A Voice In The Wilderness

As Obama Beats The War Drums-Again- Stop The Escalations-No New U.S. War In Iraq- No Intervention In Syria! Immediate Withdrawal Of All U.S. Troops And Mercenaries!  Stop The Bombings! –Stop The Arms Shipments …

Frank Jackman comment:

As the Nobel Peace Prize Winner, U.S. President Barack Obama, orders more air bombing strikes in the north, sends more “advisers” to “protect” American outposts in Iraq, and sends arms shipments to the Kurds guys who served in the American military during the Vietnam War and who, like me, belatedly, got “religion” on the war issue as a kneejerk way to resolve the conflicts in this wicked old world might very well be excused for disbelief when the White House keeps pounding out the propaganda that these actions are limited when all signs point to the slippery slope of escalation. Now not every event in history gets exactly repeated but given the recent United States Government’s history in Iraq those vets might be on to something. In any case dust off the old banners, placards, and buttons and get your voices in shape- just in case. No New War In Iraq

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Here is something to think about:  

Workers and the oppressed have no interest in a victory by one combatant or the other in the reactionary Sunni-Shi’ite civil war. However, the international working class definitely has a side in opposing imperialist intervention in Iraq and demanding the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. troops and mercenaries. It is U.S. imperialism that constitutes the greatest danger to the world’s working people and downtrodden.

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Dear Friend,

 

Later today, the House will vote on an amendment to authorize the Secretary of Defense to arm and train Syrian rebels. I want you to be the first to know how I plan to vote and why. 

ISIL has demonstrated their willingness to use terrorism and violence to meet their goals. They have brutally executed Americans and present a grave threat to our allies in the region. However, after listening to and questioning the administration, defense experts and military personnel, I have decided I cannot support the proposal before Congress today to arm and train Syrian rebels.

There are no clear answers yet to how we would vet these rebels, how we would prevent our arms from falling into enemy hands, and the efficacy of the programs that have already trained and armed thousands of Syrian rebels. The civil war in Syria is complex with volatile shifting allegiances. This proposal cannot be evaluated accurately without a discussion of a comprehensive strategy. Anything less than a full debate on the scope of military involvement, alliances, costs, and metrics for success is a disservice to the American people and to our constitutional obligation.

 

We should not being taking up a piecemeal response to ISIL presented as a last minute amendment to a government funding bill. The proposal to arm "moderate rebels" has to be evaluated in the context of rapidly escalating U.S. military involvement and over a decade of war in Iraq that has cost 4,500 American lives and over a trillion dollars.

 

Congress has no more serious responsibility than to be deliberative about any plan that sends our sons and daughters into harm.  When making decisions of this magnitude, with repercussions that could span generations, Congress should be fully debating the appropriateness and scope of the military action.

 

My children have spent their entire lives with the backdrop of war. As I evaluate the appropriate response to ISIL, I take very seriously my duty to all our children, to my district and country, and the men and women of our armed forces.
For more information and the latest news about my votes and our actions in Congress, please follow me on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

With gratitude,

 

Katherine