TALKING POINTS - IRAQ
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Not only was this war based upon the false linkage of Iraq with 9/11, but after six years of increased violence, this war threatens Americans. We are now at greater risk. This war will increase anti-American sentiments around the world, and will serve as a recruiting poster for al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. source
This is an illegitimate war, and stands in violation of the UN Charter and international law. We hold the U.S. accountable for this illegal war. source
The continuation of the illegal war and occupation of Iraq has led to an increased instability in the Middle East, including Israeli's massive assault on Gaza. source
The U.S. Government has used a variety of tactics to mask the current true cost of war, including paying Iraqi journalists for positive accounts of the war, requiring embedded journalists to submit stories for pre-publication review, erasing journalists' footage of civilian's deaths in Afghanistan, and refusing to disclose statistics on civilian casualties. source
The cost of the occupation of Iraq is insurmountable both financially and in terms of lives. It is estimated that as many as a million Iraqis have died as a result of the war. The Pentagon has paid out $42 million in the form of condolence payments to victims. If those funds had been distributed equally among the civilian casualties, it would come to $41.05 a person. source
Over five million Iraqis have been forced to leave their homes, making Iraqis the second largest group of displaced people. One and a half million Iraqis have fled Iraq and are now living in neighboring countries like Jordan and Syria. Those that are displaced internally are living in horrific conditions, without any access to jobs, healthcare, or adequate food. source / source
"Due to this failure, militias of all denominations are filling the vacuum and playing a major role in providing social services in the neighborhoods and towns they control in Iraq. Not only do these Shiite and Sunni militias now have a quasi-monopoly in the large-scale delivery of food, oil, electricity and money, but an increasing number of civilians are joining their ranks -- including displaced Iraqis.
Both civilian and international organizations have reported witnessing instances where the U.S. forces used excessive force against civilians in retaliation to suicide bombers or IEDs. In one case, a 120-member Marine unit was redeployed out of the country because of the hostility it had generated by indiscriminately firing after an attack. Their rage resulted in the death of 16 civilians and wounded another 24. (March 4, 2007) source