ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Timeline veto incenses grassroots organizations
Megan Krueger/Daily Staff Writer
| |
| |
|
On Tuesday, President Bush vetoed a spending bill which included a timeline for withdrawal from Iraq, and grassroots organizations have rallied to show their displeasure. Protesters with a few national and local networks gathered Wednesday at the Ames Veterans Memorial to give speeches and hold signs out to passing honking cars.
"The American people are demanding something be done to end this war," said Charlie Wishman, organizer for Iowa Citizen Action Network. He said that by vetoing this bill, Bush was disregarding his constituents.
Sue Dinsdale, the mother of an Iraq veteran and resident of Huxley, talked about her experience going to speak to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. She said although they were already going to recommend withdrawal, having spoken with veterans and the families of veterans "gave them the moral authority to do what they needed to do."
"They're standing strong and I hope they continue to," she said of Pelosi and Reid.
She also said she checked the Department of Defense Web site each morning, and on the morning of the rally the official American death count was 3,355.
"It just hurts to see that," Dinsdale said. "Those are human lives, those are the children of other moms and dads."
The crowd of about 20 drew numerous honks and yells, and some people slowed to take pictures.
Hideo Tachibana, Ames resident, attended the event just to see the memorial and had been surprised by the rally. He had his picture taken with several protesters and their signs and expounded upon his time serving in Japan in World War II.
Burkett McInturff, Des Moines resident, likened what happens next to a "showdown" between Congress and the president.
"Now we've got to see what Congress is actually going to do about it," McInturff said.
With the veto happening Tuesday and the rally happening Wednesday, protesters had one day to prepare, alerted by Moveon.org and the Iowa Citizen Action Network, part of the national organization Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.
"It's amazing that so many people will show up with less than 24 hours notice, because they're so outraged," Wishman said.
Terms Of Use
In order to facilitate fair and focused discussion, the Iowa State Daily requires that all participants adhere to the following forum rules. All user feedback will be posted immediately upon submission and will be monitored by the user community. Forum participants are encouraged to report any feedback that does not comply with the rules. Although the Daily reserves the right to remove posts and/or block users if these rules are violated, the staff will not be actively involved in an approval or review process. These terms of use may be modified at any time without notice, and such modifications shall be effective immediately.
All letters to the editor, whether submitted to the online edition or the print edition, and all online story feedback become the property of the Iowa State Daily and may be used in print editions and online editions of the Iowa State Daily. The Daily archives all of its content, which is accessible to readers at any time. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Names may be withheld for good cause upon request at the sole discretion of the Daily. Letters may be edited for style, space, clarity and accuracy.
In submitting feedback, you are representing and agreeing that:
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 11
Justin
posted 5/07/07 @ 11:09 AM CST
Funny how Bush can get away with vetoing a bill that funds his own war. The white house has called this bill an admission of defeat and a "surrender bill". (Continued…)
justinpe
justin
posted 5/07/07 @ 11:13 AM CST
no wonder his approval ratings are only 28%
justin
posted 5/07/07 @ 3:53 PM CST
What? where are all the war supporters?
So much for "supporting the troops"
Justin
posted 5/16/07 @ 10:43 AM CST
Craig-
How do you define success in Iraq?
Do you agree with Bush, who says:
"Either we'll succeed, or we won't succeed, and the definition of success as I described is sectarian violence down. (Continued…)
Post a Comment