Move On Supports Funding Iraq Debacle

By Big Tent Democrat, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 05:33:08 PM EST
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I speak only for me of course

From Greg Sargent:

MoveOn's Washington director, Tom Matzzie just confirmed to me that despite earlier concerns that the House Dem leadership's Iraq plan wasn't tough enough, the organization yesterday started polling its members and has decided to back the legislation . . . "We asked all 3.2 million of our members to weigh in, and 80 percent back the plan," Matzzie says, adding that he didn't have exact numbers on how many members had voted. "Our view is, this is a choice between Republicans who want endless war and Democrats who want a safe, responsible end to the war."

Well, this is just stuff and nonsense. The House bill will not end the war in September 2008 as proclaimed. That simply is false. What it does do is fund the war until that date when the Congress will vote more money, as any sane person realizes they will, 2 months before an election.

For the sake of honesty and credibility, Move On should cancel its planned vigils tonight supposedly protesting the continuation of the Iraq Debacle. After all, they favor its continued funding through at least September 2008, and practically speaking, beyond that.

Russ Feingold must think he is the last progressive in Washington. It begins to look like he is right.

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Move On Supports Funding Iraq Debacle | 5 comments (5 topical)

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moveon supports the dems but is not anti-war (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by selise on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 05:57:33 PM EST

i cancelled my moveon membership - and left a comment in complaint.

very sad.

i told them yesterday not a penny more (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by conchita on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 07:42:24 PM EST

just as i did the dlc after the alito debacle and emily's list after endorsing hillary. moveon has become a centrist disappointment. and it shocked me the other day to hear a conservative with whom i have recently begun working say how radical he thinks move on is. it was interesting in a way to realize the power behind moveon - we have managed to scare them. but realizing this also distresses me because moveon has, as btd put it, gone the way of the beltway dems. we need their pulpit. with all respect to jeralyn, this is a moment where i would find some solace in a few four letter words, but i will instead settle for a simple - HYPOCRITES!

hey, BTD, you know, (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by jennifer poole on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 08:05:11 PM EST

I gotta disagree with this: "For the sake of honesty and credibility, Move On should cancel its planned vigils tonight".

What's a "Move On vigil"? "Move On" couldn't really cancel most of these vigils, if they tried. The Move On vigils are created by locals, for locals. They're "Move On" vigils mostly because they've been posted on the Move On web site by locals using online event tools; quite likely they're "Code Pink vigils", too, and maybe DFA or United For Peace and Justice vigils, as well -- i.e., cross-posted on protest event calendars maintained by those organizations and others.

I am forwarding you via email yesterday's Code Pink email "Tell MoveOn and Congress to Get Real" which says: "Attend a MoveOn candlelight vigil tonight with the real message: No Money for War."

In my experience, those who'll go to these "Move On" vigils will strongly be in favor of a "No" vote on the supplemental because it funds the war, no matter the official "MoveOn" position.

: Good point (none / 0) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 08:07:52 PM EST

democracy rising has also sent out an email alert (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by conchita on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 09:13:57 PM EST

telling its membership to tell moveon and its members - no more funding. it's not as proactive as the codepink about the vigil action, but it deals head on with the moveon propaganda:

MoveOn is polling its members in a biased fashion about the Iraq supplemental -- they are doing their best to manipulate their members into supporting the slow bleed in Iraq that will result if the Pelosi-Obey supplemental is approved. More than 200 members of the U.S. military have died since the Democrats had the power to end this war. How many more? How many Iraqis?
If you are a member of MoveOn vote vote to oppose the supplemental and tell MoveOn to join the rest of the peace movement in pressuring the Democrats to end the war -- not to continue it.
What's wrong with the supplemental? The deadline for removal is not until August 31, 2008. And, even then loopholes will allow as many troops as President Bush wants to stay in Iraq to "capture or kill" Al Qaeda or other terrorists and to train Iraqi soldiers. These are loopholes big enough to drive a war through! The requirements for sending combat ready troops can be waived by the president so exhausted troops that are inadequately trained can be sent into this quagmire. And, the supplemental does not restrict the president regarding using the funds to attack Iran.
In other words the supplemental is business as usual. The Democrats are voting to stay the course in the guise of a withdrawal plan. In fact, the Democrats have cleared the path for war with Iran.
Tell MoveOn -- join the peace movement and tell the Democrats to end the war.

the problem is that they are reaching an audience that is not likely to need convincing. how to get through to the more conservative? buhdy has coined a new meme in his current diary: "We will NOT fund the Occupation, We WILL fund the Withdrawal." For those who haven't read it - link .