Kucinich Introduces HR 1234 To Immediately End the U.S. Occupation of Iraq

Ohio Democratic congressman Dennis Kucinich's congressional website http://kucinich.house.gov/ posted the following press release.

Kucinich Introduces HR 1234 To Immediately End the U.S. Occupation of Iraq

Washington, Feb 28 - WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 28) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) introduced HR 1234, a bill to immediately end the United States occupation of Iraq, in the House of Representatives today.

“This is the plan that will get our troops home the fastest. It is workable and achieves the goals of ending the war and enabling our troops to come home,” Kucinich said.

HR 1234 is a plan for the United States to use existing money to bring the troops and necessary equipment home and transition to an international security and peacekeeping force.

“I drafted this with expert advice from those involved in international peacekeeping missions, the United Nations and the U.S. military,” Kucinich said.

Kucinich first introduced a withdrawal plan from Iraq three years ago when he proposed that the United States hand the United Nations control of Iraq, including its oil resources and contracts for rebuilding.

“I have given more than 140 speeches on the floor of the House of Representatives, speaking out against this war. I have been one of the most active and vocal Members of Congress on this issue,” Kucinich said.

Kucinich led the effort to challenge the Administration’s war in Iraq in 2002. In advance of the Iraq war resolution in Congress, he organized 126 Democrats, two-thirds of the House Democratic Caucus, to vote against the resolution. He has constantly challenged the Administration’s war against Iraq.

Kucinich has been circulating the plan with Members of Congress for two months and recently had it put in legislative form. He will be speaking to Members of Congress to gain support for the bill in the coming weeks and months.

Collision Course With Iran

The following article was written by Rep. Dennis Kucinich and published by The Nation on February 26,2007.

The Nation
Collision Course With Iran
Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich

President Bush has claimed the Iranian government is supplying deadly weapons to fighters in Iraq and that those weapons are being used to kill US troops in Iraq. This sounds horrific and frightening--and that is the point. The Administration is preparing for a military strike against Iran. The justification chosen by the Administration is the one circumstance in which a President could bypass Congress and still wage a military conflict.

The intelligence backing up these assertions is questionable. The sources were anonymous. Since the briefing, the Administration has backed away from the assertion made by Pentagon briefers the day before that Tehran was behind these weapons transfers. No new evidence has been presented. But the President, the Defense Secretary and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff all repeat the questionable assertions.

The newly claimed grievance with Iran could be used to satisfy section 2(c) of the 1973 War forces into a conflict or a national emergency created by an attack upon the armed forces. The President seems to have laid the groundwork for an attack on Iran while avoiding Congressional approval.

This Administration has set a collision course with Iran. Time and again, it has refused to enter into direct diplomatic talks with Iran.

Click here for entire article.

Kucinich Receives "Champion for Peace" Award from Military Families in L.A.

During his short campaign swing through California Saturday February 25, 2007, Dennis Kucinich received the first-ever Champion for Peace Award in Hollywood from a group of families of military members opposed to U.S. involvement in the Iraq War. The following article is from his presidential campaign website http://kucinich.us/

Kucinich Receives "Champion for Peace" Award from Military Families in L.A.

Hollywood, CA--Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, the only Presidential candidate who voted against the original Iraq war authorization and every funding appropriation since, has received the first-ever Champion for Peace Award in Hollywood from a group of families of military members opposed to U.S. involvement in the Iraq War.

Military Families Speak Out honored Kucinich for being "a strong advocate for bringing the troops home now and never wavering from that position despite the politics going on," said Pat Alviso, leader of the organization's Long Beach and South Bay Chapter. His son is currently serving in Iraq.

At the presentation ceremony at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, blocks away from tonight's Academy Awards event, Kucinich said, "The military families are so deserving of support, I think of what it must be like to have a son or daughter in Iraq, knowing they're in harm's way, knowing that there is not a military victory to be won, and to me it's an obligation to support them and an honor to support them."

That support should come in the form of a withdrawal of American forces from an increasingly deadly and dangerous situation. "America must leave Iraq," said Kucinich. "We must leave there now," he said.

"If we really love our troops as the military families do," Kucinich told the crowd, "we should bring them home," he said.

He added, "The debate in Washington will have politicians asserting the best way to support the troops is to leave them in this civil war. They should listen to the military families and soldiers themselves who are caught in an impossible situation." The war, he said, is "based on lies."

Alviso told reporters at the event that he hopes Kucinich's position, his efforts to tend the war, and the award he received "will inspire other Congressional representatives to follow his lead, cut the funding and bring the troops home now." The organization and almost two dozen other groups, including Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace, are planning a "Bring Our Troops Home Now" rally and peace vigil today at the same famed Hollywood intersection.

Kucinich unveiled a 12-point plan last month to withdraw U.S. forces and contractors from Iraq, establish a United Nations peacekeeping force, convene a regional conference to assist in stabilization and provide funding for reconstruction, jobs and reparations in Iraq.

Dennis Kucinich at the Nevada Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum

Dennis Kucinich speaking at the Nevada Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum in Carson City, Nevada on 2/21/2007.

Meet with Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich on Wednesday, February 21 in Carson City, Nevada

Dennis and Elizabeth Kucinich will be at a Meet and Greet immediately after the AFSCME Presidential Candidates Forum in Carson City.

Meet and Greet

Comma Cafe
312 S.Carson St.
Carson City, Nevada

Wednesday, February 21, 2007 3-4:30PM

Dennis Kucinich to make several appearances in N.H. on Sunday, February 18 and Monday, February 19

Save our Groundwater-Public Forum

The Sugar Shack
314 Route 4
Barrington, N.H.

Sunday, February 18, 2007 8-10AM

Contact: Marika Wilde at marika@metrocast.net

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Health Care Security Now-Public Forum
HR 676 (Expanded and Improved Medicare for All)

N.H. Technical Institute Auditorium
31 College Dr.
Concord, N.H.

Sunday, February 18, 2007 10:30-12PM

Contact: Marcosa J Santiago, M.D. at 603-786-2700 or cosy@diacad.com

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Belknap County Democrats-Public Forum

Opechee Park Clubhouse
North Main St (Rt 96)
Laconia, N.H.

Sunday, February 18, 2007 3-5PM

Contact: Lynn Chong at chonglyn@metrocast.net

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Meet and Greet with College Democrats of N.H.
(Lebanon - Lecture & Q&A)

Dartmouth College
Rockefeller Hall-Hinman Forum
Hanover, N.H.

Sunday, February 18, 2007 7PM

Contact: David T Imamura at 914-275-6132 or David.T.Imamura@Dartmouth.Edu or Bryce Acree at 270-763-3380

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Official opening of the Keene campaign office of Kucinich for President

29 Center St.
Keene, N.H.

Monday, February 19, 2007 11AM

Contact: Bill Beardslee at 603-491-7644

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Meet with Keene State College students

Keene State College
Young Student Center
229 Main St.
Keene, N.H.

Monday, February 19, 2007 12-1:30PM

Contact: Brian Green at 603-358-2519 or bgeen@keene.edu or Eileen Reardon at 603-852-2001 or Bill Beardslee at 603-491-7644

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Public address-Peace and Justice League

University of New Hampshire(Durham)
Memorial Union Building
Theatre II
83 Main St.
Durham, N.H.

Monday, February 19, 2007 7-9PM

Contact: Peter Hinman at pfg2@cisunix.unh.edu or David Anderson at 603.617.0679 or dwa@unh.edu

Dennis Kucinich to make several appearances in Connecticut on Saturday, February 17

Public forum and Q & A

Westport Public Library
20 Jesup Road
Westport, CT

Saturday, February 17, 2007 3:30PM

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Meet and Greet

Silver Star Diner
210 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, CT

Saturday, February 17, 2007 4:15-4:45PM

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Meet and Greet

University of Connecticut Storrs Campus
Student Union Building
2110 Hillside Rd., Unit 3008
Storrs, CT

Saturday, February 17, 2007 7:30-8:30PM

Contact: Dean Farrell at 860-593-8982 or goldwax317@charter.net

Kucinich appeared on MSNBC to talk about his plan to end the War in Iraq

Dennis Kucinich appeared on MSNBC to talk about his plan to end the war in Iraq on 2/13/2007.

Kucinich to appear in Wapakoneta,Ohio on Saturday, February 17

Dennis Kucinich will be featured as part of the Democrats of Auglaize County’s annual Presidents’ Day Weekend Breakfast.

In addition to Kucinich, the event will feature a talk by Iraqi war veteran, Todd Skaggs, a silent auction and a patriotic bake sale.

Location: Wapakoneta American Legion, 1108 E. Benton St., Wapakoneta,Ohio

Date/time: Saturday, February 17, 8:30 AM
Doors open at 8:00 AM.

Tickets and reservations are required for the event.
For tickets or reservations, please call 419-739-9258.

Kucinich to appear in Lakewood,Ohio on Friday, February 16

2007 Middle East Peace Conference-Keynote address

Lakewood Congregational Church
1375 West Clifton Blvd.
Lakewood, OH

Friday, February 16, 7:30PM

Contact: Mr.Jeff Aboud at 330-612-7968 or ifc@neo.rr.com.

Please help to make a difference.

Dennis Kucinich speaks to the people and says I'll stand in there for you but I need you to stand there with me.

Kucinich reintroduces Department Of Peace and Nonviolence Bill

On February 6,2007 at a Capitol Hill news conference, the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Bill (HR 808) was reintroduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and 2008 Presidential Candidate. Kucinich was joined by other Congress members and celebrity activists in asking lawmakers to give the bill a chance.

Kucinich is the original sponsor of this bill which was first introduced in 2001 and which now has a total of 52 co-sponsors. The bill aims to create a Cabinet-level department to promote non-violence and reconciliation both domestically and internationally.

Dennis Kucinich at the 2007 Annual U.S. Department of Peace D.C. Conference

Dennis Kucinich speaking at the 2007 Annual U.S. Department of Peace D.C. Conference on 2/5/2007.

Dennis Kucinich appears on Cheshire TVs show "Choices"

On 2/3/2007 in Keene, N.H., Dennis Kucinich made an appearance on Cheshire TVs show "Choices".

Dennis Kucinich at the 2007 DNC Winter Meeting

Dennis Kucinich speaking at the 2007 DNC Winter Meeting in Washington D.C. on 2/2/2007.

Barack Obama tops the latest Democratic Primary Poll.

Barack Obama is the favorite Democratic contender so far, according to the January Democratic Primary Poll 2008 of announced and expected Democratic candidates. In the monthly online poll, random online voters are asked who will they vote for in the 2008 Democratic Primary, and a total of 1586 votes were cast in the month of January. Obama received 25% (394 votes) of the total. Dennis Kucinich came in a strong and surprising 2nd with 23% (361 votes). John Edwards came in at 3rd place with 13% (211 votes), followed by Wes Clark 8% (131 votes), Al Gore 8% (123 votes) and Bill Richardson 7% (114 votes). Noticeable missing from the top half was Hillary Clinton who only gathered 6% (89 votes).

Here is a total rundown of the results.

Barack Obama	394 votes	25%
Dennis Kucinich	361 votes	23%
John Edwards	211 votes	13%
Wes Clark	131 votes	8%
Al Gore	123 votes	8%
Bill Richardson	114 votes	7%
Hillary Clinton	89 votes	6%
Tom Vilsack	61 votes	4%
Joe Biden	43 votes	3%
Chris Dodd	39 votes	2%
John Kerry	16 votes	1%*
Mike Gravel	4 votes	0%

* John Kerry announced he will not be seeking the Democratic nomination and will not be included in future polls.

If your favorite isn’t where you thought they should be, let your voice be heard and vote. To vote in the February poll go to the link below.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW