Kucinich: The War Is a Threat to Our National Security

[keep_it_real]

WASHINGTON - December 3 - Following a speech on the Floor of the House of Representative, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today made the following statement:

"America is in the fight of its life and that fight is not in Afghanistan -- its here. We are deeply in debt. Our GDP is down. Our manufacturing is down. Our savings are down. The value of the dollar is down. Our trade deficit is up. Business failures are up. Bankruptcies are up.

"The war is a threat to our national security. We'll spend over one $100 billion next year to bomb a nation of poor people while we reenergize the Taliban, destabilize Pakistan, deplete our army and put more of our soldiers' lives on the line. Meanwhile, back here in the USA, 15 million people are out of work. People are losing their jobs, their health care, their savings, their investments, and their retirement security. $13 trillion in bailouts for Wall Street, trillions for war; when are we going to start taking care of things here at home?"

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2009/12/03-13

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Then why'd he vote for it?

[LostInAnomie]

3. Haha... indeed.

[JackRiddler]

4. Are you talking about the September 2001 resolution?

Does having voted for that (which everyone did, except Barbara Lee) put a forever stamp on one's forehead, preventing a different opinion even eight years later?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

5. Pretty much.

[JackRiddler]

8. Out of curiousity, did you support IWR?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

26. Nope.

[JackRiddler]

30. Are those who did allowed to change their minds?

[ShortnFiery]

6. He voted for the INITIAL incursion NOT for this extended occupation.

Many of us would have been thrilled if our SF would have captured/killed bin Laden at Tora Bora. But bush OUTSOURCED the job and he either slipped away and/or is dead and buried in Pakistan. Now that there is essentially NO (100 rag tag people) al Qaeda in Afghanistan, it's time to "declare victory" and come home. Then the Taliban can resettle into parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan will once again settle down.

But no, we have to prop up the illegitimate Mayor of Kabul, Hamid Karzai. And only his corrupt government gets to decide which of the Taliban is GOOD (supports Karzai) and BAD (do NOT support Karzai). Therefore, we are inserting our troops in the middle of a CIVIL WAR where both sides are corrupt.

NO WIN SITUATION except for the TRILLION of our tax dollars that will be gifted to the private corporations of the MIC after years of "death and destruction."

[slipslidingaway]

10. Kucinich Statement- Authorizing Force On Those Responsible For Recent Terrorist Acts Against The US

Kucinich did not vote to authorize the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan, he did vote, along with EVERY other member of Congress, except Barbara Lee, to use resources against those who committed or aided the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01.

As Kucinich is now speaking out against the escalation, this vote is being used as an excuse that he voted for the war in Afghanistan.

He has NOT voted to continue funding this war.


Kucinich Statement On Authorizing Force On Those Responsible For Recent Terrorist Acts Against The U.S.

"On Friday, September 14, 2001, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland) spoke on the House floor explaining his reasons for supporting the resolution authorizing the President to use force on those responsible for the recent terrorist acts against the United States. Following is the text of his statement.

Washington, Sep 14 -

I will support this resolution authorizing the President to defend our country. Whatever forms of action we choose must reflect our democratic principles and distinguish us from the mentality of terrorists and destructive violence. Our actions must pursue a path towards reducing violence, not escalating violence. Launching weapons of mass destruction or collateral attacks against innocent civilians would be no different than the terror we have already had brought upon us. An eye for an eye mentality is unacceptable. We are a nation with civil and moral values and we must show the world that. These terrorist attacks were clearly a crime against humanity. What does a democracy do to punish criminals? We put them on trial, if found guilty, we imprison them.

U.S. military action should be centered on arresting the responsible parties, and the governments should place the suspects on trial. That is how we win this. This is how we should show the world that we are a humane and democratic nation. That is what gives us the moral high ground. That is what we need to do to prevent future attacks. Future attacks will not be prevented because terrorists fear our military. To kill them does not scare them. That is an honor for them to be killed. But for our democracy it is important to rise above their violent attacks and punish them with unquestionable moral superiority. That will vindicate our highest principles. Violence is reciprocal in nature. Peace is also reciprocal. The direction we take will speak volumes about our democracy. We must and we will defend our country. And we must and we will pursue and arrest these criminals. We must do so in a manner that upholds democratic principles."


Links...
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/slipslidingaway/212

[G_j]

12. thank you

it's a shame to have put so much time into correcting drive-by snipers.

[slipslidingaway]

13. You're welcome and yes it is, much easier since I finally started to ...

add posts to a journal.

:)

And they never seem to mention that wars need funding and Kucinich has not voted for funding.

Many politicians call for withdrawal and then vote for war funds.

[BeHereNow]

14. Why are you bothering us with FACTS?

Don't you know how you darken the day of
willfully uninformed members with frivolous
points regarding the TRUTH???

Please. Don't ever stop.
I love watching the results of your actions.
Especially the soothing sounds of the crickets.

BHN:smoke:

[slipslidingaway]

17. This vote keeps on getting posted, where are the votes for funding ...

:shrug:

Thank you!

:hug:

[BeHereNow]

20. Funding??? Funding??? Can't be bothered with those facts-

As in WITH OUT funding, the empire can not wage war.

The one note chorus must meet in an undisclosed location
each day to decide which half baked song they will drown
us in...

Gets old, doesn't it?


:hug: Back at ya

BHN

[slipslidingaway]

29. Yes it does get old! :) n/t

[jpak]

21. Just where were those terrorists that plotted and planned and executed 9/11 hiding?

in Toledo?

(clue: Afghanistan)

[BeHereNow]

22. So we burn down an entire forest to kill a few ants?

"Hey look. Those trees might be sheltering some ants! Nuke 'em!"

BHN

[slipslidingaway]

24. Children's book - Henry's Awful Mistake

"Henry, who is a duck by the way, was cooking supper for his friend Clara when he saw an ant in the kitchen. He was worried Clara would think he didn't keep a clean house, so he grabbed for the ant spray. But wait! He couldn't spray so close to the food he was cooking, so he got a frying pan and chased the ant around the kitchen. But the ant hid behind the stove, so Henry shut off the flame and pulled it away from the wall. No way was that ant going to get away.

But the ant ran into a crack in the wall. Henry got a hammer and pounded a hole in the wall until the hole was huge, then he saw the ant sitting on a pipe in the wall. He tried to hit the ant with the hammer, but he missed, hit the pipe and broke it. Poor Henry. And there is much more awful stuff that's going to happen to him, all because of that ant. In the end Henry learns a lesson and so will your child as you read him this delightful story which is so superbly illustrated."

http://www.amazon.com/Henrys-Awful-Mistake-Robert-Quackenbush/dp/097127570X

[BeHereNow]

28. GREAT story!!!

Thanks, I think that sums it up.

BHN

[slipslidingaway]

35. My kids enjoyed it and so did I. :) n/t

[slipslidingaway]

23. Does that mean we have to invade and occupy the country for years...

once you see what is being done you do not continue to authorize funds for the occupation.

[BeHereNow]

25. But the occupation is NECESSARY! Think of the share holders!

They are counting on the "Terrorist Card" to
assure the profits for the oil and gas multi nationals.

So what if a couple thousand innocents die here and there?
The 1% holding all the wealth needs MORE!

BHN

[slipslidingaway]

27. The fact that there has been no one held accountable for the destuction...

of lives is infuriating. Especially as we watch the business interests move into the areas.

:mad:

[truedelphi]

31. No matter how easy is was for U to do,

A big thank you.

[slipslidingaway]

34. You're welcome and thanks to DUer Cerridwen for posting the link in this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7136360&mesg_id=7136617

And to DUer Zodiak for his post as well
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7136360&mesg_id=7136605

:hi:

[Greyhound]

11. He didn't as you well know. OTOH every time one of you guys post this prevarication,

it gives others the chance to see the truth of what he did.

From directly above; http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7161916#7162545

[ShortnFiery]

2. Exactly, plus having USA Combat troops occupying two Muslim countries ...

makes AMERICANS less safe, at home and abroad, i.e., not a good action for "winning the hearts and minds" of ME people.

[Gregorian]

7. What our gov't doesn't get is that wars are not fought with bombs now. It's about money now.

I love Dennis, even if most people think he's loony. If that's the case, then most people think I'm nuts as well.

This is no reflection on us. It IS a reflection on the fact that most humans are diseased, confused, unconscious.

I love Dennis Kucinich. He speaks for me.

[G_j]

9. true

nt

[BeHereNow]

15. Hell, I love being in good company- some of my favorites all in one thread.

Kick & Rec.

BHN

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. K&R for sanity.

[leftstreet]

18. K&R

[jpak]

19. Sorry DK - GDP was down by -6.4% when Obama took office - its growing at +2.4% today

because of the Stimulus Bill

just sayin'

[anonymous171]

33. Prove it. nt

[LWolf]

32. He's right. As usual. nt