Progressives Leading on Iraq: Sound Policy Ideas vs. Political Spin
Progressives Leading on Iraq: Sound Policy Ideas vs. Political Spin
(Our guest blogger, Brian Katulis, is the co-author of Strategic Redeployment, American Progress’ strategy for Iraq.)
Today’s Senate debate puts on full display the choice that Americans face on Iraq and national security policy.
Progressives are offering sensible policy ideas to change direction and the chance for accountability. White House allies are stuck on tired attempts to politicize national security, offering more of the same and serving as a rubber stamp for failed policies.
More than six months ago, President Bush offered up a plan for Iraq. The response from Congress? First, deafening silence. Then, Congress realized it was so unconvinced by the President’s ideas that it appointed an independent commission to look into Iraq to offer new ideas and recommendations.
No one has rallied around President Bush’s Iraq plan –- in large part because a majority of Americans are don’t approve of it, and are looking for a new policy.
Progressives led the charge last November, with a measure calling on the Bush administration to take steps to make sure that 2006 was a “period of significant transition.†This measure got the support of a large majority –- 79 Senators of all partisan stripes. Nearly halfway through this year that is supposed to be a period of significant transition, and who is leading the charge? Progressives again.
A pair of resolutions introduced in the U.S. Senate this week –- one resolution by a group of Senators who have each recently visited Iraq, and a second approach, proposed by Senators Kerry, Feingold, and Boxer, are serious attempts to define what “period of significant transition” means.
Both approaches are similar to an Iraq plan proposed by the Center for American Progress, although the first amendment does not embrace the 18 month timeframe advocated by the Center.
Yes, there are some differences between the two resolutions, but the basic thrust is the same – calling for a phased redeployment of U.S. forces to begin in 2006, coupled with increased efforts to set Iraq’s political transition and reconstruction back on track. Both approaches call on President Bush to put a stronger focus on the broader war on terror, reflecting a concern raised by 87 percent terrorism experts surveyed by Foreign Policy and the Center for American Progress who say that the war in Iraq has had a negative impact on the war on terror.
The ideas offered up by progressives in the Senate today are a serious attempt to advance the country’s debate on Iraq. Americans should listen carefully.
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44 Responses to “Progressives Leading on Iraq: Sound Policy Ideas vs. Political Spin”
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Get out of Iraq oil criminals.
June 21st, 2006 at 4:49 pmDoes any of it really matter?
Exposed: The Carlyle Group
Shocking documentary uncovers the subversion of Americas democracy.
I defy you to watch this 48 minute documentary and not be outraged about the depth of corruption and deceit within the highest ranks of our government.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:01 pmWhen, according to our own military, our Iraqi colleagues are slaughtering American soldiers (the two who were beheaded), I think it’s time to go home…
Enough is enough.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:03 pmRepublican Iraq plan is “Lie and Die”
June 21st, 2006 at 5:04 pmWhen, according to our own military, our Iraqi colleagues are slaughtering American soldiers (the two who were beheaded), I think it’s time to go home…
Comment by unbelievable
You mean they don’t love us? Even after three years of freedom and domocracy? Last time I checked only 47% of the Iraqi citizens think it is OK to kill Americans. That shows progress, cause when Saddam was in charge they were all in the streets chanting “Death to America.”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we stay the course, it will only be about 20 or 30 more years and 8 or 10 trillion dollars until they all love us and freedom enough that we can bring our troops home.
I mean, come on, unbelievable, who’s your daddy? The insurgency is on its last legs.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:15 pmWELL SAID JOE SIXPACK, WELL SAID.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:19 pm# 3 unbelievable:
I think that you are getting two different incidents confused.
I need to sign off for now–will check in later.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:20 pmLast time I checked only 47% of the Iraqi citizens think it is OK to kill Americans. That shows progress, cause when Saddam was in charge they were all in the streets chanting “Death to America.â€
Yes, but under Saddam they didn’t have access to us… Now, it’s much easier since we’re up close and personal…
Correct me if I’m wrong, but if we stay the course, it will only be about 20 or 30 more years and 8 or 10 trillion dollars until they all love us and freedom enough that we can bring our troops home.
Don’t you think private therapy for junior would have been faster and cheaper? :)
I mean, come on, unbelievable, who’s your daddy? The insurgency is on its last legs.
Comment by Joe Sixpack — June 21, 2006 @ 5:15 pm
Clearly… You win. I misspoke, obviously… :)
June 21st, 2006 at 5:27 pmHey, unbelievable, have you noticed that for over a year now the republicans have criticized the dems for not offering any ideas or solutions to the Iraq War. Bush even went so far as calling for and even stating he welcomed open dialog on new ideas and a partisan dialog.
The moment John Murtha, John Kerry, and several others stepped up with many different ideas for bringing a conclusion to this mess, they are criticized and ostracized. I find it ironic that anyone who won’t advocate a “stay the course” approach is a “cut and run” coward.
Time for me to cut and run for a beer. I’m outta here.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:50 pmI think that you are getting two different incidents confused.
Comment by Sybil — June 21, 2006 @ 5:20 pm
Well, it’s so hard to keep your insults separate, as that’s all you ever post. Not easy to sort between your feces flinging and your vomit spewing. Maybe you should try saying something of value for once.
Those who can do - those who can’t criticize.
June 21st, 2006 at 5:53 pmTime for me to cut and run for a beer. I’m outta here.
Comment by Joe Sixpack — June 21, 2006 @ 5:50 pm
Traitor… coward… :)
June 21st, 2006 at 5:55 pmGood posts Joe Sixpack.
June 21st, 2006 at 8:54 pm# 10:
Very poor choice of words;immature and angry.
June 22nd, 2006 at 2:37 amNow I see the mentality of your insensitive ‘karma’ statement.
Sybil - you get what you give.
Wanna be respected, then be respectful and respectable. You have never once been either. So, don’t expect to get what you don’t give or earn.
June 22nd, 2006 at 8:19 amNot angry. Just calling you out. Since that is what you advocate. Calling out people. Except you lie about people who are honest. I am atleast calling you out based on provable facts.
For the record - People who are angry use exclamation points at the end of most of their sentances. Much like you and your other personas Mighty Anus, Denny, and E.Coli. They also use all caps in a sentance. I do neither. Because, I’m not angry. You’re insignificant. Just a joke. Those things are funny - and nothing more. I know you strive to upset me, but I assure you, you’re as bad at that as you are at your commentary.
You really should get a hobby.
June 22nd, 2006 at 8:27 amFolks, please note that the day after the dems started talke of their resolutions in the senate, that General Casey has announced that there will be troop withdrawal from Iraq.
One or two brigades at a time. Now, also note that Bushie is out of the country showing his ignorance and his ass to the world. So - who is in charge of the government?
Our real president, KKKKKKarl RRRRRove. Thhis idiot runs daily polls and found that 60% of the people want us out of Iraq. After having Bush declare that as long as he was prez and the pukes controlled congress we would stay in Iraq, Karl, the good old liar from Texas, decided that he had paid homage to the base of 40% so now was the time to appease the rest of the voters.
Playing politics with peoples lives is what they are doing, and they have been doing it for years.
Done you all think it is time to stop it?
June 22nd, 2006 at 10:36 amWhat benefit is there in attacking other people who post here? Let’s get together and attack the evils and sorrows. That we could make some progress.We could all decide to work on Bob Casey’s campaign and get Santorum out of the Senate. That would make us all feel better.
June 22nd, 2006 at 10:46 amInstant karma.
June 22nd, 2006 at 10:47 amInstant karma.
Comment by Sybil — June 22, 2006 @ 10:47 am
Funny you consider yourself exempt to her message when only you warrant it.
I defend myself against your attacks. Not the same as attacking.
Your karma. Not mine. You’re just too irrational to get it.
June 22nd, 2006 at 11:40 am# 10 Jana Lane:
You need to understand that ‘unbelievable’ is the resident ‘attack dog’.
Please re-read # 10 to get a sample of her viciousness.I could show you much worse,but don’t have the time for that level of immaturity;# 10 sums up her outlook on life.
Yesterday she chortled about the beheading deaths of the two G.I.s,and called it karma.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:01 pmThat’s the mentality of what this attack dog does.
Yesterday she chortled about the beheading deaths of the two G.I.s,and called it karma.
That’s the mentality of what this attack dog does.
Comment by Sybil — June 22, 2006 @ 12:01 pm
That is a flat out lie. A blatant lie, like all your other lies. I did not such thing. Not anywhere close.
You are the wannabe attack dog. You spout nothing but vile, so when you get some in return you lie on the floor and cry like the coward you really are with your multiple screen names and lack of evidence.
You have nothing. You have to lie to look like you do, because you are just an insecure little troll with no life and a lot of fear.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:21 pm# 21:
I think a few exclaimation points would have made your rant a little more understandable.Attack dogs usually like that key.
Besides,I wasn’t talking to you anyway,but to Jana.
Jana,check her blogging records and tell us who needs to get a life.That vicious resident attack dog tries to maul everyone who doesn’t bow down to her: I don’t,so now I’m her target.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:54 pmInstead of the G.I.s karma,she should worry about her own.She is all-ready a shut-in;how much worse can it get ?
You’re talking about me, therefore it is my business.
I’m taking a break from my busy life. The last ten years have been non-stop. You however haven’t ever started.
And you’re in here as much as I am, so whatever you say about me can equally be said about you.
Unlike you, I don’t rant. It’s why you get upste about people agreeing with my posts or paying me compliments on them. No one ever does that to you. Ever. For the most part you are invisible, so you attack someone who is generally liked. To make yourself feel better about being inconsequential.
Every time you post and say nothing about thetopic, butcriticize me or anyone else, you only validate how little you matter.
June 22nd, 2006 at 1:37 pmWhat a sad,sorrowful way to have to feel ‘consequential’.
June 22nd, 2006 at 5:19 pmI’ve seen how you cozy up to your agreeable dupes for your mutual self-aggrandizement.
What did Seixon call it?Oh,yea–’A circle jerk apologist forum’.I couldn’t agree more.
And when your lap-dogs aren’t around,well,you just create them.Take Jason for instance.
And if you are so ‘generally liked’,then why have atleast 5 different posters, in the last two weeks,questioned your honesty and (poor)attitude.
And to say that I am in here as much as you,shows proof positive that your grip on truth,honesty,fairness and decency are clearly absent.
I was describing you. Obviously, that doesn’t apply to me.
5 critics out of the dozens that appreciate my commentary is actually pretty good odds. I’m doing much better than your boy Bush. And those who complain are usually those who are not very well liked anyway. You’ve had a lot more than that. I’d say you’re more like 1 complaint for every 4 posts.
I’ll tell you what, you don’t post for a week and see if anyone noticed or welcomes you back.
I’ve already done this and several people not only noticed, but were glad I returned.
Any you still haven’t shown me a single compliment anyone has ever paid you.
June 22nd, 2006 at 7:16 pm”Well, Isn’t that special.”
June 23rd, 2006 at 1:58 amJail Dick Cheney.
June 23rd, 2006 at 2:31 pmThis war is the result of Dick Cheney & Donald Rumsfeld. THere is far more blood on their hands than Saddam or Osama combined.
JAIL CHENEY - JAIL RUMSFELD.
that should be the first priority.
They are to blame, and no one seems to want to hold them accountable. Thats why the world is no longer behind us. We made a MAJOR mistake that cost thousands of lives and the culprits who initiated this mistake are still in power and still have not had to answer to their crimes.
I’ve said it before and i will say it again.
JAIL CHENEY - JAIL RUMSFELD.
if that doesnt happen, the world will never respect us again.
I think Sybil and unbelievable are the same person performing a comedy routine for the rest of us.
June 23rd, 2006 at 5:08 pm# 28 rob:
There is absolutely nothing fun,funny or comedic about unbelievable.
June 24th, 2006 at 2:45 amExcept one considers the fact that she is a complete and utter joke.
Rob,
Believe me, even Robin Williams isn’t that funny :)
No, Sybil is a troll who posts nothing but venom and bile. It clearly has nothing else. And it’s just upset that I do, so it makes up lies about me that are so ludicrious that I prod it to see how insane it will get. You’re right, it is pretty amusing to see how seriously it takes it’s roll as the police of TP (more like Keystone cop :)
June 24th, 2006 at 9:49 amrob :
Go read Think Fast A.M. 6/21/06 comment # 2,and then re-read # 10 here,and you tell me who is full of venom,bile,hate and not to mention treason and sedition.I could even show you worse than these,but no-one has time for that amount of idiocy.
June 24th, 2006 at 11:56 amShe keeps ‘prod’ding,hoping that I will threaten her,but she w’ont get that.
I know her game.People like her are soooo easy to figure out.
Sybil,
The only one who is ‘easy’ is you…
And so far you’re batting a big fat ZERO. Just because you want to read other people’s posts with your own tone of nasty and vile doesn’t mean it was written that way. You’re the only one using !!!!!!!!! exclamation points and CAPS (these mean shouting an anger).
Did you learn all that judgment in Bible Study? It’s usually you Christians who are the first to point blame - but never where it really belongs (yourself). Shoo now. You’re stinking up the place.
And I’m still waiting for that quote from someone having paid you a compliment…
June 24th, 2006 at 2:44 pmKeep waiting,Chump,fishing for compliments is your game.
June 24th, 2006 at 6:27 pmAnd you have only rarely seen me use CAP’s and !!!!
You must be confusing me with someone else;per usual.
In other words, no one has ever said anything even remotely polite or complimentary to you about any of your dozens of incoherent and slanderous prattle? You must be kidding me. The self-annointed holier-than-thou shrill who accuses honest people of lying about rather mundane things has no exaltations to his credit? No shit. Well, that must mean you are neither as psychic as you claim to be, nor as holy (or someone would have pointed it out to someone as wonderful as you claim yourself to be by now! Gasp! )
Rarely still counts. And it’s still far more than my never doing it…
Be careful Mighty Anus, your envy is really showing more than just a little…
June 24th, 2006 at 9:15 pmI’ve got a surprize for you,Dickhead,if you think that I’m Mighty Aphrodite,you would be wrong.I can only conclude that’s what you mean by this Mighty Anus stuff.M.A.ignores you,except when she slaps you across your deserving grill with a well turned insult.
June 25th, 2006 at 3:05 amHere is your schedule for Sunday–Wake up,log on,fish for compliments to boost your miserable self-esteem;and maybe post some of your vintage verbal dominatrixism.Have fun with it, Chump.
Clearly I have gotten to you… and not the other way around as intended.
Name-calling is a sign of your anger.
Lying is a sign of your desperation
Resentment is a sign or your inability to control me or the situation.
High school vocabulary is a sign of your immaturity.
You can’t stand that I’m a happy, well-adjusted and intelligent person who is valid and liked, so you try to make up nonsensical fabrications to pretend you are the better person, when we both know (and everyone else) that it simply isn’t true. Between us, it’s clear that you’re the only one who is miserabel. You never post valid comments, just sling lies and insults. That’s what miserable people like you do - project your inner angst outward and on to others you envy.
Keep proving me right… you only have yourself to embarrass.
June 25th, 2006 at 9:50 am# 28 rob thought we were the same person:What does that say about you?Hhmmm?
June 25th, 2006 at 12:43 pmKeep rolling in the mud,it’s where you belong.(LDO)
Rob was joking.
No one is stupid enough to think we’re anything alike. You’re clearly demented, while I am clearly not.
June 25th, 2006 at 7:41 pmYou’re humble too.
June 26th, 2006 at 2:12 amSays the holier-than-thou shrill who called its excrement ‘beautiful literature’ yesterday… Ever heard of the word hypocrite? It describes you beautifully…
June 26th, 2006 at 8:39 amThank you for tuning in,first thing in the morn,to my ‘beautifully created linguistic artwork.’ You must like me,you really,really like me.
June 26th, 2006 at 12:17 pmIf you’re going to quote,quote correctly.Seems like you need a reading comprehension course.And while you’re at it,re-read # 28 rob,he wasn’t ‘joking’.Sorry.
You aren’t important enough to do anything more than paraphrase, which I did well enough to relate the intention.
So you are psychic now too and can read Rob’s mind? It was clearly a joke. Get over it.
June 26th, 2006 at 2:00 pm”I think Sybil and unbelievable are the same person…..”
What is your comprehension level?
June 26th, 2006 at 3:11 pm# 43:
Thank you for not responding.I win,again.End of thread.
June 27th, 2006 at 4:47 pm