Reps. Kucinich & Abercrombie: USA Today Op-Ed Calling For US Withdrawal

[paineinthearse]

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/050517usatodayoped.html



For Immediate Release Contact: Doug Gordon
Tuesday, May 17, 2005 [phone] (w)

Reps. Kucinich & Abercrombie Pen USA Today Op-Ed Calling For US Withdrawal From Iraq

The following Op-ed written by Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) appeared in today’s USA Today newspaper:

Time for U.S. to withdraw

By Neil Abercrombie and Dennis J. Kucinich

Forty-one months after the United States entered World War II, we had achieved victory in Europe. We've been in Iraq for over half that period. What reasonable person would say we have reached the halfway point in Iraq?

Today's troops are just as brave, patriotic and capable as their WWII predecessors. They have already accomplished much. They deposed and imprisoned a tyrant. They have given ordinary Iraqis the chance to shape their country's destiny.

Nevertheless, the military occupation of Iraq will not turn Iraq into a democratic nation. Longstanding rivalries will do more to shape that country's future than anything American troops can do. Those forces will not be controlled by American boots on Iraqi ground, no matter how many we put there or how long they remain.

In Iraq there are no front lines, no easy way to tell friend from foe, and no clear way to measure success. Iraq is a quagmire. Meantime, it has become a recruiting poster for Osama bin Laden. Are we to keep fighting indefinitely, losing more troops every week, spending billions of dollars, and increasing the strain on our armed forces, especially the reserve and National Guard?

We feel this course, with its echoes of Vietnam, is unsustainable. It has already added $200 billion to our national debt and costs U.S. taxpayers more than $1 billion per month. It jeopardizes the strategic interests of the United States, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. It alienates allies in the Muslim world and elsewhere, hindering efforts to create a united global front against al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.

Unlike World War II, where the enemy surrendered and the troops came home, there is no such prospect in Iraq. We must define an endpoint. We will soon introduce legislation to achieve that goal by bringing the occupation of Iraq to a close. The troops have done their job. It's up to Congress and the president to forge a policy worthy of their sacrifices.

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Also posted in OP-ED - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=edit&forum=103&topic_id=126361&mesg_id=126361

[Desertrose]

1. If this is said often enough..."we need to get out!"

maybe it will begin to make a dent in some very thick heads.

It is past time to get us out - considering we should have NEVER gone there in the first place...still we did but now it is time to get a PLAN to get the US outta there. It is a NO WIN situation for sure....for everyone.

Dennis rocks!!
Thank god he has the guts to speak the truth.

[Rainscents]

2. I am so glad to hear this!!!

Dennies :yourock:

[MuseRider]

3. Big kick

for Kucinich and Abercrombie!

[eridani]

4. For all those who wanted a timetable--

--here it is.

[mtnsnake]

5. Finally! Someone speaks up!

This is a great start. Thank you, Neil and Dennis! It's things like this that will get readers nodding their heads in agreement and before you know it, more and more will join in.

[paineinthearse]

6. Can someone give me the lowdown on Abercrombie?

I am a CSPAN junkie and have NEVER seen him speak on the House floor or during a committee meeting. What's the lowdown?

[tinanator]

7. he has a ponytail

right?

[paineinthearse]

10. http://www.house.gov /abercrombie/

Can any Hawaii DU'res provide an answer beyond the official bio? Why don't we hear more about Neil Abercrombie?

http://www.house.gov/abercrombie/



Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) first served the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. He returned to the House in 1991 and has served continuously since then. He is a member of the Committee on Armed Services, where he is Ranking Member on the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee; he is also a member of the Readiness Subcommittee. He also serves on the Committee on Resources and its Subcommittees on Fisheries Conservation, Wildlife and Oceans, National Parks , Recreation and Public Lands, and Forests and Forest Health.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Neil Abercrombie focuses on quality of life issues affecting military personnel and their families. He has played a key role in securing military pay raises, better retirement benefits, health care improvements, and modern housing. He has secured authorization for more than $2 billion for construction projects on Hawaii military installations (chiefly family housing and bachelor enlisted quarters).

Abercrombie began his political career in the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 1974. After two terms in the State House, he served in the State Senate for eight years. He chaired the Senate Committees on Education, Higher Education and Human Services. He also served on the Honolulu City Council from 1988 to 1990.

Congressman Abercrombie received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Union College in Schenectady, N.Y., and a Masters degree in Sociology and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Hawaii. He worked as a waiter, custodian, probation officer, graduate teaching assistant, college lecturer, professor, construction apprentice program director, and special assistant to the State Superintendent of Education.

Abercrombie's community activities include service on the boards of the Nuuanu YMCA, the Hawaii Special Olympics, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, Friends of Father Damien, Variety Club (Tent 50), the Life Foundation/AIDS Foundation of Hawaii and Amnesty International.

Awards received by Neil Abercrombie include: the Japanese American Citizens League President's Award, Toastmasters International Award, National Epilepsy Foundation Advocacy Award, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii Person of the Year Award (renamed the Abercrombie Award), Ronald McDonald House Support Award, Favorite University of Hawaii Professor, Friends of the Library of Hawaii Mahalo Award, Most Popular Legislator of the Year Award, Gandhi-King-Ikeda award for dedication to peace and non-violence, United Group Home Operators Legislative Award, Hawaii State Chiropractic Association Senator of the Year Award, Clifford Award (Mental Health Public Official of the Year), Hawaii Federation of the Blind Eva H. Smyth Award for Distinguished Contribution, Clinical Laboratories Management Association Special Recognition Award, SERTOMA Freedom Award, U.S. Army Reserve 9th Regional Support Command Appreciation Award, Retail Merchants of Hawaii Advocacy Award, and the Senior Army Reserve Commanders Association Legislator of the Year Award.

Neil Abercrombie and Richard Hoyt co-authored Blood of Patriots, a work of fiction focusing on the role of money in electoral politics.

Neil Abercrombie is married to Dr. Nancie Caraway, an author and educator.

[hippywife]

9. His House Website:

http://www.house.gov/abercrombie/

[oxbow]

8. It finally begins

Spread this far and wide, DU'ers. Plant the seed and watch it grow.