Letter: Out of Iraq?

[dogday]

For the past three years, the leaders of the Democratic Party in Congress have not presented a coherent and unified front against the war in Iraq. Opposition to the war has primarily come from concerned citizens and activist organizations such as Council for a Livable World. This has begun to change. Democratic leaders are banding together to call for a phased U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.

On July 31, the Democratic leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives sent a letter to the president calling for a concrete plan for a change of course for the U.S. military presence in Iraq.

The letter stated:

"We believe that a phased deployment of U.S. forces from Iraq should begin before the end of 2006. U.S. forces in Iraq should transition to a more limited mission focused on counter-terrorism training and logistical support of Iraqi security forces and force protection of U.S. personnel."

While this program falls far short of a total and immediate withdrawal, it does represent a significant advance. It is an important victory for the anti-war movement. While individual Democrats have been willing to speak out on the war, most notably Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, this is the first official party statement to advocate a serious change in course. Democratic leaders were likely emboldened by recent polls showing that a solid majority of Americans, including substantial numbers of Republicans, believe it is time to bring our troops home.

http://www2.townonline.com/wellesley/opinion/view.bg?ar...