2008 Woodie Awards
Will Democrats work with Bush?
Sat Paul Goyal
Issue date: 3/12/07 Section: Voices
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President Bush is facing opposition from the Democrats over his plan to send more troops to Iraq. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and Senator Carl Levin of Michigan want to introduce a draft resolution to repeal Congress' post-9/11 Iraq War authorization and replace it with new measure restricting the role of U.S. forces and ordering withdrawals beginning this summer. But not everyone agrees with that plan.
The Democrats know in the heart of their hearts that the White Hose would oppose any such move to rewrite the authorization.
Instead of withholding money in the budget-as they have been drumming for weeks-Democrats are more likely to approve President Bush's nearly $100 billion request for war spending. They would, of course, put some conditions. Senator John Murtha, for example, wants the troops trained before they land in Iraq. Others want our soldiers prepared to face al-Qaeda.
The Washington Post reported (Feb28) Nancy Pelosi saying that the U.S. House Democrats were unable to find common ground on the funding and operation of the war in Iraq. When the debate would finally resume is not certain. Democrats, not sure which way to go, cannot really legislate a new direction in Iraq.
The situation in Iraq is very fluid, rather dangerous. Democrats are simply wasting time on useless proposals. They are too divided to make a collective decision. The Bush administration is powerful enough to find ways to get things going the way they want. U.S. General David Petraeus fully endorses President Bush's plan to increase the size of land forces in the near future.
Violence and chaos continue in Iraq. American soldiers are killed and wounded in the Iraqi civil war on a daily basis. What is debatable is how our troops are going to stop Iraqis who kill by using suicide and roadside bombs. Thousands of young Iraqis are angry and wish to carry on taking revenge against Americans. How to educate common masses about our intentions to help Iraq come out of this religious civil war quagmire is not a Democratic or Republican debate. This is our national as well as existential issue. Our reputation as a democratic and a powerful nation is at stake.
Bush administration is also considering of talking to Iran and Syria. This is a very positive step. The Iraq Study Group, the high level commission, had suggested this initiative in December. In addition to accusations of Iran meddling in Iraq, the U.S. has also been confronting Iran over its plans to develop nuclear weapons. It is also feared that Bush administration is considering attacking Iran's nuclear sites. A rigorous diplomatic strategy for dealing with Iran, I think, is much better than confrontational rhetoric.
It is high time our political leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, start debating on host of larger issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, peace in Lebanon, the problem of disease and hunger in Darfur, and many other socio-economic problems in different regions. Initiating a dialogue with Iraq's neighbors like Iran and Syria can go a long way to find peace in the region than continuing waging war of wits or weapons.
The Democrats know in the heart of their hearts that the White Hose would oppose any such move to rewrite the authorization.
Instead of withholding money in the budget-as they have been drumming for weeks-Democrats are more likely to approve President Bush's nearly $100 billion request for war spending. They would, of course, put some conditions. Senator John Murtha, for example, wants the troops trained before they land in Iraq. Others want our soldiers prepared to face al-Qaeda.
The Washington Post reported (Feb28) Nancy Pelosi saying that the U.S. House Democrats were unable to find common ground on the funding and operation of the war in Iraq. When the debate would finally resume is not certain. Democrats, not sure which way to go, cannot really legislate a new direction in Iraq.
The situation in Iraq is very fluid, rather dangerous. Democrats are simply wasting time on useless proposals. They are too divided to make a collective decision. The Bush administration is powerful enough to find ways to get things going the way they want. U.S. General David Petraeus fully endorses President Bush's plan to increase the size of land forces in the near future.
Violence and chaos continue in Iraq. American soldiers are killed and wounded in the Iraqi civil war on a daily basis. What is debatable is how our troops are going to stop Iraqis who kill by using suicide and roadside bombs. Thousands of young Iraqis are angry and wish to carry on taking revenge against Americans. How to educate common masses about our intentions to help Iraq come out of this religious civil war quagmire is not a Democratic or Republican debate. This is our national as well as existential issue. Our reputation as a democratic and a powerful nation is at stake.
Bush administration is also considering of talking to Iran and Syria. This is a very positive step. The Iraq Study Group, the high level commission, had suggested this initiative in December. In addition to accusations of Iran meddling in Iraq, the U.S. has also been confronting Iran over its plans to develop nuclear weapons. It is also feared that Bush administration is considering attacking Iran's nuclear sites. A rigorous diplomatic strategy for dealing with Iran, I think, is much better than confrontational rhetoric.
It is high time our political leaders, irrespective of their political affiliations, start debating on host of larger issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, peace in Lebanon, the problem of disease and hunger in Darfur, and many other socio-economic problems in different regions. Initiating a dialogue with Iraq's neighbors like Iran and Syria can go a long way to find peace in the region than continuing waging war of wits or weapons.
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