Tell Congress to oppose Bush's Iraq escalation!
Jan 11, 2007
Dear Friend,
"The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people, and it is unacceptable to me," said President Bush last night as he announced his new plan for Iraq. Yet, in direct opposition to his generals, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, and the American people, Bush has decided to up the ante once more and send over 20,000 more troops to Iraq. This decision is sure to escalate a conflict already spiraling dangerously out of control and make a bad situation even worse.
Congress has heard your voices! In anticipation of President’s Bush speech, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA-07) introduced legislation that would prohibit spending money to send more troops to Iraq. Both bills (S.233 and H.R.353) would effectively block an escalation in Iraq and could be voted on soon. It is also possible that a less binding, but bi-partisan piece of legislation opposing the escalation could also be voted on very soon.
Please tell your Senators and Representative to support legislation opposing sending more troops to Iraq. You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 866-340-9281 and they will connect you to your state’s Senators or your district’s Representative.
Please also sign this petition urging Members of Congress to co-sponsor legislation that blocks sending more troops to Iraq.
The President’s new plan is riddled with problems: it threatens the lives of even more soldiers; pushes the military further towards its breaking point; and still does nothing to engage key regional actors, including Syria and Iran. Furthermore, it’s entirely open-ended, meaning that what is now being called a short-term troop “surge” could develop into an even longer occupation.
Opposition to the President’s plan is bi-partisan. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR), Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and a number of prominent Republicans in the House of Representatives have all stated that they oppose escalation. Their votes will be essential in passing legislation in opposition.
We expect votes soon, so there’s not much time left! Please tell your Senators and Representative to support legislation opposing sending more troops to Iraq. You can call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 866-340-9281 and they will connect you to your state’s Senators or your district’s Representative.
Please also sign this petition urging Members of Congress to co-sponsor legislation that blocks sending more troops to Iraq.
Sincerely,
John Isaacs and Guy Stevens
P.S. Help spread the word! Forward this email on to five friends.
