Generosity Replacing Dominion
At the Anti-War march in Washington D.C. last Saturday, there were at least tens of thousands (the NYT reports well over 100 thousand) of people gathered to speak their collective moral Voice against the new *surge* in Iraq and war in the region (including the anticipated new Iranian incursion).
I gathered with many of these people for a prayer service at a Lutheran Church on Second Street to prepare us for the march. The diversity and quiet dignity of those many many people gathered was eloquent in its respect and sorrow. The interfaith liturgy was also, however, a service of joyful praise to the Living God for God's guidance and presence. The Saturday evening gathering after the march was held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Rabbi Michael Lerner was one of the clergy who met in both the morning and evening, along with Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and Christians.
The appeal to the One Loving God to whom we together gave praise and thanks was, for me, the most moving part of the long day. Truly, it seems to me that all things are possible in the New Covenant of our God. As Rabbi Lerner put it:
“During the subsequent march, I stood at one intersection for about an hour and watched as tens of thousands passed by (it took a full three hours for everyone to get passed that intersection). The amazing creativity, diversity both in racial, class and age terms (yes, finally there was a very large turn out of people in their teens and twenties, not much from the lost generation of people from 30-50, but then plenty of aging boomers and grannies for peace, vets and even active duty military people, parents of children in the military, people in wheelchairs, and many others). And at various times I just broke down cried for joy to experience the life energy and love energy flowing through that crowd, the goodness of the universe, the God of the universe manifested in human form, however temporary—it was a deep religious experience for any who would open their hearts to it.”
The next major effort will be: MARCH 17th. There are local organizers in all regions.
For Michael Lerner’s Network for Spiritual Progressives go to:
http://www.tikkun.org/
For the United for Peace and Justice url :
www.unitedforpeace.org.
For progressive news go to:
http://www.commondreams.org/
For a full report of last Saturday’s march go to:
http://www.democracynow.org/
Hey *ninja*; I like this
Hey *ninja*; I like this particular sentiment of Snow's but not his general misanthropy. I, personally, see a long and glorious picture of humanity's coming to God - in fits and starts, sure, but, with Christ, in an inexorable reaching for the light. [Thanks be to God that the present corrupt government administration defines neither the history of God's children nor that of the United States of America, although, I agree that this is a time of deep shame.]
My daughter sent me a video clip recently entitled, "Life in 2070". It's a dysutopian presentation of the near future. Here pasted is my reply to her:~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dearest S
"Send this to ANYONE who sees this file of pessimism.
**********
In my sermons and in my life I concentrate increasingly on a single message:
BE NOT AFRAID; YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU.
I see many images and hear many stories of how terrible life is and is becoming. I see increasing fear in everybody's faces and I see confusion and despair. And I say this to all the children of God (who is EVERYBODY and not confined to any faith or denomination):
BE NOT AFRAID; YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU.
Your fear is being manufactured. Do not comply with that which is of genuinely malicious intent. This world is compromised by those who gain by our collective fear and confusion; but, in fact, and ultimately, this world is God's own Creation, and if you look around you (beyond the violence of video games and the pessimism of the news and fear-mongering of those who would "save us from ourselves" ...!) you will see that this is a world of incredible abundance.
Do not be tricked into living a life based on scarcity and fear!
God's abundance is given in the beauty of the earth, and in the multitude of human possibility, and, most importantly, in the amazing and wonderful relationships that join the hearts of us all in ways that are truly and consistently beautiful. We COOPERATE in God's own love and abundant mercy by sharing in the creation of these gifts. This is what is meant by the Christian message of the "Good News": God is with us; God is very close. We are not alone and we are not in peril. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.
Of course, we need to be better stewards of the earth and of each other. Of course, the wars that threaten us and the poverty that moves our sorrow are real. But in the midst of all this, we are the ones who are called upon not only to ACT to address these evils but AT THE SAME TIME to proclaim the Good News of the unalterable Love of God that can never be overcome by evil or vanquished by fear.
Do NOT Be Afraid.
In this very holy and penitential season of the Christian Advent we await both the coming of Christ in glory as we await the celebration of the miracle of God-among-us in the birth of Jesus the Christ. There really is only one source of sin and that is the fear created in our hearts by deceit. We are told in scripture that evil is deceitful and cowardly. Don't be tricked by those who create a climate of fear by deception and hide behind the misery they create like cowards sneering at the disillusioned. DON'T believe that the world is lost. NOTHING is ver lost with/in God.
Here's my scenario for the year 2070:
* that in 63 years from now my own children and all the Children of God will have understood the genuine value of life and in that knowledge will have created a world in which people live to be many many years;
* that the earth will be replenished and the water will run clear and the bounty of grain will be great enough to feed everyone and that this will be done because the will of a person can move mountains when it knows the Truth;
* that new ways of communicating and moving hearts will be as common as music and the obsolete machines of contemporary communication will seem like flint tools compared to the soft, organic material of the new world's technology;
* that everyone will praise the Creator of Life each in her own voice and with her own tongue and rites without any censure or small-minded exclusion understanding that God speaks in many voices and is always greater than we can imagine in the cope of God's own Person.
This will be the dawning of the GREAT SABBATH; every tear will be wiped away and every fear will be calmed and we will live in the true abundance of our share of God's own love and well-being.
BE NOT AFRAID; YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU.
"And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)
*****
All God's peace and much love,
Mom"
~~~~~~~~~~
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Your positive attitude is
Your positive attitude is inspiring, necessary and bracing. Equally necessary is action that enables restoration and positive outcomes. I received in the mail today a "Climate Change Guide" put together by John Conner of the GRASSROOTS COALITION. It's the best personal aid toward "Environmental and Economic Justice" I've seen yet. The Grassroots Coalition address is HCR 83, Box 881, Shade Gap, PA 17255 Phone 814 259 3372 email: grassroots1@pa.net
Elaine, you are way to cool.
Elaine, you are way to cool. I too know there are big changes coming. It breaks my heart to think my own Church will be left in the dust because it is leaving too many of us outside the door.
We'll bring our church with
We'll bring our church with us Col. We'll bring it with us. Kicking and screaming but unable to withstand the Truth of God's Love.
:-)
Elaine as my friend Col says, "Way to Cool" "To Cool for the Fridge" ;-)
The more we discover how much we are Loved by God, the more we want to do God's Will
At the rate you're
At the rate you're attracting your children's and granchildren's generation, all the hauling will be left to graduates of the TTC, L___ help us!.
from the underdesk of Gone Tomorrow.
"TTC"???: *
"TTC"???:
* Too,Too,Cool(ites)?
* Trans-Topical Creators?
* Tippy Truth Copiers?
* Tidy Teeny Crop-dusters?
* Totally Translucent Causation(ers)?
Wait ... wait ... I know:
* Tasty Tidbit Covenants
Yay!!!
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Elaine, ht's reference is
Elaine, ht's reference is actually quite funny. I followed his link and TTC stands for Tempter's Training College from CS Lewis's Screwtape letters. Wow, it's been so long since I read CS Lewis, the analogy was too much for my old brain.
ht, I once read an interview with JRR Tolkein who was a member of a literary group with CS Lewis. Lewis told Tolkein that the Lord of the Rings was a pedantic overdone analogy with too much linguistics and would never sell.
Obviously, Lewis was an astute literary critic and an even better prophet. Last I checked Lord of the Rings was considered to be one of the best literary works of the last century, and I think it did pretty well at the box office too. I believe Narnia rode to financial cinema success on it's coattails.
Ah, but Tolkein criticized
Ah, but Tolkein criticized Narnia for its hodge-podge mythology and making overuse of analogy. If Lewis told Tolkein that he found the LotR to be an analogy, it may have been an inside joke. Tolkein had a strong dislike of anaolgy, at least as far as fiction was concerned, while Lewis reveled in it.
Lewis is right about it being pedantic, as much as I love Tolkein, he is definately hard to read.
JRR actually called Lewis's
JRR actually called Lewis's work nothing but religious allegory, the worst kind of analogy. It would have been fun to be in that group. Personally, I liked them both. Where would JK Rowlings be without them?
Col, That wasn't nice! HT
Col,
That wasn't nice! HT was just waiting for someone to ask so he could show how clever he is and you stole his thunder. Shame, shame!
H.T. Stop trolling!
Bob, ht was the nice one.
Bob, ht was the nice one. In his post the letters TTC are a link to a Screwtapes site. I didn't catch this at first because it's hard to tell they are actually blue. Following the link brought back some good memories for me. Thanks ht.
thanks *col*. I bet the TTC
thanks *col*. I bet the TTC would include ALL of the acronyms above in their syllabus! ;-}
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Hello Dr McCoy, I too like
Hello Dr McCoy,
I too like the sentiments Snow is attempting to convey in that quote of his, however I am at a loss to understand your assertion that it reflects a dislike (I use this word in preference to 'misanthropy' as I do not like the meaning it conveys)for humanity. Perhaps you may care to explain your view for using such a strong word as misanthropy.
That aside, your response to your daughter's video clip 'Life in 2070' reiterates my own philosophy - one I have held for nearly 20 years following a soul searching episode in my professional and personal life when by unusual coincidence I stumbled across an inspiring poem (and later, the book by it's author Canadian Margaret Fishback Powers) titled 'Footprints'.
From that poem I realised then and it has since been imprinted in my psych that Jesus has always held true to his promise that he will inspire and guide me even in my darkest hours. When I see those single footprints in the sand of my life's journey I know that as certainly as night follows day he has carried me through.
I cannot comment on the professional crisis publicly for professional reasons, suffice to mention that my ego nearly cost me my life. My personal crisis involved my eldest daughter- sixteen at the time, leaving home without cause or even an explanation. As an Asian with a proud heritage this was alien to my cultural identity - amounting in my view to a slap in the face. I later discovered that the fallout from my professional crisis had impacted on my family and most of all on the daughter in whom I had high expectations to which she felt she did not measure up.
Whilst all this was occurring I sought the advice of my PP a well respected, sensitive (so I thought at the time) person only to be left very much in the air like a sucidal on the end of a rope. This was my second disasterous experience with a cleric one which finally soured my perception of the RCC institution and its representatives. Sounds unfair I know, but I have since met up with many others in similar situations who relate similar encounters and experiences so I am not Robinson Crusoe.
Whilst I am a firm believer in 'the milk of human kindness' (cannot recall the name of the sociologist who propounds a similar theory) I think that institutions whether religious or secular have a desensitizing influence on its people. The personal stories of two contributors on this DB in the not so recent past reflects my PoV.
Finally, there is quote from a scientist (his name also escapes me for now) who said: no institutionalized religion, not even Christianity is the way to God, only Jesus is the way to God (or words to that effect).
When I look at the world around me I realise that 2000 years of Christianity has not even made a dent in the way we, as ambassadors of Jesus live our comfortable lives. We consume without a thought for the 99% who are left with 1% of the world's wealth at their disposal with which to live.
All this whilst we discuss and analyse to death irrelevant issues about how we pray, the correctness of liturgy, the return of Latin to liturgy, how many times one should genuflect in front of the exposed body of Christ, our dress standards or lack thereof when we attend Mass - the litany goes on ad infinitum.
I thought Jesus said that the Father wanted compassion not worship!
Thank you so much for your thoughts and patience. God go with you on that protest march.
'When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.' -C.P. Snow, scientist and writer(1905-1980)
Ninja
><>
Good morning, *ninja*. Thank
Good morning, *ninja*. Thank you for your story and testimony of faith.
Re: C.P. Snow. I read a lot of his BBC commentary many years ago and was very interested in his investigation (in the 40s?) of the popular sentiment of "religion". As U recall, he takes a (turn-of-the-century) Spiritualism view of all things religious. He is very typical if his English generation's skepticism of what they thought of as a turn away from reason, and especially, the rebuttal to science that had so enlivened late nineteenth century "progress". Unlike Russell, Snow is a much more likeable scientific mind, in my opinion. But I think of him as a misanthrope because of his ultimately Gnostic (no surprise there) assumption that "human failing" in "bred-in-the-bone" as a result of what he thinks is historical evidence. Snow’s, and most of the turn-of-the-twentieth century "realists" view of history is, in my view, short-sighted and as much a symptom of their own déclassément as an "objective view" of history.
All that being said, Snow's writing is fascinating and even erudite.
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Hello Dr McCoy, Greetings
Hello Dr McCoy,
Greetings and Salutations to you as well. I do hope your day streams with the good Lord's Sunshine.
Thank you for that enlightning analysis of Snow - my only background knowledge about him came from writings I read during my college years.
I am so glad I have stumbled on this site - it appears that the more I venture into this space the more I learn from other perspectives.
Enjoy your day.
'When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.' -C.P. Snow, scientist and writer(1905-1980)
Ninja
><>
Thanks, Dr. McCoy I am part
Thanks, Dr. McCoy
I am part of a group that volunteers at our local jail to run a service every Sunday.
It seems that our message is always the same. "Do Not Be Afraid", "God Is Always With You", "God never Gives Up On You", "We Are All God's Children".
We volunteers know how our hearts have been changed as we began to believe even more deeply in what we were saying as we saw its power on the inmates.
*coolmom*, I too serve women
*coolmom*, I too serve women in prison. They, like your companions, strengthen my faith and deepen my sure confidence in God's care for us all.
Bless you in your work!
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Is this a for real bill,
Is this a for real bill, written by Senators and Representatives, or more probably their employees? I'm having trouble putting together the introductory material for this thread and the first post.
I'm concerned that the people who know the most about Iraq and the situation there are not being consulted in writing bills like this. We have made a very bad situation a whole lot worse in this country. Or perhaps I should say it seems that way, watching the news coverage. I suppose there may be parts of the country that are doing better. But I fully expect, as soon as we move out, the country will explode into civil war. Should we try to prevent this? I confess I don't know.
Kate
Kate, I recommend reading
Kate, I recommend reading the Bill in its entirety, which contains the names of the Bill's sponsors. Yes, this is a real Bill. The Bill addresses your concerns, and mine, regarding the departure of US military troops. The *fact finding* used in preparation for this Bill suggests that a very large number of people 'who know the most about Iraq and the situation there' have been consulted.
For another source of information, I suggest that you go to:
http://www.brook.edu/
for the Brookings Institution's latest analysis on the region. If you are aware of the Brookings Institution, you will know that it is a relatively conservative *think tank* of well known academic and policy advisers.
I especially suggest that you read the article by Kenneth Pollack and Daniel Byman, "IN FOCUS: Things Fall Apart: Containing the Spillover from an Iraqi Civil War" who propose a different set of policy options that the United States could employ to try to contain the "spillover" effects of the conflict.
But the best thing is to READ the Bill for yourself! In my view, the reason this country has become so entrenched in a STUPID and ILLEGAL war is that we have deferred our responsibility to 'experts' who 'know the most', when, in fact, these have been revealed to be war profiteers and worse.
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Dr. McCoy: I will read it
Dr. McCoy:
I will read it when my printer is working. I have to limit the amount of time I spend on the computer.
Kate
US HR 508 [Selections: THIS
US HR 508
[Selections: THIS IS A HEAVILY EDITED VERSION OF THE ORIGINAL DRAFT BILL. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THESESELECTIONS ARE GIVEN HERE TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE BILL’S INTENTIONS. NO LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN CHANGED IN THE EDITED SELECTIONS BELOW; THESE SELECTIONS ARE FULLY EXCERPTED.]
110th U.S. Congress (2007-2008)
1st Session
H. R. 508
To require United States military disengagement from Iraq, to provide United States assistance for reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 17, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~
A BILL
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS [edited].
TITLE I--UNITED STATES MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT FROM IRAQ
TITLE II--UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION IN IRAQ
TITLE III--GUARANTEED HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OTHER CONFLICTS
TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ORIGINS AND CONDUCT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
~~~~~~~~~~
TITLE I--UNITED STATES MILITARY DISENGAGEMENT FROM IRAQ
SEC. 101. FINDINGS. (FULL TEXT IN THIS SECTION)
Congress finds the following:
(1) The brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces continue to serve with distinction in Iraq and have earned the respect and gratitude of the American people.
(2) On May 1, 2003, under a banner displaying the words `Mission Accomplished,' President George W. Bush stated: `Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.'. At that point, the occupation of Iraq began.
(3) The civilian leadership at the Department of Defense has failed to adequately support United States Armed Forces in Iraq, which were not trained to carry out an occupation and did not receive the proper equipment to achieve their stated mission.
(4) The occupation of Iraq has made the United States economically and militarily weaker, has made the United States less safe because it has enhanced the recruitment of terrorists, and has diminished America's prestige and influence in the world.
(5) Iraq is embroiled in a civil war characterized by daily occurrences of retaliation and revenge, fueled by the occupation of Iraq by United States Armed Forces. The civil war in Iraq was predicted by United States military commanders before the 2003 occupation of Iraq.
(6) The United States has pursued military action rather than diplomatic alternatives in Iraq, and has reduced reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
(7) On May 13, 2003, the President stated, `We will stay as long as necessary to make sure that the Iraqi people have a government of, by and for the Iraqi people. And then we'll come home.'.
(8) On December 15, 2005, the Iraqi people participated in elections to directly elect a full-term government. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other high-ranking Iraqi Government officials, as well as leaders from the Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdish communities in Iraq, have since called for a timetable for the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq.
(9) Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has stated that Iraqi political leaders must bring security and stability to Iraq.
(10) During the summer of 2006, General George Casey, the top United States military commander in Iraq, proposed a plan for the deployment from Iraq of a substantial portion of United States Armed Forces and briefed the President accordingly.
(11) United States military commanders in Iraq have repeatedly stated that there is no military solution to the turmoil in Iraq.
(12) In the United States elections held on November 7, 2006, the American people clearly voted for a change in United States policy in Iraq and in favor of United States military disengagement from Iraq.
SEC. 102. STATEMENT OF POLICY. (FULL TEXT IN THIS SECTION)
Congress declares that it is the policy of the United States--
(1) to end the occupation of Iraq on the basis of the findings specified in section 101;
(2) to accelerate the training and equipping of the military and security forces of the Government of Iraq;
(3) to pursue security and stability in Iraq through diplomacy;
(4) to help preserve the territorial integrity of Iraq as a nation state;
(5) to take all appropriate measures to account for any missing members of the United States Armed Forces or United States citizens in Iraq; and
(6) to turn over all internal security activities and military operations in Iraq to the elected Government of Iraq not later than the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 103. REPEAL OF PUBLIC LAW 107-243.
The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) is hereby repealed.
**********[HEAVY EDITING BEGINS HERE]**********
SEC. 104. DISENGAGEMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND CONTRACTOR SECURITY FORCES FROM IRAQ.
(a) Withdrawal of Armed Forces- Not later than the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, all United States Armed Forces serving in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom shall be withdrawn from Iraq and returned to the United States or redeployed outside of the Middle East. It is the policy of Congress that this withdrawal shall commence as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act to ensure completion of the withdrawal by the end of such six-month period.
(b) Withdrawal of Contractor Security Forces- Not later than the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, all security forces under contract or subcontract with the United States Government and working in Iraq shall be withdrawn from Iraq. The contract or subcontract providing for the use of such security forces shall be terminated as soon as practicable after the forces are withdrawn.
(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds To Continue Deployment of Armed Forces in Iraq-…
SEC. 105. PROHIBITION ON PERMANENT UNITED STATES MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN IRAQ.
…
SEC. 106. PROVISION OF IRAQI POLICE AND HOME GUARDS TRAINING.
…
SEC. 107. DEPLOYMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STABILIZATION FORCE TO IRAQ.
…
(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the deployment of the international stabilization force to Iraq described in subsection (a) should commence not later than the end of the six-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and terminate not later than the end of the two-year period beginning on the date of commencement of such deployment.
SEC. 108. LIMITATION ON TOTAL NUMBER OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL AT UNITED STATES EMBASSY IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ.
(a) Limitation- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the total number of officers and employees of the United States Government assigned to the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, may not exceed 500 individuals.
(b) Effective Date- Subsection (a) shall take effect beginning six months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 109. PROHIBITION ON PRODUCTION SHARING AGREEMENTS FOR IRAQI PETROLEUM RESOURCES.
(a) Prohibition- On or after the date of the enactment of this Act, no department, agency, or other entity of the Government of the United States and no national of the United States may enter into a contract for the development, production, or marketing of petroleum resources in Iraq.
…
TITLE II--UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND RECONCILIATION IN IRAQ
Subtitle A--Bilateral Assistance
SEC. 201. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITIES RELATING TO THE SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION.
…
SEC. 202. STUDY AND REPORT ON DAMAGE TO IRAQI CIVIL SOCIETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Study- The President of the United States, acting through the heads of the relevant departments and agencies of the Government of the United States and in consultation with the Government of Iraq, is authorized to conduct a study on the damage to Iraqi civil society and infrastructure as a result of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
(b) Report- The President shall transmit to Congress a report that contains the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out this section $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 203. ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH AN IRAQI RECONSTRUCTION CORPS.
…
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out this section $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
SEC. 204. ASSISTANCE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF LAND MINES AND RELATED ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ.
(a) Assistance- The President of the United States is authorized to provide assistance for the destruction of land mines, unexploded ordnance, and clean-up of depleted uranium in artillery shells and related targets in Iraq.
…
SEC. 205. ASSISTANCE TO DISMANTLE AND DISPOSE OF FORTIFICATIONS AND OTHER REMNANTS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.
(a) Assistance- The President of the United States is authorized to provide assistance to the Government of Iraq to dismantle and dispose of fortifications, including concrete walls, and other remnants of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
…
SEC. 206. ASSISTANCE TO RECOVER ANCIENT RELICS AND TO RESTORE ARCHEOLOGICAL, CULTURAL, AND HISTORICAL SITES IN IRAQ.
(a) Assistance- The President of the United States is authorized to provide assistance to recover ancient relics and to restore archeological, cultural, and historical sites of international significance and importance in Iraq.
(b) Grant Requirement- To the maximum extent practicable, assistance under this section shall be provided in the form of grants to a consortium that includes the Iraqi Museum of Antiquities, the Smithsonian Institution, the World Monuments Fund, and the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.
…
SEC. 207. COMPENSATION FOR IRAQI NONCOMBATANT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES.
(a) Determination and Certification of Claims-
…
(d) Notice and Hearings- The Secretary of State shall take the necessary steps to ensure that the people of Iraq have adequate notice of the process for making a claim under this section. The Commission may conduct hearings at places in Iraq in order to facilitate the claims process under this section. The Commission shall consult with appropriate representatives of Iraqi citizens in determining claims under this section.
…
SEC. 208. ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISH AN IRAQI INSTITUTE OF PEACE.
(a) Assistance- The President of the United States is authorized to provide assistance to the Government of Iraq to establish an independent, nonprofit Iraqi institute of peace to serve the people and Government of Iraq. To the maximum extent practicable, the Iraqi institute of peace should provide the widest possible range of education and training, basic and applied research opportunities, and peace information services on the means to promote domestic tranquility and international peace and the resolution of conflicts without recourse to violence.
…
Subtitle B--Multilateral Assistance
SEC. 211. INTERNATIONAL FUND TO REDEVELOP CIVIC INSTITUTIONS IN IRAQ.
(a) International Fund- The President of the United States is authorized to seek to establish an international fund to redevelop civic institutions in Iraq and to make United States contributions to the international fund.
…
SEC. 212. INTERNATIONAL FUND TO RECONSTITUTE THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN IRAQ.
(a) International Fund- The President of the United States is authorized to seek to establish an international fund to reconstitute the public health system in Iraq and to make United States contributions to the international fund. To the maximum extent practicable, the international fund should be supervised and administered jointly by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Program, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
(b) Sense of Congress- It is the sense of Congress that the international fund described in subsection (a) should provide for the rebuilding of hospitals and clinics in Iraq and the purchase of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment and services for hospitals and clinics in Iraq.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out this section $1,700,000,000 for fiscal year 2008.
TITLE III--GUARANTEED HEALTH CARE FOR VETERANS OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OTHER CONFLICTS
SEC. 301. ASSURANCE OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR VETERANS HEALTH CARE.
(a) In General- Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`Sec. 321. Assured funding for veterans health care
`(a) Availability of Funds- For each fiscal year, the Secretary of the Treasury shall make available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the amount determined under subsection (b) with respect to that fiscal year. Each such amount is available, without fiscal year limitation, for the programs, functions, and activities of the Veterans Health Administration, as specified in subsection (c).
**********[THESE SECTIONS ARE IMPORTANT; GO TO THE ORIGINAL BILL FOR FULL TEXT]**********
TITLE IV--ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE ORIGINS AND CONDUCT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
SEC. 401. ESTABLISHMENT OF JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE.
There is hereby established in the Congress the Joint Select Committee to Review the Origins and Conduct of Operation Iraqi Freedom (hereafter in this title referred to as the `Joint Select Committee').
SEC. 402. DUTIES.
(a) In General- The Joint Select Committee shall have authority--
…
(b) Reports-
…
SEC. 403. MEMBERSHIP.
(a) Composition and Appointment-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Joint Select Committee shall be composed of 18 Members of the House of Representatives and Senate, of whom--
(A) 9 shall be Members of the House of Representatives and shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives in consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and
(B) 9 shall be Members of the Senate and shall be appointed by the Majority Leader of the Senate in consultation with the Minority Leader of the Senate.
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SEC. 404. POWERS. [FULL TEXT IN THIS SECTION]
(a) Hearings and Other Activities- For the purpose of carrying out its duties, during the present Congress the Joint Select Committee may hold such hearings and undertake such other activities as the Joint Select Committee determines to be necessary to carry out its duties, whether the Congress is in session, has recessed, or has adjourned.
(b) Obtaining Information-
(1) AUTHORITY TO USE SUBPOENAS- The Joint Select Committee may require by subpoena the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents, as it considers appropriate.
(2) PROCEDURES- Subpoenas may be issued over the signature of the chair of the Joint Select Committee or of any member designated by the chair or by the Joint Select Committee to the extent the chairman or such member is authorized by a majority of the joint committee to issue such subpoenas, and may be served by any person designated by such chairman or member.
(c) Access to Legislative Branch Services- The Joint Select Committee shall have access to the services of the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in the same manner and under the same terms and conditions as any standing committee of the House of Representatives or Senate.
SEC. 405. STAFF.
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SEC. 406. FUNDING.
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SEC. 407. TERMINATION.
(a) Termination Date- The Joint Select Committee shall terminate not later than 15 days after submitting the final report and recommendations required under section 402(b)(2).
(b) Transfer of Records- Upon termination of the Joint Select Committee, the records of the Joint Select Committee shall be transferred jointly to, and held jointly by, the Clerk of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate.
The Rev. Dr. E. McCoy
"So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" (2Cor 5)
Hi Dr McCoy et al, I am
Hi Dr McCoy et al,
I am reading a book by James Risen titled 'State of War' Free Press 2006.
It paints a damning picture of The Bush(Jnr) Administration, the strategies and behind closed door manipulations it has engaged in to justify the current war in Iraq.
As a non American, I can only accept on face value what Risen has written given the absence of refuting evidence.
What I can state is that if the claims have a factual basis then it does not bode well for the ideals of democracy which the US champions with such gusto and wants the Iraqi leadership and nation to follow.
I also see in it an arrogant disregard for Moral behaviour from a so called Christian nation whose HoS ends his speeches with 'God bless America'.
One more example of preach one thing practice another?
'When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.' -C.P. Snow, scientist and writer(1905-1980)
Ninja
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