03/18/06 Wisconsin State Journal: OPINION

Pass referendum to bring our troops home

A Wisconsin State Journal editorial on Sunday called for our troops in Iraq to be gradually withdrawn from Iraq, as certain unspecified benchmarks are met. But who decides what gradually means, or what the benchmarks are?

Until now, those decisions have been left to George W. Bush, the same man who lied us into this disastrous war. And what has happened? Our troops have accomplished much, including deposing a dictator, putting him on trial and overseeing three democratic elections, only to see Bush move the goalposts. Now the president wants our troops to stay until "stability" is achieved, whatever (and whenever) that is.

A yes vote on the April 4 Bring Our Troops Home referendum won't mean all our troops are home on April 5. But it would send the right message: The people of our state are tired of writing blank checks to George Bush.

It's an election year, and Congress will be watching. A strong yes vote could strengthen the spine of many in Congress to do what it takes to bring our troops home sooner, rather than later.

-- Dennis Coyier, Cottage Grove