Democracy for New Mexico

Weigh in Before Wednesday Night on VideoVets Project

From MoveOn.org and VoteVets:
The administration tries to call anyone who criticizes their policy in Iraq 'anti-troop,' but these video interviews show that 'supporting the troops' does NOT mean supporting an endless war. The voices of these veterans and military families are missing from the debate in Washington. Together we can make sure they become a vital part of the national dialogue around ending the war.

You and tell us what you think. You have until Wednesday night to weigh in on which video you think is most compelling. Then, Academy Award winning director Oliver Stone will turn it into a TV ad-spreading this message even further.

Here are some powerful excerpts from the videos:

California Gold Star Mom: I used to lay in bed at about 11 o'clock at night and imagine somebody would be knocking on my door. And I would visualize how I would respond to that, and lay in bed, "Go away, don't come here for that." And so every minute you just expected to get the knock at the door—I just worried so much that somebody would come to my house and ultimately that's what happened.  I wrote this letter to Ken on the one year anniversary of his death..."I'm so proud that you chose to serve your country.  And in the same thought I am so unbearably offended that this Administration used your good will, your patriotism, and your values to send you to fight their illegal, immoral, war of choice."

Pennsylvania Iraq Veteran: It never seemed to me that we were fighting Al Quaeda, Bin Laden, or the people who were responsible for attacking us on 9/11.  The mission was so confusing, and it seemed as if everybody in the community disliked us. To keep American soldiers in Iraq for an indefinite period of time being attacked by an unidentifiable enemy is wrong, immoral, and irresponsible...I feel used and I feel misled by the Administration. I feel that my patriotism has been used and exploited, my willingness to fight for this country has been used and exploited. I'm very proud of my military service, but I'm very disappointed in the civilian leadership and the Administration for sending us needlessly into combat.

Indiana Iraq Veteran: When I was deployed to Iraq, we lacked crucial and necessary equipment and supplies...When I was in Iraq, I drove a pickup truck that you could buy off the lot anywhere at any Chevrolet dealership, and that was our means of transportation—that was the vehicle that we fought out of. We modified our pick-up truck to try to become a war fighting machine. We put a stand in the back of it so we could mount a machine gun in the back of the truck...It's important to end this war...we have our young men and women caught up in a religious and civil war, and we're doing more harm than good."

(Note: The views expressed in these interviews do not necessarily reflect the views of VoteVets or MoveOn.org Political Action, they are the views of interview subjects only.)

(Updated) Surreal Iraq Policies Accompany Deadly Escalation

(Albuquerque Tribune)

Well it's one, two, three, what are we fightin' for? From McClatchy Newspapers:

WASHINGTON - Military planners have abandoned the idea that standing up Iraqi troops will enable American soldiers to start coming home soon and now believe that U.S. troops will have to defeat the insurgents and secure control of troubled provinces. Training Iraqi troops, which had been the cornerstone of the Bush administration's Iraq policy since 2005, has dropped in priority, officials in Baghdad and Washington said.

And then there's this:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The United States military has begun sealing off Baghdad neighborhoods with concrete walls in a controversial new strategy intended to calm Baghdad's sectarian flashpoints, but residents fear the barriers could deepen divisions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.  Seven so-called "gated communities" have been or are being built, according to military officials, and more may be coming under the wide-ranging Baghdad security crackdown launched nine weeks ago.

... residents say the barriers actually increase their feelings of isolation and make them feel like targets.

"Don't they realize that when the Baghdad neighborhoods become either Sunni or Shiite, they will become even more vulnerable?" said Yassir Ismail, a 34-year-old Sunni resident of Adhamiyah, one of the areas where the U.S. is putting up barriers. "Extremists from both sides - or mercenaries - will have no more qualms. . . . They will bomb each other to kingdom come."

UPDATE 4.23.07: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has put a stop to construction of the wall:

"I oppose the building of the wall and its construction will stop," al-Maliki said during a joint news conference with the secretary-general of the Arab League. "There are other methods to protect neighborhoods, but I should point out that the goal was not to separate, but to protect."

He did not elaborate but added "this wall reminds us of other walls that we reject, so I've ordered it to stop and to find other means of protection for the neighborhoods." He wasn't more specific but apparently was referring to the Berlin Wall during the Cold War and Israel's construction of a barrier in the West Bank to keep out suicide bombers.

****************

Meanwhile:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - At least 173 people died in Baghdad on Wednesday in a series of major explosions, making the day the capital's deadliest since the onset nine weeks ago of a much-touted U.S.-Iraqi security plan. The violence capped a dreadful seven days that began with a stunning suicide attack in the Iraqi parliament building in the heavily fortified Green Zone, which killed a lawmaker. At least 363 people died in Baghdad in the past week, including 118 whose bodies were found dumped in various parts of the city.

... Pentagon planners privately expressed concern. One official sighed at news of the bombings. "We don't have enough troops. It would take another 100,000" to properly protect Baghdad. Another said: "We are just trying the same things over and over again."

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." --Albert Einstein

From Iraq Coalition Casualty Count:

Total U.S. troop deaths: 3,317, including 70 so far this month
Total U.S. Wounded: 24,764

Is it any wonder that Sen. Harry Reid has this to say?

"... As long as we follow the President’s path in Iraq, the war is lost."

Spend an Evening With Bill Moyers

From Free Press: Was Big Media complicit in shaping the "public mind" to support the Iraq war?

On Wednesday, April 25, from 9-10:30 PM MDT, you can learn the answer by hosting An Evening with Bill Moyers house party to watch his newest documentary, "Buying the War." broadcast live on your local PBS station. Just before the screening, Moyers will be available to answer your questions during an exclusive conference call with Free Press activists around the country.

Learn More or Sign Up to Host a Party

If you can't host a party but would like to attend one, click here.

In "Buying the War," Moyers asks what's happened to the press's role as a skeptical "watchdog" on government power. And he profiles some of the journalists who did dare to ask tough questions.

Others in the Albuquerque area are concerned about the state of our media. This is your opportunity to connect with people in your community and get more involved in reforming our media.

Host 'An Evening with Bill Moyers' house party in Albuquerque:

Hosting a house party is surprisingly easy. Here's what it takes:

• Sign up online to be a host
• Invite people you know (we'll also invite local Free Press Activists if you'd like)
• Read the hosting guide and print hosting materials
• Open your home or find an appropriate venue
• Watch "Buying the War" and and join the conference call with Bill Moyers

We're here to answer any questions you may have along the way (view our hosting guide or frequently asked questions page for more information).

The movement for better media begins in your community. Take the lead, help engage your neighbors, and help take back our media one town at a time.

Thanks for all that you do,

Ira Horowitz, Online Community Organizer
Free Press, www.freepress.net

P.S. Click here to watch a preview of "Buying the War" or check out Bill Moyers' speech to the National Conference for Media Reform.

Editor's Note: Here's what David Swanson of After Downing Street has to say about the show. Bill Moyers' Journal will return to PBS-KNME as a weekly show in its regular time slot starting Friday, April 27 at 9:00 PM.

The Reason

I think we can sometimes lose sight of exactly why so many of us are spending so much time on politics and trying to change the way things are going. After all, it can be tedious, frustrating, depressing. We could be doing other much more pleasurable things. Here's one big, powerful reason to keep on going. Enough is enough. Let me say that again -- enough is enough.

Results In: Richardson Shows Strength in MoveOn Prez Town Hall on Iraq

Gov. Bill Richardson is generating lots of buzz around the net for his strong showing in the voting after this week's MoveOn Virtual Town Hall on Iraq with the Dem presidential candidates. MoveOn released two vote tallies -- one of all those who voted in the straw poll, regardless of whether they watched the candidates answer questions, and one of those who attended the viewing parties and participated in the event in real time:

MoveOn reports the full results from the Virtual Town Hall vote (remember, this does not imply a MoveOn endorsement):

Sen. Barak Obama  28%
Sen. John Edwards  25%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich  17%
Gov. Bill Richardson  12%
Sen. Hillary Clinton  11%
Sen. Joe Biden  6%
Sen. Chris Dodd  1%

MoveOn members who watched the Town Hall at one of the parties voted differently from those who did not. Here are how the folks who attended the event ranked their choices:

Sen. John Edwards  25%
Gov. Bill Richardson  21%
Sen. Barack Obama  19%
Rep. Dennis Kucinich  15%
Sen. Joe Biden  10%
Sen. Hillary Clinton 7%
Sen. Chris Dodd 4%

Here's what kos had to say about Richardson's position on Iraq in his frontpage story on the event (590 comments):

Richardson would completely exit Iraq. The others wouldn't.
by kos Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 12:56:27 PM MDT

: "if I were President today, I would withdraw American troops by the end of this calendar year. I would have no residual force whatsoever."

Richardson, in just the last couple of months, has brokered landmark deals in Darfur and North Korea -- efforts that had stymied the Bush Administration through two terms. There is no one in American politics today more respected and accomplished on foreign policy than Bill Richardson.

Compare this to Hillary Clinton, who talks about "ending the war", yet the fine print of her plan shows she'd keep up to 75,000 American troops in Iraq.

Compare this to Barack Obama, who would still leave an undisclosed number of troops in Iraq ... Compare this to John Edwards ... Of all the top candidates, Richardson is the only candidate who currently advocates a complete withdrawal from Iraq. That he's also the sharpest mind on foreign policy issues isn't a coincidence.

You can hear clips or read transcripts of all the presidential candidates' answers to questions posed during MoveOn's Virtual Town Hall by .

More on Bill Richardson:

• Richardson Iraq Plan and Petition
• Richardson Boosts Foreign-Policy Credentials (The Hill)
• Slow and Steady (Donna Brazile, Washington Times commentary)
• Endorse Bill Richardson
• Richardson for President YouTube Channel

Latest Video:

4.13.07: Upon Gov. Richardson's Return from North Korea

Iraq: Safer Every Day

The good news just keeps on coming: So far, Iraq Coalition Casualtiesaccording to icasualties.org, 47 American troops and six British soliders have died in the 11 days of April so far -- an average of 4.82 coalition deaths every day. And -- looking at the month to month statistics -- no month has been that high since Baghdad fell on April 9, 2003 ... The international Red Cross released a report that found the situation for civilians in Iraq is "ever-worsening,'' even though security in some places has improved as a result of stepped-up efforts by U.S.-led multinational forces....

And now this: A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up in the Iraqi parliament cafeteria in a stunning assault in the heart of the heavily fortified, U.S.-protected Green Zone Thursday, killing at least eight people, the American military spokesman said.

Total U.S. Troop Deaths: 3294. Total U.S. Wounded: 24,313. Total Working Brain Cells of U.S. Commander in Chief: 0.

Vote Now: MoveOn Town Hall on Iraq

Last night's MoveOn Virtual Town Hall on Iraq featured the Dem candidates for president answering questions on the Iraq war submitted by MoveOn members. Voting is now in progress for viewers to weigh in on how the candidates did. If you didn't get a chance to participate online live, you can watch video of the entire event or segments on each candidate, listen to highlights, download a podcast or read transcripts before voting. MoveOn will release the results of the vote tomorrow.

(Updated) Tonight: MoveOn's Virtual Presidential Candidate Forum on Iraq

UPDATE: A message from Richardson for President: Governor Richardson's portion, taped before he left for North Korea, will discuss his "New Realism" plan to end the war in Iraq. You can hear Governor Richardson online and broadcast at Air America Radio tonight. Could you go to a local MoveOn event to talk to people about the Governor's straightforward plan to end the war? Governor Richardson's plan to end the war is available online - it might be helpful for you to print out copies to take to the event. If you can make it tonight, we'd love to hear about it - leave your comments for us here and we'll put some up on the blog tomorrow.

From MoveOn.org PAC:
We're organizing three “Virtual Town Halls” to hear from 2008 Presidential candidates on the issues MoveOn members say are most important: Iraq, health care, and energy. On April 10th, at 8:00 PM MDT, we're focusing on Iraq.

MoveOn members are asking candidates the tough questions about their Iraq plans, and we're gathering in living rooms from coast to coast to hear the answers directly. Then we’ll talk together, and the next day, all MoveOn members will vote on who we think will do the best job in Iraq. It's a personal audience with the people who want our support, our time, our money, and eventually our votes.

Host your own, or join a Virtual Town Hall house party near you - enter your zip code .

How the Virtual Town Halls Will Work:

• Presidential candidates were invited if at least 10% of surveyed MoveOn members said they would like to hear what he or she has to say.

• MoveOn members voted to determine the questions that are put to the candidates. 

• Right after the virtual town hall meeting, MoveOn will survey its members to see which candidate they believe will do the best job of leading us out of the war in Iraq. Voting will go on until midnight PST on Wednesday, April 11.

• MoveOn will make the results of the support survey public on Thursday, April 12.*

• MoveOn will encourage its members to support their favored candidates’ campaigns by volunteering and contributing money.

* The results of this survey will not constitute the organization’s endorsement of a candidate. MoveOn may decide to hold an endorsement vote later in 2007.

MoveOn’s Role in Previous Campaigns:
Historically, MoveOn support has generated large contributions of members’ volunteer time and money to favored candidates. In the 2006 mid-term elections, MoveOn members contributed $27 million, made 7 million get-out-the-vote phone calls, organized 7,500 house parties, and held 6,000 in district campaign events. 

How to Participate in the Virtual Town Hall:

• MoveOn members will gather at house parties on April 10th to hear the candidates speak via an Internet based audio broadcast. They will also be able to see a map of all the parties participating and enter comments, some of which will be displayed during the intermission.

• The event will also be broadcast, with commercial breaks, on Air America XM Satellite Radio (channel 167).  It will be re-broadcast without commercial breaks on all Air America local affiliates during the following dates and times:

o Wednesday 4/11           8:00 PM - 10:00 PM ET      
o Saturday 4/14               10:00 AM - 12:00 PM ET   
o Sunday 4/15                  8:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET

Monday Quick Takes: Iraq

• Senator Carl Levin undermines Senators Reid and Feingold on cutting off Iraq occupation funding.
• According to the Guardian, the BBC reported that British government scientists had confirmed to the British government that the Johns Hopkins study on Iraq civilian mortality published last October by Lancet was accurate and reliable in estimating that more than 650,000 Iraqi civilians had died since the beginning of the invasion.
• Ten American soldiers were killed in Iraq over the weekend.
• More than 1,800 U.S. troops are now suffering from traumatic brain injuries caused by penetrating wounds. But neurologists worry that hundreds of thousands more -- at least 30 percent of the troops who've engaged in active combat for four months or longer in Iraq and Afghanistan -- are at risk of potentially disabling neurological disorders from the blast waves of IEDs and mortars, all without suffering a scratch.
• U.S.-run detention camps in Iraq have become a breeding ground for extremists where Islamic militants recruit and train supporters, and use violence against perceived foes, say former inmates and Iraqi officials

Toy Soldiers

From CodePINK:
Bush is at it again, accusing Democrats of not supporting the troops by setting a timetable for them to leave Iraq. Don't let the Democrats fall for this—the very best thing we can do to support the troops is bring them home as quickly as possible. How can Bush say he's supporting the troops when he's continually sending them into harm's way? When he's forcing them to sustain such a misguided occupation? Bush has used our troops as his toy soldiers long enough.

We have produced a powerful new video, "Toy Soldiers", which drives this message home loud and clear in less than a minute. View the movie here and pass it along to everyone you know. This tragic game has to end, and we can help by waking people up to Bush's machinations.

Call your congressperson today and tell him or her to not buy Bush's story. Better yet, make an appointment to visit your Representative's home office during this Congressional recess. We need to let Congress know we're counting on them to stand strong against this new wave of criticism. We're counting on them to end this war and bring our troops home. They can't do that if they let themselves get caught up in Bush's twisted logic. You might take them this Doonesbury cartoon to clarify what supporting the troops really means!

Over the Easter weekend, we will be traveling to Camp Casey to pressure Bush outside his Crawford ranch. Click here for more information. We hope some of you will change your holiday plans so you can join Cindy Sheehan, Medea Benjamin and other dedicated peace activists as we call upon Bush to stop playing deadly war games.

If you can't join us, there is much you can do at home. Pass along our video. Keep your Congressperson on the right track. Let the media know if they're falling in step with Bush's lies. That's how we can best support the troops—with our vigilance and our voices.

With peace in our hearts,
Dana, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Liz, Medea, Melissa, Nancy, Patricia, Rae, Samantha, and Sonia

P.S. We now have a CODEPINK house in Washington DC where activists can gather, organize, and support one another as we keep the pressure on in the halls of Congress. Come join us for a weekend, a week, a month. Click here for more information.