As a fairly progressive Democrat who has stood against the Iraq War since its beginning, I have to say I am not happy with what my political party is doing in the House. I suppose it is nice to have a debate over the Iraq War but the non binding resolution is powerless. It will do nothing to stop the war. People will continue to die today as the Democrats pretend they are handling the situation like we elected them to do.

Although I understand our majority is probably not strong enough to end the war via cutting off funding, I feel there has to be a more productive way for Democrats to go about doing this.

The more I hear about the war, the more unsure I am. Comprehensive benchmarks with consequences for the Iraqi government seems like a reasonable option. A beginning to a redeployment and talks with surrounding nations that we have accused and polarized seems like it could be a start.

Most of the things outlined in the Iraq Study Group report seem like they could be an answer. If the Democrats worked to try to implement all of the measures of the Iraq Study Group report, I would say it could be much more productive than simply saying we disagree and wash our hands of Bush’s policy but won’t try to actually implement an alternative strategy.

The Iraq Study Group report was worked out in good old fashioned bipartisanship. Even though I have not read the full report, from what I have heard of it, it seems like an effective solution by people from various backgrounds and political persuasions coming together to find an answer. Resolution or not, President Bush has already started this troop surge. While it is great to have a debate, the debate does nothing to improve the situation. The American people are strongly opposed to this surge and the Democrats are doing nothing to materialize a true stop to it. Is it political fear? Is it because it is a powerlessly small majority in the Senate? Who knows, but I think they could do better. The debate has to end tonight at midnight, and the congresspeople will go to their upscale apartments in Georgetown or McLean, but as they sleep tonight, the war continues in a far off land. And they are doing nothing to effectively stop it.

Today, comedian and Air America radio host Al Franken announced he would be running for the United States Senate in Minnesota on his website. Wide name recognition will be favorable for him early on, but whether or not he can be taken seriously as a candidate will be another question. However, a video posted on his website (which I posted the link below) seems to show a man sincere in representing the working people of Minnesota. You be the judge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh8LfGIM62M&eurl=