DE-FUND THE WAR

We are in a crisis, or probably more true, the crisis in this country continues. If you've never written or made a phone call to a legislator; the time is now. If you won't do it for me, or for Ken, do it for your children and their children. But just do it!

If you don't know how to find contact information; here ya go. http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ Enter your zipcode and you are almost done!

On Wednesday evening, President Bush will be discussing his plans for a new strategy for victory in Iraq. He will announce that he will increase the troop level by 20,000 in Iraq, most likely in the Baghdad area. The problem is, these aren't new troops, these are troops that will be extended, stop-lossed, deployed for the 2nd, 3rd or 4th time. You cannot expect them to fight in open combat with no clear mission and no hope. This is abuse of the military and the troops, plain and simple.

If you don't believe me, check out this group who boasts Newt Gingrich, Lynn Cheney and Richard Perle on their staff of scholars. I don't want to give these guys anymore publicity than they already have, but these guys are scary, as in PNAC scary. Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq I don't know if I should throw up or throw myself off a bridge. Their plan? The only "surge" option that makes sense is both long and large.

Crank up the computer, we have no time to waste. Let your legislators know that they might not have run their election on this war, but they won on this war. It is time for action and time to stand up to this president. It is time to end the war and time bring the troops home NOW!

Here is my letter- I even included a photo of Ken in case they think we'll let them forget the faces of our children who were killed in Bush's war.


DE-FUND THE WAR
I am writing to you about George Bush’s plans for a new strategy in Iraq that will be announced this week. This so called “surge” is just another buzzword in this administration’s arsenal of rhetoric to convince the public the war in Iraq is winnable. If there was every a chance for victory, and I don’t think there was, we have long passed that day. Call it what it is and address it head on. This “surge” is an escalation of the war and will only result in more deaths of Americans and Iraqis.

I am counting on you to listen to the message that was sent to Washington last November, end the U.S. military occupation of Iraq. There is one way for Congress to make this happen: vote against further appropriations that allow the war in Iraq to continue -- de-fund the war.

3014 dead US troops, including my only child, Lt Ken Ballard who was killed in Najaf, May 30, 2004 is 3014 too many- any number more than zero was too many for this war based on lies. You can prevent one more family from answering the knock on the door only to have their heart ripped open and to trade their loved one for a folded flag.

You cannot simultaneously oppose and fund this war. There are ample funds already appropriated to bring our troops home quickly and safely, with the armor, protective equipment, supplies, vehicles, ammunition, food and water they will need during redeployment. Where you put the money will determine the real answer to the question- do you support the war or do you support the troops?

Every day you neglect to end this war you are also condemning 3 US troops to death. My son and the 3000+ other troops whose lives were sacrificed by George Bush will be best honored by a nation and a Congress with the courage to end this war.

I urge you to have the same courage that my son and his fellow troops exhibited when their Commander in Chief gave orders to invade Iraq. You must have the courage to stand up to that same Commander in Chief and say NO escalation, NO more troops, NO more funding for this hideous war.

Karen Meredith
Proud Gold Star Mom of Lt Ken Ballard- KIA 5.30.04