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AmericanProtest.net > Weekly Column |
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Progress in IraqBy Pete Hegseth This week, I encourage every member of Vets for Freedom - and every member of Congress - to read a very important article by Dr. Kim Kagan entitled "How They Did It: Executing the winning strategy in Iraq." In the article, Dr. Kagan - a military historian and former professor at West Point - outlines exactly how, and why, General Petraeus's new counter-insurgency strategy has turned the tide in Iraq. Her piece, full of statistics and meticulously researched, removes any doubt about what is happening in Iraq. As her piece points out, since the new counter-insurgency strategy was fully implemented in June, total enemy attacks have fallen for four straight months, IED explosions have plummeted to late 2004 levels, Iraqi civilian casualties have dropped dramatically, and American deaths are at their lowest level since February 2004. To Vets for Freedom members, these facts come as no surprise. But, apparently, the leadership in Congress still doesn't get it. Despite overwhelming progress in Iraq, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Harry Reid continue to play politics with the troops...and their wartime funding. THIS WEEK'S ACTION ITEM - CALL 5 DEMOCRATS AND 5 REPUBLICANS This week, Speaker Pelosi plans to attach "immediate withdrawal" language to a bill intended to fund our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. If the bill passes the House and the Senate, President Bush will veto it. And this veto is exactly what Speaker Pelosi wants...because it makes the President look bad, and delays funding for the war. This is pure politics. If General Petraeus's new strategy wasn't working, then maybe withdrawal language would be reasonable; but, with our troops routing Al Qaeda and making incredible progress in Iraq, this legislation is irresponsible and overtly partisan. Our troops are making progress - and should be funded immediately! We need all Vets for Freedom members to call Congress and tell them to fund the troops, without timelines or deadlines for defeat. Below is a list of 5 Democratic congressmen and 5 Republican senators who we'd like you to call. Please ask the 5 Democratic congressmen to switch their votes on Iraq funding and ask the 5 Republican senators to maintain their support for the mission in Iraq. These members of Congress need to hear from Iraq & Afghanistan veterans, and those who support them, about the need to complete the mission in Iraq-especially now that the strategy is clearly working! When you call, the following 3 points should be emphasized:
For more tips and information about what to say when you call, please read the "Call Tips" section at the end of this email. We have provided a word-for-word script.
* When you're done with the calls, just shoot a quick email to VetsForfreedom.org and let us know so we can count our calls. * Remember: 10 calls will take less than 30 minutes. Please do your duty for the country today! "PROGRESS IN IRAQ" CAMPAIGN This week, our "Progress in Iraq" Section highlights the growth of concerned citizen's groups and how that is translating into security and political improvements in Iraq. As Tip O'Neill once said, "all politics is local." The same is true in Iraq-as local leaders have taken advantage of the improved security to forge political reconciliation efforts in their neighborhoods. CLICK HERE to see the "Progress in Iraq" Section. And read about the remarkable progress that has occurred. The Soldiers and Marines in Iraq are doing incredible things, and we owe it to them to ensure that the facts about their mission reach the American public. Their story must be told. We've got their backs-join us. Move out and draw fire!
When you call the members of Congress, a few important things to remember:
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