The Nation
by staff

11/28/05

"History may well record that the beginning of the end of the American nightmare in Iraq came on November 17, when an old warrior said it was time for the troops to come home. But that will happen only if Congressional Democrats seize the opportunity that Representative John Murtha has offered them to become the tribune of popular sentiment against the war. Like many Americans, Murtha, a Korean and Vietnam war veteran who for three decades has been the pre-eminent Democratic hawk in the House, did not come quickly to the conclusion that the fight in Iraq will not be won by sacrificing more American lives. A backer of the 2002 resolution authorizing George W. Bush to use force, Murtha remained a defender of the misadventure long after many Democrats, and even some Republicans, began to question it. But when Murtha moved, he moved all the way. Describing the war as the result of 'a flawed policy wrapped in illusion,' he told Congress. 'Our military is suffering. The future of the country is at risk. ... Our military has done everything that has been asked of them. ... It is time to bring them home'...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20051212/editors


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp