Washblog || Can the Democrats in DC end the war?

Can the Democrats in DC end the war?

By Particle Man
Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 12:19:16 PM PST
Section: Diary Topic: Democrats

[Front paged: NM]

Like most of you, I am mad as hell and do not wish to take it any more. Our nations President is a mad man and we need a path toward peace. It is true that I know a few things about politics but one thing I do not know is: Given the fabric of the majorities in both houses of congress and with Bush in the whitehouse what can our elected Democrats and perhaps a few Republicans do to bring an end to this war, bring our people home and stop the insane plan to send even more to Iraq?

When we get mad it is important to know who or what you are mad at and why. I am not ready to say that we should not be mad at Democrats on the first day they have the majority since Bush started this war.

Still, if I am going to focus my anger at Democrats then I want to understand what they have the power to do and in knowing this, to understand what they are not doing.

Likewise, I am not ready to say that Cindy Sheehan was misguided and working against the cause of peace when she directed hostility at the new Democratic House leadership. But I will say that it is no surprise that FOX news is giving this a bunch of air time. The fight for the middle continues every day and swing voters made the difference on election day by voting democratic and images like these will surely drive those swing voters at least to a place of doubt.

If the blame is well placed then I am OK with that. But, I want to have it laid out for me and I want to see that it is leadership who is blocking the doing of whatever can be done.

Now I understand that a few Democrats are said to be supporting the Bush surge plan but that is a far cry from leadership doing so (see below). I know we have some experts here so help me out. Help us all out.

Bring into view what steps can be taken by congress to bring our troops home even without the presidents support.

[editor's note, by Particle Man] The two comments from chair's or leadership are as follows: (from the New York Times story)

"Senator Harry Reid has said that he will consider supporting a short-term increase in troops, but his spokesman, Jim Manley, declared, �If it�s not temporary in nature, it�s a nonstarter.�

"Senator Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who will lead the Armed Services Committee, said he would not �prejudge� the president�s proposal. While he would oppose an open-ended commitment, Mr. Levin said, he would not rule out supporting a plan to dispatch more troops if the proposal was tied to a broader strategy to begin reducing American involvement and sending troops home."

< Army Subpoenas WA activists To Testify Against Lt. Watada | Al Franken Coming To Town >

Can the Democrats in DC end the war? | 39 comments (39 topical)

We cannot allow Democrats "wiggle room"

Reid and Levin must be held accountable for even considering such ill-advised moves as escalating the numbers of our troops. The message of the election was straightforward: a complete rejection of our occupation of that country, and every poll shows roughly 70% of all Americans believe the war was a mistake. We want out. Sheehan gets her 15 minutes, but we must have lawmakers themselves leading the charge out of Iraq. The very fact that Republicans like Hagel and Smith are being vocal in dismissing any talk of escalation is enough to give otherwise squirrely Democrats cover. At least one would think so.

Of course, the most direct way to get us out is to discontinue funding it. Despite political considerations, Murtha has said he will vote against any funding for more troops. The man has history and experience on his side. How many others in Congress can remember the debacle known as the Vietnam War? Kerry's question before the Senate in 1971 is seeming more and more relevant.

And who will be the last man or woman to die for this mistake?

by shoephone on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 01:58:12 PM PST

* 1 none 0 *

Agreed! by Pen, 01/04/2007 02:14:50 PM PST (none / 0)

Pen, non-responsive post. by Particle Man, 01/04/2007 02:43:21 PM PST (none / 0)

Actually, it was. by Pen, 01/04/2007 04:51:30 PM PST (none / 0)

Shoephone, I am just fine with by Particle Man, 01/04/2007 02:38:06 PM PST (none / 0)

The question right to the heart of the problem by gibney, 01/04/2007 07:01:27 PM PST (none / 0)

hold them accountable - grow Cindy's crowd by partisandem, 01/04/2007 07:52:32 PM PST (none / 0)

Pleasing the middle

I don't have insight into what the Democrats have done already and what they can do... but I have an opinion on the Sheehan interruption of the Democrats. I see it as very likely to please "the middle", rather than displease.

First of all, there's an awful lot of hostility toward the Democrats -- toward both parties -- among all Americans. Shouting down the representatives of the party with a simple message -- like theirs -- that was not intrinsically disrespectful, that was within the American tradition of dissent .... and which really now has the support of most Americans -- well I see that action first as politically savvy, actually.

But also it actually can help the Democrats by helping to express and relieve some of the anger that people who voted Democratic feel toward the Democrats. And if it helps steer them toward the right decision, it can save their butts. If Fox News is trying to get people mad at the peace movement or the Democrats, I think they might be miscalculating here.

The spectacle of Rahm Emmanuel trying to take control and being unable to, was almost endearing, makes him more of a sympathetic character.

I felt really proud to hear that. De-escalate, Investigate, Troops Home Now. Really proud. Like I feel at Fourth of July parades! Speaking of which, last years 4th of July parade in Burien -- a swing area -- I walked with South Enders for Peace and Justice and we got smiles and thumbs up from many many people all along the route and no overt hostility. Very different from previous years.

by noemie maxwell on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 02:42:01 PM PST

* 4 none 0 *

Noemie, I have no problem with by Particle Man, 01/04/2007 03:23:05 PM PST (none / 0)

food for this man by m3047, 01/04/2007 04:17:39 PM PST (none / 0)
Whoa there! by Pen, 01/04/2007 04:58:02 PM PST (none / 0)

Pen you cannot say a thing twice by Particle Man, 01/04/2007 05:13:22 PM PST (none / 0)

All I've seen on polls and such indicate by Pen, 01/04/2007 05:59:04 PM PST (none / 0)
I guess these guys are stupid too by Pen, 01/04/2007 06:06:48 PM PST (none / 0)

Your a genius Pen.So tell me, by Particle Man, 01/04/2007 09:57:40 PM PST (none / 0)

ummm, actually I am quite literally by Pen, 01/04/2007 10:32:31 PM PST (none / 0)

let's not forget.. by m3047, 01/04/2007 10:50:20 PM PST (none / 0)
Pen evn though you and I may feel by Particle Man, 01/05/2007 08:46:02 AM PST (none / 0)

now it sounds like.. by m3047, 01/04/2007 10:45:49 PM PST (none / 0)

Polling by sugarfree, 01/05/2007 09:56:57 PM PST (none / 0)

Not too impressed with that poll by Pen, 01/05/2007 11:40:36 PM PST (none / 0)

At the risk of being considered uncivil by gibney, 01/05/2007 11:57:55 PM PST (none / 0)

My bad by Pen, 01/06/2007 01:01:15 AM PST (none / 0)
Or maybe not my bad by Pen, 01/06/2007 01:04:57 AM PST (none / 0)

fair enough by gibney, 01/06/2007 11:33:07 AM PST (none / 0)

That's what I think too by Pen, 01/06/2007 08:28:01 PM PST (none / 0)

The unfortunate other side of that coin is by gibney, 01/06/2007 09:08:39 PM PST (none / 0)

Yes Pen, your bad. by Particle Man, 01/06/2007 01:33:01 PM PST (none / 0)

if bush continues to ignore the people ... by partisandem, 01/04/2007 07:59:24 PM PST (none / 0)

I think that's the key by shoephone, 01/04/2007 11:25:33 PM PST (none / 0)

Shoephone you cause me to ask... by Particle Man, 01/05/2007 08:31:25 AM PST (none / 0)

PM - I don't doubt that you're right by shoephone, 01/05/2007 12:33:06 PM PST (none / 0)

Why do you keep buying & advancing the by rmdSeaBos, 01/04/2007 07:53:10 PM PST (none / 0)

What we CAN do

We can pass legislation forcing the contractors like KBR to hand over reconstruction to the Iraqi's and get the hell out.

Investigate the contractors and hand them over to the law for missing money.

Sue them for price gouging or, if that can't work, tax the hell out of them for price gouging. Carter did it to the oil companies. The money went to people who couldn't afford their heating bill. I know, I used to make sure those people got that money.

I'm sure we can all come up with more ideas, but the point is, make Iraq so damned UNPROFITABLE to the conservatives that THEY want the hell out.

by Pen on Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 11:08:32 PM PST

* 21 none 0 *

Shining the light on KBR by shoephone, 01/04/2007 11:29:13 PM PST (none / 0)

And to pull the Nixon Manuever by Pen, 01/04/2007 11:31:23 PM PST (none / 0)

I hope the "maneuver" by shoephone, 01/04/2007 11:37:54 PM PST (none / 0)

nope n/t by m3047, 01/04/2007 11:56:41 PM PST (none / 0)

For Bush the idea of Cheny resigning by Particle Man, 01/05/2007 08:52:17 AM PST (none / 0)

Can the Democrats in DC end the war? | 39 comments (39 topical)

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