Iraq Study Group's policies promise a better course
With the increased dichotomy of American opinion on the Iraq war, I would like to suggest a positive alternative. The Iraq Study Group produced a number of useful suggestions of ways for us to get out of the quagmire. There is legislation before Congress (Iraq Study Group Implementation Act) that would include the following policies:
* make clear the United States does not seek to establish military bases in Iraq or to control Iraq's oil resources;
* stress need to engage directly with Iran and Syria, and build "Iraq Support Group" in region;
* bring about early transition of military role from combat to training that would allow early redeployment of troops from Iraq;
* base continued U.S. political, military and economic support on specific reconciliation benchmarks;
* establish congressional oversight by requiring the president to report every three months on actions taken to implement provisions of this bill.
This bill has bipartisan support and could set the United States on a new course in Iraq and the region as a whole, beginning in this administration and likely continuing into the next.
Marilyn White
Greensboro
Comments (8)
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I think we're going to "engage directly with Iran and Syria" but not necessarily in the way that you're hoping.
Posted on October 1, 2007 10:09 AM
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Since the PUSSY kat has not weighed in yet, let me take this opportunity to give you his standard spiel on this:
"Good news from Iraq spells bad news for the De-featocrats"
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Now for grownups:
After years of intransigence, Bush is trying to do what the study group suggested. Better late than never, I suppose. But don't be lulled into a feeling that Bush is now embracing diplomacy as he's more concerned with his legacy at this stage--He's trying to pull himself from the fire and be the SECOND worst President rather than THE WORST!
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Posted on October 1, 2007 10:32 AM
It is a sad day when the Religious Society of Friends signs off on something of this nature. I guess even the leadership of that group succumbs to external forces rather than sticking with integrity and pacificism. How sad.
When will we ever learn?
Shalom
Posted on October 1, 2007 11:10 AM
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Darryl,
I think anything is better than Bush's stay the course. The opposite of Bush's plan = peace.
Keep in mind that more Iraqis have been killed since we invaded, than Saddam Huessein killed during his long reign. Kind of puts things in perspective, now doesn't it.
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Posted on October 1, 2007 2:54 PM
I'm going to jump to the chase and leave out alot of supporting arguments. I want to see us get out of Iraq and stop arguing with Iran,and bring our troops home. I want us to stop being the main if not total supporter for all foreign war efforts Our dollar is crumbling fast and furious, many urgent American needs continue to go unplanned for and thus unmet. If the other countries don't want to really contribute what they truly can to help in this war effort, then maybe they are seeing something that we don't. The emerging Iran issues are scaring me to death--I see more death, destruction, money, blood and the money that would be directed toward quality of life issues here in the US is and will continue to be sent over seas. We are really overextending ourselves and why aren't other countries getting all cranked up by what is going on? There is always something that even poor countries can contribute even if it's not money. If things are as dire as we say they are, why aren't other countries going fiscally beserk the way the US is?
Posted on October 1, 2007 3:00 PM
I'm going to jump to the chase and leave out alot of supporting arguments. I want to see us get out of Iraq and stop arguing with Iran,and bring our troops home. I want us to stop being the main if not total supporter for all foreign war efforts Our dollar is crumbling fast and furious, many urgent American needs continue to go unplanned for and thus unmet. If the other countries don't want to really contribute what they truly can to help in this war effort, then maybe they are seeing something that we don't. The emerging Iran issues are scaring me to death--I see more death, destruction, money, blood and the money that would be directed toward quality of life issues here in the US is and will continue to be sent over seas. We are really overextending ourselves and why aren't other countries getting all cranked up by what is going on? There is always something that even poor countries can contribute even if it's not money. If things are as dire as we say they are, why aren't other countries going fiscally beserk the way the US is?
Posted on October 1, 2007 3:01 PM
"If the other countries don't want to really contribute what they truly can to help in this war effort, then maybe they are seeing something that we don't."
... that's the $64,000 question: What ever happened to the Coalition of the Willing?
Posted on October 1, 2007 6:36 PM
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James,
That's the $10 Billion a month question.
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Posted on October 2, 2007 9:40 AM