for his investigations into alleged communist sympathizers.”

“This is just another example that Steve King is out of touch with reality,” said Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Milligan. “Joe McCarthy conducted infamous witch hunts in the 1950s which lead to the false convictions of many innocent people. Their actions aren’t what most American’s would consider the values of a hero.”

TELL NUSSLE TO GIVE IT BACK!

2005-10-03T19:19:00.000-05:00

Iowa Democratic Party Calls on Congressman Nussle to Give Back DeLay PAC Money

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
DES MOINES – The Iowa Democratic Party calls on Congressman Nussle today to return $15,000 in campaign funds he received in the last three years from House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s political action committee. DeLay was indicted today of criminal conspiracy associated with the PAC and has stepped down as House Majority Leader.

“In light of Tom DeLay’s criminal indictment today, we call on Congressman Nussle to return campaign funds from DeLay’s PAC. Congressman Nussle has done nothing to sever his ties from the Republican culture of corruption in Washington,” said Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Mike Milligan. “Iowans deserve a representative in Washington who isn’t associated with DeLay’s ethical and criminal violations.”

Jim Nussle received $5,000 on June 20, 2002, March 16, 2004, and June 29, 2004 from Americans for a Republican Majority, Rep. Tom Delay’s political action committee. [ www.opensecrets.org]

Patty Judge to speaks...

2005-09-28T08:42:00.000-05:00

Patty Judge to speak tomorrow night!

Democratic Storm Clouds, our first big speaker of the year is comming THURSDAY!

Tomorrow night at 8 PM gubernatorial candidate Patty Judge will be with us to speak about her candidacy and the issues that affect us as college students in Iowa. She has been our Sec. of Agriculter for year and has a very strong early campaign. Please make sure you come by and hear this amazing women speak. You won't regret it. It is at the Student Senate room - BSC.

But, if you can't make it, please check out Patty Judge's Website http://www.pattyjudge.com and learn about her campaign and how you can help (if you're interested).

HARKIN STEAK FRY! WOOO

2005-09-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

Tomarrow is Harkin Steak Fry. 1pm to 4pm at the FairGrounds in INDIANOLA! West on Hwy 92! JOHN EDWARDS WILL BE THERE AND IT SHOULD BE AN AMAZING TIME! WOOO. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!!
-President Benjamin Williams

Tuesday @ Simpson! A GO TO EVENT!

2005-09-12T16:12:00.000-05:00

Please remember Daniel Ellsberg will be speaking in Lekberg Hall,
7:30 pm, Tuesday evening, Sept. 13.
"The Truth About Iraq and Viet Nam"
will prove to be a challenging and interesting speech!

Daniel Ellsberg to speak at Simpson

Daniel Ellsberg, the man who copied and distributed the top-secret Pentagon Papers regarding the Vietnam War, will present a talk titled â€œTelling the Truth about Vietnam and Iraqâ€ at Simpson College on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Lekberg Hall of the Amy Robertson Music Center.

Ellsberg started work as Special Assistant to Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) John McNaughton at the Defense Department in 1964. He then moved to the U.S. Embassy in Saigon in 1965 as an employee of the State Department.

Ellsberg also worked for the RAND Corporation in 1959 and again in 1967, studying nuclear weapons and the Vietnam War. It was in this position that he gained access to the Top Secret McNamara study of American decisions leading up to and during the Vietnam War.

Ellsberg carried the 7,000-page study home with him and copied each of the pages, giving it to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the New York Times, the Washington Post and 17 other newspapers.

The explosive, top-secret papers unleashed tension between the government and the free press. The United States sued the New York Times and the Washington Post to prevent them from printing the information contained in the documents. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspapers and upheld the rights contained in the First Amendment.

Ellsberg was also put on trial on 12 felony counts, all of which were dismissed due to governmental misconduct. The misconduct played a role in the impeachment proceedings against President Nixon.

Ellsberg's speech is a Simpson-sponsored Forum event and is free and open to the public.

Howard Dean Speaks Out!

2005-09-11T12:59:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON - DNC Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001:

"Today, we remember the great loss suffered by the victims, their families and loved ones on September 11, 2001, but we also remember the heroism, generosity and spirit of our first responders and ordinary Americans. We remember the patriotism and unity we felt in the aftermath of that horrible day when we came together as one community.

"Some four years after the most violent terrorist attack on American soil, we were horrified by images from the worst natural disaster in American history. And again we saw America at its best, coming together to try and bring some measure of comfort to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

"Unfortunately, when the skies cleared, the catastrophe was just beginning. In addition to the painful reminders about poverty that the storm uncovered, it also uncovered frightening questions as to whether or not our nation is adequately prepared to handle the aftermath of a large scale incident. Too many questions remain as to why, despite the experience of mobilizing a large-scale relief and recovery effort after 9/11, the federal government struggled to assist in evacuation and search-and-rescue efforts, and the flow of food, bottled water and other desperately needed supplies were bogged down in a tangled mess of red tape.

"Sadly, the federal government's lack of preparation followed by its inept response had deadly consequences for far too many Americans in Katrina's path. Today is a day not just to remember the violence of four years ago. It's also a day to remember the lessons of that terrible day and our promise that we won't ever let it happen again. The American people are counting on their leaders in Washington, DC to do better."

FIRST MEETING!

2005-09-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the NEW Simpson College Democrats BLOG! Look around the site and tell us what you think! Need more information about our group and meeting times? Blog it! We have our blog set up so all officers may make postings, then the general public (thats you!) will be able to comment on the issues facing our world today. Book mark the home page and check back often for NEW UPDATES!
Thank You,
President Benjamin Williams
Simpson College Democrats

Next Meeting @ the Bipartisain PolySci House:
*Interest Meeting*
*Food* *Fun* *Meet new people*
SEPTEMBER 8th @ 8pm!

Think Blue Bands now on sale for $2 - T-shirts also on sale for $15.

Blogging

2005-08-17T11:40:00.000-05:00

Yeah, the new Dems site rocks can't wait to Blog all the time