Tell Me a Secret: No to US permanent Presence in Iraq...

Saturday, April 15, 2006

No to US permanent Presence in Iraq...

One good step towards the goal of ending the occupation:


Barbara Lee Amendment on Permanent Bases Approved in Debate on Iraq War Supplemental Spending Bill
(Washington, DC) – Today, during debate on the to an emergency spending bill for the War in Iraq, the House approved an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) that will prohibit the use of funds to enter in to basing agreements that would lead to a permanent military presence in Iraq. The amendment to H.R.4939, the administration’s $91 billion supplemental request for Iraq, Afghanistan and Katrina relief, was approved by a voice vote. Lee, who last year introduced H.Con.Res. 197, to make it “the policy of the United States not to enter into any base agreement with the Government of Iraq that would lead to a permanent United States military presence in Iraq,” gave the following statement on the House floor: “This amendment is not about the war, though I offered an alternative to keep us out of Iraq. This amendment is not about bringing our troops home, though I believe we should. This amendment is not about holding the President accountable for misleading us into an unjust and unnecessary war, though we should.

“Mr. Chairman, the amendment we are offering is very simple: it would provide that no funds be used under this bill to enter into military base agreements between the US and Iraq. Stating this will clearly indicate that the U.S. has no intention of making military bases permanent.

“Mr. Chairman, can’t we all agree—right here and right now—that we should not be in Iraq permanently. Unfortunately, Mr. Chairman, the administration’s position is unclear.
Mr. Chairman, the President shares our view and has said as much. April 13, 2004 the President said, ‘as a proud and independent people, Iraqis do not support an indefinite occupation, and neither does America.’ “But just yesterday, General John Abazaid, the Army general in charge of the US troops in Iraq, told the House Defense Appropriations committee that the U.S. could end up having permanent bases in Iraq.

“Mr. Chairman, we need to be clear. The aim of our amendment is to simply codify the sentiment that the President, many of our constituents, and many of us strongly believe. “As we stand here today, the United States has renewed a bombing campaign against the insurgents; the largest assault since the invasion. And this is taking us in the exact wrong direction. Destroying villages in the hopes of routing out insurgents will only create more. “In adopting this amendment we can take the target off our troops’ backs by sending a strong and immediate signal to the Iraqi people, the insurgents, and the international community that the United States has no designs on Iraq.

“Mr. Chairman, this very point is supported by a poll conducted by the University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) earlier this year. PIPA found that 76 percent of Iraqi’s believe that US will maintain bases in Iraq permanently, even if the newly elected government asks the US to leave Iraq.

“Congress needs to be on record. We must not have permanent military bases in Iraq.”

********************

Isn't she lovely?:)

On the other hand, my brother Raed is working on an important campaign inside the states. please take a moment to read about it.

On the other hand, the third one that is ( what!! if you are an alien you might have three hands! what's wrong with you don't you like aliens? what are you gonna do after you finish reading my post? go to a kkk meeting? ) ok so on the other hand, my energetic mom, Faiza, is still touring the states, making speeches and participating in anti war events, check her blog for the updates. She is gonna talk in the congress soon.

Wish her luck and pray for her:)

Majid is studying a some-900 pages physics exam, dad is still making more money and I am still hoping to graduate soon, oh! and I have a secret project that I might tell you about soon;)

27 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

You can't mention a secret project and then leave us hanging for a month!

You know that, right?

And, it is nice to see more public anti-war sentiment. More and more in the news (even on Fox!) you're seeing this debated and out in the open - good news! Not only is it a sign that the general public is getting more vocal, but hopefully with increased coverage you'll start seeing even the apathetic American take some sort of stance.

I was always a naive optimist concerning politics, though.

4/15/2006 08:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Khalid

I have been keeping up with your Mom's trip to the U.S. and I am routing for her all the way. Also your brother Raed with his new project.

I wish I could share your current optimism re permanent military bases, but what about the
military bases that were being built as early as 2004, described by John Kerry as "permanent" and by other sources as "permanent access" and "enduring" where many of the U.S. troops are now living in comfort and luxury while millions of people of Iraq continue to suffer with little of the basics of life such as clean water, electricity, medicine, and security.

What about the extravagant $592 million
Embassy currently being constructed in the Green Zone.

"When the dust settles, this compound will be the largest and most secure diplomatic compound in the world.

The headquarters, I mean "Embassy" will be a self-sustaining cluster of 21 buildings reinforced 2.5 times the usual standards, with some walls to be as thick as 15 feet."

I'm afraid the goal of Global Empire continues to live on. Can they be stopped. I still hope so and I hope for better tomorrows for your country and for the world.

4/15/2006 10:04:00 PM  
Blogger Bruce Larson*Moore said...

The forces which are now building what they perceive to be the compounds and bases of military operation and oppression, for the future, are in complete denial of the fact that these very expenditures and profit building schemes, will soon be falling into the hands and use of the meek who shall inherit this world. All of the fear base activity which is now being created will then be shifted into the creation of Peace Building Centers around the globe, this is the promise of this dawning Age of Compassion.

* * *
The*Poor

There will always be poor, yet they are not those who languish in the oppression brought forth by the wealthy, they are those who languish in the poverty of spirit, the deprivation of soul, the very ones who point the accusing finger at those deemed as poor, lack the richness of life and love to know and accept the truth that they are the poor of which I speak.

Those whom surround their heart with fear and hate for that which they see as "Other" can not support the truth which is now coming to all*ways, and thus each will pass into the oblivion their fear offers, creating the time and space for that which is to be, the evolution of peace, love, and tolerance in this dawning Age of Compassion.

All truth leads to Divine*Spirit

* * *
The*Meek

“Pity those who see the world for what it is,
instead of seeing it for what it could be.”

The meek shall inherit the earth, yet they WILL*NOT be meek in body, spirit, moral character, heart nor soul, they will stand meek before nature, cradle her life within the gentle hands of the gardener, raise her beauty and grace from the ash left by those who were weak with hate and fear, they will raise the raped, soiled and plundered earth into a giving Eden which all creatures great and small, meek and powerful will share together, yes the meek shall inherit this world and it shall be free of the limited ideals of conquering, oppression and fear.

This is the boundless promise of truth.


BL*M

4/16/2006 08:15:00 PM  
Blogger madtom said...

It's amazing to me that the self declared enemies of democracy and friends and allies of the dictatorial regimes of the world would try to work from within a democracy to try to affect change to it's foreign policy.
You guys must laugh yourselves to sleep every night. Thinking to yourselves how stupid we are and how week our system must be that would allow you to try to affect your change and to have a voice and to have your say. But it's you who are trapped, and we will have the last laugh yet. Mark my words.

4/18/2006 01:01:00 AM  
Blogger Bruno said...

What's amazing to me is that Madtom can make his posts so cryptic as to be illegible, and yet still sound like English.

And I applaud this latest move on the bases.

Although, knowing a bit about US political tricks, the people concerned will siphon funds off another source instead, rest assured.

4/18/2006 05:38:00 AM  
Blogger madtom said...

Hey Khalid I keep reading about this over and over again. Something should be done. How come your not taking donations to bring supplies to the boarder to help your less fortunate brothers out.
Petitioning the Jordanian government to let them in, working with the Islamic charities to bring them some relief. There must be something you could do. Maybe Bruno could help think of something

4/19/2006 07:56:00 PM  
Blogger Bruno said...

Madtom, Khalid and his family were already extensively involved in providing relief to the families of Fallujah, but there's only so much that they can do.

4/20/2006 05:29:00 AM  
Blogger madtom said...

Fallujah is so yesterday

4/21/2006 02:15:00 PM  
Blogger Aiman said...

Salaam alaikum Khalid,

I was reading your article on IOL and followed a link to your blog -- hope to b a regular reader from now :). Iraqi blogs are the best place to get news about Iraq. Way to go, brother!

4/21/2006 07:32:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saw your mom's talk to Congress. (Well, half of it. And then I saw it was time to go to work. Dumb work). She pulls no punches! Hope you get to see her soon!

5/04/2006 07:44:00 PM  
Blogger Carlos Latuff said...

Hello Khalid,

I'd like to invite you to have a look in my webcomics about Iraq. It's "Tales of Iraq War": http://tales-of-iraq-war.blogspot.com/

Your comments are welcome.

Best regards,

Latuff
Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil

5/26/2006 08:01:00 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Sallam Khalid,

Your mother was a joy to meet. I had seen yourpage before.. and am hoping to see more from you soon. How is school and Majid's tests? Do you know if there is any way to get copies of your mother's congressional speech or watch it?

Take care and thanks,
peace~Sallam,
erica aisha

5/29/2006 07:25:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

whats the secret? do tell? you dont hvae to say it loudly just whisper it. :P

6/04/2006 01:51:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I keep coming back here to see if you have posted again. Its been a long time. Hope you post again soon even just to tell us how you are doing.

6/07/2006 12:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ding Dong! The Witch is dead. Which old Witch? The Wicked Witch!
Ding Dong! The Wicked Witch is dead.
Wake up - sleepy head, rub your eyes, get out of bed.
Wake up, the Wicked Witch is dead. He's gone where the goblins go,
Below - below - below. Yo-ho, let's open up and sing and ring the bells out.
Ding Dong' the merry-oh, sing it high, sing it low. Let them know, The Wicked Witch is dead!

6/08/2006 11:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

C'mon Khalid, you have to talk to us now! How can you resist giving us your take on current events?

6/09/2006 07:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh well, it was a good try. But they just won't "rule out" permanent bases (just like they won't "rule out" military strikes against Iran) Hope this link works.

www.truthout.org/docs_2006/061006C.shtml

6/11/2006 12:58:00 AM  
Blogger Riot Starter said...

New project, eh?
Project: Pandemonium :D
Or was it project mayhem ;)
Kidding :P

6/13/2006 10:25:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry - It has been overturned :(

http://okcitykid.bravejournal.com/entry/21777

6/15/2006 05:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have anything to say about 2,500 American Heroes giving their lives to give a chance for the first ARAB DEMOCRACY in the Middle East to succeed?

Any thoughts on the death of al-Zarqawi who sawed the heads of Iraqis and Americans?

Any thoughts on Iraq's new National Unity Govoernment coming together?

Any thoughts on the make up of Iraq's unity government having a Christian, 4 women, 8 Sunni Arabs, and 8 Kurds as members of Iraq's national unity government's Cabinet?

Any thoiughts on the capture of zaraqawi intellgence that has allowed Iraq and U.S. Forces to kill 104 insurgents and capturing 800 in the last 48 ours?

Any thoughts that Iraqi Security Forces conducted half of these missions as Iraqi only forces that were not accomponied by U.S. Forces?

Any thoughts on the number of provinences that have now been turned over to the Iraqi Army to patrol and secure, which were trained by American Heroes?

Did I ask if you had any thoughts on 2,500 American Heroes giving their lives to LIBERATE Iraq?

Do you miss Saddam Hussein?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3738368.stm

http://www.sotaliraq.com/prisoners-abuse.html

Do you miss the good old days under Saddam before the "occupation"?
Are you Pro-Saddam Sunni?

6/16/2006 04:12:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is bad stuff...or is this new

Report: Hundreds of WMDs Found in Iraq

6/23/2006 02:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The above is not news. Just more media hype by the Republicans to try to fool the American people and win points for their illegal wars. (Seems to be working). Just leftover degraded filled and unfilled pre-Gulf war munitions from the Iran/Iraq war {no stockpiles). If you are searching for "stockpiles" of old banned chemical weapons look no further than the good old U.S.A.

United States Seeks Extension for Chemical Weapons Destruction

6/26/2006 09:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those 500 chemical weapons were declared "DESTROYED" by Saddam in 1991.
They weren't.

Saddam Lied People Died.

Iraq's #2 Air Force General also has stated he personally oversaw the smuggling of Chemical Weapons into Syria via 20 planeloads disguised as "humanitarian aid" in 2002, also.

http://www.nysun.com/article/26514

This is a story about the 20 planeloads of Chemical Weapons disguised as "humanitarian aid" General Sada was talking about.
"Humanitarina aid"...now that funny. Saddam said his own people starve because of U.N. Sanctions, but suddenly had enough of "humanitarin aid" to send 20 planeloads to Syria?

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/ACOS-64BRQW?OpenDocument

U.S.'s NSA spy satellite has photos of Iraqi Convoys going into 3 sites in Syria.

Nizar Nayuf, a Syrian Journalist defected and has intelligence on 3 Syrian Sites containing Chemical Weapons.

http://www.2la.org/syria/iraq-wmd.php

10 al-Qaeda terrorists were captured with 20 tons of those Chemical Weapons that contained many chemicals that

only had been created by Iraqi Scientists!

The BBC and CNN both reported on the capture of these al-Qaeda terrorists with the WMDs in 2004:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3635381.stm

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/04/26/jordan.terror/

http://www2.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-04/27/content_326599.htm


Iraq is free U.S. Troops are going to leave.

Iraq is free U.S. Troops are going to leave.

Iraqi control their own destiny.

Iraq Democracy is going to change the face of the Middle East.

It is already happening.

It's happening in Jordan:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/06/jordanians-protest-against-zarqawi-al.html


It's happening in Lebanon:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/135644/thousands_march_against_syria_in_beirut/index.html


http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2005/05/lebanese-rally-for-jailed-christian.html

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/02/lebanon-celebrates-one-year-baath-free.html

It's happening in Bahrain:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2005/05/thousands-rally-in-bahrain.html

It's happening in Iran:
http://www.ncr-iran.org/content/view/1716/69/

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2006/06/iranian-regime-thrashes-womens-rights.html

6/28/2006 12:39:00 AM  
Blogger emigre said...

Hi Khalid, I have word from Jeffrey that he will shut down his blog - finally.

I collected some evidence of his promise and recorded it in a place where hopefully he will eventually get the message.

Let's see if he can keep a promise - not especially expecting mountains of integrity from him though.

6/30/2006 06:08:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT...

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS...

FBI Busts 'Real Deal' Terror Plot Aimed At NYC-NJ Underground Transit Link

7/07/2006 08:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

well what do you think about this


Israeli Jets Strike Hezbollah Targets in Southern Beirut

7/14/2006 08:16:00 PM  
Blogger Rhiannon said...

Palestinian children in Israeli prison
Najib Farag , PNN

(Bethlehem)
Wednesday, 13 September 2006

The Palestinian Prisoner Society, legal and childhood rights institutions, and the international and local Red Cross, are pushing for the immediate release of Palestinian minors from Israeli prisons.

Children in Telmond Prison are in dire psychological and physical straights as reported by the Prisoner Society Wednesday. Israeli forces arrested 11 year old Mohammad Abdullah Mousa Othman and 13 year old Rafiq Mohammad Al Eisha nearly three weeks ago.

The western Ramallah’s Beit Ur At Tahta Village boys have been subject to severe beatings at the hands of Israeli soldiers. Members of the intelligence in charge of interrogating the children have beaten and threatened both and forced them to sign statements.

Prisoner Society lawyer Adal Khalaila met with the boys on 11 September and described their situation as "tragic."

Khalaila said, "The minors have been thrown in with their elders and have no knowledge of the rules of law, and are clearly too young to adapt to prison life."

He described Othman as a "tall, skinny boy in prison contrary to all norms of international law. It is also contrary to Israeli law which does not allow arresting Palestinians under 12 years old."

The lawyer reported that Israeli soldiers arrested the 11 year old from the streets of his village on 25 August under the pretext that he had thrown stones at Israeli forces.

The boy was taken to a mountain high above the town and held there for seven to eight hours. He was handcuffed and blindfolded the entire time. One of the Israeli soldiers put his cigarette out in the boy’s hand. Othman was then taken to a military installation for investigation in the Israeli settlement of Givat Ze’ev west of Ramallah in the West Bank. He was interrogated into the morning hours of the second day.

Khalaila stated that due to the boy’s young age and lack of maturity or knowledge of how to handle the torturous investigations that most Palestinian males undergo at some point in their lives, he signed the investigators’ report without knowing the content. "He was under threat and intimidation, beatings and insults."

None of the child’s family members have been allowed to visit him and it remains unknown when or if he will be released. The Israeli military court has held three hearings for the boy since his arrest.

The second minor that the Palestinian Prisoner Society focused on in today’s report is 13 year old Rafiq Mohammad Al Aisha. Israeli soldiers took him in the same manner as the 11 year old: from the streets of Beit Ur At Tahta Village, west of Ramallah, accusing him of throwing stones at Israeli forces.

Khalaila sat with Al Aisha as he reported what has happened to him. Israeli soldiers and interrogators have repeatedly punched the 13 year old in the face and kicked him in the legs and backside. The boy said that he was not throwing stones, denying the charge against him. He was forced under threat to sign a statement of unknown content.

The Prisoner Society attorney reported that both children are experiencing difficulty speaking and expressing themselves, and in understanding what is being said to them. Khalaila concluded reporting the sworn statements by saying that the boys are not pronouncing words clearly.

The Israeli authorities have arrested over 5,000 Palestinian minors since the beginning of the Al Aqsa Intifada in September 2000. Still in Israeli prisons are 350 Palestinians aged 11 through 17 years.

9/17/2006 11:40:00 PM  

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