Congressman Jack Murtha to Outline New Strategy to Counter Bush Troop Escalation

Congressman Jack Murtha to Outline New Strategy to Counter Bush Troop Escalation

**Details Announced Online at 11:00am Thursday**
New Committee Strategy to Be Revealed on Anti-war Web site:
http://www.MoveCongress.org
Committee Action Promises to be the Congressional 'Bite' Following This
Week's Non-Binding Resolution 'Bark'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday at 11:00 am, Congressman Jack Murtha will outline new details of a strategy to use his
Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense to oppose the Bush war in Iraq in a
video-taped interview that will be available on the Web site
http://www.MoveCongress.org.

Chairman Murtha will describe his strategy to limit deployment of
troops to Iraq and to challenge other aspects of the president's foreign
and national security policy. Murtha discusses these steps in a videotaped
conversation with former Congressman Tom Andrews (D-ME), the National
Director of the Win Without War coalition, sponsor of the new web site.

The Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense has begun consideration of
the president's $93 billion supplemental appropriations request for Iraq.
Action on the request will be the first opportunity for the new Congress to
exercise its "power-of-the-purse" over the Iraq war.

WHAT: Chairman Jack Murtha to announce details on strategy to oppose war
in Iraq

WHEN: Thursday, February 14, 2007, 11:00 am EST

WHERE: http://www.MoveCongress.org

Rep. Murtha Partners With MoveOn Against Troop Escalation in Iraq

________________________________________________________________


More Than 1200 Movie Night Events Nationwide Thursday
Members Will Watch Film, "Ground Truth" and Petition Members of Congress

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman John Murtha will deliver a videotaped message to tens of thousands of MoveOn members across the country this Thursday night in an effort to help block President Bush's attempt to escalate his failed policy in Iraq.

The action will coincide with the viewing of the new film, "The Ground
Truth" -- a powerful documentary told through the eyes of veterans of the
Iraq war. The movie reminds us that this is not just about troop numbers
and dollar amounts. This is about real lives that will never be the same
even if the soldiers do make it home.

"Representative Murtha is a leader in stopping the escalation of a
failed war in Iraq," said Tom Matzzie, Washington Director of MoveOn.org
Political Action. "We are honored that the Congressman is speaking with our
members on this extremely important issue," concluded Matzzie.

After some words of inspiration from the Congressman, MoveOn members
will write letters to their representatives. The letters will urge Congress
to vote against the President's escalation and support a plan to
responsibly redeploy troops out of harms way.

The letters will be delivered to the district offices of Congress on
Thursday, February 22nd.

President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq is generating a new
outpouring of opposition activities all over the country. Since the
president's January 10th speech, MoveOn:
-- Held more than 500 Emergency Rallies to Oppose Escalation in Iraq.
-- Ran 2 TV advertising campaigns opposing escalation in Iraq.
-- Grew by almost 200,000 new members.
-- Posted bus ads in the Washington DC area to remind Congress that voters
are strongly opposed to escalation.
-- Sent over 1 million messages to Congress as part of a virtual march in
opposition to Bush's escalation.
-- Launched Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a new organization aimed
at showing public opposition to Bush's escalation.
-- Raised over $1.5 million since January 1.
-- Held meetings with over two hundred members of Congress.
-- Organized over 1,200 movie night events.

These events are held in coordination with Americans Against Escalation
in Iraq (AAEI). AAEI includes the Service Employees International Union,
MoveOn.org Political Action, VoteVets.org, Center for American Progress
Action Fund, USAction, Win Without War, Campaign for America's Future,
Progressive States Network, Campus Progress, TrueMajority, Working Assets
and the United States Student Association.

http://www.moveon.org

Show 'em what backbone looks like.

thanks, blm :hi:

(HVD!)

.

Which important Congressional hearings are running through the weekend?

Wednesday, Feb. 14

* Fiscal 2008 Army budget request before the House Armed Services Committee; Army Secretary Francis Harvey Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker testify; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2118.

* Department of Veterans Affairs health care before Senate Veterans’ Affairs health subcommittee; 2 p.m.; Cannon 334.

* Coast Guard’s Deepwater program before the Senate Commerce oceans, atmosphere, fisheries and Coast Guard subcommittee; 2:30 p.m.; Russell 253.

* U.S. Special Operations Command preparations for terrorist threats before the House Armed Services terrorism, unconventional threats and capabilities subcommittee; outside witnesses testify; 2 p.m.; Rayburn 2212.


Thursday, Feb. 15

* Current and future military readiness before the Senate Armed Services Committee; Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker and Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway testify; 9:30 a.m.; Hart 216.

* Consideration of nominations for U.S. Ambassadors to Iran and Afghanistan before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; 9:15 a.m.; Dirksen 628.

* Afghanistan issues before the House Foreign Affairs Committee; outside witnesses testify; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2172.

* Iraq reconstruction before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2154.

* Filipino veterans’ issues before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee; 10 a.m.; Cannon 334.

* Department of Veterans’ Affairs Inspector General budget before the House Veterans’ Affairs oversight subcommittee; 1 p.m.; Cannon 334.

* Fiscal 2008 Department of Homeland Security budget request before Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff testifies; 10 a.m.; Dirksen 342.

* Military recruiting and retention issues before the House Armed Services military personnel subcommittee; service personnel chiefs testify; 2 p.m.; Rayburn 2212.

* Fiscal 2008 Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department health care budgets before the House military construction, VA and related agencies appropriations subcommittee; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2358.

* Fiscal 2007 Defense Department supplemental budget request before the House defense appropriations subcommittee; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2359.

* Iraq and Afghan security forces funding before the House defense appropriations subcommittee; 1:30 p.m.; Capitol H-140.

* Coast Guard port security operations in Iraq before the House homeland security appropriations subcommittee; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2362-B.

* Fiscal 2008 Defense Department and Veterans Affairs Department health care budget requests before the House military construction, VA and related agencies appropriations subcommittee; 10 a.m.; Rayburn 2358.

* Fiscal 2008 Veterans Affairs Department budget request before the House military construction, VA and related agencies appropriations subcommittee; VA Secretary R. James Nicholson testifies; 1 p.m.; Rayburn 2358.

* Iran’s involvement in Iraq before the House Intelligence Committee; 2:30 p.m.; Capitol H-405. (Closed)


Friday, Feb. 16

* Fiscal 2007 supplemental budget request before the House defense appropriations subcommittee; outside witnesses testify; 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Capitol H-140.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/02/TNShearings070209/