Today, Senator Jon Tester gave his three-point plan (TPP) for Iraq during a speech in Helena.

This appears to be paving the way for the post-recess democrat-led debate on Iraq starting when they return on July 9.

As one reporter wrote, Tester, “…stopped short of calling for a cut in war funding.” I don’t think this is what some liberals wanted to read. The fastest way to bring the troops home is to stop funding the war, but not too many folks have the guts to actually go that far. They believe they will be tagged with not supporting the troops. On TV tonight, a lady was standing near the front during Tester’s speech with a sign that read, “STOP FUNDING THE WAR.” Ouch.

In reading his TPP, I find that I agree with some of his ideas. I know, it’s ironic.

1. Protect the mental and physical health of U.S. troops
Agree. It is a good idea to ensure troops have plenty of rest between deployments. It is important for their families, too. I remember being deployed a few times and coming home to my son who did not know me and just as we got re-acquainted, it was time to leave again.

2. Redouble counter-terrorism efforts in Afghanistan
Agree. It has become the forgotten war. I think Osama bin Laden is somewhere in that region. We need to find the head of terrorism and cut it off.

3. De-Authorize the 2002 use-of-force resolution
Disagree. I think Bush will start re-deploying troops from Iraq later this year on his own and give one of two reasons: He’ll say the Government over there has made significant progress or more likely he’ll say they have not made the progress they promised they would and we’re bringing the troops home.

Besides, it’s all about winning elections, isn’t it?

The last thing anyone wants to see is Iraq with thousands of dead bodies, including children, lying all over the streets with flies swarming around them due to mass murders by the different groups fighting each other. We may have gone into the war with bad intelligence, but to let innocent civilians be murdered in mass would not be good for them or us. The USA is in a difficult position.

In closing, Tester will get some publicity from this in Montana. He got a mention in this blog! I don’t think too many other people outside this state will pay much attention to the 99th ranked senator’s plan. After the ninth of July, we’ll probably see a lot more of these plans presented. They may actually get enough votes in agreement to do something.