I know many don’t like politics. It’s messy. It riles emotions. Causes rifts.
Maybe.
But politics IS personal, and so I ask you to continue reading.
As the mother of two boys, I’m afraid for their future. The U.S. is currently occupying Iraq based on lies and manipulation of fear, and even though we all know this to be true, the Bush administration is using those same tactics in preparation of bombing Iran. The way to Iran is through Iraq: that is the Bush/Cheney strategy. So the only way to end the Iraq madness and prevent an Iran tragedy is to CUT FUNDING.
This persuasive argument from a soldier is posted on DailyKos.com. I’m pasting it here in hopes you’ll read it. And even more, I hope you’ll call your representatives to let them know how you feel. The Capitol Switchboard is 1-800-614-2803.
Thank you.
Cut the Funding: I’m a Soldier and I Approve this Message
by The Angry Rakkasan
Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:58:24 PM PST
Thus far, I’ve been riding the fence on the “cut the funding” debate. But no more. Not after listening to that moron, our President, on TV this morning. After listening to him bumble his way through another public appearance, I’m convinced that, whatever the cost politically, the Democrats must now move to cut funding for the war in Iraq.
As a soldier who’s served in both theaters of this war, I’m often asked whether I think a freeze on war funding would hurt the soldiers. I usually respond rationally by saying something like, “No, but it could hurt them in the long term if such a move were to cost the Democrats the elections in 2008.” Well, I don’t think this is the time for long-term planning anymore. I’ve played the pros and cons of cutting funding over and over in my head for months, and I am now convinced that a cessation of funding is the only way to stop this lunatic. Cutting funding will not endanger the troops.
Here’s why:
These are some of the arguments used against the idea of cutting funding:
It hurts Democrats politically
It might. But I’m not really concerned with that at this point. Call me short-sighted, but all I have to do is take one look at George W. Bush muddling his way through a question and answer session and I am convinced that the American people will be with me on this. Note to policymakers reading this: Please take a gander at the latest poll numbers.
It endangers the troops
This is propaganda nonsense. The House of Representatives could easily fashion a bill that halts any funding for the war on March 1, 2008. Such a bill would fully fund the troops in harm’s way for the rest of the year—but it would force the President to begin the redeployment immediately. How we, as Americans, have gotten it into our collective consciousnesses that cutting the funding could somehow “hurt the troops” is something I’ll never be able to figure out. The Pentagon has some evil people that work within its halls, but the organization itself is not inherently evil. If the funding were cut, the Defense Department would very quickly move to begin a safe and orderly withdrawal. I think back to when I was in Iraq and I wanted to come home. Never once did it enter my mind that if the funding were cut, I would somehow be in more danger. I mean, I was already there with soft-skinned humvees and only a single plate for my vest.
It hurts the troops’ morale
Go talk to a 22-year old father who’s been there for 13 months and who’s never seen his baby. Ask him how ending the war would affect his morale. Better yet, go ask him right after he’s survived his third IED and follow-on ambush. Ask him an hour after it happens, while he can barely hold his cigarette because he’s still got the shakes from the fear and adrenaline. “Hey, bub, how’s your morale?”
It emboldens terrorists
Embassy bombings. U.S.S. Cole. 9/11. World Trade Center tumbling down on TV.
Who the fuck came up with this talking point? In case you missed it, the “terrorists” were pretty riled up before the invasion of Iraq. And another thing I hate about this meme is that it is stated from a position of fear—the implication being that we will be in more danger if we leave. Sigh. So you’re telling me that if we pull out of Iraq, rebuild our military to its former strength, and re-focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan, we would be emboldening the terrorists? I gotta tell you, if I were a terrorist, the thing I’d be most afraid of would be a fresh, rested, rebuilt, and focused American military. If I’m a terrorist, I’m currently loving the fact that a beaten down and confused American Army is sitting at a standstill, stuck in the February mud of Iraq. It makes my life easier.
It will cause Iraq to fall into a bloody civil war in which regional players will involve themselves
Have I been sleeping? Were we not at that point already? How do these assholes on the right get away with continuing to say that on one hand, if we leave, it could cause other countries to step in, and on the other hand, to say that these other countries are already meddling in Iraq’s business? Didn’t we just get a Powerpoint on that?
Bottom line: Cut the funding. Pull the plug. Take away the keys. However you want to phrase it, it needs to be done soon.
Tracy Abell 
Keep The Faith
Yes, politics is personal and I think you’re right that many people don’t like to hear about political issues but then again it’s crucial that we talk about them. If we say nothing and do nothing then nothing ever changes.
– C.K.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
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Keep The Faith
Yes, politics is personal and I think you’re right that many people don’t like to hear about political issues but then again it’s crucial that we talk about them. If we say nothing and do nothing then nothing ever changes.
– C.K.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
LikeLike
Re: Keep The Faith
Thank you, C.K. for taking the time to stop by and comment. How I wish you had reps here so you could make some noise.
And thank you for the MM quote; every time I read it, I get chills. Truly.
LikeLike
Keep The Faith
Yes, politics is personal and I think you’re right that many people don’t like to hear about political issues but then again it’s crucial that we talk about them. If we say nothing and do nothing then nothing ever changes.
– C.K.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
LikeLike
Keep The Faith
Yes, politics is personal and I think you’re right that many people don’t like to hear about political issues but then again it’s crucial that we talk about them. If we say nothing and do nothing then nothing ever changes.
– C.K.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
LikeLike
Re: Keep The Faith
Thank you, C.K. for taking the time to stop by and comment. How I wish you had reps here so you could make some noise.
And thank you for the MM quote; every time I read it, I get chills. Truly.
LikeLike
Re: Keep The Faith
Thank you, C.K. for taking the time to stop by and comment. How I wish you had reps here so you could make some noise.
And thank you for the MM quote; every time I read it, I get chills. Truly.
LikeLike
Re: Keep The Faith
Thank you, C.K. for taking the time to stop by and comment. How I wish you had reps here so you could make some noise.
And thank you for the MM quote; every time I read it, I get chills. Truly.
LikeLike
Thank you for not letting your concerns about people not wanting to talk (read) about political issues keep you from posting and having your strong voice heard. It is definitely reaching others.
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Thank you for not letting your concerns about people not wanting to talk (read) about political issues keep you from posting and having your strong voice heard. It is definitely reaching others.
LikeLike
Thank you, Linda! This isn’t the time to be squeamish about politics and where we’re headed as a nation. I want to honor Molly Ivins’ last column in which she exhorted us to take to the streets, bang pots and pans, do something every single day to bring this tragedy to an end.
LikeLike
Thank you for not letting your concerns about people not wanting to talk (read) about political issues keep you from posting and having your strong voice heard. It is definitely reaching others.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting this. I too sometimes get caught up in the ‘this will hurt democrat chances in 2008’ conundrum, because I feel it is so important to have people in office who can prevent more wars like this. But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?
Politics, like religion and race, ARE hard to talk about – but we have to do it. We have to stand up and not be scared (and believe me, I am oh-so-scared sometimes) because otherwise the debate doesn’t even take place. How does it happen that the American people overwhelmingly say ‘get us out of the war’ in the election, in poll after poll after poll, and the administration proposes a troop surge?
Sorry, I don’t mean to rant. But this war just breaks my heart. And I feel so helpless about it. Thanks again for posting this – what great talking points, even if I’m only talking to myself.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting this. I too sometimes get caught up in the ‘this will hurt democrat chances in 2008’ conundrum, because I feel it is so important to have people in office who can prevent more wars like this. But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?
Politics, like religion and race, ARE hard to talk about – but we have to do it. We have to stand up and not be scared (and believe me, I am oh-so-scared sometimes) because otherwise the debate doesn’t even take place. How does it happen that the American people overwhelmingly say ‘get us out of the war’ in the election, in poll after poll after poll, and the administration proposes a troop surge?
Sorry, I don’t mean to rant. But this war just breaks my heart. And I feel so helpless about it. Thanks again for posting this – what great talking points, even if I’m only talking to myself.
LikeLike
“But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?”
Exactly! If they don’t have the political will and moral integrity to do the right thing when public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of US out of Iraq, then who wants to vote for them anyway? But some don’t seem to understand this. Sen Russ Feingold, does, though, and I hope we can generate enough noise to get others to sign onto his plan.
We need to make phone calls and show the Dems we have their backs on this issue.
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting this. I too sometimes get caught up in the ‘this will hurt democrat chances in 2008’ conundrum, because I feel it is so important to have people in office who can prevent more wars like this. But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?
Politics, like religion and race, ARE hard to talk about – but we have to do it. We have to stand up and not be scared (and believe me, I am oh-so-scared sometimes) because otherwise the debate doesn’t even take place. How does it happen that the American people overwhelmingly say ‘get us out of the war’ in the election, in poll after poll after poll, and the administration proposes a troop surge?
Sorry, I don’t mean to rant. But this war just breaks my heart. And I feel so helpless about it. Thanks again for posting this – what great talking points, even if I’m only talking to myself.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting this. I too sometimes get caught up in the ‘this will hurt democrat chances in 2008’ conundrum, because I feel it is so important to have people in office who can prevent more wars like this. But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?
Politics, like religion and race, ARE hard to talk about – but we have to do it. We have to stand up and not be scared (and believe me, I am oh-so-scared sometimes) because otherwise the debate doesn’t even take place. How does it happen that the American people overwhelmingly say ‘get us out of the war’ in the election, in poll after poll after poll, and the administration proposes a troop surge?
Sorry, I don’t mean to rant. But this war just breaks my heart. And I feel so helpless about it. Thanks again for posting this – what great talking points, even if I’m only talking to myself.
LikeLike
Thank you, Linda! This isn’t the time to be squeamish about politics and where we’re headed as a nation. I want to honor Molly Ivins’ last column in which she exhorted us to take to the streets, bang pots and pans, do something every single day to bring this tragedy to an end.
LikeLike
Thank you, Linda! This isn’t the time to be squeamish about politics and where we’re headed as a nation. I want to honor Molly Ivins’ last column in which she exhorted us to take to the streets, bang pots and pans, do something every single day to bring this tragedy to an end.
LikeLike
“But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?”
Exactly! If they don’t have the political will and moral integrity to do the right thing when public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of US out of Iraq, then who wants to vote for them anyway? But some don’t seem to understand this. Sen Russ Feingold, does, though, and I hope we can generate enough noise to get others to sign onto his plan.
We need to make phone calls and show the Dems we have their backs on this issue.
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
LikeLike
“But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?”
Exactly! If they don’t have the political will and moral integrity to do the right thing when public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of US out of Iraq, then who wants to vote for them anyway? But some don’t seem to understand this. Sen Russ Feingold, does, though, and I hope we can generate enough noise to get others to sign onto his plan.
We need to make phone calls and show the Dems we have their backs on this issue.
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
LikeLike
“But what is the point of having a newly elected Democrat congress if they keep funding this war because they’re afraid it’s going to hurt their chances next time around? Next time, are they going to keep funding the war because they’re afraid it will hurt their chances in 2012?”
Exactly! If they don’t have the political will and moral integrity to do the right thing when public opinion is overwhelmingly in support of US out of Iraq, then who wants to vote for them anyway? But some don’t seem to understand this. Sen Russ Feingold, does, though, and I hope we can generate enough noise to get others to sign onto his plan.
We need to make phone calls and show the Dems we have their backs on this issue.
Thanks so much for stopping by to comment.
LikeLike
I agree with you and I am at a loss for words
We are in such a mess!
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I agree with you and I am at a loss for words
We are in such a mess!
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It is a horrible mess but it can get even worse. Please raise your voice and let your representatives know that you want this to stop.
Thank you.
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I agree with you and I am at a loss for words
We are in such a mess!
LikeLike
It is a horrible mess but it can get even worse. Please raise your voice and let your representatives know that you want this to stop.
Thank you.
LikeLike
It is a horrible mess but it can get even worse. Please raise your voice and let your representatives know that you want this to stop.
Thank you.
LikeLike
It is a horrible mess but it can get even worse. Please raise your voice and let your representatives know that you want this to stop.
Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks for posting this. Everyone should read it.
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Thanks for posting this. Everyone should read it.
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Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
I agree that everyone should read this and am toying with somehow sending it along to my reps. Feel free to post a link on your journal since you have many more readers than me. I’m desperate to stop this madness.
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Thanks for posting this. Everyone should read it.
LikeLike
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
I agree that everyone should read this and am toying with somehow sending it along to my reps. Feel free to post a link on your journal since you have many more readers than me. I’m desperate to stop this madness.
LikeLike
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
I agree that everyone should read this and am toying with somehow sending it along to my reps. Feel free to post a link on your journal since you have many more readers than me. I’m desperate to stop this madness.
LikeLike
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
I agree that everyone should read this and am toying with somehow sending it along to my reps. Feel free to post a link on your journal since you have many more readers than me. I’m desperate to stop this madness.
LikeLike