David Swanson: Congressional Hearing on Iraq

Congresswomen Lynn Woolsey and Barbara Lee will host a hearing on the Iraq War next Thursday, April 27, 8:30-11 a.m., in 2325 Rayburn House Office Building (with an overflow room planned for anyone wanting to attend who can't fit in). The two Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are continuing to do what the "leadership" of both parties does not, respond to the demands of the majority of Americans, who disapprove of current policy.

Woolsey and Lee are expected to give introductory remarks, as is former CIA officer and current Georgetown University Professor Paul Pillar whose article in the March/April issue of Foreign Affairs magazine, "Intelligence, Policy, and the War in Iraq," severely criticized the misuse of intelligence before, during and after the March 2003 invasion.

There will then be two panels, the first consisting of two Iraqi women and two U.S. veterans of the Iraq War, the second consisting of members of Congress who have introduced bills aimed at ending the war. Then there will a Question and Answers session involving the audience. So, bring your tough questions!

Invited panelists include Reps. Neil Abercrombie, Walter Jones, Barbara Lee, Jim McGovern, Jack Murtha, Mike Thompson, and Senators Russ Feingold and John Kerry.

Congresswoman Woolsey's office is inviting bloggers and videographers to attend. Contact her DC office to get on that list. Contact other Congress Members and Senators to urge them to attend!

This hearing is a follow-up to the one Woolsey hosted last September 15th. (See http://www.woolseyforpeace.org )

The purpose is to try to bring Congress closer to where the public so strongly is. While Bush has announced that the occupation of Iraq will last as long as his occupation of the White House, a majority of Americans disagree and want to see our government working on ending the war. But the House Armed Services Committee has refused to hold hearings on the matter.

If the media lets the larger public know about this event (I understand that Pacifica radio is considering whether or not to air it live), people will hear – many of them for the first time – the voices of both vets who oppose the war and Iraqis affected by the war, affected in ways most of us cannot imagine until we hear their incredible stories.

We will also hear the voices of that minority in Congress that responds to the majority outside of Congress. I'll be there and will be blogging at http://www.afterdowningstreet.org

Hope you can make it.

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