Act on conscience

If the general consensus is that the addition of 20,000 more troops will not achieve our objective, what can we hope to expect from the force now in Iraq? Our presence is only serving to inflame and intensify the insurgency. We must accept the fact that our military can play no part in determining Iraq's future. The diplomatic approach and reconciliation of differences among the contending factions are the only hopes for peace. Congress must end its face-saving posturing and act on its conscience. It must take positive steps to end this senseless sacrifice of American lives. Nonbinding resolutions are not going to end this president's intransigency. Congress must demand that the president withdraw our forces as required under the War Empowerment Act of 1973. It must withhold all funds for this war except for those required to ensure the safe return of our troops. Leonard Satz, Blackwood - Courier Post, February 12, 2007