Withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq

Nearly four years ago, President Bush sent our nation's troops into an unnecessary and unjustified invasion of Iraq. President Bush's reasons for invading Iraq have long since been discredited, and our continued presence there exacerbates the sectarian conflicts that have torn Iraq apart since the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.

Last December, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group urged a change of course toward diplomacy. In the words of the ISG, "The United States should embark on a robust diplomatic effort to establish an international support structure intended to stabilize Iraq and ease tensions in other countries in the region."

Despite all this, President Bush not only refuses to change course, he now wants to intensify the Iraq conflict by sending another 21,500 troops into harm's way. How many more American soldiers must die for his mistakes?

In the 2006 election, Americans clearly voted for change by electing

Democratic majorities to both houses of Congress. We must reinforce our call for change by urging our representatives in Congress not only to oppose escalation of the war, but also to begin the process of withdrawing our troops from Iraq and ending the occupation that has tarnished our nation's credibility and moral stature.

Eddie Konczal

Monroe Township