verbena-19

But, after more than three years, over $300 billion spent and the death of more than 100,000 Iraqis and nearly 2,500 American soldiers, Congress still refuses to debate real alternatives to the President's stay-the-course policy. It is a policy that over 80% of Iraqis, more than 70% of U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq and a majority of the people in the U.S. say is not only a failure but fails to stop terrorism and creates more hatred towards our troops in Iraq. Even reports of civilian massacres by U.S. soldiers in Haditha and Ishaqi has not moved Congress to act.

The pressure we are applying is already having an impact. There have been news reports that some members of Congress, hoping to dodge a real discussion about Iraq, will offer a tightly-controlled debate framed by supporters of the war. This alternative is clearly an election-year effort, rather than a serious commitment to address the failed policy and the need to bring all the troops home now. This alternative won't allow members who oppose the war to offer plans to bring the occupation to an end.

Tell your Congressmember that you demand a debate with an "open rule," meaning that any proposals to bring the trooops home can be introduced, debated and voted on. The surest route to that debate is for them to sign the discharge petition and ask their colleagues to do the same.

We feel this is an important opportunity for you to do something personally to help change the course in Iraq. It is an historic opportunity for members of Congress to offer alternatives to war without end in Iraq. See Open Iraq Debate for more information about H.Res. 543. You can check the House Clerk's site daily for new signatures.

Several UFPJ member groups are working on this National Congressional Call-In Day, including: 20/20 Vision, AfterDowningStreet.org, American Friends Service Committee, Code Pink, Democracy Rising, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Peace Action, Progressive Democrats of America and Women's Action for New Directions (WAND); we are also working with Backbone Campaign, DC for Democracy, Democrats.com, NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations and Win Without War.