8th CD Candidate Forum Addresses $178 Billion War Funding Measure Sunday, 4/27 in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO, April 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Congress begins debate on additional funding for Iraq and Afghanistan military operations, San Francisco peace groups have called a Town Hall Meeting to debate The Costs of War. The meeting will start at 5pm on Sunday, April 27th in the Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th Street (near Mission and Capp Streets).

Organizers are inviting all 2008 candidates for the 8th Congressional District house seat, currently occupied by Nancy Pelosi, to participate or send a representative -- regardless of their position on the issue. As of April 19th, Democrat Shirley Golub, Independent Cindy Sheehan and Libertarian Phil Berg have confirmed their participation.

Aside from candidate speeches, the Town Hall will feature questions and comments from the audience. A number of additional speakers are also expected to address the meeting, which is sponsored by the Gold Star Families for Peace, the Iraq Moratorium and other local peace groups.

The Town Hall coincides with House consideration of the latest supplemental funding bill for US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to a Thursday Associated Press report (at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080417/ap_on_go_co/congress_iraq_funding_6), Congressional leaders are considering a single, $178 billion measure that will finance the occupations for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008 and through June 2009. By passing this measure, Congress would avoid a debate on additional war funding just prior to the November election.

"By funding the war well into 2009, Congress would abandon its responsibility to provide continuing oversight of the Executive Branch, and would condemn hundreds of additional young Americans to death and serious injury," said Town Hall co-organizer, Marc Joffe. "Further, to spend over 1% of the nation's GDP on fruitless wars during a recession is the height of fiscal irresponsibility."

Despite the recent US troop surge, violence in Iraq remains at a high level. During the first 18 days of April, 27 American soldiers have died and over 1000 Iraqis have been killed in numerous attacks. Total US casualties thus far number 4039 dead and tens of thousands injured. Estimates of Iraqi deaths range up to 1.2 million.

Officially, total Iraq War spending now exceeds $512 billion, but if long term care for veterans, replacing military equipment and additional interest on the national debt are included, the true cost of the war is three trillion dollars, according to Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz.

Next Sunday's 8th CD meeting is part of a national series of Iraq Town Halls organized by Democrats.com and several national peace and progressive groups. More information on these events is available at http://www.iraqtownhalls.com/.

Other Events

On Thursday, April 24th at 5pm MoveOn.Org and several local progressive groups will hold a rally on Iraq and the Recession in front of Senator Dianne Feinstein's office at 1 Post Street (corner of Post, Montgomery and Market). The rally will include street theatre and will feature the release of polling data that shows California residents believe that the Iraq War is connected to the current economic downturn. MoveOn.org activists will also provide data showing what services Californians could receive if war funding was diverted to domestic priorities. More information on this event is available at http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/index.html?action_id=113.

Prior to the Iraq Town Hall, at 2pm on April 27th, the Victoria Theatre will host the world premiere of "IRAN (is not the problem)". This feature length documentary critically examines the case for a US attack against Iran and includes interviews with Iranian Americans and Bay Area peace activists. More information about the film is available at http://www.iranisnottheproblem.org/.

Contact: Marc Joffe (415) 205-3122

Dede Miller (562) 912-5838

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Stop Funding the War Coalition

CONTACT: Marc Joffe, +1-415-205-3122, or Dede Miller, +1-562-912-5838,
both for Stop Funding the War Coalition

Web site: http://www.stopfundingthewar.org/
http://www.iraqtownhalls.com/
http://www.iranisnottheproblem.org/

2008-04-19 20:52:16 0339976 PRNEWSWIRE