Many liberal organizations (United for Peace and Justice, Voters for Peace, MoveOn.org and more) held emergency rallies today. There was a rally on the New Haven Green, and many more in cities around the state and country. While on the PSL table during yesterday's May Day festivities, I asked some CT-COW member about why anyone would want to demand that the Iraq spending bill be passed. One said he understood, but at least people would be in the streets. The other looked at me like I was crazy. Now, CT-COW is proudly aligned with the Democratic Party, so I can't pretend not to comprehend from that angle. We didn't get into a discussion at the time because there were people at the table interested in buying magazines, so I politely took his flyer and turned away.

The line from Washington is that Bush vetoed the Iraq war spending bill because it contains a deadline for removing troops from Iraq. The media has reported that this is a brave, risky anti-war bill. While it does have an April 1 deadline for withdrawl, that covers combat troops only - not support troops and advisors for "counter-terrorism" actions. Additionally, the Executive branch can delay the withdrawl for reasons of national security.

The Democrats and Republicans are fighting fighting over how - not whether - to occupy Iraq and use its people and resources for American benefits. We cannot afford to waste our time supporting elements of bourgoise politics.

US Out of Iraq NOW!