Pelosi: Vote Against Escalation in Iraq Is a Message to President Bush. No More Blank Checks on Iraq

[bigtree]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi
spoke on the House floor today, opening up three days of debate on a
bipartisan resolution on Iraq expressing support for our troops and
disapproving of the president's escalation plan. Below are her remarks:

"In a few weeks, the war in Iraq will enter its fifth year -- causing
thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of casualties, costing hundreds of
billions of dollars, and damaging the standing of the United States in the
international community. And there is no end in sight.
"The American people have lost faith in President Bush's course of
action in Iraq and have demanded a New Direction.
"On January 10, President Bush proposed deploying more than 20,000
additional combat troops to Iraq. This week, we will debate his escalation.
"In doing so, we must be ever mindful of the sacrifices our military
personnel are being asked to make in this war and the toll it is taking on
them, on their families, and on our veterans. Each one of us must
determine, in a manner worthy of their sacrifice, whether the president's
proposal will make America safer, make our military stronger, and make the
region more stable.
"As this debate begins, let us be clear on one fundamental principle:
we all support the troops.
"In this bipartisan resolution that is before us today, it clearly
states: 'Congress and the American people will continue to support and
protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or
who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq.'
"We honor the service of our troops by asking the difficult questions
about this war. As Republican Senator Robert Taft of Ohio said two weeks
after Pearl Harbor, 'Criticism in a time of war is essential to the
maintenance of a democratic government.'
"And just 10 days ago, President Bush told House Democrats: 'I welcome
debate in a time of war...I do not believe that if you don't happen to
agree with me, you don't share the same sense of patriotism I do,' the
president said.
"In the spirit of responsibility to our troops, and the patriotism we
all share, let us consider whether the president's escalation proposal will
lessen the violence in Iraq and bring our troops home safely and soon.
"From the standpoint of the military, the president's plan must be
evaluated on its prospects for success.
"It is based on a judgment that the way out of Iraq lies in sending
more troops in. Our experience in Iraq has proven just the opposite. Four
previous troop escalations have resulted in escalating levels of violence.
"As with any military action, the president's plan also must be
evaluated on the additional burdens it will place on our troops and
military families who have already sacrificed so much, and the impact it
will have on the already dangerous state of our military readiness.
"Our military has done everything they have been asked to do, and they
have performed excellently. But in order to succeed in Iraq, there must be
diplomatic and political initiatives.
"There has been no sustained and effective effort to engage Iraq's
neighbors diplomatically and no sustained and effective effort to engage
Iraqi factions politically. The Iraqi government has failed to honor
promises made last year when the Constitution was adopted, by failing to
propose amendments to include all sectors of Iraq in its civic life.
"As a result, today we are confronted by little political
accommodation; hardening sectarian divisions; ethnic cleansing by
neighborhoods; and waves of refugees burdening neighboring countries.
"After the members of this body of the House of Representatives have
fully debated the president's escalation proposal, we will have a straight
up or down vote. In a few days, and in fewer than 100 words, we will take
our country in a New Direction on Iraq. A vote of disapproval will set the
stage for additional Iraq legislation, which will be coming to the House
floor.
"Friday's vote will signal whether the House has heard the American
people: No more blank checks for President Bush on Iraq. Our taxpayer
dollars must go to protect our troops, to keep our promises to our
veterans, and to provide for the safety of the American people.
"In light of the facts, President Bush's escalation proposal will not
make America safer, will not make our military stronger, and will not make
the region more stable, and it will not have my support.
"I urge my colleagues to support our troops and vote aye on the
bipartisan Skelton, Lantos, Jones resolution before us today.

"Thank you, Mr. Speaker."

http://www.Speaker.gov

[AndyA]

1. Thanks for posting that. It's a good message.

But I wonder if Bush needs something stronger. Like a kick in the balls from Congress. Something that will make him drop to his knees. Now THAT is sending Bush a message!

Meanwhile, more troops are dying. The war in Iraq is a lie. It needs to end. That is the only "message" that is acceptable at this point.

[Astrad]

2. Once again Republicans frame the issue.

Instead of debating the end of the war, congress dithers over the surge. Brilliant move tactically speaking. Buys them lots of time.

[bigtree]

4. ridiculous take. republicans had four years to 'frame the issue'

they did. it was 'stay the course'.

This is the beginning of a new direction. A line will be drawn, and, as promised by frickin countless legislators, there will come all of the actions that critics presume they thought of first.

[ray of light]

3. And...

setadeadline.com puts pressure on ALL of them to get some spine already!

So please come cosponsor out of Iraq legislation by going to setadeadline.com and signing it.

http://www.setadeadline.com

[Sadie5]

5. Makes me wonder

Each time I see one of the misfit bushies on another RW talk show. What has he promised them in return for their loyalty and lies. All they will eventually get from the American people is to be voted out of office.

[ray of light]

6. a few states are solidly red though.

But I suspect it's more of what they know than of a future promise made... (except with McCain)
McCain is bought and sold!

[bigtree]

7. kick

:kick:

[bigtree]

8. kick