Tonight the president announced his plan to escalate the conflict in Iraq by sending additional U.S. troops. His plan flies in the face of advice offered by prominent U.S . military leaders and has the clear potential of worsening the humanitarian crisis that has exploded since the initial U.S. invasion. Religious leaders have called for the withdrawal of U.S. troops linked with benchmarks for rebuilding Iraqi society and I reaffirm my support for that position. Like Christians across the world – from the Vatican to the World Council of Churches – I remained convinced that the president's policies have created a deep moral crisis and that escalation of the war will create further chaos. Furthermore, I endorse calls in Congress to withhold funding from the administration that would be used to pay for additional troops in Iraq. The Prince of Peace calls on us to reject war and to seek justice and we have not done enough to answer that call.

Link: Listen to my 9/10/06 sermon dealing with Iraq

Update

Action Alert from the United Church of Christ Justice & Witness Ministries

On Wednesday, January 10, President Bush outlined his new strategy for the war in Iraq.  The strategy includes a proposed escalation in U.S. troop levels in Iraq, up to 20,000 additional troops, to serve for an unspecified length of time.  The President is also expected to recommend increased spending for economic development in Iraq as part of a job development program.

Many voices from across the political spectrum are expressing opposition to the troop escalation as an answer to the growing sectarian division in Iraq.  As people of faith, and members of a Just Peace church, it is critical to add our voices to the call to oppose a troop increase in Iraq.

In the House and Senate, bipartisan efforts are underway to oppose the President’s proposed strategy for Iraq.  They reflect the assessment of a number of current and retired military generals who have stated that an increase in U.S. troops, particularly absent other initiatives, would be counterproductive.

Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) has proposed legislation to block troop escalation in Iraq without congressional debate and approval.  Sen. Kennedy cited the fact that the case for war upon which the Congress authorized the President’s action in 2003 does not reflect what is now known to be true:  there were no weapons of mass destruction stockpiled in Iraq, and alleged ties between Iraq and al Qaeda have not been discovered.

The President’s proposed troop increase dismisses the message from the majority of American voters in the November 2006 elections, calling for a change of direction in Iraq.  Escalating U.S. military involvement in Iraq will not bring peace and stability to that conflict-torn country.  Greater emphasis must be placed on renewed diplomatic initiatives and stronger efforts to rebuild the country’s economic and social infrastructure.

To date, over 3,000 U.S. soldiers have died in the Iraq War, tens of thousands have come home severely wounded and traumatized, families have been shattered.  Untold numbers of Iraqis have died or have been wounded in the fighting, and they remain caught in the grip of terror, violence and economic desperation.

We need a better strategy in Iraq.  An escalation of  troops is not the answer.  Contact your members of Congress and urge them to oppose the President’s troop surge plan.  To send a fax or e-mail message to your members of Congress click www.UCCTakeAction.org/nomoretroops .