Iraq War stance one major difference

By DUANE NOLLEN
The Oskaloosa Herald

OSKALOOSA Tue, May 13 2008

— On the fifth anniversary of the Iraq War, Democratic congressional candidate Ed Fallon came to Oskaloosa Wednesday to talk about his views on Iraq and on other foreign policy matters that he disagrees with Congressman Leonard Boswell.
Fallon is challenging Boswell in the Democratic Primary. He stopped at The Herald office as part of a district tour on the topic of the Iraq War.
“Leonard Boswell and I disagree significantly about the war,” Fallon said. “He has supported continued funding with no timetable for withdrawal, whereas I opposed the war even before it began.”
By the end of the fiscal year, the war in Iraq will have cost $845 billion, Fallon said. He said the money could have been better spent at home on things such as bridges and road repairs, schools, health care, Medicare and Social Security.
However, Fallon said there is one issue that he has common ground with Boswell — support of veterans.
“I respect the work Leonard Boswell has done on veterans’ affairs, and I pledge to continue that legacy,” he said.
If Fallon were in Congress five years ago, how would he have dealt with the issue of Iraq?
“I wouldn’t have believed President Bush,” he said. “A concerted UN effort would have made more sense. Now, it’s our blood and our money.”
If Fallon is elected, how would he deal with the possibility of a nuclear-armed Iran?
“Diplomacy needs to be the first tool of foreign policy,” he said. “Work with the community of nations — that needs to be at the heart of any effective foreign policy. If military intervention or peace keeping is needed, do it in conjunction with the UN or other countries.”
On the issue of Darfur, Fallon said China is holding up action in the United Nations.
“We need a uniform peace keeping presence in Darfur to stop the genocide,” he said.
Fallon said he wants to give ordinary people a voice in their government — that’s why he doesn’t take money from political action committees or lobbyists.
However, the situation in Iraq just shows corporate influence in the Bush administration. As an example, he cited the no-bid contracts in Iraq for Haliburton and the exorbitant pay mercenaries from Blackwater are paid, as compared to the nation’s soldiers.
“I see the fingerprints of corporate America all over that stuff. They’re benefiting in a big way,” Fallon said.
Fallon also disagrees with Boswell on the PATRIOT Act. Boswell supported the original bill and its reauthorization.
Fallon said the PATRIOT Act is “a very serious compromise of our civil liberties and freedoms.” As an example, he cited warantless wiretaps that are allowed under the act.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com