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The Next Great American President: Senator Barack Obama

Read Scott Readtscott_40yahoo.com — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:56:04 PST

Today, people all around the state of Iowa came out to caucus for someone, nobody thought could beat the political machine, Senator Barack Obama. Today, Iowans voted for change. They voted for a new direction in this country. Barack Obama's message of hope resounded with the people of this great nation. American might be saved because of the people of Iowa tonight. Barack Obama is unlike any other candidate in American history. He is someone who transcends parties and can reach out to those left behind by our system. In a government that has left so many behind, we need a leader with the ability to lead, not just empty experience that has breed conformity. I was wrong ever to support Hillary Clinton or John Edwards. They are not what our country needs. Barack Obama is what our nation needs. If we give up this man, then we are giving up an man who can save our nation from an all but certain doom. If we don't stand up and support this man, we could give up our nation's only hope. I am ready to believe again. I am ready to hope again. I am inspired. This is the new Democratic Party that combines the best of our former parties. We have the progressive agenda coupled with our commitment to working people in this nation. We can finally bridge this racial gap in this country with the first African American president. I ask you to join with me today in standing with this great American and to fight for our future. Bobby Kennedy never got this chance, neither did Martin Luther King. We have our chance. Let us rise up to this occasion, and take back our country for change. Say no to business as usual forever. Vote for Barack Obama.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Read Scott Readtscott_40yahoo.com — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:36:50 PST

Here at the Young Democrats Movement, we would like to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. We would also like to ask everyone to keep our troops fighting overseas in your thoughts and prayers this holiday. They cannot be with their families this holiday, so they greatly need our support. Thank you and have a great holiday!

Support the Troops

Read Scott Readtscott_40yahoo.com — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 21:08:10 PST

Virginia's junior U.S. senator and freshman Democrat, Jim Webb will be introducing an excellent piece of legislation that brings both Republicans and Democrats together for a bill to support our troops. The Webb Amendment will allow troops to spend the same amount of time at home as they do in Iraq, which helps reduce the strain on our troops. We all know that this war is wrong, but we have to show a strong sign of support for our men and women in the armed forces. With the secure passage of this bill, we can show President Bush and Pro-War groups that we are not traitors, and that we support our troops 100%. If Republicans in congress fails to act or if the president vetoes, then it will show that their support for the troops is strictly political. The Democratic Party and the Young Democrats Movement supports this amendment and urges congress to pass it. This is a step in the right direction.

Here is the legislative fact sheet from Senator Webb's website, http://webb.senate.gov/:

FACTS ABOUT SENATOR WEBB’S BIPARTISAN
DWELL TIME AMENDMENT
September 17, 2007

"TITLE

An amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to specify minimum periods between deployments of units and members of the Armed Forces deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

SUMMARY & UPDATED LANGUAGE

The Amendment states that if a unit or a member of a regular component of the Armed Forces deploys to Iraq or Afghanistan, when their deployment ends they will have at least the same time at home before they are redeployed. No unit or member of a Reserve component, including the National Guard, could be redeployed to Iraq or Afghanistan within three years of their previous deployment.

The Amendment includes fair and reasonable waivers. In event of an operational emergency posing a vital threat to national security interests, the President may waive the amendment’s limitations by certifying to Congress that the deployment of the unit or member is necessary.

Updated language per conversation with Sec. Gates: After a conversation with Secretary of Defense Gates this week, Senator Webb accommodated his concerns with implementation by adding a 120-day enactment period. This will allow time for the Pentagon to plan, organize, and implement the new rotation policies. Previously, the amendment would have been effective immediately upon passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

RATIONALE

After four and a half years of combat operations, as the political debate continues we must provide our troops and their families with a more predictable operational tempo, with adequate time at home between deployments.

We are burning out our ground forces. We are seeing this in falling retention of experienced combat veterans, soldiers and Marines being recalled to active duty from the Individual Ready Reserve, and an increase in mental health issues arising from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

CO-SPONSORS, SUPPORTERS

The amendment had 36 cosponsors when it was originally introduced in July. A total of 56 Senators voted for its passage, including 7 Republicans. Momentum continues to build.

Organizational Support and others:

• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and its 368,000 members [“If we are not better stewards of our troops and their families in the future than we have been in the recent past, MOAA believes strongly that we will be putting the all-volunteer force at unacceptable military risk.” Vice Admiral Norbert R. Ryan, Jr, USN (Ret.), president.]
• National Military Families Association
• Veterans for America
• VoteVets.org
• Major General Robert B. Newman Jr., the Adjutant General of Virginia

KEY POINTS MADE IN REMARKS BY SENATOR WEBB

• Regardless of your politics—whether you want to see troop withdrawal tomorrow or in years from now—this is about providing a safety net for our men and women in uniform. Period.

• After 4 ½ years of occupying Iraq, it is time for the availability of troops to dictate the operational tempo, and not the other way around. We need to be proper stewards of our men and women in uniform. We cannot continue to burn out our troops in this fashion.

• Extended, high-tempo deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan have adversely affected the readiness of Army and Marine Corps units. Their capability to respond quickly to other crises or contingencies around the world has been jeopardized.

• The amendment’s 1:1 deployment-to-dwell ratio for active units and members is a minimum floor. DOD’s historic policy and current goal is a ratio of 1:2. The Commandant of the Marine Corps has specifically reiterated this goal. Army units today deploy on a 0.75: 1 ratio, 15 months with 12 months at home. It is not unusual for Marines also to have less time at home than the length of their last deployment. By contrast, the British units deployed to Iraq have enjoyed a 4:1 ratio – six months in Iraq and two years at home.

• The authority vested in the Congress by the Constitution is clear. Article One, Section 8 of the Constitution vests Congress with the power to “make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces.” There is extensive legislative precedent for Congress to act to protect the welfare of our troops. In 1951, for example, at the height of the Korean War, Congress mandated that all personnel must receive full training for no less than 120 days before being deployed.

• In response to Friday’s remarks by Secretary Gates and General Pace: It is to be fully expected that the administration would oppose this amendment. The intention of the amendment is to rectify an inequity brought about by administration policies. Senator Webb had a personal discussion with Secretary Gates on Wednesday and modified the amendment to address his major concerns. It is an appropriate area for Congress to act, and we stand by the amendment."

Flat Out Betrayal

Read Scott Readtscott_40yahoo.com — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:18:02 PST

This week, the top commander in Iraq and the United States Ambassador to Iraq, went to congress to report on the status of the surge. The result: the Iraqi "Government" has failed to meet 15 of 18 benchmarks. Many Republicans said that September was do or die time for the surge. The President made it clear, what until this time in September and then make your judgment on Iraq. Has anything really changed? Absolutely not, at all. The administration is poised once again to give another blank check to this ineffective government in Iraq. When they don't meet the benchmarks the Bush Administration gives them more time. Time after time, this government has failed.
Ryan Crocker, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and the top commander, Gen. David Petraeus reported that we are "making progress" in Iraq, in spite of failing to meet our goals. The famous "Petraeus Report" painted a false view of Iraq, singling out any sort of anything that could possibly, maybe with one eye closed, and tilting your head slightly, be considered, "success" in Iraq. What has this surge brought? Greater outrage, distrust, and down right seething anger from a vast majority of Americans who want this war to end. However, it should also be noted that the so called, "Petraeus Report" was written by the Bush Administration with General Petraeus' name on it. I used to have a lot of respect for David Patreaus. I thought, despite our disagreements, he was a honorable American. However, he has shown that he is more loyal to a president who has shown to be the worst in history, rather then us, the American people.
Tell, the truth. We know Iraq is in shambles, and quite frankly I am insulted by the quality of this report. Our tax dollars went to this stack of political trash? The Patraeus Report is a manifestation to what this administration thinks of the American people. They think we are stupid and will believe anybody that has four stars on their chest. Patraeus couldn't even say that America was safer because of the surge. He couldn't say if the troops' painful efforts and bravery was worth it. Was the almost 500 billion dollars worth it? Were the over 3700 deaths worth it? Can you answer that? What this President has done is spit in the face of every American, by lying to them once again. Times up. You failed. Game over.
We cannot accept this administration anymore. They have failed America. They have shown a lack of respect for the American people, the troops, and their families. They have betrayed America. This war is no longer just stupid it is immoral and unAmerican. The true patriots are the troops. They ware true Americans, and the president has insulted everyone of them. We are not safer and we are not better off.
If you want this war to end, go to the Iraq War Protest in Washington this Saturday, September 15th, 12 p.m. in front of the White House. Join your fellow Americans and end this war!

http://www.pephost.org/site/PageServer?pagename=S15_homepage

He Just Doesn't Get It

Read Scott Readtscott_40yahoo.com — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:36:57 PST

This whole summer, the Iraq Summer Campaign has targeted Congressman Mike Castle for his moderate stance on the war. This is a part of a larger campaign to target several Republicans who have taken moderate stances on the war. On Tuesday Aug. 28th, the Delaware Iraq Summer Campaign hosted their last event in Rodney Square. There were several speakers and Mike Castle was invited, but he turned it down naturally. What I think this shows is that our Congressman, has become grossly out of touch with the people of Delaware. For too long now, Congressman Castle has gone unchecked for his votes with this president. Viewing this, many Delawareans came together to call upon Castle to take a stand. He said that this campaign was simply partisan, that it was only targeting Republicans, and somehow this made our views invalid. But, what surprises me most is that Mike Castle still doesn't understand that the people are against this war. The people of Delaware have spoken loud and clear, they want this war to end.
In addition to this, maybe Mr. Castle should get a hint that there is a reason that only Republicans are being targeted. Maybe, just maybe Mr. Castle this is a sign that the Republican Party hasn't taken the right position on the war. Now, granted there are a few Democrats who haven't taken the right position either, but the Party has made it clear it's overall position on this war. Mr. Castle doesn't understand that this is a sign of his party lack of good judgment on this war. Take a hint, Mr. Castle. Are you with the Republican Party or the people of Delaware? This war must end.