On the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war, state lawmakers took testimony on a resolution opposing the Bush Administration's Iraq policy. The non-binding measure also calls for an orderly troop withdrawal, and affirms support for soldiers and veterans.
New Hampshire Public Radio's Josh Rogers has more.
Similar measures are pending in about 20 state houses across the county……..They've already passed in California, Iowa and Vermont………The effect of the resolutions is, at this point, hard to gauge…….But to proponents, like Democratic State Rep and former Marine, Peter Schmidt……it would simply be wrong for the state not let Washington know where New Hampshire stands.
"We should go on record disapproving any further engagement in Iraq. We should couch that in terms of support for our troops, because we are not opposing out troops but rather at how this administration is misusing them."
Opponents, meanwhile said it would be misuse of power by lawmakers to rebuke a President during a time of war.
"That Commander-in-Chief has made a decision."
Richard Paris of a Vietnam combat veteran who lives in Bradford.
"Like him or dislike him is not relevant. The minute that there was one ounce of blood spilt in a foreign land and we supported that we have a fiduciary responsibility as leaders to be accountable and responsible."
That bottom line was echoed by Epping resident Vincent Milano, also a veteran, and the father of soldier now serving in Iraq……..As he testified, Milano held his son's bullet-scarred combat helmet……He stressed that anti-war sentiment kept the US from winning in Vietnam, and said as much is now harming soldiers now in Irag. He said that things there aren't as bad as people think, and that the situation has been distorted by the national and international media………Milano added he recently asked his son about the anti-Iraq war resolution.
"And I asked him what should I say? Does what we do, the condemnation of the war, the president, do they hurt you? And he says yeah, this gives the enemy aid and comfort and all it does is make them say 'all we have to do is kill one more American' and they'll go home."
But in the end, opponents of the measure were far outnumbered by those speaking in support……They variously stressed the war's mounting death toll, the nation's mounting debt, and the harm they say has been done to the national reputation. More than one, like Janet Ward of Contoocook, also emphasized that President Bush should have been put on notice as of last November.
"We thought we had sent the meassge through our votes, but the message obviously has not been heard. So some of us, including myself, are getting a little desperate."
The House state/federal relations and veterans affairs committee is scheduled to vote on the measure later today.
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