Honor the Fallen - Stop the Escalation

Portions of this post were originally submitted on Washblog

January, 2007 has been the deadliest month for Washingtonians serving in Iraq since the US invaded that country in March 0f 2003. With the release of the names of seven Washington State service members killed since the start of 2007, the total number of Washingtonians killed in Iraq since the initial invasion stands at 64; 16th highest total of the 50 states. The following Washingtonians have been reported as killed in Iraq in January, 2007:

Corporal Jeremiah Johnson, 23 Vancouver 1/6; Sergeant James D. Riekena, 22 Redmond 1/14; Corporal Darrel J. Morris, 21 Spokane 1/20; Major Alan R. Johnson, 44 Yakima 1/26; Sergeant Mickel D. Garrigus, 24 Elma 1/27; Lance Cpl. Adam Q. Emul, 19 Vancouver 1/29; Sgt. Corey J. Aultz, 31 Port Orchard 1/30. (Morris, Johnson, Garrigus, Emul, and Aultz represent the highest number of Washingtonians killed in a two week period.)

While the Congress of the United States, with its new Democratic majority, debates whether or not they may debate a non-binding resolution expressing the sense of the congress that George W. Bush should not escalate the number of American forces in Iraq, states all over the country are introducing their own resolutions demanding that there be no escalation of troops into Iraq. According to David Sirota, Co-Founder of the Progressive States Network, some 20 states have introduced such resolutions in their legislative bodies. I am pleased to say that Washington State is among those 20.

What is left to be done is for you and I to contact our legislators and request that they work to have the House and Senate Joint Memorials brought before their respective committees for public hearings and then onto the floor of both bodies for votes. In the House, HJM 4004 has been referred to the State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee where Rep. Sam Hunt presides as Chair. In the Senate, SJM 8003 has been referred to the Government Operations and Elections Committee where Sen. Darlene Fairley sits as Chair.

Make that call. Send that email.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue