Wexler asking for questions to ask General Petraeus next week

[LaurenG]

Dear xxx,

As President Bush stubbornly refuses to change course in Iraq, it grows increasingly frustrating for those of us who have been loudly demanding a withdrawal. I know you share my frustration. Every day, I receive letters and emails from patriotic Americans who want to - somehow – personally contribute to a solution.

Now it is your turn.

Next week, General Petraeus – the architect of the failed surge policy and our chief military leader in Iraq - will be testifying before the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

For too long the Bush Administration has been in a bubble – hiding from the truth and avoiding tough questions from outraged American citizens. This time I am turning the oversight powers of Congress over to you.

I want you to be the ones asking the questions to General Petraus.

Write me back with a short reply and tell me what - specifically - you would like me to ask. Please include your first name as well as your city and state.

I will choose the best two questions and ask them to General Petraeus this Wednesday. You will be able to watch his answers directly on C-Span.

Please consider submitting a question. You already work so hard to bring accountability to this Administration and to bring our troops home from Iraq. I hope this provides you another opportunity for us to collaborate and directly influence the national dialogue.

Please keep your questions short and focused.

I look forward to your response, and thank you for participating directly in our democracy.

Congressman Robert Wexler

www.wexlerforcongress.com

[LaurenG]

1. Kicking: If you want to write a question for Wexler to ask Petraeus

Give it your best shot and do us proud.

[alfredo]

2. Done

I asked if our enemy wants to bleed us dry in a long bloody guerrilla war, is it appropriate to continue fighting that war?

[IDemo]

3. My response

A significant part of the decrease in violence has been attributed to the "Concerned Local Citizens" groups, also known as Awakening Councils. These are, in effect, Iraqi neighborhood watch groups, and are comprised largely of Sunni's, some of whom are former Al Qaeda in Iraq members.

How, specifically, is the payment of a quarter billion dollars a year to the CLC's different than a US taxpayer funded protection racket? What guarantee have we that these groups will not return to violence against the US for any number of reasons?