CA Greens: Perata Iraq pullout resolution a scheme to repair
Democrats' image.
Green Party of California
www.cagreens.org
April 06, 2007
Released April 05
Contact: Susan King, spokesperson, 415.823-5524
funking@mindspring.com
Dr. Bob Vizzard, spokesperson, 916.206 8953, thevizz@aol.com
Sara Amir, spokesperson, 310.270-7106 saraamir@earthlink.net
Cres Vellucci, press secretary, 916.996-9170 civillib@cwnet.com
Greens blast Perata Iraq pullout resolution as a 'self-serving' scheme to repair Democrats'
image as party that calls for peace, but funds war
SACRAMENTO -- Legislation to put a measure on next
year's presidential primary ballot calling for the immediate withdrawal of
U.S. troops from Iraq is nothing more than Democrats playing "self-serving"
politics while Americans - including Californians - continue to die, said
members of the Green Party of California today.
Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said Thursday he would introduce a
resolution to immediately begin the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and urge the
president and Congress to provide the diplomatic and non-military assistance to promote peace in
the region.
But Greens said it was way too little, and way too late.
"Last month, Democrats in Congress voted to fully fund the war through late
2008. Now Democrats here are calling for the return of the troops? This
bill is nothing more than a self-serving attempt by the Democratic Party to
repair its image as a party that says it wants peace but votes for war,"
said Jeff Kravitz, a 2006 Green Party congressional candidate (5th CD).
He noted that Perata and other state Democrats would do better spending
their time with the California Democrats in Congress - starting with House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi - who voted for the $124 billion supplemental House
funding bill.
"The death toll in Iraq, for U.S. and Iraqi civilians, continues to climb
and all Democrats can do is claim to be opposed to the war, while funding
it. This resolution would have been a good idea...four years ago. It's way
too late and way too little," added Kravtiz, who pointed out that the Green
Party has been opposed to the war in Iraq, unlike Democrats and Republicans, since it began.
The Democratic Party-controlled Legislature even failed to move legislation
last year that called for a return of the California National Guard from
Iraq. The measure died in committee after languishing for months because
the Democratic Party leadership refused to put it up for a vote. Three
Democrats refused to vote or voted against it in committee. It failed 3-3.