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In a bipartisan effort to present both sides – the left and the right – the highly visible anti-war group, CODEPINK, issued a press release today in response to President Obama’s News Conference this morning. Here it is in its uncut, uncensored, entirety.
CODEPINK denounces Obama plan for Afghanistan
Calls for reallocation of war funds in American needs, rapid withdrawal, diplomacy
WASHINGTON — At a time of sky-high unemployment, rising cost of living and lower wages, and outrageous corporate bail-outs and bonuses, CODEPINK Women for Peace condemns President Obama’s announced plan today on Afghanistan, which will continue to drain billions from on our economy, further destabilize the Middle East and Central Asia, and threaten worldwide security. CODEPINK calls for a reallocation of war funds into the needs of the American people: health care, education and infrastructure, a rapid withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the closing of bases, and tireless diplomatic engagement with Afghan and Pakistan governments.
The strategy, which calls for an increase of 4,000 combat troops and spending 60 percent more than current levels of $2 billion per month, will fuel the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, increasing their numbers. It will also lead to more civilian deaths — in 2008, amid U.S. military operations, civilian casualties climbed 40 percent. In addition, the planned American civilian official and corporate private contractor “surge” of more than 900 will further alienate Afghans, who increasingly view the U.S. as an occupying force, lead to greater insurgent activity and decrease security, while boosting American corporate profits.
“Sending more Americans to kill and die in a quagmire in Afghanistan is a tragic mistake,” said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK. “Obama needs to live up to his promise of change by reversing course — focusing on negotiations and bringing our troops home.”
Americans do no want, nor can they afford, another war without end. A USA Today/Gallup Poll earlier this month found 42 percent of Americans felt the Afghanistan war was “a mistake,” an increase of 30 percent earlier this year and 34 percent in August 2008. The six-year Iraq War has cost the U.S. $600 billion.
Anger and resistance to escalated occupation in Afghanistan has begun to brew in Congress, as last week, 14 House Republicans and Democrats sent Obama a letter urging him to “reconsider” his order deploying 17,000 additional US troops to Afghanistan, and that “any perceived military success in Afghanistan might create pressure to increase military activity in Pakistan. This could very well lead to dangerous destabilization in the region and would increase hostility toward the United States.”
As you may recall, CODEPINK campaigned heavily for Obama, while disrupting Republican rallies and conventions with unruly protests on a regular basis.
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And pink used to be my favorite color.
This is like a train wreck that you can’t look away from.
It will be funny to watch code pinkos break into meetings and harass Obama. The press loved them during Bush, I’m betting that will soon chance since they’re now questioning The One’s policies.
At least they’re consistent.
Babs, Pink IS my favorite color and always will be!!! I was outraged when this group popped up and used pink to forward there agenda. They give pink a bad name.
I’M glad that Obama is getting a taste of this very annoying group.
Hopefully DDMao will come back. Since Nate backs Babs only time will tell (as far as insults). Since Babs doesn’t wish to confront my evidence, instead ignores, I’ll join DDMao in wait and see mode.
I alway enjoyed using & exchanging pertinent “quotes” with DDMao
“The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.”
Groucho Marx
“It is often better not to see an insult than to avenge it”
Seneca quotes
Bill, what is your issue?
You sit there and bash JD all day long, I’ve seen you call him a bi*** before in posts. You have been insulting to JD for no reason, I’ve seen it dozens of times yet you’re picking on Babs for nothing, it’s ridiculous.
Y’all need to stop taking things personally, this is a political discussion board, not a therapy session.
Nate
“therapy session”.. My point EXACTLY.
Insulting.” bi***”,I don’t recall that prehaps you can point that out to me.
If, as you say, I made personal insults against jd, I will accept I need “therapy session”, if you join me since you insult. And bring Babs. Conservative Ga I have not noticed doing that. As a honorable person I will admit my mistake if you prove. Otherwise, your statement is mis-directed at me. Then a man of honor would admit mistake.
As far as Babs. I made “report comment”. As well as posted her comment and my reasoning.
-
Nate
I challenge you to find me using a “cuss” word this year…..If “bi***” is referring to a cuss word.
I used a quote with “H—” twice in it.
Bill, here’s a compilation. Stop throwing stones when you yourself can hurl the insults. Bill, I almost always agree with your posts and views but I can’t understand why you’re singling out Babs on this issue when every single individual posting on this site has insulted someone at one time or another.
There is no rule about insulting unless it gets very out of hand and derogatory. Otherwise we’re all adults and can handle it. Plus, JD often goes out of his ways to provoke people and be bratty so I have no pity for him.
Nonetheless, just to prove that you are not without fault, here goes:
Next:
That’s just the last couple weeks, I don’t have time to keep looking.
You also had a spell of referring to JD as “poor boy” which could be insulting, no?
Could be wrong about you calling him a bi***, I’m sure many people have wanted to do that and maybe it wasn’t you. If it wasn’t you, I apologize for that single allegation but it doesn’t alter my point.
However, I’m just saying that none of us are without fault so it’s difficult for anyone to call someone else out.
Lets just stick to politics and not get hung up on being insulted, don’t take things personally.
Bill………Whoa! In regard to your post of 3:48 this afternoon lets make one thing perfectly clear. When I wrote my message on the 26th I in no way had an issue with nor any complaints agianst Babs.I stated “…..rather than fritter away my time with the kabuki club I am going to spend more time ACTUALLY closing the enterance ramp to the road to surfdom.” To interperpt this as a slight to Babs is simply nonsensical and has no contact with reality. If you have some concocted brouhaha with her do not for a moment have the thought of spinning my statements to include me.
D.D.Mao
DDMao
If I gave that impression I am wrong..
You are only one I enjoy conversing with. I don’t speak for you. My problem is with Babs..
Nate
I thought my “report comment” on Babs showed the problem. My problem with Babs began with 50 Congressmen article. Her doubting my trade experience and her refusal to answer me. I WILL NOT FORGET THAT
…..
DDMao
You are totally right and I am totally wrong. I will not go into my intentions as it would sound like an excuss.
Nate
You are totally right and I am totally wrong
CG, pink is still my favorite color too, but like you say, they sure give pink a bad name. They crashed a hearing with AIG CEO, and got a verbal pounding for it:
http://www.youtube.com/wa.....pT_6U-RmiY
Then on the 24th Barney Frank REALLY popped them. *LOL*
http://www.youtube.com/wa.....V_7bEdpjX4