Philadelphians to vote on Troop Redeployment in Primary

[Keystone Phil]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/16762663.htm

I think that it is ridiculous that we are voting on this type of stuff especially in a city election.

Our Council voted to put this on the ballot last week. All three Republicans in Council voted against it. This will hurt one my Councilman - the only Republican district councilman in the city - who happens to be in a semi-tough race. Now his opponent can say that my Councilman "supports" the Iraq war.

The wording of these questions is notoriously biased, too. Should we "redeploy U.S. troops out of harm's way in Iraq?"


I'll be part of the roughly 5% to vote against this.

[KEmperor]

This is silly.  Individual cities have no say in foreign policy and military affairs.

[bullmoose88]

Its silly in that the Commander in Chief wouldn't pay attention to it, as he's ignored every other message from the American people.

[Alcon]

It's dumb, badly-worded but not unprecedented.  They're effectively advisory votes that are summarily igniored (not that Bush would pay attention to a national advisory vote on the matter).

[Keystone Phil]

It's dumb, badly-worded but not unprecedented.  They're effectively advisory votes that are summarily igniored (not that Bush would pay attention to a national advisory vote on the matter).

I know it's not unprecedented. It's simply being used as a campaign issue. Like I said, this helps the Dems in my Councilmanic district. They just have to have every district seat. 

[Alcon]

It's dumb, badly-worded but not unprecedented.  They're effectively advisory votes that are summarily igniored (not that Bush would pay attention to a national advisory vote on the matter).

I know it's not unprecedented. It's simply being used as a campaign issue. Like I said, this helps the Dems in my Councilmanic district. They just have to have every district seat. 

The Democrats are going to milk this at every level.  At this point, it's a hot-potato issue like gay marriage.  Even if only 5% of people will base their vote on it, they know that it's a 5% they can only gain, because only a tiny number of people will swing in the opposite way on the Iraq War issue.

As dumb as voting on local issues is because of that, this is the risk Bush knew he was taking for his party.

[bullmoose88]

It's dumb, badly-worded but not unprecedented.  They're effectively advisory votes that are summarily igniored (not that Bush would pay attention to a national advisory vote on the matter).

I know it's not unprecedented. It's simply being used as a campaign issue. Like I said, this helps the Dems in my Councilmanic district. They just have to have every district seat. 

The Democrats are going to milk this at every level.  At this point, it's a hot-potato issue like gay marriage.  Even if only 5% of people will base their vote on it, they know that it's a 5% they can only gain, because only a tiny number of people will swing in the opposite way on the Iraq War issue.

As dumb as voting on local issues is because of that, this is the risk Bush knew he was taking for his party.

Precisely.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

This is absolutely ridiculous.  You should raise as much attention about this as possible - and point out that it is just dumb.  Call in to talk shows - write in to papers.  If you have a blog, post there.  Write city council and ask that the letter be read aloud (they legally have to).

[Joe Republic]

This is absolutely ridiculous.  You should raise as much attention about this as possible - and point out that it is just dumb.  Call in to talk shows - write in to papers.  If you have a blog, post there.  Write city council and ask that the letter be read aloud (they legally have to).

What's the point?  The whole thing is meaningless.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

This is absolutely ridiculous.  You should raise as much attention about this as possible - and point out that it is just dumb.  Call in to talk shows - write in to papers.  If you have a blog, post there.  Write city council and ask that the letter be read aloud (they legally have to).

What's the point?  The whole thing is meaningless.

B/c going against liberal gov't agenda is fun, and annoys the crap out of them - I almost beat the Taylor ordinance officer, but I ran out of time.  I'll get him in 08.  Mark my words. MWAHAHAHA

[KEmperor]

This is absolutely ridiculous.  You should raise as much attention about this as possible - and point out that it is just dumb.  Call in to talk shows - write in to papers.  If you have a blog, post there.  Write city council and ask that the letter be read aloud (they legally have to).

What's the point?  The whole thing is meaningless.

B/c going against liberal gov't agenda is fun, and annoys the crap out of them - I almost beat the Taylor ordinance officer, but I ran out of time.  I'll get him in 08.  Mark my words. MWAHAHAHA

Bit of a waste of time in a city like Philadelphia.

[MODU]

Yes, it is stupid.  This is why the military runs the wars, not committees or Congress or ballot initiatives.

[J. J.]

Add me to the 5%.

[GOP = Terrorists]

It should be on every ballot in the country.

Those who vote to keep the war going should also be immediately shipped out to Iraq in exchange for a soldier or marine who wants to come home.

[True Democrat]

It should be on every ballot in the country.

Those who vote to keep the war going should also be immediately shipped out to Iraq in exchange for a soldier or marine who wants to come home.

So even if a person is incapable of fighting, or even walking, we should send him to Iraq because he supports the war?  The marines signed up for the military for a reason.  They knew there was a possibility of war.  It is their duty to fight for our country.

[Keystone Phil]

The question at this point is will the city GOP put "Yes" to this question on our sample ballot? Both parties usually put "Yes to all ballot questions" but I'm wondering if this case will be different for the GOP.

[Democratic Hawk]

What the hell has this got to do with governing the city of Philadelphia

Dave

[MODU]

What the hell has this got to do with governing the city of Philadelphia

Dave

Bingo

[Keystone Phil]

What the hell has this got to do with governing the city of Philadelphia

Dave

Bingo

These members would admit that it has nothing to do with the city and they're proud of doing this for partisan reasons.

[°Leprechaun]

This is a good idea, so obviously I voted no.
The Brits are pulling out and Cheney has said that that is a good thing, so logically it would be a good thing if we pulled out *today*. Every day we stay there means more deaths which will have absolutely no purpose.
How sad.

Anyone with a 'support the troops' ribbon on their car should be for supporting our troops by getting them out of harms way.
Bush is an absolute disgrace. Every day he is responsible for more and more senseless deaths.

It may not make any difference to have this on the ballot, but it gives people a voice, and *that* is the American way.

[MODU]

This is a good idea, so obviously I voted no.
The Brits are pulling out and Cheney has said that that is a good thing, so logically it would be a good thing if we pulled out *today*.

Cheney said it was a good sign since the Iraqi forces have taken over the British administered region and it is a model for how Baghdad should be in order for US forces to leave.

[°Leprechaun]

This is a good idea, so obviously I voted no.
The Brits are pulling out and Cheney has said that that is a good thing, so logically it would be a good thing if we pulled out *today*.

Cheney said it was a good sign since the Iraqi forces have taken over the British administered region and it is a model for how Baghdad should be in order for US forces to leave.

And when will that happen?

[°Leprechaun]

By the way, where does the Roman Catholic Church stand on the issue of the Iraq War? I would think that they would be against it.

[minionofmidas]

It should be on every ballot in the country.

Those who vote to keep the war going should also be immediately shipped out to Iraq in exchange for a soldier or marine who wants to come home.

So even if a person is incapable of fighting, or even walking, we should send him to Iraq because he supports the war?  The marines signed up for the military for a reason.  They knew there was a possibility of war.  It is their duty to fight for our country.

To die for their pay, you mean.

What the hell has this got to do with governing the city of Philadelphia

Dave

Not sh!t.

[minionofmidas]

Me and Bill there we both come from Georgia
Met Hank out in New Mexico
We're bound for Durango for to join Pancho Villa
We hear that he's payin' in gold
 
I guess a man's gotta do what he's best at
And I ain't found nothin' better so far
Been called mercenaries and men with no country
Just soldiers in search of a war

And we're bound for the border
We're soldiers of fortune
And we'll fight for no country but we'll die for good pay
Under the flag of of the greenback dollar
Or the peso down Mexico way

When this war is over I might go back to Georgia
And settle down quiet some where
But I'll most likely pack up and head south for Chile
Heard tell there's some trouble down there

I guess a man's gotta do what he's best at
And I ain't found nothin' better so far
Been called mercenaries and men with no country
Just soldiers in search of a war

And we're bound for the border
We're soldiers of fortune
And we'll fight for no country but we'll die for good pay
Under the flag of of the greenback dollar
Or the peso down Mexico way