Comments Posted By Dick Tuck
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SENATE SUGGESTS TELLING THE JIHADIS WHEN WE'RE LEAVING
General Petraeus presented congress with a plan that would call for a surge in various insurgent controlled neighborhoods. The basis of the plan is that insurgents would be disarmed and then the outposts would be then turned over to Iraqi Security Forces. The plan also calls for the US to play a support role in any major combat operation, with ISF taking the lead.
The current proposed bill gives General Petraeus exactly the support he said he needs, and gives him a year and a half to accomplish the mission he laid out for himself.
Congressional oversight, regarding military use is nothing new. It's been with us forever in our republic. The most basic example was the passing and subsequent modification to the War Powers Act of 1973. The bill was passed over Richard Nixon's veto, and has withstood court challenges since. This act requires regular reporting and oversight. And guess what, it also provides congress with the ability to set deadlines and time tables.
Deadlines were set in 1982, which limited our intervention in Lebanon to 18 months. Deadlines were set in 1992, which forced the withdrawal of all US forces from Somalia by March 31, 1994.
Congressional oversight of military spending is also nothing new. Even during our greatest (or second greatest, if you include the Civil War) existential crisis, World War II, congress took a proactive role in oversight of military contracts. The effort was led by then Senator Harry Truman.
Essentially, this bill gives Bush exactly what he's asked for. This bill gives General Patraeus exactly what he asked for. This bill gives the troops, included returning wounded, exactly the support they claim they need. This bill also provides oversight, clear milestones, and a demand for an exit strategy, leaving security to the elected Iraqi government, with ongoing logistical and training support. This bill does not take away from our military being used to go after al Qaeda, and other terrorist groups that threaten our national security.
Bush's proclaimed veto on this tells us quite a bit. It says that he cannot handle oversight or accountability. It says he cares more about his imperial presidency than he does about supporting our troops.
Comment Posted By Dick Tuck On 28.03.2007 @ 21:27
