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WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) will deliver the weekly CBC "Message to America" radio address this Saturday, August 26, 2006. Representative Rangel says the American people are fed up with the Iraq war and with President Bush’s leadership.
The CBC "Message to America" is distributed nationwide to the American Urban Radio Network's (AURN) affiliate stations.
WHO: U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel (D-NY)
WHEN: Saturday, August 26, 2006; 12:06 p.m. EST
WHERE: American Urban Radio Network Affiliate Stations
Representative Rangel is expected to deliver the following remarks:
“Hello. This is Congressman Charles Rangel of New York and I am delighted to bring you the Congressional Black Caucus Message to America.
“President Bush says the war in Iraq is straining the psyche of the American people. That’s nonsense. Americans are tough enough to fight any war – if it is justified like World War II or Korea.
“The American people are fed up with the war and with President Bush’s leadership. Last week, he finally admitted that Iraq had nothing to do with 9-11, but insisted as long as he is president that he would stay the course in order to fight the war on terrorism.
“The war on terrorism cannot be won in Iraq. That country is fighting a civil war which goes back for hundreds of years. Last month, 3,000 Iraqi’s killed each other.
“Our brave soldiers and marines are caught in the cross-fire. Two thousand six hundred have been killed and 19,000 have been wounded and maimed. Thousands are returning home with terrible head injuries and emotional trauma. An untold story is that 137,000 women – most of them minorities – have served in the war zone.
“Our military is battered and stretched beyond the limit. Since the start of the war, 14,000 army veterans have been called back into service. In the coming months, thousands of marine veterans will be recalled. Enlistment bonuses as high as $40,000 attract mostly poor and minority recruits, but not enough to make up for the shortages of manpower.
“While we are bogged down in Iraq, Osama Bin Laden is roaming free in Afghanistan – ordering attacks around the world. His friends have taken over Somalia and killed thousands of innocent people in the Sudan. With the U.S. preoccupied in Iraq, North Korea and Iran are developing nuclear weapons.
“This administration is incompetent at warfare and scornful of diplomacy. Because of its policies, America is hated in the Muslim world and disrespected by our allies. Even Secretary Rumsfeld wondered whether, in Iraq, we were creating more terrorists than we killed. Worldwide terrorist attacks actually tripled between 2004 and 2005.
“U.S. taxpayers are spending more than $1 billion a week in Iraq. Yet today, we are as vulnerable as the day after 9-11. Instead of doing what it takes to secure the nation, the president manipulates the people’s fear of terrorism to salvage his popularity. The people of New Orleans are the tragic victims of this neglect.
“Our seaports, bridges, tunnels, transportation systems – our entire infrastructure – remain unprotected. Our major cities are shortchanged in anti-terrorism funding.
“Clearly, the president lacks the vision and leadership to mobilize a domestic peace corps. Our young people could play an important, non-violent role in protecting the country.
“No, there is nothing wrong with the psyche of the American people. But, what is strained is the president’s contact with reality.
“This is Congressman Charles Rangel speaking for the Congressional Black Caucus. Thank you.”
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