Sen. Feingold: "*'s policies in Iraq are breaking the US Army"

[paineinthearse]

http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/releases/05/09/20059288.html

FEINGOLD “THE PRESIDENT’S POLICIES IN IRAQ ARE BREAKING
THE UNITED STATES ARMY”

Feingold Gives Third in a Series of Speeches on the
Administration’s Flawed National Security Policy

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Russ Feingold tomorrow will give his third in a series of speeches on the President’s flawed national security policy. Feingold’s speech, from the floor of the U.S. Senate, will focus on the negative effect that the Administration’s misguided Iraq policy is having on the U.S. military and the U.S. economy.

In June, Feingold introduced a resolution, the first of its kind in the Senate, that calls for the President to clarify the military mission in Iraq, lay out a plan and timeframe for accomplishing that mission, and publicly articulate a plan for American troops to return home. In August Feingold again jump started the discussion by becoming the first member of the U.S. Senate to propose a target date to finish the mission in Iraq – December 31, 2006. Because of the Administration’s conflicting signals about the duration of U.S. troop deployments, Feingold said he felt obligated to propose a specific goal for bringing U.S. forces home from Iraq.

“The President’s policies in Iraq are breaking the United States Army,” Feingold said. “Too often, too many of my colleagues are reluctant to challenge the Administration’s policies in Iraq for fear that anything other than staying the course set by the President will somehow appear weak. But the President’s course is misguided, and it is doing grave damage to our extraordinarily professional and globally admired all-volunteer United States Army. To stand by while this damage is done is not patriotic. It is not supportive. It is not tough on terrorism, or strong on national security. Because I am proud of our men and women in uniform, and because I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to make this country more secure, I am convinced that we must change our course.”

Feingold’s speech as prepared is available at: http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/05/09/2005928.html .

His July 27 speech, “The Lack of a Coherent Policy in Iraq,” can be found at: http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/05/07/2005728344.html.

The transcript of his August 23 speech, “American National Security and Finishing the Mission in Iraq,” is available at: http://feingold.senate.gov/~feingold/statements/05/08/2005823.html.

“I cannot support an Iraq policy that makes our enemies stronger and our own country weaker, and that is why I will not support staying the course the President has set,” Feingold said. “The costs of staying this course indefinitely, the consequences of weakening America’s military and America’s economy, loom more ominously before us with each passing week. There is no leadership in simply hoping for the best. We must insist on an Iraq policy that works.”

# # #

[indepat]

1. Breaking the United States Army? What else is new?

[paineinthearse]

2. I've perceived a lot of bitterness in DU recently

Mainly by "hit and run" responses.

Perhaps you could expand your thoughts a bit.

[TayTay]

3. This is what the original IWR asked for, right?

http://www.yourcongress.com/ViewArticle.asp?article_id=2686

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) AUTHORIZATION- The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to--
(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.
(b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION- In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon thereafter as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that--
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq; and
(2) acting pursuant to this joint resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorist and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.

SNIP

SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. (a) REPORTS- The President shall, at least once every 60 days, submit to the Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint resolution, including actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in section 3 and the status of planning for efforts that are expected to be required after such actions are completed, including those actions described in section 7 of the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-338).

*******************************

So Sen. Feingold is asking that Bush do what the IWR asked him to do, report back to Congress on what the hell is going on in Iraq. Good man.

[paineinthearse]

4. Right on

The Senate would be exercising its oversight duty. I'd like to see a complementary version of this resolution introduced into the House as well.

Rep. Meehan (D-Ma-5) has a whitepaper, which is close.

Think I'll make a phone call.

[indepat]

5. My thoughts are, and have been for a long time, what the Senator is now

expressing.

[paineinthearse]

6. We do not have a senate full of George McGoverns

We need to work with what we have.

This was posted for its newsworthyness. I believe it is worth rallying behind.

[indepat]

7. It''s basically what every last Democratic senator should be hammering

[paineinthearse]

8. I called my Rep and asked he introduce this resolution there.

Wouldn't it be nice for each and every DU member to call his/her Rep and ask the same, or call their Senator and ask they join as co-sponsors?