Leahy adds name to troop redeployment bill

[sabra]

Source: Vermont Guardian

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, D-VT, will join Sen. Russ Feingold, D-WI, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, in introducing legislation aimed at ending the current military mission in Iraq and begin the redeployment of U.S. forces.

The bill, which will be introduced when the Senate reconvenes next week, would require the president to begin “safely” redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq 120 days from enactment, as required by the emergency supplemental spending bill the Senate passed last week. The bill would end funding for the war, with three narrow exceptions, effective March 31, 2008.

Pres. George W. Bush on Tuesday and Vice Pres. Dick Cheney Monday assailed congressional efforts to force the beginning of troop withdrawals from Iraq, including the new bill by Feingold, Reid and Leahy, and the President again pledged to veto the bills.

“The new Congress has charted a way to end our involvement in a civil war. The American people want a way out of this foreign policy disaster, and I hope the President will reconsider his veto threat,” said Leahy.



Read more: http://www.vermontguardian.com/dailies/042007/040607.sh...

[rodeodance]

1. JR----they are closing in on YOU>

[WCGreen]

2. Damn they got some balls....

[BayCityProgressive]

3. I am so proud of harry Reid for this..

[Kikosexy2]

12. Nothing...

like some jock-itch to arouse them balls...

[blondeatlast]

4. What November was all about. Bring 'em home.

s ALL.

K&R.

[Jillian]

5. How many Senators have signed on?

I'm shocked about Reid.

Happily shocked!

[Mass]

8. 5 - Reid, Feingold, Kerry, Dodd. and Leahy.

[Mass]

10. 9 at the latest count

Boxer
Dodd
Feingold
Kennedy
Kerry
Leahy
Reid
Sanders
Whitehouse

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[disndat]

14. The heavy hitters

Good, This will open up the dialog and the pressure, big time. "Blue Skies smiling at me...nothing but blue skies, do I see.."

[Lasher]

6. I don't know what Junior's so upset about

I mean, it's not like he's been managing the war in Iraq. So it shouldn't upset him if Congressional Democrats want to exercise some control.

[lizbitchwitchy]

7. This is such a load of crap

The same freakin "narrow exceptions" as the congress passed - This is another N0n- binding (in a certain sense of the word) withdrawl date- Another creative writing project by the senate - another load of crap - WHAT IS THE MATTER? CAN'T YOU GUYS READ? This does absolutely nothing to ensure the troops come home - it' fully funds their rackateering and the BLOOD KEEPS SPILLING! WHAT IS EVERYONE CHEERING ABOUT? WHY BE PROUD OF ANYONE WHO STANDS BEHIND THIS BILL? WAKE UP PEOPLE!

[pretzel4gore]

9. well, it sure got the nazipoohs hot!

you can judge what it all means by how the bushpunks react, and they are mad as hell, not gonna... etc
i think bush is making impeachment a necessity, not only for the Dems, but all of them....the guy's dangeropus

[mzmolly]

11. What portion of the bill do you take issue with?

Can you provide the specifics?

[mirrera]

13. The "exceptions" keep things keeping on...

Protecting US infrastucture...what the green zone? Or the new Embassy and bases that no one talks about? The Oil companies who just scored contracts, do we protect them?

fighting terrorist organizations for short periods of time... Uh they call everyone they kill a terrorist, and for short durations means different things to different people.

Training Iraqi security forces... The death squads we are training so well, we can keep doing that. Maybe we can provide cordless drills...

[lizbitchwitchy]

19. As much as it's not funny

I fell off my chair laughing at this one "Maybe we can provide cordless drills..." What else are we going to do but laugh about the ridiculousness of the blatant truth that no one seems to be able to see - thanks for the laugh - I needed that.

[mirrera]

20. Gotta laugh!

Better then curled in a fetal position banging head on floor.

[lizbitchwitchy]

16. Thanks for not calling me names just because

I can see threw this bill like it is glass. Yes the specific reasons is this which is quoted from the article
"The President shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq that are not essential to the purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall begin not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of the act."

And the three "narrow exceptions" are as follows:
d) Exception for Limited Purposes -- The prohibition under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure of funds for the limited purposes as follows:

(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations.

(2) To provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel.

(3) To train and equip Iraqi security services.


Those three narrow exceptions are exactly the things we say we are doing there now. So there is nothing but exception to this bill.

And this, also quoted from the article, "No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces after March 31, 2008."

Looks like any troops still there after March 31, 2008 will be left there - because the President is forbidden to use any of the funds appropriated for their return.

This is another creative writing project that does nothing to end the war. Meanwhile until this is passed and signed and goes into effect the President continues sending troops over for the surge. And meanwhile back in Iraq the blood keeps spilling and people keep dying and Over here in America we are cheering those helping this racket to continue. How more specific do I need to get. Everyone here can read. Just because we are registered democrats does NOT mean we don't scrutinize our own party and point out their games and wrong doings as well. Unless we look at the truth we can never be the democracy that we claim to be.

I just get really frustrated because no one seems to understand that the blood keeps spilling! Keep your eye on the bloodshed people.

[mzmolly]

17. A valid concern.

Perhaps Bush will have to justify each individually?

Thanks for the clarification. And, welcome!

[lizbitchwitchy]

18. And how easily done

If Bush has to justify anything. This is practically a gift and I for one and sick of these dems taking us for a ride. they better shape up or we will ship them out for another round - a better round or hell a whole different party. They need to do what we tell them to - otherwise it's insubordniation - as far as I am concerned.

[mzmolly]

21. I don't feel I'm being taken for a ride. I understand the situation is "difficult."

And I relize we need to have a means to get out of Iraq while not leaving our soldiers "high and dry."

We also have to get out in a way that represents "the people" ie. the majority of people. And, the "majority" oppose cutting funds for the troops, but they want us out so???

But again, I can appreciate your feelings on this issue.

[19jet54]

15. Go team!