Charlie Rangle on Iraq War Forum

[Clarkie1]

Dear XXXXXXX,

With nearly 1,900 U.S. troops dead and thousands wounded after two years of war, Americans want to know how the war can be brought to an end. The President started this war on grounds that we now know were untrue: Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11.

Last Saturday, upwards of 300,000 people marched in front of the White House to demand that our troops be brought home. The day before the protest, I hosted a forum on the Iraq War as part of the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference. This
special event featured Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq and whose demand for an explanation from President Bush gained national attention. Rounding out the panel were: former presidential aspirant, General Wesley Clark; former Congressman and NAACP president, Kweisi Mfume; and commentators, E.J. Dionne and Mark Shields.

The panelists presented strong evidence of the failure of current U.S. policy in Iraq, and the urgent need for a viable plan for withdrawal. We've posted video highlights of the forum on www.charlierangel.org and invite you to take a look and comment on our blog.

Thanks very much for your support and please keep in touch.

Sincerely,

Charles B. Rangel
Member of Congress
www.charlierangel.org