Two Deadlines and an Exit - Good Op-Ed by John Kerry - NYT

[kpete]

Op-Ed Contributor
Two Deadlines and an Exit
By JOHN F. KERRY
Published: April 5, 2006
Washington

WE are now in the third war in Iraq in as many years. The first was against Saddam Hussein and his supposed weapons of mass destruction. The second was against terrorists whom, the administration said, it was better to fight over there than here. Now we find our troops in the middle of an escalating civil war.

Half of the service members listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall died after America's leaders knew our strategy would not work. It was immoral then and it would be immoral now to engage in the same delusion. We want democracy in Iraq, but Iraqis must want it as much as we do. Our valiant soldiers can't bring democracy to Iraq if Iraq's leaders are unwilling themselves to make the compromises that democracy requires.

As our generals have said, the war cannot be won militarily. It must be won politically. No American soldier should be sacrificed because Iraqi politicians refuse to resolve their ethnic and political differences.As our generals have said, the war cannot be won militarily. It must be won politically. No American soldier should be sacrificed because Iraqi politicians refuse to resolve their ethnic and political differences.

So far, Iraqi leaders have responded only to deadlines — a deadline to transfer authority to a provisional government, and a deadline to hold three elections.

Now we must set another deadline to extricate our troops and get Iraq up on its own two feet.



more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/opinion/05kerry.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[globalvillage]

1. Now THIS is a plan.

He's right. Nothing is going to happen without a deadline. Let's force the issue and get our troops the hell out of there.

Let's hope everyone gets behind it.

[_dynamicdems]

4. No kidding! I hope the rest of the Dems rally around it.

It should be interesting to see if the media ignores it or if there is so much Repug outrage that they can't ignore it.

I wonder if Shrub will take the bait and start pouting and stamping his feet because John is being mean again and picking his war.

[msgadget]

21. There's a lot going on right now but it can be kept

alive with grassroots 'net activity... (Wow, a firm POSITION on the war!)

[blm]

24. I'd heard Kerry and Murtha have been meeting alot the last 2 weeks

so I would guess that they worked togather on this - It really sounds like a rewrite of both their plans based on the reality of the civil war in Iraq.

[_dynamicdems]

2. HOLY SMOKE! He sounds PISSED!

This is good stuff. Especially these deadlines!

"Iraqi politicians should be told that they have until May 15 to put together an effective unity government or we will immediately withdraw our military. If Iraqis aren't willing to build a unity government in the five months since the election, they're probably not willing to build one at all. The civil war will only get worse, and we will have no choice anyway but to leave.

If Iraq's leaders succeed in putting together a government, then we must agree on another deadline: a schedule for withdrawing American combat forces by year's end."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/opinion/05kerry.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[LittleClarkie]

3. May 15th

He's calling for immediate withdrawl by May 15th

Wow.

"Iraqi politicians should be told that they have until May 15 to put together an effective unity government or we will immediately withdraw our military. If Iraqis aren't willing to build a unity government in the five months since the election, they're probably not willing to build one at all. The civil war will only get worse, and we will have no choice anyway but to leave."

Go ye Winter Soldier, go!

[_dynamicdems]

5. He'd do it too. He's seen this shit before and it is time that we get the

Hell out. Iraq has to take responsibility for Iraq. I love that he's calling for this in less than 6 WEEKS!

[KittyWampus]

6. Bush'll steal another of Kerry's plans- do a half assed job- then smirk

what do you want to bet?

ETA Oh, and the Mediawhores will say Democrats don't have any plans.

ETAA Oh, and the usual DU'ers will say Democrats don't have any plans.

[karynnj]

8. I assume Kerry would love it if he did

It would get the troops home or possibly jolt the Iraqis into forming a government with the help of their neighbors.

[ginnyinWI]

19. yes, he would--as long as those troops come home.

And fortunately, our military brass knows a thing or two, unlike the civilian military leadership. If the generals were given a go-ahead, they could redeploy intelligently, I would hope.

[globalvillage]

7. We need to send this to our congress members

And get them to back Kerry's plan.

[karynnj]

10. Great idea

My Senators are Lautenberg and Menendez, but I have a Republican Congressman.

[Island Blue]

13. Excellent idea.

My senators (Burr & Dole) are lost causes, but my congressman "Freedom Fries" Jones made some movement in the troops out direction several months ago. I'll make sure he sees this.

[msgadget]

22. I'm going to call instead, tired of form letter replies n/t

[ProSense]

15. Two Deadlines and an Exit

Love it!

[ProSense]

9. This is perfect. Bring the troops home now! n/t

[kpete]

11. more:

Iraqi politicians should be told that they have until May 15 to put together an effective unity government or we will immediately withdraw our military. If Iraqis aren't willing to build a unity government in the five months since the election, they're probably not willing to build one at all. The civil war will only get worse, and we will have no choice anyway but to leave.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/05/opinion/05kerry.html?...

[blm]

25. Gives you the sense that Murtha and Kerry see Vietnam while Bush is posing

as a Great Crusader.

[WildEyedLiberal]

12. YES!!

THIS is leadership! Kicked and rec'd!

[politicasista]

14. Kick and Recommend!

:kick:

[ProSense]

16. Time for common sense. n/t

[DLnyc]

17. Yes!

Bringing reality into the debate: our presence in Iraq is helping Al Qaeda, not hurting it; our presence is fueling the resistance and weakening, not strengthening, support for whatever government we have managed to cobble together so far.

A realistic well-thought-out policy that puts the buchco policy of 'blame the media' in a very harsh light indeed.

[karynnj]

18. It is a realistic plan - that even has a last ditch chance

for the Arab League and the UN to help the Iraqis get some degree of peace.

[ProSense]

26. As more Senators sign on, I hope the media focuses in. n/t

[msgadget]

20. What's this...? It's A PLAN!!!

:cry: Is May 15 too soon? I don't care, it's a plan, a real plan!

[ProSense]

23. Great news in the morning. n/t