Over the course of the last year, and particularly over the last two weeks, Veterans for Common Sense has come under fire from some in the progressive community for our stance on Iraq: that an exit strategy must be responsible and place and Iraq back in the hands of the Iraqi people. Much as our position questioning the invasion of Iraq drew anger from the right, our position questioning immediate withdrawal has drawn anger from the left.

It is clear that the United States cannot stay in Iraq. Whatever goodwill the Iraqi people may have originally had for the coalition in March and April of 2003 is long since expended, resulting in either hostility or indifference. At the same time, many in Iraq express optimism that their country will succeed in rebuilding and establishing a genuine democracy.

The question then, is how to exit the country in a responsible fashion. What do we mean by a responsible exit? Primarily, that we do so in such a way that minimizes two critical risks: first, of a full-scale sectarian civil war, and second, that the still precarious Iraqi government does not end up overthrown by the radicalized insurgent groups which target civilians in their effort to establish control over the country, such as the organizations responsible for the massive car bomb in Hilla last month which killed 134 civilians and wounded another 125.

Black and white thinking won't get us there. Some have suggested that if we don't support immediate withdrawal, we must be in support of continued occupation and the Bush administration's plan in Iraq. This is not true. Rather, we believe that the best way to accomplish these goals it a staged withdrawal over a period of time; minimizing military operations and dramatically increasing support for democratic institutions, the courts, civil society and infrastructure in Iraq.

There are no good options in Iraq. To continue our current policy of occupation and attempting to dominate the future of the country presents Iraq, the region, and ultimately the United States with a disaster. An immediate withdrawal places the Iraqi majority at the hands of violent, radical insurgents. We believe the only answer to end the fighting and bring our troops home is a middle path which will give the Iraqi people an opportunity to finally have a decent life.

VCS staff and advisors are in the process of writing a detailed paper which will lay out some of the key risks in Iraq, projections for what might happen in the future, and recommendations for the United States, the U.N., and the Iraqi government, for how to thread the dangerous path ahead. We hope you will continue to participate in this discussion which impacts all Americans and Iraqis, and particularly offer your ideas for how best to accomplish a responsible withdrawal from Iraq.

To comment, visit http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/?page=Weblog

VCS Speaking Tour

VCS executive director Charles Sheehan-Miles will be conducting a speaking tour in communities around the country for the spring and fall of 2005, to talk about the Iraq War, how to support the troops, and VCS's vision of a national security policy which reflects American values.

Interested in having Charles speak at your church, community group or university? Please email contact@veteransforcommonsense.org

Boston Area Iraq War Veterans

A major Boston area newspaper is doing a story on female Iraq War veterans and would like to profile one who has recently returned home. If you know of a female Iraq War veteran in the Boston area, please contact Kathleen Burge at KBurge@globe.com

VCS Columnist Jason Thelen

Iraq War veteran Jason Thelen writes this week of the implications of the court martial of Captain Rogelio Maynulet.

http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?Page=Article&ID=3036

Help Support Veterans for Common Sense

Take this opportunity to invest in a better future for our country and our world by making a contribution today: http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?&Page=Module&ModuleID=19

Can't make a contribution? There are other ways you can help VCS. Visit our support page to find out more: http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.cfm?&Page=Module&ModuleID=17

Is it Time to Eliminate 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell?'

Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation March 2 to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) law and replace it with a new policy of non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the Armed Forces. H.R. 1069, The Military Readiness Enhancement Act, is supported by a bi-partisan coalition of Congressional representatives, and has 67 co-sponsors.

Announcement of the bill followed the release of a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report analyzing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The report conservatively estimates that the gay ban has cost at least $191 million since its inception in 1993. The report's financial estimate, however, includes only costs associated with recruiting and training enlistees to replace those discharged under the ban. The GAO analysis does not include costs associated with discharging officers or the nearly 800 specialists with critical skills who have been fired because of their sexual orientation. Administrative costs associated with discharges are also not included in the GAO analysis.

According to the GAO, the Pentagon has fired 322 language specialists who "had....skills in a foreign languages that DoD had considered to be especially important." These include 54 Arabic linguists, 50 who speak Korean, and 9 who speak Farsi. Nearly 800 specialists, including intelligence analysts, divers, and combat controllers, were fired despite having "some training in an occupation identified ...as 'critical.'" Since 1993, more than 10,000 service members have been fired under the gay ban.

The legislation was endorsed by 8 retired generals and admirals, three of whom are openly gay:

Brigadier General Evelyn Foote, U.S. Army (General Foote is a member of the VCS Board), Retired Major General Vance Coleman, U.S. Army, Retired Rear Admiral John Hutson, U.S. Navy, Retired Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, U.S. Army, Retired Brigadier General Keith Kerr, CSMR, Retired Brigadier General Virgil Richard, U.S. Army, Retired Major General Charles Staff, U.S. Army Reserve, Retired Rear Admiral Alan Steinman, U.S. Coast Guard, Retired.

Interested in learning more about this issue? Visit http://www.military-education.org/

VCS Summer Internships

• VCS is currently seeking 2-3 interns for summer 2005, to help with research, website maintenance, writing, and many other activities? Know a college student looking for a summer internship? Send resume and writing sample to charles@veteransforcommonsense.org

Show Your Membership and Help Let People Know about VCS

Have you considered a VCS bumper-sticker or sweatshirt? They are inexpensive and help let others know about VCS and our work.

http://www.cafepress.com/vetscommonsense

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