Don't Sit Down on This SOFA

[davidswanson]

Bush is unconstitutionally making a treaty with Iraq, without Senate approval. If the treaty is put into place and accepted by the Iraqi Parliament and ignored by a spineless Congress, it will sanction three more years of occupation (to be followed by endless years of reduced-size occupation) but require "ending" (meaning reducing) the occupation by 2011. It will also technically take immunity from Iraqi law away from US troops and mercenaries in limited circumstances when off base and off duty, although the likelihood of actual prosecutions seems limited. Oh, and we will have established that a president can make treaties without even going through the pretense that Congress still exists.

If, on the other hand, the treaty is rejected, the occupation will lose its United Nations fig leaf of legality on January 1st, and the general consensus is that all troops and mercenaries will be kept on bases. We will have the oppottunity of pointing out the resulting reduction in violence, of insisting on the rule of law, and of demanding the immediate withdrawal of every man and woman in serving Iraq as occupiers.

We need some brave members of Congress to demand publication of the treaty in English and Arabic, hold public hearings, and insist on the Senate's right to ratify or reject all treaties.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

1. There have been several posts lately from military and

their families complaining about unexpectedly deployment.
Yesterday there was one from a family member of someone in the Coast Guard .

[Solly Mack]

2. K&R

[dkofos]

3. We won't have to honor it. And congress better let him know.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, davidswanson.

[madrchsod]

5. the largest call up of the Wisconsin and Illinois national guard since---

World War Two--took place last month. 4000 to Iraq and about 4000 to Afghanistan. bush claims he withdrew 8000 but sent another 4000.

[cal04]

6. thanks for the post

and putting it on Congressman Conyers blog right now

[davidswanson]

7. Try This At Home

SUGGESTED TEXT FOR CONTACTING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REGARDING THE PENDING
STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT WITH IRAQ

Dear ______________ (member of Congress)

I am aware that President Bush is currently in the process of unconstitutionally making a treaty (misleadingly called a Status of Forces Agreement or SOFA) with Iraq without Senate approval. I am writing to ask you to insist that this treaty be published in English and Arabic, that public hearings be held on the matter, and that the Senate reserve the right to ratify or reject the treaty. Should this so-called SOFA be enacted without Congressional approval, it will establish that a president can make treaties without Congress, which, as you know, is unconstitutional.

As my representative, it is your fundamental duty to ensure that the Constitution of the United States of America is respected and upheld.

If you and your colleagues in Congress choose to ignore this matter and the SOFA is put into place and accepted by the Iraqi Parliament, there will be three more years of occupation followed by many more years of what will amount to a reduced-size occupation. A majority of American people has already made it abundantly clear that we want the U.S. out of Iraq as soon as possible. I strongly urge you to do everything you can to carry out our wishes.

Sincerely,

[spanone]

8. Iraq Appears on Verge of Deal on U.S. Troop Presence-nytimes

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration and the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki on Friday appeared to be on the verge of an agreement that would spell out the conditions under which American troops would remain in Iraq and a timeline for their eventual departure.

Simultaneous activity in Washington and Baghdad signalled that an accord was near on a security arrangement, formally called a status of forces agreement, to govern the conduct of American forces in Iraq for the remainder of their time there.

Aides to leading members of Congress were being briefed at the White House, while Mr. Maliki was briefing his council on national security in Baghdad. Moreover, a news briefing has been scheduled for Saturday in Baghdad, a sign that the executive branches of the United States and Iraq have ironed out their differences on an eventual American withdrawal.

“So we are getting closer to having this agreement worked out,” President Bush’s spokeswoman, Dana Perino, said at a Friday news briefing. “So we anticipate being able to hopefully have something soon. But I will stress to you, it’s not finalized yet.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/world/middleeast/17forcescnd.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

[spanone]

9. can the 'executive branches' make this commitment without congress' consent?

[onethatcares]

10. not according to the Constitution, but that's just a

"goddamn piece of paper", ya know?

[dmr]

11. Is the next president compelled to honor an ill-gotten treaty?

This is not good. I know we need to have a back-up plan, but we cannot let this toxic administration have free reign. Heaven only knows what oily deals the likes of Cheney and the special interests would make. I've written to both my Senators and Rep, and to both Obama and Biden, using your letter below.

I'm very troubled with possible immunity loss for our soldiers, or anyone for that matter to be subjected to harsh, inhumane, or unfair treatment - or God forbid, deadly outcomes. Do the mercenaries still run scot-free over there, or are they now supervised and disciplined under military or US law?

What are the ramifications if we lose the UN fig leaf? I have a general idea, but am not sure if I truly understand.

[machI]

12. Kick