The Iraq War and the American Occupation Are Over

Dear Reader,

AlterNet is looking forward to writing that headline nearly as much as you are looking forward to reading it. How long will it take?

The best chance for slowing down this dreadful war and the occupation of Iraq is fast approaching. We at AlterNet are doing everything in our power to fight Bush's relentless, belligerent policies. It is our top priority.

We need your help. Visit https://www.alternet.org/donate/iraqcoverage/ to support our Iraq coverage.

We hope you'll help us and make it your top priority too.

By a 61% to 35% margin -- the equivalent of an election landslide -- the public disapproves of the Bush Iraq policy.

The human toll is immense: the painful ripple of the death, maiming and psychological duress of tens of thousands of American soldiers and Iraqi civilians are touching the souls of millions.

Now is the time to turn up the pressure and finally put an end to this illegal and immoral war. We're shifting into high gear in order to focus on the incredible costs of the war to our nation -- the useless loss of lives, the astronomical financial costs at the expense of human and safety needs, and the obscene war profiteering.

The incomprehensible financial cost of the war should give pause to every American taxpayer. Leading economists have concluded that the Iraq war will cost $1.27 trillion. American Prospect's Mathew Yglesias explains on AlterNet: "that this is like spending a million dollars for a million days -- or 2,737 years for war."

Astounding, isn't it? Imagine all the domestic needs that could be paid for with that money to make our country safer and healthier.

We have to fight this abomination with all our energy.

Visit https://www.alternet.org/donate/iraqcoverage/ to support our Iraq coverage.

Unfortunately, the disgust with the war hasn't connected inside the Beltway like it has with the people. In Congress, virtually all Republicans and more the half the Democrats support the war. Intense work has to be done to change minds. The elections in November are a crucial opportunity for change. Pro-war Democrats need to feel the heat, and Republicans must be taken head on.

AlterNet already has millions of readers, but we are investing money to advertise and market our findings to those who need to be reached. We're throwing our hearts into this effort.

- We are adding additional staff and researchers.

- We are working with Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films
documentary, "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers," coming out
this fall.

- And, over the next four months leading up to November, we will
document and publicize:

* the excesses of dirty money profiteering, and the
individuals and industries with the most blood on their
hands;

* the politicians of both parties who enable this war, and
don't listen to their constituents;

* the groups and districts where your help can do the most to
end this horrible war.

Increasingly, Americans are standing up to the war profiteering by companies closely allied with Bush and Cheney -- companies like Haliburton, CACI, Bechtel and many more. The obscene profits of oil and military companies are not a reason for our boys and girls to be killed and maimed, kids left orphans, families and lives destroyed.

We know you agree. Please support our efforts as generously as you can.

Visit https://www.alternet.org/donate/iraqcoverage/ to donate now!

This is our best opportunity to make progress.

Best,

Don Hazen
Executive Editor, AlterNet.org