Hi. The full 'Charging Towards Iran article is vital in content but a bit too long to send with these immediate features. It's a click-on, very worth while and NOT requiring you to subscribe, as did yesterday's recommended NY Times editorial by Frank Rich. I forgot about that, having paid my bill 6 months ago. My apologies. -Ed
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/021107Z.shtml Dems Seek to Limit, and End, US Iraq Involvement By David Espo The Associated Press Saturday 10 February 2007 Washington - Even before they cast symbolic votes against the Iraq war, newly empowered congressional Democrats are clamoring for a chance to limit and eventually end U.S. involvement in a conflict that has killed more than 3,000 troops. "Will I vote for a nonbinding resolution? Yes, but it's insufficient," says first-term Rep. Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania, author of one of more than a dozen competing proposals that would impose a deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. "I think eventually without a question that we will have the House move to that position," the former three-star admiral added. "The country is already there." Sestak spoke in an interview just off the House floor, which will serve as a nationally televised stage this week for a marathon debate over Bush's war policy. A vote is expected by week's end on a nonbinding measure that expresses disapproval of the president's recent decision to dispatch an additional 21,500 military personnel to Iraq. The measure also affirms support for the troops. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and the Democratic leadership have firmed up support for the measure by repeatedly promising it will be followed by binding legislation. "Our goal is to end the war," one Democrat quoted Pelosi as saying at a recent private caucus. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has pursued the same course, hoping to enlist a bipartisan majority behind a measure that expresses disagreement with Bush's plans. Republicans have so far blocked consideration of the resolution. Two Democrats have said they will oppose the resolution as too weak, even as a first step. But Reid's office has enlisted the backing of the anti-war organization MoveOn.org for the strategy and defections have been few. At the same time, pressure has been building. War critics have told Reid they want to use anti-terrorism legislation that is expected on the Senate floor in March as a way of forcing votes on proposals to end the war. In the House, the leadership is planning to turn Bush's request for additional military money into a mid-March debate over the war. Rep. John Murtha, who heads a subcommittee with jurisdiction over defense spending, told reporters he hopes to add a provision to the bill that would forbid the Pentagon from sending additional troops "unless they have adequate training and unless they have adequate equipment." Murtha, D-Pa., said he believes the Army may have no units that can meet those standards, meaning Bush's attempt to increase the number of troops in the war would be checked. The measure also may be amended to forbid creation of any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq and razing the Abu Ghraib facility that was at the center of a prisoner torture scandal. Murtha said it is possible the bill will also call for the closing of the facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, except in the case of several dozen detainees who will stand trial. In the complicated politics of the war, the spending bill would face daunting hurdles. Democrats determined to end the conflict have said they will not approve any more money to keep it going. Republicans who support Bush's policy would be unlikely to support limits on his power as commander in chief. Unlike a nonbinding measure, legislation is always subject to a presidential veto. But opponents of the war, their strength increased in last fall's congressional elections, say public opinion is moving their way. "Increasingly, Republicans are uncomfortable and in public disagreement with the president's plan," said Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. She said she favors withdrawing the troops "as soon as practicable." "The only votes that make a difference to the president is the power of the purse," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., who called for the war's end two years ago. Democratic presidential politics figure in the Iraq debate, too. In the House, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio has an 11-point plan to end the war. Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois and Chris Dodd of Connecticut have outlined their own proposals. Sen. Joseph Biden has said he will have one, too. More than a dozen such measures are competing for notice as Congress moves deeper into its war debate; virtually all make the safety of the troops a priority. Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., was the first to introduce a bill on the subject in the current Congress. On the day lawmakers convened in January, he proposed a six-month deadline for the withdrawal of troops. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., was the first lawmaker to propose legislation denying permission for Bush to increase troop strength. Rep. Sam Farr, D-Calif., supports legislation to rescind the authorization that Congress approved in 2002 for the invasion of Iraq, and requiring the withdrawal of troops "in a safe and orderly manner." Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and others have a bill to begin withdrawals within 30 days and turn all U.S. military facilities over to the Iraqis. More than 70 members of the House Progressive Caucus announced last week they favor a withdrawal over six months. A group of moderate Democrats has filed legislation requiring greater accountability over funds spent in Iraq. Some withdrawal measures make exceptions for targeted anti-terrorist activity or security for U.S. personnel. Sestak's plan would allow the military to provide air support for Iraqi forces. Several bills would ban permanent U.S.. military bases in Iraq, and some place Iraq's oil off-limits to U.S. government agencies or American companies. Some provide for reconstruction aid, others endorse regional diplomatic efforts. One bill places a limit of 500 personnel on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad; provides assistance for elimination of land mines; envisions compensation for Iraqi noncombatant casualties; and supports establishment of an Iraqi Institute for Peace. *** From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [NYTr] End the War: Occupy Congressional Offices! sent by Don Stacey - Feb 8, 2007 Occupying Congressional Offices to protest War in Iraq! States work on resolutions calling for impeachment of Bush and Cheney! NOW WE ARE GETTING SOMEWHERE! But we all need to participate. Join in, folks. This is the opportunity you have longed for. Don't let it pass without you. If you can't sit in in a Congressional Office or demonstrate in the street, send letters to your newspaper, call in to your local talk shows, speak to your neighbors and family. Anything you do will help and all help is welcome. PS there is an excellent video on the Bush family at the end of this message. Please watch and pass on. - Don Stacey Democrats.com http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?id=192635;article=17700;show_parent=1 Democrats.com Occupy Congressional Offices Wed Feb 7, 2007 8:12PM 69.132.155.29 Occupy Congressional Offices to End the War in Iraq Ten anti-war activists led by Father Jerry Zawada were arrested today on orders from Senator John McCain's office after members of the peace groups CODEPINK, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, and Veterans for Peace tried to meet with the Senator's legislative aide to discuss defunding the war. Activists sang the names of the 75 US servicemen and women from Arizona who have been killed in the war in Iraq, interspersed with the names of Iraqi civilians killed, and collectively chanted "We remember you," after each name and dropped a flower petal on the ground. They delivered framed photos of Iraqi civilians and US soldiers from Arizona who have been killed in Iraq and carried banners reading "Stop Funding War!" and "Americans Want a Prez for Peace". This is just the start of a national campaign of nonviolent occupations of the offices of Congress Members who support the war and the war-president. Let them have a tiny sense of what Iraqis are experiencing - let them feel a tiny sliver of the inconvenience of an occupation. Let's get them to behave like we have a democracy! In Fairbanks, Alaska, actions are underway at the offices of Senators Murkowski and Stevens and Representative Young. In Northern Alabama, join a sit-in inside or a demonstration outside the office of Representative Bud Cramer. In Arizona, creative demonstrations are being organized against Senator John McCain. Activists in Los Angeles have planned protests at various offices. In the South Bay, sit-ins are underway in the offices of Representatives Honda, Lofgren, and Eshoo. In Des Moines you can sit-in at the offices of Senator Grassley and Rep. Boswell. In Illinois, the focus is on Representatives Jesse Jackson, Ray La Hood, and Mark Kirk, and Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama. All over Minnesota, every Tuesday, constituents will enter the offices of their Congresspersons and Senators at 9:00 am and begin a vigil until 5:00 pm or whenever the offices close. Actions are underway in Portland OR, St. Louis and Seattle as well. Join these actions - or organize your own! http://vcnv.org/occupation-project/campaign-descriptions Join the Impeachment Race in State Legislatures New Mexico and Vermont are in a race to be the first state to send impeachment resolutions of Bush and Cheney to Congress (see details below). Several other states are also in the race, including Maine (http://www.maineimpeach.org) and New Jersey (http://www.impeachthem.com). A state legislature, without a governor, can petition the House to begin impeachment, and a single Congress Member can force an impeachment debate by accepting the state resolution. === **Converge on Congressman Adam Schiff's Office** DEMAND SCHIFF STOP FUNDING THE IRAQ OCCUPATION! Join the Occupation Project - No More Broken Hearts Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (2/12, 2/13, 2/14) 11 AM - 6 PM 87 North Raymond (Old Town, Pasadena) 91103 Metered Parking - Parking Lots Wear Black T-Shirts - We will distribute broken red heart stickers in anticipation of Valentine's Day. Bring signs - "Schiff, Cut $$$ for War" -- "Schiff, Out of Iraq Now! Bring the Troops Home!" "Schiff, Pledge No on War Billions" -- "Schiff, No More War for Oil" "Schiff, How Does it Feel to be Occupied?" If you can join us, RSVP - [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you participate in the non-violent sit-in part of the action, you risk arrest. Stay tuned for an announcement on non-violence training this weekend. You do not, however, need to sit-in to join us on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (2-12, 2-13, 2-14). We need hundreds of people to participate in this demonstration, to mount extraordinary pressure on a strategic Democrat, so please circulate this widely and ask your peace group, friends, retirees, and neighbors to come. Organize carpools and get on the phone. If you can participate, either to demonstrate or sit-in, RSVP: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Can't join us? FAX Schiff: 202-225-5828 or 626-304-0572; Call Schiff: 202-225-4176 or 626- 304-2727 Demand he vote NO on the next Iraq War Supplemental. Cost of War? Visit costofwar.com Schiff sits on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, the first to examine Bush's request for another 150-billion-dollars plus for the Iraq War Supplemental. Congress is expected to vote on the Iraq War Supplemental any day now. Unlike bills, Bush cannot veto a supplemental the Democrats refuse to rubber stamp. The Occupation Project wants Schiff to take a leadership role in pledging to stop funding this war, but so far he refuses to take a stand. Who says cutting the funding is off the table? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we're coming ... Schiff first, then Harman, Waxman and ... more later during the lawmakers' end-of-the-month recess when they will be in their local offices. The Democrats control the House, so let's see them respect the voter mandate to end this occupation. For further information on the Occupation Project, visit www.codepinkalter.org or call 626-676-3898. *** Charging Iran with "Genocide" Before Nuking It By Gary Leupp In a very interesting analysis last month, the former chief of staff of the Russian Army, Gen. Leonid Ivashov, predicted a U.S. nuclear strike on Iran by this April. "Within weeks from now," he wrote, "we will see the informational warfare machine start working. The public opinion is already under pressure. There will be a growing anti-Iranian militaristic hysteria, new information leaks, disinformation, etc." I'm afraid this has the ring of truth. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article17029.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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