"insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence"

I cannot see any way that the WAR in Iraq insures DOMESTIC tranquility, nor provides for the common defence (actual spelling used in the Constitution). To argue that we "take the war to them" rather than wait for "them" to strike at us again is akin to confiscating your car so you don't have the opportunity to speed again.

I am ashamed of the foreign policy of the American Empire. No wonder everyone hates us.

Oh, but I *do* want to hear him use the term in his address. I suspect it can only be a huge negative for him if he does, thus making more troops actually -less- likely.

Has anyone mentioned to him that because the Iraq borders were never secured there is no hope in getting Iraq to where he wanted it to be.

George - It's not going to happen! 9,000 troops is a 7% increase. All it will do is give the bad guys more targets. Gosh, is he dense, or what?

** Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
**

Dear Friend,
Senator Russ Feingold is introducing a bill to redeploy our troops out of Iraq, and he needs our support. Please visit the link below to sign the petition. Thank you!

http://ga1.org/campaign/iraq0107?rk=DpsJNKs1XmrLW

http://www.progressivepatriotsfund.com/

***
"According to the latest news reports, in the coming days the President will address the nation about his intentions regarding the situation in Iraq. While the President ought to set forth a timetable to redeploy our troops out of Iraq as soon as possible, all signs point to a repackaged version of "stay the course," possibly with an increased U.S. presence on the ground. That strategy simply doesn’t make sense. Our open-ended presence there only fuels the insurgency, and adding more troops with no end date in sight only adds more fuel to the fire.

Thanks to each and every one of you, starting today, Democrats now control Congress – and now is the time for us to lead. There is no higher foreign policy priority than making America safer and getting our nation back on track by redeploying our troops out of Iraq.

Co-Sponsor the Resolution to Redeploy Our Troops Out of Iraq

It has been almost two months since Americans went to the polls and rejected the President’s strategy in Iraq. Since then I've continued the fight we started in August 2005 when we were alone in demanding a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. Today, in this new Democratic Congress, I have introduced legislation that would require the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq within six months.

Co-Sponsor the Resolution to Redeploy Our Troops Out of Iraq

The administration has repeatedly ignored recommendations for a timely redeployment of our forces currently fighting in Iraq. But it's reckless to continue to devote so much of our resources to one nation while ignoring the growing threats we face elsewhere in the world. It is now time for Congress to work toward redeployment.

I'm asking for citizen co-sponsors from all 50 states to join my call for redeployment. I know the Progressive Patriots Community has always been by my side and I hope you’ll continue to work with me on this extremely important issue.

Co-Sponsor the Resolution to Redeploy Our Troops Out of Iraq

I will continue to work for a sensible foreign policy that refocuses our efforts from Iraq in order to continue the global fight against terrorist networks. Please co-sponsor my resolution to help send the message that we can't afford to wait any longer. It's time for Congress to take the necessary steps to fix our Iraq policy immediately.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
U.S. Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund"

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs19056

a real american hero.

News Headline - Stephen Gordon and Stephen Van Dyke, co-creators of popular libertarian blog Hammer of Truth (hammeroftruth.com), have conned hundreds of libertarians out of over $12,000!

Click on the link by my name, or visit the following links for more information:

http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/12/14/the-return-of-hot-the-launch-of-libertymix/
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/12/04/hammer-of-truth/

These are also good, as they deal with the ignored campaign spending scandal involving Allen Hacker (campaign manager TOO EXTREME for the Scientologists!) and Michael Badnarik:

http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/12/06/badnarik-begs-for-another-200k/
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2006/12/12/some-interesting-tidbits-on-allen-hacker

Hey Chris,
Shouldn't that website be called Green Party Watch. If you think that by bashing the Libertarian party you are going to turn us into Socialists who support the Green Party, you are sadly mistaken. I'm all for pointing out corruption, but you have a different agenda.

Ted Rall nails it.

http://lastfreevoice.wordpress.com/2006/12/29/ted-rall-bush-plan-to-win-in-iraq/

As the recent events in Somalia have shown, the threat of worldwide Islamo-Fascism is real, and must be met by brute strength by the United States. Anything less will show the enemy that we are weak, and even worse, cowards.

If we don't fight them there, we'll be fighting them within a few years on the banks of the Rio Grande.

Eric Dondero, CEO
www.mainstreamlibertarian.com

Eric,

Let's think about what would happen if we were fighting Islamo-Fascists or anyone else for that matter at the Rio Grande rather than in their own countries supported by people that hate us.

1) We have the home ground, knowledge of the terrain and infrastructure.
2) We are defending our own land and people, a distinct morale and pride advantage rather than being thousands of miles from home.
3) We have local support rather than hostiles on all sides.
4) Mexico would not be friendly to our would be invaders.
5) The enemy would not be able to sustain any kind of attack, or fighting force that far from home. They don't have the manpower or funding.
6) We have direct supply lines, they have none. Any they do have, we could cut off from the sides and behind. They would be dead in the water.
7) The enemy is far less likely to attempt such a maneuver for the above reasons.
8) History shows the defending country has the advantage. Just because the enemy is not a traditional force doesn't make them any more capable of fighting in a foreign land.

Added bonuses:
1) The ridiculous gun regulations would be repealed in favor of the 2nd Amendment so any civilians could defend themselves should a soldier of the enemy breakthough, albeit unlikely. Even if they weren't repealed who would abide by them?
2) The cost would be minimal compared to any overseas altercation.
3) The quick and simple victory would deter other would be attackers.
4) Americans would unite for the cause, something we have not had in 60 years.

Seriously, if we had been defending ourselves at our points of entry all along, 9/11 would never have happened. Our military is responsible for defending us, and that would include at airports, sea ports, coastlines, and land borders. They never would have gotten in and if we were allowed to carry firearms as the 2nd Amendment allows then the terrorists never would have tried to take over planes with 200 armed Americans on board. If they did try, they would have failed. This is how we should be defending ourselves, not sending troops to die in the sand 10,000 miles away for nothing.

I think the LP ought to take a stronger antiwar stand, especially with Bush's impending escalation announcement.

Rather than complain and wait for National to do something, the LP Radical Caucus has prepared a press release for local affiliates to adapt and use as they see best - it is available here:

http://www.lpradicals.org/

The press release is for the use of any Libertarian Party affiliate or organization wanting a rapid and forceful response to Bush's call for escalation in Iraq. Please feel free to place your group's name and contact information on it and release it to your local media. If you would like to make changes, feel free to do so. No credit need (or should) be given - release this under your own group's name. The LP should be providing affiliates with platform-compliant, forceful statements on current news events. The LP should be taking a strong antiwar stand. The activists of the LP Radical Caucus offer this release to help LP affiliates make a strong Libertarian statement on current events.

We should take an entirely firm stand against George Bush's escalation of the War On Iraq. My campaign has been saying this for months, and has internet ready ads such as

http://phillies2008.com/video/libertarian_phillies_commercial_against_the_war

to make the point loud and clear to the general public.