On 9/11 it is fair to ask, "Has the Iraq War made us Safer?"

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq

For Immediate Release - September 11, 2007
Contact: Moira Mack - (202) 261-2383

Petraeus "Doesn't Know" if Endless War in Iraq Makes America Safer

WASHINGTON – Today Army General David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, admitted that he doesn't know if President Bush's Iraq War makes America safer. Watch his testimony on YouTube

A recent "USA Today"/Gallup poll found a record-high 60 percent of Americans think the United States should set a timetable to withdraw forces and "stick to that timetable regardless of what is going on in Iraq" [USA Today, 9/10/07].

"The general's admission that he doesn't know if endless war in Iraq is making America safer makes clear that the public is right: it's time to end this war. Despite the rosy Iraq spin by the White House, the truth is shining through," said Americans Against Escalation in Iraq spokeswoman Moira Mack. "Keeping our troops bogged down policing Iraq's civil war makes America less secure – sectarian violence is up, U.S. troop deaths are up and the public is saying enough is enough. Americans are demanding a responsible end to the war in Iraq and President Bush will be addressing an irate and skeptical anti Iraq war public when he addresses the nation this week."

Senator Warner: Are you able to say at this time if we continue what you have laid before the congress here, this strategy. Do you feel that that is making America safer?

General Petraeus: Sir, I believe this is indeed the best course of action to achieve our objectives in Iraq.

Warner: Does that make America safer?

General Petraeus: Sir, I don't know actually. I have not sat down and sorted in my own mind what I have focused on and what I have been riveted on is how to accomplish the mission of the multinational force Iraq.

CDA, AAEI, and Iraq Summer is a coalition including a wide range of political and nonprofit organizations that are working against our current policy in Iraq. Coalition organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC have not endorsed or sponsored this statement or the advertisement referred to therein, and no funds provided were used in producing or distributing this statement or the advertisement.

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Support Our Troops - Help a Vet with College Debt

I received the following email today.

"Dear IAVA Supporter,

Vets Bill Update In June, I asked you for your support on a bill that would help soldiers return to school after their deployments, and you made your voices heard loud and clear. Many of you contacted your representatives in Congress, and we've made remarkable progress.

When I first contacted you, we had three lawmakers co-sponsoring the VETS Bill in Congress. Today, we have fifty-eight.

This bill has gotten some great press. Check out the article from the San Francisco Chronicle below.

This is a crucial piece of legislation. Most students don't have to begin paying their loans until six months after graduation. But when I deployed to Iraq with the Army National Guard I was out of school for over six months. That meant I had used up my grace period, and would have to start paying back the loans the day I graduated.

As you can imagine, this put me in a difficult position. And I was definitely not the only one. During the month that Congress was in recess, from early August until this past Tuesday, over 20,000 Reserve and National Guard soldiers returned home. And many of them will be attempting to return to school this very week. This bill will provide vital protections for these returning students, including guaranteed re-enrollment and extended grace periods for loan repayment.

Getting a bill through Congress is a long and arduous task. But with concerned supporters like you behind us, we're doing just that. The VETS Bill will help to reassure men and women in uniform that serving their country opens doors to higher education, instead of closing them.

Check out the article below, and keep an eye on your inbox. We're going to be making a major grassroots push now that Congress is back in session, and we'll need your help.

Thank you for your continued support."

Sincerely,

Patrick Campbell
Iraq Veteran
Legislative Director
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
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