Six weeks after we invaded Iraq, President Bush stood aboard an aircraft carrier before a banner that read "Mission Accomplished," declaring that "major combat operations in Iraq are over." From that moment on, we were no longer fighting a war, but rather participating in an occupation.Under our Constitution the Power to Declare War rests exclusively with the Congress, yet with this resolution the Congress actually delegated their authority to the President to make the determination on whether we would go to War or not.
An occupation cannot be won. The President has put our troops in a position they should not have gotten into in the first place.
Our troops were not prepared to occupy Iraq. They weren't given the proper equipment, nor were they properly trained. And most importantly, the US Congress never authorized this President to undertake an occupation.
This occupation of Iraq must end, now, and President Bush must bring our troops home.
Sec 3. (b) PRESIDENTIAL DETERMINATION.
In connection with the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the President shall, prior to such exercise or as soon there after as may be feasible, but no later than 48 hours after exercising such authority, make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that
(1) reliance by the United States on further diplomatic or other peaceful means alone either (A) will not adequately protect the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq or (B) is not likely to lead to enforcement of all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq, and
(2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those nations, organizations or persons who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorists attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
We now know unequivically that Iraq had already complied fully with all relevant UN resolution as was made clear by the Dulfer Report, claims of ignorance by the Bush Administration are hard to fathom when Saddam Hussein provided the US and UN with a full and complete disclosure of the status of thier WMD programs five months before the war.
We now know that all claims of links between Saddam and 9-11 were false and the work of fabricator who provided this information most likely to put an end to being tortured in Gitmo.
This Resolution clearly required the President to ensure that all Diplomatic means of disarming Saddam were employed before we invaded. He failed at this.
Rep. Woolsey is absolutely correct that a lengthy occupation of Iraq was never authorized by Congress. We have completely botched the job of training the Iraqi Military so far, but it's high time that we put some fire under their feet to get their shit together, not simply to save our own skins -- but because it's the best thing for the Iraqi people to take control and responsibility for thier own country.
What's that old conservative adage about giving a man a fish and him eating for a day - and teaching a man to fish and he eats everyday?
It's long past time we turned over the fishing pole. Back to Woolsey:
That is why, today, I am introducing the Iraq War Powers Repeal Act of 2006. It is past time for Congress to demand that the Bush Administration come clean on Iraq, and put the safety of our troops, and the security of our nation first.
By repealing the Iraq War Powers, Congress would resume its Constitutional role overseeing the use of military force, and would reassert its authority by bringing our troops home.
Of course, the passage of this bill will be an up-hill struggle, but it is a fight that we can no longer avoid. Rescinding the President's war powers in Iraq is the least that we can do for our troops, and for their families who anxiously await their return. With over 2,550 brave men and women having given their lives, and thousands seriously wounded, how many more must die before we put an end to this madness?
With over 100 Iraqis dying each day -- how many indeed?
Vyan
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