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June 3, 2012

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Letter: Congress duty-bound to end the Iraq war

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 | 7:40 a.m.

Much has been said and written lately concerning Congress' lack of support for the troops in Iraq. For those taking this stand, I have a question. If you had a commander in the field whose strategy and execution of that strategy were costing lives and showing no discernible results, would you buy the excuse: Failure to support him showed lack of support for his troops?

I'm certain the answer would be: No, it's time for this commander to go. The same goes for the commander in chief. President Bush has had four years to show some discernible military results in support of his strategy. Unlike a commander in the field, there is no superior to relieve Bush of his command. We do have a form of government that has "checks and balances" on its three branches. Congress has a constitutional duty to tell Bush that his policy has failed and it is time to alter strategy.

To Bush's credit, Iraq does have a democratic form of government. Isn't it time we remove our troops and let the Iraqi people determine whether they wish to support that government or institute another?

It's time to tell our troops that they have done an admirable job; that the fault here lies not with them, but with the commander in chief. I propose it's time for Congress to supply the money necessary to bring our troops home as safely and as soon as possible. It's time for a withdrawal deadline.

Terry E Peele, Las Vegas

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