Lamont to Lieberman: NIE Finds the War in Iraq Has Made Us Less Safe

[sabra]

http://nedlamont.com/news/1540/


Letter From Ned Lamont to Sen. Lieberman: National Intelligence Estimate Finds the War in Iraq Has Made Us Less Safe

Senator Joseph Lieberman
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator Lieberman:

As I am sure you have seen, the New York Times today reported that the National Intelligence Estimate in April concludes “that the American invasion and occupation of Iraq has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks.” The NIE represents the consensus view of the U.S. government’s 16 major intelligence agencies. The Times notes that the Iraq War is a major “reason for the diffusion of jihad ideology” and cites one intelligence official acknowledging that the NIE “says that the Iraq war has made the overall terrorism problem worse.” Let me put this news in terms that you can clearly understand: Our own intelligence agencies now confirm that the Iraq War is undermining America’s security and credibility at our nation’s peril.

With this report being released on the eve of your major address on Iraq, I and thousands of other citizens in Connecticut expect to hear your response to this news in your speech, considering you have echoed President Bush’s claim that the Iraq War has made our country safer, and that staying the course will help keep us safe. As the NIE now shows, that is absolutely not the case – in fact, the Iraq War has and continues to unnecessarily endanger U.S. national security. Never again can a political leader claim otherwise, lest they deliberately ignore the concrete facts presented to us by our intelligence agencies.

As you know, I have consistently called for the redeployment of American troops from Iraq, saying this is the best way to protect U.S. national security. With the Iraqis having written a constitution and held elections – both of which occurred based on timelines set by the United States in coordination with Iraqi leaders – it is clear now that the best way for the Iraqis to assume responsibility for their country’s security is for our troops to begin to redeploy. An open-ended commitment justified by “stay the course” mantras as you and President Bush have echoed both endangers U.S. national security and does a disservice to our soldiers who are serving in Iraq. Our troops themselves fundamentally understand this: Just a few months ago, a survey of almost 1,000 soldiers serving in Iraq said they believe we should redeploy within a year.


...

At a time of war, our state and our country needs leaders in Congress who are willing to speak frankly with the public and who are willing to fulfill their constitutional obligations to hold the executive branch accountable. Our troops serving in combat and the millions of citizens concerned about this war deserve no less.

Sincerely,

Ned Lamont
Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate

[CatWoman]

1. can you say,

"Bitchslap"?

:rofl:

[CTyankee]

2. That'll be SENATOR Lamont in 06

and who knows what it will be as the future unfolds (um, well I won't say what I want to say!).