O'Reilly, like most republicans and people with short memories, thinks the surge escalation is a rousing success, despite the fact that it has failed to accomplish the goal of the surge escalation — creating political reconciliation and a functioning Iraqi government. How is a military escalation supposed to peacefully resolve centuries of conflict and heal the scars from decades of violent oppression?

Jan Schakowsky is one of the few members of Congress who have made confronting the radically privatized war machine a legislative priority. Even before Blackwater operatives gunned down seventeen Iraqis and wounded some twenty-four others in Baghdad in September, propelling the issue of private forces to front-page news, Schakowsky had mercenaries in her scope. Now she is introducing legislation that seeks to end the use of companies like Blackwater in US war zones by 2009. Her Stop Outsourcing Security (SOS) Act "would mandate that all diplomatic security in Iraq be undertaken by U.S. government personnel within 6 months of enactment." It would also allow Congress to view any current security contract greater than $5 million and require government agencies and the military to report the number of contractors employed in Iraq and Afghanistan, any disciplinary actions taken against them, the total cost of the contracts and the number of contractors wounded or killed. "Private contracting companies have forfeited their right to represent the United States," says Schakowsky, asserting that they "put our troops in harm's way, and resulted in the unnecessary deaths of many innocent Iraqi civilians. They have become a liability instead of an asset."

The congressional vice-grip is tightening on Blackwater and other contracted defense firms.

Next Wednesday, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) will introduce legislation to phase out the use of tens of thousands of private security contractors deployed on battlefields where American troops are present. The Stop Outsourcing Security Act intends to effectively put Blackwater and their ilk out of business.

"After 9/11 we thought airport security was so important that it shouldn't be contracted out and we created the Transportation Security Administration," said Peter Karafotas, a spokesman for the Congresswoman. "The writing's on the wall that Blackwater needs to go, and contracting is on its way out."

Private contractors should not be used "for functions that should be reserved for U.S. military forces," Schakowsky argued in a "dear colleague" letter to fellow House members earlier this month. Half a dozen fellow members of Congress, including Reps. Bob Fillner (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-WA), and Nick Rahall (D-WV), have since signed on as co-sponsors, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) may introduce a companion measure in the Senate.

Schakowsky acknowledges that the security contractors could not be given their walking papers immediately, since "our armed forces have been so overtaxed" and now rely on their assistance.

Over the past several months, I have had the privilege of talking to Iowa voters about why I support Barack Obama for President.  The message of change and hope which Barack's candidacy represents has been well received.  As the date of the Iowa Canvass draws near, we need to re-double our efforts to get this message to more Iowa voters.

Be assured if you agree to canvass that you will be supported by a staff of knowledgeable, well-organized and relentless men and women in Iowa who will do their best to make this a memorable experience.  As is the case for many of you, I have been participating in the electoral process for many years.  Be assured that if you join me in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Saturday, November 3rd, your effort will be appreciated.

Lest there be any doubt where Rep. Jan Schakowsky stands, her house is the one with the two red-and-white yard signs, installed just last week, that call out, "Support The Troops. END THE WAR."

The Illinois Democrat, one of the most outspoken Iraq war opponents in Congress, was unimpressed by the assurances last week from President Bush and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, who said this year's increase of 21,500 combat troops has been successful and should be extended into next summer, with no exit strategy or timetable for bringing most American forces home.

(Click to read the article.)