"The war in Iraq is not going as advertised. It is a flawed policy wrapped in illusion. The American public is way ahead of [Congress]. … The future of our country is at risk. We cannot continue on the present course. It is evident that continued military action is not in the best interests of the United States of America, the Iraqi people or the Persian Gulf Region.
"I believe we need to turn Iraq over to the Iraqis. I believe before the Iraqi elections, scheduled for mid December, the Iraqi people and the emerging government must be put on notice that the United States will immediately redeploy. All of Iraq must know that Iraq is free. Free from United States occupation."
No, these are not the words of an antiwar activist. They are not the words of the few members of Congress who have previously spoken out against this war. These quotes come from a speech made today, November 17th, by Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) before he introduced legislation that, if passed, would immediately end the deployment of U.S. military forces in Iraq.
Rep. Murtha is a Vietnam veteran and serves as the top Democrat on the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. A long-time hawk, he has been outspoken in his support of the Pentagon and, until today, in his support for the war in Iraq.
Today his position changed. Slowly but surely, our movement’s pressure is pushing Congress in our direction.
Now we must bring our message to every member of the U.S. Congress. We need them to join the call for the immediate end of the war on Iraq, the immediate end of the occupation of Iraq. We want our troops brought home now!
Please take a moment right now to call your representatives in Congress and demand that they too call for the immediate end to this war. The toll-free number for the Capitol Switchboard is 1-800-426-8073.
Tell your representatives that it’s time for them to speak out publicly against this war and support immediate troop withdrawal. Urge them to support H.R. 4232, a bill recently introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern that would cut off funding for the Armed Forces in Iraq.
