Edwards, with King in N.Y., strongly denounces Iraq War (New York Sun)

[JohnLocke]

Edwards, With King in N.Y., Strongly Denounces Iraq War
By Jill Gardiner--New York Sun
Monday, January 15, 2007
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A Democratic presidential candidate, John Edwards, turned up the heat on Senator Clinton and his other potential 2008 challengers yesterday, saying that it is "no longer okay to study your options" when it comes to the Iraq war.
Speaking at Manhattan's Riverside Church, Mr. Edwards evoked Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s denunciation of the Vietnam War, which was delivered at the same church, behind the same pulpit. King's son Martin Luther King III sat in the audience on the eve of the national holiday that honors his father. Mr. King introduced Mr. Edwards and praised his commitment to fighting poverty.
"If you're in Congress and you know this war is going in the wrong direction and you know that we should not escalate this war in Iraq, it is no longer okay to study your options and keep your own private counsel," said Mr. Edwards, who advocates withdrawing 40,000 to 50,000 American troops from Iraq. "Silence is betrayal," the former senator from North Carolina said, echoing King's words in his "Beyond Vietnam" speech. "Speak out and stop this escalation now. You have the power, members of Congress, to prohibit this president from spending any money to escalate this war — use that power."
Mr. Edwards — whose call to block Mr. Bush's proposed escalation was greeted with a standing ovation from the more than 1,000 people packed into the sanctuary at the church — said he was wrong for his 2002 vote to authorize the war.
The Democratic Party's 2004 vice presidential nominee said there will "never be a military victory in Iraq" and that it was time for America to restore its "moral leadership in the world."
His speech, delivered in Mrs. Clinton's political backyard, seemed designed to both send a message to sitting members of Congress and to set up a clear contrast between his candidacy and the Democrats and Republicans preparing to enter the 2008 race. It came on a weekend when debate about the president's new strategy for Iraq occupied much of the airwaves and newsprint.
(...)
Mr. Edwards was introduced yesterday by King's son, Martin Luther King III. Mr. Edwards sat in the second pew with his wife, Elizabeth, directly in front of Senator Schumer. Mr. Schumer has already said he would endorse Mrs. Clinton if she runs.
In addition to his comments on the war, Mr. Edwards also condemned the income gap between the rich and poor in America and said the nation must become less dependent on fossil fuels.
(...)
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Read the rest here.

[waiting for hope]

1. Edwards is delivering the right message...

"Mr. King introduced Mr. Edwards and praised his commitment to fighting poverty."

Now there's an endorsement I think we all can get behind....

[ultraist]

14. Absolutely

Edwards recieved glowing remarks from Martin Luther King III and there were many standing ovations, including a 4 minute standing ovation from where Belafonte himself stood. Of course, Belafonte is another activist fighting against poverty.

High praise indeed.

I listened to the live stream audio of the speech and was really moved by Edwards' speech but moreover, the long standing ovation was very inspiring. WE, the people are breaking the silence.

Edwards is being called the leading anti war candidate and his voice on the national stage is precisely what we have been waiting for.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/01/15/report-from-huffpos-meli_n_38718.html

John Edwards had a hard time getting through yesterday's anti-surge speech at Harlem's Riverside Church, repeatedly interrupted by cheering from the pews. Standing where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached against American involvement in Vietnam 40 years ago, the former Democratic senator from North Carolina declared that, "As he put it then, there comes a time - not just for Dr. King, but for all of us - when silence is betrayal.''

It is a betrayal to quietly countenance widespread poverty in the richest country in the world, he told a crowd of 1,200, and a betrayal to stand silent in the face of an AIDS epidemic ravaging a new generation of African children. With a Clintonian comfort level at the pulpit, he drew the most sustained ovation of the day when he said, "It is a betrayal not to speak out against an escalation of the war in Iraq.''

Edwards, who is running for president in '08, has not only opposed the president's plan to send 21,500 more troops into Iraq but has argued that it is time to bring 50,000 home. The only Senator mentioned in the speech was Arizona Republican John McCain, when Edwards called the plan the "McCain Escalation."

[Clarkie1]

2. How did Edwards come up with the 40,000 to 50,000 number to withdraw immediately?

What is his reasoning behind those numbers?

[benny05]

11. That's the first Thoughtful question I've seen from a Clark supporter Today

and I don't have an answer. But I do suggest doing this if you really want to know.

Click the link and follow the directions in leaving a voice cast question for his monthly podcast:

http://blog.johnedwards.com/audioblog

He'll probably answer it, especially if you do this soon.

[Clarkie1]

13. I left a voice cast question. Thanks. nt

[ultraist]

15. That's great!

I hope it gets played and answered on a podcast. Both my husband and I have had questions answered on podcasts.

From what I understand, Edwards has proposed pulling out 50k troops now and the remainder within 18 months based on his studies of the situation that has included many top military advisors that he has consulted with. He has stated that the only way the Iraqis will know we are leaving is by actually leaving. And he's right. It is time to end the occupation.

He has not yet unveiled his detailed platform that will also include detailed plans on his other positions. Hopefully, it will be released soon. I'm particularly interested in his plan for Universal Health coverage for all Americans. We so desperately need to ensure that all Americans have health coverage.

Keep your eye on his website for the next podcast! http://www.johnedwards.com/

[Clarkie1]

19. Were has it been said that he has consulted "top military advisors?"

Do you have evidence for that or is it just here-say? I find it strange you are the only one here on DU to make such a claim.

[ultraist]

20. I've heard him say it in interviews

I don't remember exactly where I heard him say it but he has mentioned that a few times. He has thoroughly researched and studied the situation, which of course would include speaking with top military advisors. Elizabeth has also said that he had done this and continues to.

Where do you think he is getting his information from? The news? LOL!

Any responsible leader looks to a wide range of credible sources. Clinton was known and respected for this.

[rodeodance]

3. Thanks Mr. Edwards

[chimpymustgo]

4. Yes. Thank you speaking out - unambiguously.

nt

[Mikey929]

5. Yes

And thank you for wearing those blue jeans and work shirt while talking about the poor. It almost makes me forget about your $50 million in lawsuit winnings and your Wall Street ties.

[ultraist]

16. Kick for forward thinking people...

For those who are willing to stand up and take action!

BLOCK FUNDING THE ESCALATION. END THE OCCUPATION. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME.

:kick:

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Righteous!

Is there video?

[ultraist]

7. VIDEO: Edwards speech at Riverside Church

Silence is Betrayal!

Watch the videos here: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=johnedwards

[JohnLocke]

8. Thanks!

Awesome. :hi: :hi:

[sparkleon]

9. John Edwards Time Has Come

To lead this country the way it was meant to be led.  With
honesty, courage, integrity.  JRE may win $50,000,000
lawsuits, but it was done with the courage of his convictions
that the party injured was deserving of such an award.  I
would be proud to have John Edwards represent me and I could
care less if he was in jeans and work shirt, or in a tux or
was working on Wall Street.  The video of him in New York was
awesome and he didn't mince words telling it like it is,
honest and integrity speaks volumes about him.

[venable]

17. the excerpted video gives the highlights of the speech

and one thing that was amazing was the applause for the 'speak out about the escalation of the war'...

it began as a long applause, it grew and sustained, then it grew louder, then those in the back of the church began standing, then the standing moved forward, and the applause grew even louder, and sustained for what seemed like several minutes.

It was the longest, most beautiful ovation I've ever heard.

[dk2]

10. Edwards is leading on the issues

that are important to me. Thanks for your post.

[ultraist]

12. Silence is Betrayal: SPEAK OUT!

JOHN EDWARDS EMAIL EXCERPTS

Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking to nearly 2,000 parishioners at the historic Riverside Church in New York City.

Almost 40 years ago the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood at the pulpit in Riverside Church and, with the full force of his conscience, denounced the war in Vietnam -- calling it a "tragedy that threatened to drag our nation down to dust."

As Dr. King put it then, there comes a time when silence is a betrayal -- not only of one's personal convictions, or even of one's country alone, but also of our deeper obligations to humanity.

Today, another president is trying to escalate another war. And once again, silence is betrayal.

Congress can stop Bush's escalation, but they'll only do so if the people demand it. That's why today -- in honor of the memory and courage of Martin Luther King -- I'm asking you to do two things:


Ask your friends and family to join you and nearly 50,000 other Americans who have signed the petition calling on Congress to block funding for escalating the war in Iraq http://www.johnedwards.com/action/sign-petitions/nofunding/


Tomorrow, when Congress returns to session, call your Senators directly and tell them to block funding for escalation. Click here for your Senators' contact information http://www.johnedwards.com/action/senate-contact/

[benny05]

18. Great pic from the Event

photo by Lindsay Beyerstein, and on the Majikthise blog.

What resolve.

[ultraist]

21. Nice photo

And Elizabeth looks fab.u.lous! She is such a down to earth, caring person. Not to mention...brilliant. What an amazing team those two are!

[JohnLocke]

23. Wow.

Nice. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Cha]

22. Good for John Edwards..

He's right, of course, it's way past time to be a stradling, wishy wishy, fence sitting, finger in the wind politician.