Dodd announces plan to end the "failed policy in Iraq"

Yesterday Senator Chris Dodd announced his plans to end America's involvment in the Iraq civil war by amending the Defense Authorization bill. According to the Dodd campagin the amendment would do the following:

Immediately begin redeployment of U.S. combat troops.Set a firm deadline for completing redeployment by March 31, 2008.

Provide no additional funding for combat operations after March 31, 2008.

Hold the Bush Administration accountable during the redeployment period by requiring the Secretary of Defense to regularly report to Congress on the drawdown of forces.

Institute measures that would make funding within the redeployment period contingent on the progress of phased redeployment.

Restore the readiness of the military, Reserves and National Guard by transferring portions of monies that would have been available for combat activities.

Following Duncan Hunter's Example

President Bush often speaks of the sacrifices Americans have to make in order to win the War on Terror, but of course he means other families. While other families sacrifice their sons and daughters to the meat grinder in Iraq, the Bush daughters stay in the United States, comfortably protected by Secret Service agents.

Too many pro-war presidential hopefuls have never served in the military, nor do they have children who are serving in the War on Terror. When Rudy Giuliani takes a tough stance on the war I can't help but get a little upset. As a former Marine it bothers me that someone who dodged the draft getting at least 3 deferments, and even having U.S. District Judge Lloyd MacMahon write to the draft board on his behalf, can be so pro-war. Nor has the former mayor’s 21-year-old son joined the military. Its easy to talk tough about war when you’ve never fought one, and you’re children aren’t the ones in danger.

Then there is Congressman and Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter. Not only did the Congressman voluntarily enlist in the Army and serve in Vietnam, but his son, Duncan Duane Hunter, served as a Marine Corps Officer in Iraq. So when Hunter takes a pro-war position and talks about sacrifice I listen to him. Though I disagree with the Congressman’s stance on the war, I respect that he has put his money where his mouth is. If a presidential candidate is going to be pro-war, they should follow the Hunter family’s example, because it’s a lot harder to argue against a pro-war position with a man who is willing to sacrifice himself and his son for what he believes is right. The other pro-war candidates need to consider whether they would be willing to lay down their children’s lives to “win” in Iraq.