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May 01, 2008

Tom Allen on Iraq

Democratic challenger for Collins seat contrasts his position with hers


I want to be clear that I certainly will vote for Tom Allen in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary on June 10, despite a sincere challenge from Tom Ledue.

I recognize in these talking points that Tom is vastly better than Susan Collins, and that is why I can support him now and in the general election too. Tom is also an old friend from the days he was mayor of Portland and I was Chair of the Democratic City Committee. I know that electing Tom Allen will be a huge improvement for Maine in the U.S. Senate.

Still, I see reasons for concern and problems with his statement on Iraq. The worst single phrase he uses is "force the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own country." This hardly "contrasts" with the policy promoted recently by Senator Collins.

In fact, it has been U.S. policy over the last three decades to deny Iraqis the ability to run their own country and make their own history. The root of the insurgency is within this denial. Tom should listen to Iraqi-born Sinan Antoon on this, who spoke in Maine last month. (Listen HERE.) What Tom is doing here may be politically apt, or it may not. Personally, I believe that the Maine public is ready for a much stronger, more honest examination of how and why the U.S. is in Iraq, and an equally strong position in favor of complete withdrawal at the earliest possible time. Note: The Bangor Six were not guilty.

I don't see "complete" withdrawal in Tom's talking points, and I am distrustful of the legislation prohibiting "permanent" bases. The prohibition on permanent bases has been unworkable. It doesn't prohibit "enduring" bases and construction of the massive U.S. embassy-palace, for which Congress has continued to provide practically unlimited funds.

So while I will continue to support Tom, I do not think his election necessarily will be itself a solution in Iraq. Public pressure must focus on a timetable for complete withdrawal. Then maybe could begin the generations-long process (listen to Sinan Antoon) of healing Iraq after a decade of American support for its former dictator, more than a decade of Democratic-administration-approved sanctions & bombing, followed by the devastating Bush invasion, conquest, occupation, looting, and sacking.

Posted by The Owl at 12:12. Filed under: Politics

Comments

Eric!!! "I know that electing Tom Allen will be a huge improvement for Maine in the U.S. Senate." A huge improvement???? Huge? Except for ONE vote he was supported the war, insulted the members of Military Families Speak Out whose sons and daughters are in Iraq. One of his aides said to us "Well, they chose to volunteer,didn't they?

The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can "throw the rascals out" at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy."

Surely we know by now that whoever holds office is irrelevant to progressive change...

Posted by Rev G on May 01, 2008 at 13:43

Yes, and that one vote is a very big one. It shows he has at least a little courage. Yes, he will respond to movement people like us as if the fear card will be played against him, and it will (witness the Collins negative videos). (I have not heard the MFSO story.) It is especially true if we abuse him in forums, as some of us have done.

And yes, he IS better than Collins, from bankruptcy reform to phone records spying and a hell of a lot in between.

Yet, I have outlined his weaknesses too. So I agree with you in a way that "whoever holds office is irrelevant." And it's our responsibility to address those weaknesses, and we will.

I think it's extremely healthy for Tom Ledue and Laurie Dobson to be running and running hard, in order to underscore that point, that we are not 100% happy with anyone in Congress.

But consider that Collins will be extremely difficult to beat, even without left-side challenges to Tom Allen. The biggest task in the election is to get Collins out, to make that clear statement. After that, the work hardly will be over.

Posted by The Owl on May 01, 2008 at 14:32

After that, the work hardly will be over.
Ayuh....that's the truth. Thanks for all the good stuff you do. This site and the videos are great....Just saw our most recent video on Youtube...Aol...G

Posted by Rev G on May 02, 2008 at 15:32
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