The Definition of Progress

by Rep. Jim McDermott

This is Iraq Week in the House of Representatives. The Republican Majority hopes they can stop the bleeding --- not on the ground in Iraq, but in opinion polls across America. They want to co-op the success of the U.S. military last week, and define progress in Iraq, all over again.

Over the last three years, the definition of progress by the Republican Majority has been as elusive as the President's plan for Iraq.

Still, later this week, the Majority Leader will force feed the American people a new resolution--- telling them what to think about the Iraq War.

Iraq Week is a staged Republican campaign event. The resolution that Republicans will force through the House of Representatives will have nothing to do with increasing the safety of our nation, or the security of our soldiers on the ground in Iraq. It's about the security of the Republican grip on power.

Republicans fear that the American people have answered Newt Gingrich's question: Had Enough? Poll after poll says the American people indeed have had enough of Republican power.

The American people always have accepted sacrifice when it comes to defending the nation. One thing they have never accepted is being misled by their leaders.
Enough facts have emerged for the American people to know that Iraq has become a grim and painful lesson we learned a long time ago in Vietnam. But instead of transferring responsibility, the President declares the tide has turned, U.S. troops will stay in Iraq, and there will be difficult days ahead.

That's a Presidential declaration that more American soldiers will die, more American soldiers will suffer grave, physical injuries, more American soldiers will be exposed to depleted uranium, and more American soldiers will return home traumatized by P-T-S-D----Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Earlier this year, U.S. military commanders talked about a significant force reduction by the end of this year. They've stopped talking about it. That's because the reality on the ground in Iraq defies Republican spin.

But the spinning goes on.

Soon, Republican leaders will tell the American people what to think, without the information on which to make an informed decision.

Here's something they don't want to talk about. The United States is building Fortress Iraq. The Administration would like to divert your attention while it orders the military to pour concrete runways and bunkers across Iraq. Tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers are going to be stationed in Iraq, indefinitely.

These U.S. bases will be called something else for the American people, but they will still be called targets by the insurgents.

The definition of progress in Iraq is not a Republican resolution force fed to the American people, as they would have you believe.

The definition of progress in Iraq is bringing home our soldiers--- all of them--- in significant numbers every month from this moment on, until they are out of harm's way and we are out of a war we should have never been in.