Northington '08

Moving the Blog Site

2008-09-12T17:11:00.004-04:00

A new site has been developed for ongoing discussions and conversations. The current political campaign is ended, but life continues day by day. Many new options are available for the future. No door is closed at this time. Losing a vote changes life for a bit. Who can tell what is around the next corner these days?

Come and visit Jerry Northington.com to read my thoughts of the day and to continue discussion over the course of time. I look forward to spirited discussions in the same vein as so many we had here on the campaign blog. Many issues face our state and our nation today. Together we can become a force for change over the course of time.

Peace.

The Campaign Is Ended

2008-09-10T06:17:00.004-04:00

Yesterday the voters made their decision. Another candidate, Karen Hartley-Nagle won the race for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Congress. The voters have spoken My race is ended.

Congratulations to Ms. Hartley-Nagle, and the other Democrats who won on September 9th. I will do all I can between now and November 4th to elect the Obama/Biden ticket and others who will end this war and bring sanity back to our country.

To all who offered support I offer my heartfelt thanks. The race could not have been run without your help. Words do not suffice to express the depth of my gratitude.

Short only of winning I and those associated with the campaign accomplished our primary goals. Early on in my relationship with every campaign staff member and with many volunteers who came to the race later, I expressed my absolute dedication to honor and principles. Together we ran a race in which our collective honor was kept intact. We sacrificed not one principle for the sake of gaining another vote. We each and every one leave the field bloodied but unbowed. Our heads are held high.

This has been without a single doubt the greatest experience of my entire life to date. The challenge was the biggest I ever faced. The course of the campaign led me to people, places, and actions which would never have entered my life otherwise. I learned a great deal about myself and about others along the trail.

For myself I have no regrets whatsoever. I am proud of what was accomplished. I am sad for those who found hope and lent their support to what in the end was a failed course. Hope must spring eternal no matter what happens in our lives. We must all cling to hope lest we lose the last remnants of what makes our lives meaningful. Hope keeps us going for another day, another race to be run, another battle to be fought. Hope is our reservoir of inner strength.

Again my thanks to all of who stood by my side in this campaign. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart. May all the blessings of life be yours to enjoy all the days of your life. You have all earned my deep and abiding respect. I will forever be grateful.

Peace.

NEWS FLASH

2008-09-05T14:32:00.001-04:00

Gentle readers, I must close the blog for at least a few days. Back online after the Primary. The final stages of this campaign are taking all my time.

See you all in a week or so.

Peace.

The Uniter Rides Again

2008-09-05T07:05:00.002-04:00

A few years ago President Bush campaigned on the idea he was a "uniter," not a "divider." How much farther from the truth could one be? Today we hear of McCain touting the same message one more time.

Let's use the best ideas from both sides.

We're all God's children and we're all Americans.

I fight for Americans. I fight for you.

How many more times will the American public fall for this rhetoric filled with empty words and hollow promises?

McCain stands for the same principles Bushco employed for the last 8 years. There may be little worse than allowing another 4 years of the same old mistreatment of America.

We need real change and a new direction today. The nation and its people are suffering. Our economy is a shipwreck breaking up on the shoals of poor administration and bad economic policy of the Bush administration. We are mired in a war McCain promises to continue for another hundred years or so. Our environment is suffering the ravages of too little protection as we continue to poison our world. We continue to pursue a course of oil dependency which cannot be sustained. At least the Democrats offer the possibility of real change and a new direction.

We must turn our nation around. We need policies from the Federal government which support the growth and development of small and medium businesses. All corporations no matter the size must be treated in a fair and equal way. We must end the favoritism shown the multi-national corporations as they continue to export jobs from our shores. Small businesses have long been the backbone of the American economy as they will be once again if the playing field is leveled for one and all.

We cannot afford to continue paying the monetary and human costs of the war in Iraq. We have lost too much already. Our military is stretched beyond its limits. With the pressures on the National Guard we have little reserve for emergencies within our own borders. We must regroup as soon as possible. Support the troops the best way we are able, bring them all home.

We must address global warming before large amounts of our nation are under water as a result of sea level rise. Human contributions to global warming are well documented. We must move quickly to alternative fuels such as wind and solar along with geothermal energy. We are late on the curve, but drastic action may save much of the future trauma we face without a new direction. Moving to alternative fuels will produce new jobs in the nation as we find research and development along with manufacturing on the rise.

Peace.

Debate Online from TV 6, WPVI

2008-09-01T17:59:00.002-04:00

On Sunday morning the debate between my opponents and myself was televised. The link is here. See for yourself the entire recording. Then decide which of us deserves your vote for the U.S. Congress.

Peace.

Poverty and Boats

2008-08-29T19:05:00.002-04:00

Imagine our nation and the economy as a three-masted sailing ship. Then give the people at the top of the tallest mast a lift to an even higher position. Did that help the people in the hold of the boat who are still below the water line? A recent article in The Nation by Katrina vanden Heuvel discusses this issue in our nation.

Our economy today with the Bush tax cuts concentrates wealth in the nation in the top 1% of people to a degree not seen since 1928. The theory of trickle down economics by which tax cuts for the highest wage earners has not brought any measure of real benefit to the middle and lower class wage earners. Robert Greenstein, Executive Director of the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities said,

Never before on record has poverty been higher and median income for working-age households lower at the end of a multi-year economic expansion than at the beginning. The new data add to the mounting evidence that the gains from the 2001-2007 expansion were concentrated among high-income Americans.

The article continues to discuss the falling numbers of Americans without health care. This change is a direct result of more people being covered by Medicare and Medicaid along with children taken under government programs. The change is a good one but not an indicator of improved status in our nation.

In conclusion Ms. vanden Heuvel says

Unless (and until) we tackle the gap between the very rich and the rest of America--including the growing number of people falling into poverty --it will be increasingly difficult to confront the major challenges of our time.

The truth is, lifting the boats at the bottom has historically been good for all Americans.

The time for lifting from the bottom of the boat is now. We are late already. If we fail to begin to change course today we will lose even more ground in the future. The time to take a new direction in our nation is at hand.

Peace.

Castle's Failing Memory

2008-08-27T09:35:00.002-04:00

Congressman Castle continues to insist he puts "people before politics" and says he has the people's interests at heart these days. He forgets his support of the Military Commissions Act relieving the people of the right of habeus corpus. He ignores his support of the No Child Left Behind Act condemned by most educators and leading to a decline in the actual teaching of our children. He ignores his steadfast support of the Bush administration with more than 80% of votes overall with the administration and more than 90% with the administration on the war and on economic issues.

The time has come for a new direction in Delaware and the nation. We, the people, can ill afford the kind of support offered by Congressman Castle and the Bush administration.

Peace.

Change Direction on Energy and the War

2008-08-27T09:05:00.001-04:00

In a recent op-ed article, my opponent in the Democratic congressional primary, Karen Hartley-Nagle, listed a series of problems facing the United States and the world. What she did not do was suggest solutions to the problems we face. Delaware voters deserve more than a restating of challenges; we deserve ideas and solutions. We need a new direction for this state and the nation.

For most Delawareans, the top issues are the state of the economy and the Bush administration's disastrous foreign policy adventures. Nearly eight years of Republican mismanagement of the economy, including an utter lack of any energy policy, has left many Delaware families on the edge financially.

Add to that the increasing cost of health care, food and fuel and the financial pressures on the men, women and children of this state are overwhelming. Clearly, we need a new direction in these areas.

Much of the economic crisis facing Delawareans stems from two dramatic errors made by the federal government: the lack of a comprehensive energy policy, and no regulation whatsoever in critical financial markets.

My economic solution calls for the creation of a national energy policy that will incorporate new and sustainable long-term energy sources with a steady decline in U.S. reliance on foreign oil. While the notion of complete energy independence is laudable, to get there we must fully exploit existing and emerging technologies.

Delaware is uniquely poised to be on the forefront of these technologies. For example, converting the soon-to-close Chrysler plant in Newark to build wind turbines would not only create a new industry for Delaware, it would play an integral role in energy policy and benefit the environment.

Without doubt, the federal government must play a more substantial role in regulating the financial industry, especially those segments that touch people directly, such as the mortgage industry. That is why once in office, I will submit legislation to ensure Americans never again are the victims of predatory lending by mortgage companies or other financial institutions.

American foreign policy has led to us being less secure. Our military is facing exhaustion. The war of choice in Iraq has cost lives, resources and strength, making it nearly impossible to respond to crisis spots around the world.

Contrary to what Republicans such as President Bush and Congressman Mike Castle believe, going to war does not make a nation stronger. It just puts us in greater jeopardy.

As a Vietnam veteran myself, I support bringing the bulk of our troops home as soon as possible and rebuilding our military so we can defend ourselves from credible threats, such as terrorism.

In a short newspaper article, it is difficult to touch on all the critical issues facing Delawareans and all Americans such as health care, crime, the environment and property rights. That is why I have a comprehensive list of issues and solutions at my campaign Web site, www. Northington08.com.

I am asking for your vote in the Democratic primary Sept. 9. Together we can turn Delaware and the nation in a new direction.

Biden for VP!!!

2008-08-23T08:02:00.002-04:00

Obama has made his announcement. Joe Biden is his choice for Vice-President. Good days for Delaware and the nation are on the horizon. Biden brings large amounts of foreign policy experience to the pairing. In addition Biden's 30+ years in the Senate give him the experience of government the administration will need to make progress on issues facing the nation today.

Walking the streets the last several days I found many people anxious to see this particular pairing. The opinion among voters in neighborhoods seems to be uniformly positive about Obama. Now with the addition of Biden Delawareans have more than one reason to celebrate.

Onward and upward we go! This is the best year the Democrats have had in a long time. This is the year when I feel confident we can sweep the House and possibly take a veto proof majority in the Senate. The pairing of Obama and Biden goes a long way toward making the year an overall success in Democratic Party politics. Let us hope this is the mark of the beginning of a truly new direction for our nation.

Peace.

I Call Foul!!!

2008-08-19T11:21:00.002-04:00

The News Journal today published an op-ed piece by one of my Primary Election opponents, Karen Hartley-Nagle. There are many issues with her writing as she leans far to the Bush administration fearmongering side. That is not the reason to call FOUL.

FOUL is called for the newspapers loose journalistic reporting as she is called the "Democratic candidate for Congress." In fact there are three people in a Democratic Party Primary Election scheduled for September 9. On that date the candidate for U.S. Congress will be chosen by the voters, not by the News Journal editorial board.

A retraction and an apology had best be in the offing. This is journalistic failure of the worst degree. The newspaper may or may not favor one candidate over another but to promote any candidate in such a blatant way is unforgiveable.

We need a new direction in our nation as a whole these days. The News Journal would do well to take the same ideals and work for journalistic excellence as opposed to this sort of sloppy work.

Peace.

Some of My Positions as a Peace Candidate

2008-08-18T08:53:00.003-04:00

In 1970 I came home from Vietnam a young but change man. From that day until this day I have been a peace activist standing in steadfast opposition to military intervention in place of diplomacy, negotiation, and peaceful resolution. My time in Vietnam allowed me to see the effects of war on the troops on both sides, the people of the nation, and the countryside. War is not a solution but rather is a generator of too many different probems.

My actions as an activist at long last drove me to a campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Delaware, my home state. After beginning the campaign I discovered many issues in need of correction in our nation today. We as a nation need a new direction for our future.

We have many people without health insurance at all and too many with too little health insurance. A universal, single-payer health insurance system is necessary today. We stand as one of the only two developed nations around the globe without single-payer health care for our citizens. We can no longer afford to let our citizens languish without adequate coverage. Every American deserves the best medical care we have to offer.

I am a veterinarian. I have been a scientist all my adult life. We need more scientists in government to insure we make decisions on the basis of facts and not emotion and hollow slogans. We must seek new alternatives for energy production. Science offers the answers to renewable energy and new means of transportation but we will find those solutions only if we seek them. We must stop poisoning our environment if future generations are to survive on our planet.

Our prisons are overcrowded today with people in need of drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Yet we fail them and release those people without benefit of any help along the way. We must begin to treat the people in need. We must offer housing and job training for released prisoners lest we see the rate of return to prison become even higher than today.

As a veteran I am ashamed of the treatment our returning troops find today. In my time the GI Bill was enough to allow me a fine education. Health care in those days was free and available. Today we are failing our troops. Any nation that fails its troops is a failing nation.

We are failing our children in our educational system. We must begin to rebuild the infrastructure and to allow our teachers more time for teaching and less time for required testing. An educated population will build an economy filled with better paying jobs far into the future but we must turn to a new direction soon if we are to make that change. A nation that fails its children is a failing nation.

Government today should be about fairness, openness, and accountability. I am first and foremost a peace candidate but that is only one small aspect of a greater whole. I stand for human rights for one and all. We as nation will stand together or we will fall apart.

Today we stand on the threshold of historic times. We have the opportunity to turn our nation to a new direction if we take the time and make the effort to support candidates who live our ideals. We are each and every one responsible for the future of our nation. We must not allow our elected officials to forget their responsibility to the voters. Elected officials are place holders for the people. The people, ALL the people, are the ones responsible for the future of our nation.

Peace.

Questions to be Asked

2008-08-14T08:41:00.002-04:00

In a fine article Roberto Rodriguez poses questions reasonable to ask of various elected officials and candidates across the nation. He ends with perhaps the single most important question of all.

Question for the mainstream media:

You in fact do ask the tough questions -- not of the strong and powerful, but of those who question the strong and powerful. When can we expect to see a return to the journalism that is preoccupied with protecting freedoms as opposed to the bottom line?

When indeed may we expect to see true journalism once again in our nation?

Peace.

The Military Commissions Act

2008-08-14T08:09:00.001-04:00

One more in a series of questions posed to me by a fellow blogger and human rights activist:

Do you support the Military Commissions Act of 2006?

In a word, NO! A very emphatic and loud NO. Of all the rights granted by the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights perhaps not one is of greater importance than the writ of habeus corpus. As defined under American law

A writ of habeas corpus is a judicial mandate to a prison official ordering that an inmate be brought to the court so it can be determined whether or not that person is imprisoned lawfully and whether or not he should be released from custody.

The Military Commissions Act of 2006 serves to remove the right of habeus from all detainees classified by the administration as military combatants. No judicial review is allowed those so named. The law in effect allows punishment without judicial proceedings, a concept foreign to the American way.

Our nation was founded on principles of liberty and justice for ALL. There is not one mention in our Constitution of any distinction among human beings. One may argue the Founders saw some races as inferior and intended to keep them subservient, but the wording works to the benefit of every person in the nation. Any person deprived of any rights is in effect punished. The MCA works in ways that violate the sense of our Constitution and of the ideals of our Founding Fathers.

The United States cannot hope to recover any measure of moral standing so long as the MCA is allowed to remain a force of law. We as a nation owe it to ourselves and to the world to repeal the act and get on with fair and open trials of those charged with crimes against our nation. Those detainees for whom the law was intended to punish and are not to be charged should be released and resettled in their own nation posthaste.

Given the wording of both the MCA and some Bush signing statements the greater danger to Constitutional rights in this country today may be the application of the MCA to any person (citizens are not excluded from the reach of classification as an “enemy combatant”). To insure our freedom in future times we must restore the balance of power as established by the Founders. A triumvirate government is only as strong as the weakest of the legs (just like in the three legged stool).

Peace.

"Inadvertent" Deaths

2008-08-09T07:56:00.002-04:00

According to the dictionary inadvertent means

unintentional

Today we get news of the "inadvertent" killing of 4 women and a child in Afghanistan. The deaths are the result of actions taken by US led troops against militants in the area.

How can we forget those who suffer most in war are often the women and children? We should keep in mind there are always innocents in war zones. War is not a game played on a board in the comfort of a living room. As Sherman said

War is hell.

We need to remember that fact on a daily basis as our nation continues to consider increasing our military presence around the world.

Humankind is in real danger if we fail to change our course and take a more peaceful way into the future. We humans possess far more than enough weapons to destroy the entire globe. We had best be careful or we will leave nothing but a burned cinder behind one day.

Peace.

500

2008-08-07T08:50:00.004-04:00

In the United States today we tend to forget there is still a war going on in Afghanistan. That military action continues to be deadly for American troops. We have reached a milestone with 500 US soldiers killed.

How many more must die before the nation recognizes the mistake? We are fighting a local insurgency that is becoming more and more entrenched. We should be fighting the causes of terrorism by reducing economic woes around the world. We as a nation need to lead the world in peaceful and humanitarian moves. We cannot continue to be the world's largest bully if we hope to lead in any measure into the future.

In memoriam for the fallen,

Peace.

DailyKos Fundraiser

2008-08-03T13:18:00.006-04:00

Friends of mine in the blogging community are hosting a fundraising fest at DailyKos. Please feel free to visit and join the conversation or follow along to see how we fare.

For 4 evenings, we're raising money on DailyKos for Jerry Northington, or Possum, who is running in Delaware. Possum's primary is this September. Possum is a Vietnam Vet and veterinarian who will provide our caucus with a much better Democrat!

All times are PST.

Possum 4-day DailyKos Fundraiser
Sunday August 3
3:00 p.m. Al Rodgers
5:00 p.m. Seneca Doane
7:00 p.m. noweasels
9:00 p.m. Patriot Daily
11:00 p.m. llbear
Monday August 4
3:00 p.m. One Pissed Off Liberal
5:00 p.m. Avila
7:00 p.m. Elise
9:00 p.m. blueness
Tuesday August 5
3:00 p.m. OrangeClouds115
5:00 p.m. pico
7:00 p.m. srkp23
9:00 p.m. Magnifico
Wednesday August 6
3:00 p.m. clammyc
5:00 p.m. gildareed
7:00 p.m. melvin
9:00 p.m. A Siegel

This should be a good time for one and all. Many thanks.

Peace.

Simple Steps to Reduce Global Warming

2008-07-30T08:35:00.002-04:00

Given all the ongoing talk about carbon emissions and cap and trade, the numbers are mind boggling for the average consumer. What about some steps to take without too much complexity? For example, instead of driving to town or to work, carpool with a neighbor. The gasoline consumption is reduced by half and greenhouse gas emissions are likewise reduced.

In terms of transportation we hear lots about development of electric cars. Those are a fine idea so long as renewable energy is available to recharge the vehicle, but what about lowering the amount of transportation we use for our products. Buy local. Consume farm products from your area. Those fruits from New Zealand are wonderful, but the transportation costs and the contributions to greenhouse gas are not necessary.

Drive less. Reduce your driving by 20 percent and save the same in gasoline expense. The ratio continues with more reductions. And every mile not driven reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce your cooling in the summertime. Sit under a tree part of the day instead of asking your environmental system to provide creature comfort. Demand for power is highest in the summertime. We can reduce that demand and lessen the production of greenhouse gases by our power plants if we allow the temperature to rise a bit in our homes.

Simple solutions are all around. The trick is getting people to notice and to be more careful. Gasoline prices today are reducing the amount of driving and sending people to dealers for more efficient vehicles. At least we are making small steps. Bigger steps are necessary in time but every contribution helps.

Peace.

The Case of the Burgeoning Deficit

2008-07-29T09:35:00.002-04:00

News reports of the day tell a sad tale.

The deficit will hit $482 billion in the 2009 budget year

This figure is far above the previous record of $413 billion set in 2004 and may grow even more as costs of the occupation of Iraq and the ongoing war in Afghanistan continue to rise.

The Bush administration makes history in so many ways these days. Setting records for expenditure is not a usual hallmark of Republican adminstrations, but this one is a different breed altogether. Every Republican in Congress along with a number of Democrats must be held responsible for this maladministration of budgets. The nation cannot sustain deficits of this magnitude if we are to survive into the future.

Peace.

Offshore Drilling Is No Solution

2008-07-24T07:49:00.002-04:00

In today's News Journal Christine O'Donnell writes about offshore oil drilling as a solution to the pain of current high gasoline prices. This tired old tale needs to be refuted until people begin to see the truth. Offshore drilling may produce new oil supplies, but the first barrel to reach our shores is years in the future at the very best.

Real solutions to the current oil crisis lie in alternative energy for transportation, renewable energy sources for electricity, and in conservation of energy overall. America must begin to explore energy sources such as natural gas, ethanol (from other than food grain sources), methanol, and electricity as power sources for our vehicles. We must expand solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. And we must work to stabilize or lower the price of oil into the future. Oil prices are affected by unrest around the world. Pushing for stability in the Middle East and other oil producing areas of the globe will help stop wild speculation in oil futures.

The world supply of oil is not endless. In all cases we must begin to leave our oil dependency to the past. Our future depends on our adoption of new energy sources. We cannot expect new drilling in any part of the world to be a solution to our immediate problems. Solutions will take time to be effective. If we fail to move quickly to new energy resources the pain of today will be multiplied tomorrow.

Peace.

Oil Dependency

2008-07-20T09:42:00.002-04:00

Much recent news and discussion centers on increased drilling by American companies. Proponents suggest the course as a way to reduce gasoline prices and reduce American dependency on foreign oil. Of course neither of these is likely to happen even if all of America's oil reserves are exploited.

American imports of foreign oil have increased from less than 60% of our yearly usage to more than 70% during the time of the Bush administration. We as nation must reduce both our oil usage and our oil imports. Only by turning away from a carbon based fuel system in favor of renewable energy do we have hope of solving this crisis.

Delaware is well positioned to be a leader in wind energy. We are first in the nation to contract for offshore wind power generation. We have a labor and manufacturing base in place and ready to produce the equipment necessary for increased wind energy generation around the nation. If we lead the way Delaware can be the First State in reducing national oil dependency.

Peace.

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

2008-07-10T12:48:00.001-04:00

A bumper sticker distributed by Common Cause carries the words

Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport

Never in the course of human events were words more true than is that simple statement in today’s world. We may sit around our keyboards as we moan and complain all we wish. We may energize some person out there, but we have a greater effect when we take action on our own.

Paul Wellstone had the right idea when he said

The future will not belong to those who sit on the sidelines. The future will not belong to the cynics. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Not one of us can afford to sit on the sidelines one more moment. We must take action on the streets. We must talk to people. We must act on our beliefs and on our dreams lest we fail to see a new course come about in our nation.

In a different context this morning another blogger said what I have said for a long time.

we should insist up front that among the prices we demand from those who seek our support in order to gain political power is that they do more than offer pious words and wring their hands, that they speak out and act

In that context a specific situation of genocide was being protested, but the thinking applies across the spectrum. Again from Wellstone

We can and must move U.S. politics forward by means of committed participation.

Think for a moment about committed participation. Does that mean limiting our activity in some way? Or did Wellstone intend a much more broad interpretation including a variety of activities and interactions? I submit he wished people to take real action up front and personal. We must hold our politicians accountable by every means at our disposal. Protest in their offices. Write and call them. Find a local candidate in need of help and volunteer for the campaign. Work to elect better officials at every level and then hold those people accountable for their actions and their words.

For much too long too many in our nation have accepted elected officials at face value. For too long a time people have listened to the fine words without digging into the real meaning. Too many politicians fail to follow more than the money these days. That must change. To that end we must get off the sidelines and into the game. We cannot afford to let any person in the nation today remain a spectator. Each and every one must enter the game. Together we will turn our nation around.

Peace.

Responsible Withdrawal From Iraq

2008-07-09T13:58:00.005-04:00

Full and rapid withdrawal from Iraq is the responsible approach to world affairs. United States military forces attacked the nation and continue to occupy the country without any legal grounds for either process. The initial invasion was both illegal and immoral. Today we are losing lives and spending dollars we can ill afford. We must end our involvement in Iraq as soon as possible.

Several plans for withdrawal have been put forth. One set (PDF) of suggestions seems well in line with my own thinking in large measures. The report recommends withdrawal

quickly, carefully, and generously

in order to address both humanitarian and military considerations.

The economic assessment of war costs is grim.

The war has been economically costly to the United States as well. A recent study by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes estimates the total cost of the war to US taxpayers may reach $3 trillion when long-term veteran care and assistance is factored in.

And yet the administration continues to hold to the line that we are on the right course.

In the face of this grim record, US officials, such as Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker in their April 2008 testimony before Congress,
have repeatedly told Americans that the only way to pursue peace in Iraq is to continue prosecuting the war.
There is, of course, an alternative: to withdraw US troops while pursuing a diplomatic and political solution to Iraq’s civil conflict.

The report may be summarized as follows:

To make its intentions clear prior to withdrawal, the United States can and should:
1. Seek a short-term renewal of the UN mandate instead of a bilateral US-Iraqi security agreement.
2. Announce support for a new UN mandate to take effect in 2009 that will legitimate and define international participation in Iraqi reconciliation, reconstruction, and humanitarian aid.
3. Signal that all of Iraq’s neighbors, including Syria and Iran, will henceforth be treated as partners in promoting stability.
4. Support the establishment of an International Support Group for Iraq.
5. Inform the Maliki government that the United States will soon announce a timetable for withdrawal and will shift toward a stance that emphasizes neutrality and non-interference in Iraqi politics.

Subsequent to the announcement of a timetable for withdrawal, to promote reconciliation in Iraq the United States can and should:
6. Take vigorous diplomatic steps to stem the flow of arms and foreign fighters feeding the civil war and communal violence.
7. Assist Iraqi actors and the UN in convening a pan-Iraqi conference on reconciliation, backed by an expanded writ for a UN mission in Iraq. Among other things, that conference should seek an immediate ceasefire and redress of the losses of refugees and internally displaced persons.

On the international level, the United States can and should:
8. Immediately re-engage Syria and Iran in non-coercive “give-and-take” diplomacy addressing bilateral issues.
9. Engage with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey seeking their support for peace and economic recovery efforts in Iraq.
10. Work within the International Support Group to encourage Iraq’s six neighbors to promote peace and stability in Iraq and the region.
11. Strengthen the provisions of the International Compact with Iraq for reparations and debt relief.

With regard to security, the United States can and should:
12. Identify likely flashpoints and, when requested by Iraqis, factor them into the planning for transitional US military activities during the period of withdrawal.
13. In anticipation that a blue-helmeted peacekeeping force will be needed and requested by Iraq when the US withdraws, support the UN in organizing and funding it.
14. Assist the UN and donor states in creating disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs.

With regard to economic and humanitarian issues, the United States can and should:
15. Cease pressure on Iraq to open up its oil sector and other parts of its economy.
16. Support the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in better addressing the plight of Iraqi refugees and internally displaced persons.
17. Give aid to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon earmarked for the care of Iraqi refugees.
18. Support a plan to fund refugee resettlement in third countries.
19. Donate to an Iraq Development Fund that bankrolls a labor-intensive public works program and helps to fix the broken food rationing system.
20. Help to strengthen Iraqi NGOs, with special attention to women’s groups.

In sum, the United States can and should: quickly carry out a full military withdrawal from Iraq, carefully pursue diplomatic remedies for the Iraq crisis, and generously give to help rebuild Iraq in the long run. The responsibilities are not America’s alone, but America must lead.

The entire report is well worth reading. Specific recommendations are given to implement the plan. There is much to consider as we begin to face ultimate resolution of the Iraq fiasco. Let us all hope we can begin the resolution sooner rather than any later.

Peace.

One More Bush Style Republican

2008-07-09T13:37:00.002-04:00

Congressman Mike Castle has voted with the Bush administration 81.4% of the time in the 110th Congress. This includes votes in support of the FISA bill on August 4, 2007. In addition Congressman Castle voted to support the administration by voting against bills that provided funds for the ongoing occupation of Iraq but also included timetables for withdrawal. Overall Castle has been a steady war supporter and a near constant administration supporter.

The record speaks for itself. One need look no farther than the last 8 years of voting record to see where Congressman Castle stands on the issues that affect our nation today. He along with the administration are responsible for the state of our economy and for the ongoing loss of lives and dollars in an illegal and immoral occupation.

Peace.

G-8 and Global Warming

2008-07-09T09:21:00.002-04:00

A recent article concerning the G-8 agreement to cut greenhouse gases as presented in the News Journal is somewhat misleading. In spite of a headline purporting a goal of cutting greenhouse gases, the actual agreement as described in the article is not binding on any nation and in fact is little more than an agreement to continue discussion in future years.

The ideals of the proposal including cutting greenhouse gases by half by mid-century are admirable, but may be very little very late in the overall scheme of life. Global warming as indicated by melting of the polar ice packs is an indisputable fact. We humans must reduce our contribution to this warming effect by reducing our carbon emissions if we are to sustain our presence on earth into the far future.

Some gloomy predictions include a sea level rise of more than three feet by 2050. In that worst case much of Sussex County would be flooded. We need rapid and firm actions to reduce global greenhouse emissions. Agreeing to continue discussion is not enough. Actions taken today are the only protection against future disaster.

Peace.

Iraqis Insist on US Withdrawal Timeline

2008-07-08T15:25:00.002-04:00

The Iraqi National Security Advisor, Dr. Muwafaq al-Rubaie,

said Tuesday his country will not accept any security deal with the United States unless it contains specific dates for the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces.

according to a report from the AP today. In spite of administration opposition to any withdrawal timetable, the Iraqis are resolute. From al-Rubaie

Our stance in the negotiations underway with the American side will be strong … We will not accept any memorandum of understanding that doesn’t have specific dates to withdraw foreign forces from Iraq

The UN mandate for a US presence in Iraq expires in December. Without some measure of agreement the occupation will then cease to be supported on any international level. Ongoing American military presence depends on Iraqi cooperation and agreement.

Maybe this time the United States will be forced to withdraw. Then diplomatic and economic solutions may be sought to the problem of worldwide terrorism. The military approach has failed every time in history and is failing once again in Iraq.

Support the Troops. Bring Them Home.

Peace.

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