Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq - Let's Make It Happen

Agenda:

The American Public wants us out of Iraq. There's no question about that.

In April 2006, the California Democratic Party incorporated the key elements of "Withdrawing US Forces From Iraq" a Plan written by the CDP Progressive Caucus, into the State Party Platform.

What can we do to make the Plan a reality? How do we actually get out of Iraq?

You can read the entire Plan on our EB4D DFA-Link Group page (but only if you log in 1st). Go to:

http://www.dfalink.com/eb4d

and scroll to the lower right hand corner for the link.

On June 19th, we'll hear from the authors of the Plan as well as military veterans and family members, then start framing our message and planning our strategy.

* What critical factors about the Iraq War are moving public opinion?

* Who are our natural allies?

* How do we approach different constituencies?

* How can we leverage media attention?

We Have a Great Speaker Line-up for this Event:

Major General (Ret.) Paul Monroe: Commanded the California National Guard from April 1999 until April 2004. Appointed by Gray Davis, he was in office during 911 and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He mobilized over 10,000 soldiers and airmen from the California National Guard. MG (Ret.) Monroe has opposed the Iraq war since its inception and is eager to find common cause with all Democrats and moderate Republicans to effect the withdrawal of US forces. Paul and his wife Laura have a son currently serving in Iraq and are members of East Bay for Democracy.

Joe Wheeler: Iraq Veteran and activist in Iraq Veterans Against the War. Joe was a member of the of the 4th Infantry and sent in the first wave to Iraq. He was stationed in Tikrit as a surgical assistant treating wounded soldiers.

Laura Monroe: Retired Principal of Emerson School in Berkeley. Readiness Coordinator for her son's Brigade in Iraq. Coordinates all family activities and attempts to resolve developing problems families are facing.

Harlan Hobgood: Chair of the Foreign Policy/International Relations committee of the California Democratic Party's Progressive Caucus. Principal Author of the Plan. He was a career US diplomat with major in-residence assignments in Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean and Washington DC. As special envoy or program advisor, Harlan headed US missions that took him to Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Madagascar, and most of the nations of West Africa. He also taught at UCLA as a Diplomat in Residence and Adduct Professor of International Relations. Harlan was the first Senior Foreign Service Office to be made a member of the Congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration.

Karen Bernal: Chair of the Peace and Anti-War Committee of the California Democratic Party's Progressive Caucus and Delegate to the CDP from the 5th AD. Karen lived on US bases in the far east from birth to age 18. Her mother is from the Japanese "war generation" and her father had a 28 year career in the US Army, stationed at various bases in Asia. Growing up, Karen saw 1st hand what war does to troops, and grew up hearing war stories from both sides of WWII. Karen successfully sponsored an Iraq Withdrawal amendment to the California Democratic Party Platform adopted in 2006. Read it at: http://dfa.meetup.com/31/files/

Remember, WE HAVE THE POWER!

Let's come together and get it done!

Your EB4D planning team,

Janet S, Yvonne, Janet F, Norman, Jim, Laura, Frances, Eden and Mal