Tom Hayden's Blog, page 57

McGovern, Jones, Lee Ask for a More Rapid Withdrawal, Support Shift from US Combat Role

House members led by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC) are circulating a moderate letter commending the Obama administration for announcing an end to the US combat role in Afghanistan in 2013, one year ahead of the previous timetable. Many of the signers supported an accelerated withdrawal in a resolution last year, which attracted 204 House votes.

David C. Brotherton and Luis Barrios: Hope and Hopelessness and the Latest Dominican Tragedy

"Clearly when all else fails, when hope is no longer sufficient…then the last resort is to escape this dance with want and misery and aim for the promised land."

The Coming War with Iran

Israel now estimates that Iran's nuclear program is nine months away from "being able to withstand an Israeli attack," which happens to be the same timeline as the U.S. presidential election. Meanwhile, a well-connected U.S. Pentagon adviser believes that Israel might give the White House only an hour or two warning before attacking Iran, "just enough to maintain good relations between the countries but not quite enough to allow Washington to prevent the attack."

Obama Steps Up Afghan Timetable

President Obama is accelerating the withdrawal of American troops from combat roles in Afghanistan, emphasizing during the presidential campaign that he will put an end to the quagmire. The decision was predicted in a PJRC analysis last month.

Israeli War with Iran Nears, Pushed by Romney, Gingrich, Santorum

Israel now estimates that Iran's nuclear program is nine months away from "being able to withstand an Israeli attack," which happens to be the same timeline as the US national election. A well-connected US hawk believes that Israel might give the White House only an hour or two warning before attacking Iran, "just enough to maintain good relations between the countries but not quite enough to allow Washington to prevent the attack." These troubling assertions are contained in this week's authoritative article about the Israel-Iran confrontation by an Israeli correspondent for New York Times Magazine, Ronen Bergman.

A Proposal: War Powers Act Should be Amended to Cover Drones, Libya-Style Wars

Congress should update and amend the existing War Powers Act (WPA), passed in 1973 over Richard Nixon's veto, to cover future American military operations relying on drones instead of ground forces. Republican and Democratic House leaders seriously questioned President Obama's executive order for the war in Libya, but have not followed up with amendments to protect the crucial constitutional role of Congress – and American voters – in future decisions to go to war.

John Yoo: Republican Candidates Should Push War on Iran

John Yoo, author of the memos defending torture for the Bush Administration, has published a lengthy article at the American Enterprise Institute calling for the Republican presidential candidates to push for war with Iran. This is the clearest evidence that the neo-con faction, which pushed America into the Iraq catastrophe, is brazenly scheming to start another one.

McKibben Calls Obama Keystone Decision "Brave"

Interviewed on Democracy Now!, Bill McKibben hailed as "brave" yesterday's decision by President Obama to reject the Keystone pipeline proposal. It was unusual praise from an inspirational leader of the environmental movement who was arrested outside Obama's White House less than two months ago, coming at a time of progressive disillusionment with the president on many fronts.

Progressive Agenda for War Veterans

In response to a PJRC request, Paul Sullivan of Veterans for Common Sense is suggesting the following platform for addressing the needs of veterans from the era of the Gulf war, and Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Talking Points on Ending the Wars

This work is not about "feeling good" or even "speaking truth to power." It is about building a stronger popular base of anti-war opinion, and a stronger organizational capacity for your local networks. Congress will act only when voices for peace are strong enough in enough of their districts.