Yesterday's Daily Cardinal editorial, Wording Detracts from Referendum,\ falls short of solid analysis on numerous counts. The referendum on our April 4th ballot calling for immediate withdrawal is not representative of an ""ultra-left"" political agenda, nor do the organizers behind this initiative hold any delusions about its influence on foreign policy.
When the campaign was first kicked off by the Four Lakes Green Party, hardly a radical or ultra-left group, there was a month long debate among members of 30 community and student activist groups.
At the time, groups such as the Dane County Democratic Party shared the Cardinal editorial board's concerns. Eventually, through discussion and debate, the ""troops home eventually"" crowd was won over to ""troops home now."" The number of groups endorsing the referendum has since grown, and continues to span the political spectrum from moderate liberals to revolutionary socialists.
There is also broad recognition of the fact that this referendum will have an advisory affect on a government that seems incapable of making up its mind.
Eighty-two percent of Iraqis ""strongly oppose"" the occupation, 72 percent of U.S. troops want to be out in a year or less and Bush still claims the occupation will continue until the end of his presidency.
In the spirit of democracy, which the Bush administration claims to support, the referendum is urging Madisonians to stand in solidarity with the Iraqi people and support our troops by sending the message in the strongest possible terms—bring the troops home, NOW.
Benjamin Ratliffe
Madison
stop the war member\
