Kucinich: Cut Off Iraq War Funding

[goodhue]

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: Cut Off Iraq War Funding

By Joshua Scheer

In an interview with Truthdig contributor Joshua Scheer,* Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) reacts to Rep. John Murtha’s failed bid for House majority leader, and explains why cutting off funding for the Iraq war is the only way to truly protect American troops.

Edited Transcript:

http://www.truthdig.com/interview/item/20061116_kucinich_cut_off_funding/

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TRUTHDIG: I was just reading up on your appearance on Democracy Now!, in which you talked about cutting off the funds to Iraq as being the only way to make any progress there. Do you want to comment on that?

KUCINICH: Today, it was announced that 2,000 more Marines are being sent to Anbar province—a place which was already declared “lost” for the purposes of military occupation. Why are we sacrificing our young men and women? Why are we keeping them in an impossible situation? Why are we stoking a civil war with our continued presence? We have to take a new direction in Iraq, and that direction is out.

Now, there are many plans out there. The people talking about phased redeployment, the president as the commander in chief ultimately has the authority to determine the placement of troops. Congress’ real authority, and Congress’ constitutional as a co-equal branch of government, requires that it be heard from, and I believe that Congress must exercise its authority to protect the troops by bringing them home. And the only way we can do that effectively is to vote against supplemental appropriations—which has kept the war going, or to vote against appropriation bills which fund the war. That’s Congress’ ultimate power—the power of the purse.

If we truly care about our troops, we’ll get them out. It’s the phoniest argument to say that a cut-off of funds will leave troops stranded in the field. There’s always money in the pipeline to pay for an orderly withdrawal. But those who favor continuing the war or escalating the war are using the troops as a tool to further policies that are against the interests of the troops, against the interests of American people, and against the interests of peace in the world.

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http://www.truthdig.com/interview/item/20061116_kucinich_cut_off_funding/

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. Bravo for Dennis. But peace is "unpatriotic".

And, far too politically risky for most politicians.

[goodhue]

3. peace as too politically risky

I think the tide is turning in that respect.

[goodhue]

12. .

[aquart]

4. They value their careers over their country. Over our soldiers.

You know what? I don't like "troops." It's crappy English and, I suspect, an attempt to sanitize the reality of war. Our soldiers are being killed. Our military personnel are being killed.

I'm not using "troops" anymore. It sounds like the circus is in town.

[IndyOp]

2. K&R. Kucinich is right - there is more than enough $$ in the pipeline

to get the troops out. Much equipment and bases will be lost, military shattered -- that's what Bush has doomed us to.

OUT. NOW.

[mike_c]

5. K&R-- this is absolutely right!

[Jcrowley]

6. k & r

[elocs]

7. Cutting off the funding is what brought the Vietnam war to a close.

But who knows what Bush would do. He might choose to leave our troops high and dry and point the finger at the Democrats. It would take political courage for the Democrats to do it.

[puebloknot]

13. Political courage is what we must *demand* of the Democrats! nt

[Gregorian]

8. Fighting fire with fire.

Or rather money.

It's the only way this war will end. There are far too few like Kucinich. There isn't going to be a pretty way of dealing with this mess. I'm with this idea all the way. Put a red hot poker in the eye of the corporations. Go Dennis, go.

[teryang]

9. Yes, yes, yes

That's how its done.

Any organized attempt to do this will be preceded by galvanizing events to preclude American withdrawal of forces from the field.

[TahitiNut]

10. It's atrocious that Kucinich doesn't get more support ...

... for being just about the best and most consistent spokesperson for true, uncompromising, mainstream liberal principles. Especially on DU.

[Imagevision]

11. " Just say NO", Kucinich really should be running for president!!