Monday, January 09, 2006
Paul Esslinger Radio Commentary Interview
You can find my Radio Commentary interview with Oshkosh Common Councilor Paul Esslinger here. We spent most of the approximately 35 minute interview talking about the Iraq Troop Withdrawal referendum.
I teach Communication Studies (First Amendment, Classical Rhetoric, Civic Engagement, Rhetoric of Rock Music) at UW Oshkosh. Served two terms on Oshkosh City Council. Originally from Brooklyn, NY.
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2 comments:
Since there is no timetable for withdrawl on the referendum, and we have begun a withdrawn of troops already, all be it a slow one, why do we need a referendum? An immediate pullout would be suicide for our country.
First, I would question whether the "withdrawal" that the President is talking about is anything other than political doublespeak to quell the rising calls for immediate withdrawal. The Associated Press coverage of Rumsfeld's withdrawal announcement said that "The defense secretary added that troop levels would vary as their mission changed and could even still go up." That hardly soiunds like a genuine commitment to withdrawal.
Second, the referendum specifically asks that the withdrawal begins with
the National Guard and Reserves, units that have born a burden in this war far greater than what should be expected of any volunteer soldiers. They have even been sent into battle without the proper armor and other survival equipment. Some have even had their parents buy and mail them these items.
If you believe that a pullout would be suicide for the US, then you should support the referendum and give people an opportunity to hear your rationale in public debate. My frustration with the opponents of this referendum is that they all tend to oppose it by debating the war--if you support the referendum you will have ample opportunity to debate the war and may actually succeed in bringing folks over to your point of view. --Tony
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