[Peace-discuss] Fwd: John Edwards views on Iraq occupation

[Morton K. Brussel]

FYI. I sent a form letter to John Edwards with my personal comment at  
the end. The reply also was a form letter, no doubt, but interesting;  
he mentions "filibuster" on funding.

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Info <info at johnedwards.com>
> Date: October 15, 2007 6:27:16 PM CDT
> To: "M.K. Brussel" <mkb3 at mac.com>
> Subject: RE: Democratic Presidency Must Be Different!
>
> Thank you for writing John Edwards about the situation in Iraq.  We
> appreciate that you took the time to share your thoughts and concerns
> with us.  We enjoy the opportunity to hear ideas from people all over
> the country about issues that are important to them.
>
> One of the most important issues facing this great nation is the  
> war in
> Iraq that seems to have no end. We need to get all combat troops  
> out of
> the country as soon as possible, with the very limited exception of
> troops needed to protect our embassy and possible protection of
> humanitarian workers.  And no permanent bases.
>
> John Edwards agrees with you -- there is no military solution to the
> chaos in Iraq. Instead, the Iraqi people must solve the problem
> politically by taking responsibility for their country.  By leaving
> Iraq, America will prompt the Iraqi people, regional powers, and the
> entire international community to find the political solution that  
> will
> end the sectarian violence.
>
> He believes we must commit to actually ending the war in Iraq and  
> reject
> the incremental triangulation we see inside the Beltway.  He  
> believes if
> you're not ending combat operations, you're not ending the war.
>
> John's position on the Iraq war is very clear. For over a year, he has
> called for an immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 troops-to
> jumpstart the comprehensive political solution that will end the
> violence in Iraq and will allow a complete withdrawal of all combat
> troops within 9 to 10 months.  But while we need to make sure our next
> president is committed to actually ending the war in Iraq, our brave
> troops serving in Iraq shouldn't have to wait till 2009.
>
> The American people voted for change last November and 11 months later
> we still have the status quo. Congress must be strong enough to  
> stand up
> to President Bush and must pass a funding bill with a timetable for
> withdrawal. If the president vetoes that bill, Congress must send it
> back, again and again, as many times as it takes for the president to
> finally get the message that he can't defy the will of the American
> people.  Every member of Congress who believes this war must end  
> has the
> moral responsibility to use every tool available to them, including a
> filibuster, to send the president one simple message:  No timeline, no
> funding.  No excuses.
>
> Your comments on the situation in Iraq are very important to us,  
> and we
> appreciate hearing from you.
>
> For more information on this issue you may wish to see the following
> link:
> http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/iraq/index.html
>
> Again, thank you for sharing your ideas.
>
> Sincerely,
> The Edwards Team
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: M.K. Brussel [mailto:mkb3 at mac.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 4:29 PM
> To: Info
> Subject: Democratic Presidency Must Be Different!
>
> M.K. Brussel
> 2003 George Huff Drive
> Urbana,, IL 61801-6203
>
>
> October 2, 2007
>
> John Edwards
>
>
>
>  John Edwards:
>
> I was appalled during last week's presidential debate when I watched
> four
> Democratic candidates refuse to promise to bring all U.S. troops home
> from
> Iraq (by the end of 2013).
>
> We were led to war in Iraq under false pretenses, and it has been an
> unmitigated disaster under the Bush administration's leadership since
> its
> inception.  With more Americans and Iraqi civilians dying each day and
> financial war costs approaching $600 billion, now is the time to bring
> our
> troops home.
>
> Only a political solution - not military - will bring an end to the  
> war
> in
> Iraq, and that is something that will not be accomplished by the
> American
> military.  Please vow to bring our troops home during your first  
> term as
>
> President.
>
> We must give up the notion that says that "our" (Exxon-Mobil,
> Halliburton,
> Blackwater, military suppliers?) self interest trumps all, that we  
> must
> control the middle east if not the world.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
> Morton K. Brussel
>
>

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/private/peace-discuss/attachments/20071016/0e5d3b6f/attachment.htm