Resolution:

WHEREAS,

   The occupation of Iraq by American forces is jeopardizing the security of the United States, giving aid and comfort to our enemies, sapping our strength, and stripping us of the moral high ground without which our defense is impossible; and

WHEREAS,

  The occupation of Iraq has needlessly killed and maimed thousands of Americans and tens of thousands Iraqis, squandered tens of billions of dollars, and saddled the nation with an enormous debt that will only victimize our children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS,

  The occupation of Iraq has sullied the good name of the United States in the region and around the world, violated our proud tradition of humane treatment of our adversaries, turned allies against us, and isolated us from the protective sympathies of the rest of humankind;   

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,

  That the California Democratic Party calls for an end to the American occupation of Iraq at the earliest possible moment and the complete withdrawal of all American troops and bases, while continuing aid for reconstruction and the repair of war damage as long as it is appropriate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

   That the California Democratic Party calls on the United States Congress to implement this resolution.

Resolution submitted by members of the Ruth Group at the California 6th Assembly District Caucus meeting, Saturday, January 8, 2005 and PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY!

This resolution will compete with others for adoption by the California Democratic Party at the Annual Convention in Los Angeles, April 15-17. 

For more information e-mail Sherry Reson: sherry_reson@yahoo.com

Discussion

            In the discussion and debate that preceded the 6^th A.D.’s endorsement of this resolution by near unanimous vote, several arguments were central to our eventual action:

            1.  We liked that the resolution did not lead by swiping at George Bush or even mentioning his name.  Rather than present our position as yet another partisan act, we preferred to frame the resolution as a belief about how to make the country safe.  First and foremost, we consider the Iraqi occupation to be the spear point of a policy that has endangered America in the name of protection.  We also feel that framing the issue that way provides the most compelling ground from which to reach out to our fellow citizens.

            2.  We made no reference to the process whereby the United States got into this policy even though we all felt very strongly that the country had been deceived and railroaded into assaulting and occupying Iraq.  Almost all the Democrats in the 6^th A.D. have been making that case almost solidly for the last two years.  At this moment in this fresh statement, however, we feel it is important not to simply repeat what will be heard as last year’s issue. 

            3.  While we find all the war’s casualties compelling and included them in the second Whereas, again we feel it’s important not to lead the resolution with them.  If we felt these lives were being spent and broken for a legitimate reason, we would mourn the cost, but many of us would not oppose it.  These deaths, however, are without purpose and doubly shameful as a consequence.  At least for the sake of this resolution, we felt it was appropriate to lead with the issue of that absent rationale as the predicate act for the wasting of those lives.

            4.  We felt it was particularly important to include a forceful statement about the policy of torture that has moved hand in hand with the occupation.  Such behavior epitomizes the diseased core of this policy.  We consider our country’s promulgation of torture a disgrace and a warning sign to all Americans that we are rapidly making ourselves into exactly what we have historically abhorred in others.  We thought no resolution about the occupation would be complete without saying so.

            5.  We opted for the simplest and most generalized Resolved clauses because we felt that tying the resolution to a specific plan for withdrawal or timetable would only limit its usefulness and shelf life.  We also considered it important to make it clear that military occupation and aid for Iraqi reconstruction were separate issues.

            6.  We, like the rest of you, wanted to try and avoid being one more resolution and sounding like it.  We wanted a statement that was compelling, had energy, and captured our sense of urgency.  We thought this wording was particularly strong and clear and that elegance of language was one of its most important assets.  We found it worthy of being read out loud.

            7.  Finally, of course, we felt that a resolution by our party on the occupation of Iraq was called for.  The Democratic Party cannot get trapped into pledging to make a “successâ€