Congresswoman Lee: More Troops Not the Answer in Afghanistan

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Reposted from Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s website.

January 6, 2011

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement in response to reports that an additional 1,400 U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks, with as many as 3,000 total troops being considered for added deployment:

“I categorically oppose a further escalation of the U.S. troop presence in Afghanistan.

“In 2001, I placed the lone vote against the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Afghanistan because I believed that it might pave the way to open-ended war,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Unfortunately, each week brings additional news that my worst fears have been realized.

“This action will further entrench the United States Armed Forces in Afghanistan on the false premise of a military-first strategy that has consistently proven itself ineffective and counterproductive.

“This latest troop deployment is yet another example of our military generals’ predictable and misguided recommendation that the situation in Afghanistan demands more time, more lives, and more resources.

“Just six months away from the President’s pledged start of withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2011, sending more of our brave men and women in uniform into an impossible situation in Afghanistan is not the answer.

“As we enter the 112th Congress, I will continue to work with my colleagues to demand significant and meaningful reductions to the U.S. military presence in July of 2011 and the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops and military contractors in Afghanistan at the soonest possible date.”

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Showing 7 comments
  • Barry
    Reply

    You can not stop this war, President Obama made promise he could never keep. The troop build up is for a spring time offense.

  • Stephen Chinlund
    Reply

    Dear Congresswoman Lee,
    I have been a supporter of yours for years, never more than right now.
    Please keep up the good work. History will vindicate you. How about periodic updates on the $$$cost of the war even though the human lives and suffering are most important, I think Americans may pay more attention, at the moment, to the money. How many schools, teachers, health care, etc would $one trillion buy?
    Gratefully,
    Steve

  • Thomas Hofer
    Reply

    Dear Congresswoman Lee, I fully support your efforts to end the war in Afghanistan and to bring the troops home. I will spread your message on the Facebook page at this time.

  • lisa
    Reply

    congress woman lee
    i have a petition to stop the war .
    i would very much like if it gets passed around to all the right people to get it signed.
    i all ready have 123 names to my petition if that helps. so help me in getting more names .
    thanks lisa

  • Joe Valentino
    Reply

    Thank you for all you do.

  • Earlene Hawley
    Reply

    To: Congresswoman Barbara Lee: We lived/worked in Afghanistan w/ Columbia U. Ed. Team, ’62-’66, & back in ’72 w/ our own 4 kids & 25 students from Lewis & Clark College, Portland, OR., WHEN it was peaceful, & we feared not to travel EVERYWHERE. Now, we GRIEVE. I can hardly believe that the MILITARY, mostly minus the LANGUAGE, or the deep understanding of the CULTURE, are doing anything other than wasting Afghan & American lives, and eating up TRILLIONS of dollars. IF you have moment, please check a drama of mine which is soon to be filmed: We live in Waverly, IA-next to Wartburg College.

    • Earlene Hawley
      Reply

      How did the “http” re my drama get deleted-? I’ll try again:
      Earlene Hawley–

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