Strategic Redeployment - A Progressive Plan

Too many neocon so called news people constantly ask the same old tired question:

"All the democrats want to do is bash the president. If they are so damn smart, why don't they have a plan?"

Newsflash! Progressive do have a plan to win the global war on terror, and it is called Strategic Redployment.

Following is a two paragraph summary of this plan published on the Center for American Progress website (see link in title).

"The United States needs to pursue a plan of Strategic Redeployment. Strategic Redeployment is a threat-based strategy to target our efforts against global terrorist networks and bring greater stability to Iraq and its neighborhood. This approach will minimize the damage to the United States in the short term, mitigate the drawbacks of our eventual withdrawal from Iraq, and secure our interests in the long term. Strategic Redeployment differs from other plans for what to do in Iraq by recognizing that Iraq is now connected to a broader battle against global terrorist networks - even though it was not before the Bush administration's invasion. Strategic Redeployment also means re-engaging our allies, building a platform for multilateral cooperation that counters the terrorist threats we face, rather than relying on ad-hoc "coalitions of the willing."

Strategic Redeployment has four main components: military realignment that restores a realistic deployment policy for our active and reserve forces and moves troops to other hot spots in the struggle against global terrorist networks or brings them home to rebuild; a global communications campaign to counter misinformation and hateful ideologies; new regional diplomatic initiatives; and smarter support for Iraq's renewal and reconstruction.

Date Created: 9/29/2005 2:14:14 PM"

The summary the Full Report is an 11 page PDF file. Pleae read it and let people know there is an intelligent alternative to "Stay the Course."

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War on Terror - A Distraction?

This morning, I read a very thought-provoking editorial statement regarding the War on Terror:

“When the history of the 21at Century is written, what we call the war on terror will be seen as a peripheral event, an outbreak of murderous desperation by a relative handful of extremists trying to turn back the clock. They will not succeed except to the extent that they distract the United States from answering the far larger challenge of the century: the competition from the soon-to-be-economic superpowers in Asia.

Of course, the terrorists must be fought and contained, but America’s position in the world 50 years from now will depend more in its economic success than its skill in killing insurgents.”
- Des Moines Register (reprinted in Detroit Free Press 11/25/05)

Many continue to argue that the War on Terror is being waged in ways that undermine civil liberties and the United States Constitution. These political and philosophical arguments seem valid to this Blogger. Yet, when one looks at the structural and functional changes this war has wrought upon the US economy and economic institutions, it is not too much of a stretch to suggest that the strategies pursued by current political leaders have left America less competitive globally, and may undermine the stature of the United States over the long-run.

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REVENGE OF THE CHICKEN HAWKS

Jean Schmidt (R)Ohio - who just barely beat newcomer Paul Hackett in a very strong Republican district - had the gall this afternoon on the House floor to label Jack Murtha, who happens to be Veitnam era United States Marine combat veteran, and also a bronze star and purple heart winner as a "coward" because he had the courage to stand up and suggest that we got it wrong in Iraq and it is time to come up with a plan that makes sense and honors our get troops.

How many of our courageous "War President's" administration Iraq War hawks have ever been in a street fight; let alone served the military during war time? How many times does America need to be reminded that George W. Bush was AWOL, during his days in National Guard in Alabama during the Vietnam War? Of course, lead Chicken Hawk Dick Cheney had other priorities during Vietnam. How many other members of the cabal ever served the U.S.A. in combat?

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Who is Ahmed Chalabi?

Now we are being told that Ahmed Chalabi is back in favor in Washington DC and he is a front-runner to be prime minister of Iraq. How many lives does this cat have?

I had heard little tid-bits of his Jordanian embezzling days on the radio, but have heard very little since. Following is a brief summary of the past exploits of Dick Cheney's buddy.

"In 1992, Mr Chalabi was tried in his absence and sentenced by a Jordanian court to 22 years' jail on 31 charges of embezzlement, theft, misuse of depositor funds and currency speculation.

By the time of its crash, Petra was the third-largest bank in Jordan, and the poverty stricken Jordanian government was forced to pay out $200m to depositors who would otherwise have lost their savings, and to avert a possible collapse of the country's entire banking system." (see link in title for full story)

Hasn't Jordan been a long-term and steadfast ally of the United States? Why isn't Jordan asking us to return this convict?

Didn't US troops and Iraqi police raid Chalabi's ompound last summer? Didn't an Iraqi judge issue an arrest warrant for him and his nephew?

From Aljazeera, Monday 09 August 2004, "Ahmad Chalabi - the Pentagon's number one ally before Iraq's invasion - has continued his fall from grace in dramatic style after Baghdad issued a warrant for his arrest.

But the Iraqi politician, who fled Iraq in 1958 to return in 2003 as a potential national leader, vowed on Sunday to fight what he called the "outrageous" charges.

Specific accusations made by Judge Zuhair al-Maliki include counterfeiting and financial irregularities. His nephew, Salim Chalabi - head of the Iraqi tribunal trying Saddam Hussein - is also to be arrested over the murder of the director general of the finance ministry, Haitham Fadil."

I searched around the web for awhile, but did not find any reference the Ahmad Chalabi's release. This is one slippery character.

Who is this Chalabi dude and why does he hold such sway with Cheney and the PNAC? Is it simply because he tells them what they want to hear? Is he only in it for the money or does he enjoy the thrill of playing the game? Why is Chalabi so chummy with Iran? Is he an Iranian spy, an American spy, or a spy for whoever wins? Does Cheney and company know who they are playing with?


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General Wesley Clark Honors American Veterans

In honoring our veterans, General Wesley Clark speaks for the soul of America at http://securingamerica.com/

"Today is a day when every American should set aside time to thank the brave men and women who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States. It is a wonderful opportunity for parents and grandparents to tell the youngest family members the stories of family and friends who have helped defend our great nation. Indeed it is a time to teach the importance of volunteering to serve our country.

On this Veterans Day, we should all take time and find ways to support the young men and women whose lives are protecting ours.

We also want to take time on this Remembrance Day to thank every American who has ever served his or her country.

America owes our soldiers, past, present and future our undying love and gratitude for being the embodiment of our core values: Patriotism, Faith and Service."

--- WesPAC Mission Statement ---
"The United States faces unprecedented threats to its national security. While America is under attack from enemies abroad, our long-term economic security, personal rights, and values are under attack here at home.

Formed by General Wesley K. Clark, WesPAC - Securing America’s Future is founded on the belief that a truly secure America demands sound, wise leadership and a renewed commitment to the values that have made our nation great: service, integrity, and accountability.

Anchored in these ideals, and committed to addressing the threats facing America both at home and abroad, WesPAC has two central objectives:

• Elect Democrats to the White House, Congress, state offices, and local offices in order to implement new policies that will restore our nation’s security and prosperity, comprehensively address the threats facing America and our allies while respecting civil liberties, and replace the current unwise policies established by this Republican Administration and Congress.

• Provide leadership on U.S. national security issues and develop new, innovative solutions to the challenges facing America at home and abroad."

The General knows how to speak to America in our time of need. The WesPAC Mission Statement is long on common sense and short on mindless, emotion laced rhetoric. Is America ready to make a change?

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Veteran's Day is About Veterans

All Americans owe a great debt to the sacrifice our veterans have given. Let us never forget that every life lost in war has tragic long-term affects on too many American families.

How dare a draft dodging administration politicize a day set aside to recognize American veterans! Was I the only one who noticed the uncomfortable looks on the faces of the people in uniform behind George W. Bush as he lashed out at democrats for engaging in "revisionist history?"

News flash from this American to the President:

First, Veterans Day is not about you. Let our veterans have there day.

Second, the history of this war is still being uncovered. Let Patrick Fitzgerald and the newly inspired investigative reporters do their jobs. This war will be analyzed by historians for generations to come, as it should be.

Third, your neo-con buddies have absolutely no right to claim to support the troops when they cut veteran benefits and don't provide adequate medical benefits for reservists.

Fourth, armed services radio should not be the exclusive domain of radical right talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh. Let Ed Shultz and other progressive radio hosts be heard by our troops. These AMERICAN men and women in uniform are entitled to hear more than one side of an argument.

Finally, they deserve to hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!

REB 84

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The 21st Century Road to Hell is Paved by Unproven Political Theories

Let us not be mistaken, the pre-emptive Iraq War is part of a larger geo-political strategy put forth by the neocon think-tank Project for the New American Century (see link in Blog title). It is no coincidence that key architects of the Iraq War were signatories to the June 3, 1997 Statement of Principles. These people include:

- Elliott Abrams - Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director on the National Security Council for Near East and North African Affairs
- Vice President Dick Cheney
- Paula J. Dobriansky - Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs
- Dr. Zalmay M. Khalilzad – current Ambassador to Iraq
- I. Lewis Libby – former Chief of Staff and assistant for National Security Affairs to the Vice President and presidential advisor (currently under indictment by the US Department of Justice)
- Peter W. Rodman, currently Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
- Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
- Paul Wolfowitz – former US Deputy Secretary of Defense.

The Project's Statement of Principles point to a policy of pre-emptive military involvement in world affairs. “America has the vital role of maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our vital interests. The history of the 20th century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of the past century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership.

Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences:

• we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces for the future;

• we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values;

• we need to promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad;

• we need to accept responsibility for America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity, and our principles.

Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure our security and our greatness in the next.”

This groups underlying and operative assumptions appear to be that neo-con theorists have a crystal ball that enables them to know who to attack, when to attack, how to attack, and how the conflict will turn out. As we are seeing every day, their mad dash to war in Iraq is creating a less stable Middle East and threatening US economic security. Further, the demands for unquestioning loyalty and squashing of alternative views from the likes of Richard Clarke, Scott Ritter, Joe Wilson, and various military officers to name a few, threatens American democracy.

Fortunately, other American leaders are beginning to stand up and defend our tradition of Democracy. At times like this it is important to keep perspective and remember the hopeful words of Harry S. Truman, "No government is perfect. One of the chief virtues of a democracy, however, is that its defects are always visible and under democratic processes can be pointed out and corrected."

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