The only thing that petitions are good for is getting email addresses to send out more fundraising emails.

But hey, feel free to sign up

and am very happy to support Alan Grayson in every way.

I have some big news. The U.S. House of Representatives is going to vote on whether to send combat forces to Iraq. Yes, I've checked the date, and yes, it's 2014.

My colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, will offer two amendments on the defense spending bill today or tomorrow. Both of these amendments will prevent funding for war in Iraq. I need you to sign this emergency petition supporting Congresswoman Lee's amendments.

Although Rep. Lee was the only member to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) in 2001, she won't be alone this time. I will also stand up to say "No!" The more names we add to the petition, the more members of Congress will come out in opposition, too.

SIGN

We need to say NO. American combat forces didn't help last time and they won't help this time. What is happening in Iraq is tragic and awful, but we should use the Hippocratic oath for foreign policy -- first do no harm. Please join us.

SIGN

Here are the gory details of the amendments. The first eliminates funding for the Authorization of the Use of Military Force in Iraq, which is basically our declaration of war made in 2002. The second eliminates funding for 'combat troops' in Iraq.

Join us.

SIGN

Maybe Congress will get it right this time, after getting it so, so wrong last time. At the very least, since I'm in Congress this time, you can count on me to support peace. We also have a President not named Bush, and he actually listens to reason.

But tens of thousands of you pushing is essential!

SIGN

This is an emergency. Send this to your friends. Send this to your family. Post this on Facebook, on Twitter, on whatever newfangled services are out there.

If you know any reporters or bloggers, send this to them. Yes, this is real breaking news.

We may win the vote, or we may not. But if we don't advocate peace, we won't get peace. So let's do this. Together.

SIGN

Courage,

Alan Grayson

P.S. Please share this on Facebook and Twitter.

If you want to feel virtuous, fine. If you want to give your contact info to the Grayson campaign office, fine. But don't think for a minute that "signing" this internet petition will have the slightest impact on the decision of the House or Senate. If, on the other hand, you want to influence the outcome of the Rep. Lee's amendments, close your web browser, open you email program and WRITE AN ACTUAL LETTER in your own words, explaining your opinion.

With this morning's headlines, numbers could be waaaaay more. Looks like we ARE returning to Iraq.