[Peace-discuss] The fix is in

[C. G. Estabrook]

 From The Hill:

     House Democrats say consensus is forming on U.S. troop withdrawal

     House Democrats... haven’t been able to resolve differences between 
those who want to mandate a clear date for withdrawal from Iraq and 
those who don’t. But leaders [say] that they have reached consensus in 
some key areas.

     “What we’re trying to do is make policy, not just points,” said 
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)....

     Meanwhile, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) 
disputed reports that liberal Democratic members will vote against a 
Democratic plan if it doesn’t set a concrete date for withdrawal.... 
"There is consensus on three important parts,” Emanuel said, namely more 
money for Afghanistan than President Bush had requested, more demands 
placed on the Iraqi government, and fully training and equipping troops....

     Speaking for the liberal wing,[Barbara] Lee said that the “Out of 
Iraq” caucus is not seeking to cut funding to the troops....

In other words, the Dems are reaching a consensus to keep the war going 
in Iraq, and intensify it in Afghanistan. My favorite line:

     Hoyer has said members are discussing a way to allow members of the 
Progressive and “Out of Iraq” caucuses to offer an amendment on the 
floor during the Iraq debate for a full withdrawal of troops....

... so that people like Bernie Sanders will have an empty gesture to 
make, for the edification of their constituents with dovish bumper 
stickers. Steny, as always, blurted out the blunt truth, like the 
knucklehead he is: there's policy and then there's points. The points 
made will be anti-war, the policy quite the reverse.

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