Lynn C. Woolsey: “I rise to register my continued sadness and frustration with the Nation's Iraq policy. As much of Washington now focuses…”

“I rise to register my continued sadness and frustration with the Nation's Iraq policy. As much of Washington now focuses on a Supreme Court nomination, and as many Americans prepare for August vacations, I hope none of us forget the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and the disastrous decisions that put them in harm's way in the very first place. We are fast approaching 1,800 deaths in Iraq, Mr. Speaker, and for what? Are we any safer from terrorism? The recent attacks in London would seem to indicate that we are not. If the Iraq war has done so much to enhance American Security, why did we have to expand the PATRIOT Act last week and clamp down even further on our civil liberties? The truth is our military presence in Iraq is contributing to the chaos there, not alleviating it. The occupation has sparked more intense feelings of anti-Americanism and breathed new life into the insurgency. A recent government report even voices concerns that terrorists and insurgents are succeeding at infiltrating the Iraqi police force. Like all of my friends in Congress, I believe nothing is more important than supporting our troops, but I believe the best way to support them is to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. Ending the war should be the first step in a complete overhaul in our approach to a national security policy.…”