San Francisco Puts Anti-War Measure on Nov. Ballot

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040630/us_nm/iraq_sanfrancisco_dc&cid=1896&ncid=1473

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - San Francisco residents will vote in November on whether to demand the return of all U.S. troops from Iraq (news - web sites) -- a largely symbolic gesture in a city viewed as one of the most liberal in the nation.

The ballot initiative, certified Tuesday by county election officials, calls for "immediate steps to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq and bring our troops safely home now." The measure is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

The four members of San Francisco's board of supervisors who endorsed the proposal estimated the city's share of the Iraq war cost at $520 million -- enough, they said, to fund 10 years worth of social services for children, the homeless, and the elderly.

"Rather than squander more of our precious public resources and sacrifice many more American and Iraqi lives on the occupation, monies should be used to restore life-affirming efforts," the four wrote in a statement.

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[dzeih]

1. nice gesture but...

doesn't the municipal government have more important things to do? This is indeed as pointless as all of the "we support the troops" measures.

[shockingelk]

2. must get used to it

If the senate can spend time on important issues like honoring sports coaches, this seems a tremendously good use of time and effort!

[Caution]

3. symbolic gestures have meaning

heck just ask Marie Antoinette about her "Let them eat cake" statement.

When a large community feels strongly enough about something to speak out about it, those in power had better listen or they won't remain in power for long.

[LisaM]

4. Won't it get liberals out to the polls?

I think it's a good thing.