Subscribe to Common Dreams News Updates
Most Popular This Week
Popular content
Today's Top News
Feingold, McGovern, Jones Introduce Legislation to Require Timetable for Deploying US Troops from Afghanistan
Lawmakers say, Open-Ended Military Presence in Afghanistan is Counterproductive to our National Security Goals
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S.
Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) announced
they are introducing legislation requiring the president to develop a flexible
timetable to draw down U.S. troops from Afghanistan, in order to enhance our
national security and reduce the burden on our armed forces and on taxpayers.
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would require the president to provide a
plan for drawing down our forces in Afghanistan. The legislation also
increases oversight by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan
Reconstruction (SIGAR) over work done by private contractors with records of
waste, fraud and abuse in order to safeguard U.S. taxpayer dollars. 
“At the listening sessions I have held throughout Wisconsin over the last several months, people across the political spectrum have asked why we continue to have a massive military presence in Afghanistan,” said Senator Feingold. “A large, open-ended presence in Afghanistan is counterproductive to our global fight against al Qaeda. Rather than pour resources into a nation-building strategy in a country that isn’t even al Qaeda’s base, we should develop a timetable to end our massive presence in Afghanistan, so we are better able to go after al Qaeda’s global network. We need to be as agile as al Qaeda and we can’t do that if we are bogged down in Afghanistan.”
“After 8 long years, hundreds of billions of dollars and – most importantly – thousands of our brave soldiers killed or wounded, it is past time to re-examine this strategy. Instead of nation-building in Afghanistan, I believe we should be doing some more nation-building here at home. The American people deserve accountability – in terms of how and when our troops will be returned to their families and in terms of how taxpayer dollars are being spent,” said Representative McGovern.
“I believe the war on terror needs to be thought of in a different way. I believe there are other strategies that could be used, as I have discussed with several former generals. As recent as yesterday I visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the Bethesda Naval Academy. Being there and seeing the true cost of war only strengthens my belief that it is time to change our strategy and reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan. It is time to put an end to the tremendous stress we are placing on our military and their families,” said Representative Jones.
Feingold, McGovern and Jones recently wrote to President Obama outlining their concerns that the military strategy for Afghanistan is “not in our best national security interest and makes us dependent upon an unreliable partner in the Afghan government.” In the letter urging the president to set forth a timetable, the legislators wrote, “The attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day serves as a reminder that we have not been adequately prioritizing the need to track down al Qaeda, especially in emerging safe havens such as Yemen. Rather than investing a disproportionate amount of our resources in Afghanistan, we need to shift resources to pursuing al Qaeda’s global network.”
The legislation:
- Would require the president to provide a plan and timetable for drawing down our forces in Afghanistan and identify any variables that could require changes to that timetable.
- Would safeguard U.S. taxpayer dollars by ensuring all U.S. activity in Afghanistan be overseen by an Inspector General.
- Does not set a specific date for withdrawal.
33 Comments so far
Show AllYawn.
It gets easier and easier to toss out those bones of "hope" when they all know it's DOA.
Right we need to attack more countries that harbor "Terrorists"... like all 60 of them including The USA.
Well, at least they say we need to build our own nation.... but that will have to wait till after this war is won according to this plan.
over 50 percent of the budget goes to the War.... How much more and how many more have to die, before we learn to mind our own business?
Our politicians are crazy fuckin creeps.
WE are the terrorists in many parts of the world.
WE are the ones attacking and killing non-combatants in the name of political gain.
Let us hope cracks are appearing in the proud, shameful facade of the American Empire ...
- The legislation would require the president to provide a plan and timetable for drawing down our forces in Afghanistan -
Well, let's see. US forces are in Afghanistan to fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban (according to Congress and Public Law 107-40). These enemies are found/imagined in many countries, but the Democrats only pretend to solve one small part of the problem at a time, ensuring incompetent failure.
The US military is tasked with 'preventing future terrorism' by our enemies (a-Q and Mr. T).
So, all that's needed is for the President to provide to Congress how the military will complete its insanely unachievable mission to prevent future terrorism forever and everywhere (by retreating from Afghanistan!).
Congress started this insanity and they continue to ignore their own responsibility.
America is insane with terrorist-phobia, caused by Public Law 107-40.
And don't forget the official mythology of 9/11!
Actually, the invasion of Afghanistan was completely unnecessary. It was George W. Bush, at the urging of Karl Rove, who knew that the only salvation for Bush's failing administration was to become a WAR PRESIDENT, who got us into this war. The leader of the Taliban had _offered_ to turn bin Laden and other al Qaida members over to the US for prosecution. At Rove's insistence, Bush turned him down.
Obama's only real failure has been the Nixonian mistake of owning the war.
The US Military is tasked with DEFENDING America, not invading and occupying countries that pose no threat to us. A loose organization of (American trained) terrorists, which happened to be based in Afghanistan, attacked us on 9/11/2001. That group is what we need to be focusing on, and recent reports indicate that there are very few of their number still in Afghanistan.
Terrorism is about ideology. Throwing our military power at people's brains, to change their thinking, is stupid. It actually galvanizes their hatred for us,and converts others to join them against us.
The Taliban, as the (then legitimate) government of Afghanistan, did NOT invade the United States, and under international law, their continued resistance to United States troops that still occupy the country is completely legal. Citizens of any country have the right to resist an occupying army. Violent resistance will continue as long as we are seen as occupiers.
Our presence in Afghanistan is serving absolutely no purpose. It is not stabilizing the country. We are not searching for al Qaida. All we are doing is propping up a corrupt government of questionable legitimacy ... a government that we installed, that has little control outside of the area surrounding the capital. Otherwise, Afghanistan has returned to the ancient rule of the local war lords. The Taliban were weak, but are gaining strength because of our presence. The war lords don't want them around any more than they want us there.
You are right about one thing, too many Americans have swallowed the Repuglican'ts fear-mongering for far too long. It is time for people to start thinking for themselves, instead of letting themselves be led around by a nose ring by the fear-mongers.
It is time to turn our national attention to things that will _really_ bring security to Americans ... things like JOBS, and quality medical care, and education, and alternative energy development. Invest in the restoration of our national infrastructure. Rebuild our crumbling schools.
These wars halfway around the world are not protecting our national security, unless you are fool enough to think that a continued dependence upon foreign oil is in our best interest.
It is time to take our government back from the corporate grasp that is choking America. End corporate "personhood" and reinstate anti-trust laws. Break up "too big to fail" corporations. Regulate banks and investment institutions. Government has the responsibility to protect citizens and deregulation has hurt the American people in many ways.
Prosecute the people responsible for illegal wiretaps and other unconstitutional infringements upon the rights of Americans.
It is time to reverse the Repuglican't tax cuts of Reagan and Bush and make the greedy rich start paying the rest of us back for the privileges of their aristocratic lives. They're the only ones profiting from these wars; they should be shouldering the costs of them, instead of leaving it for future generation to pay for them. Reagan's "trickle down stupidity" doesn't work. Statistically, unemployment is lower when taxes are higher, because there is more government money available to invest in government projects, which in turn creates local support jobs.
You have too much time to think. I,m keeping this short because I ran out of booze and need to go to the liquor store.
More posturing for the left that something good can come out of the stinking Democratic Party. "See, there's hope. (sorry) Look at Feingold, McGovern, Lee, Jones and let's not forget Kucinich".
Same old same old.
Would you rather that the rotten Repuglican'ts drag us into yet _another_ war? I'd much rather smell Democrats trying to get us out of _both_ of them.
It's more likely the Dems will get us in to Yemen, Pakistan, Darfur, etc before they get us out of Afghanistan.
We're already in Pakistan ... illegally ... and George Bush took us there, too.
"...and George Bush took us there". Bush is no longer President, Obama is. Why are we still there?....illegally there?...and in Iraq and on and on and on and on.
Dismantle the Empire? Dismantle the duopoly that maintains the empire.
Are you ignorant of US history? Democrats are just as hungry for wars as Republicans, maybe more so. Remember JFK?
The delusions continue ..... the deluded remain so.
If they Dems wanted out we would be out today, because they would refuse funding.
The big question is will Obomber attack Iran?
Just today, John McCain said that it is time to "pull the trigger" on Iran. He wants to start another war in the Middle East. During the campaign he said he knows how to win wars. And it seems the dems give the repubs everything they want, so I guess it won't be long. WTF is happening in this country, this world?
Walter Jones is actually a republican.. perhaps the only semi-sane one left in Congress.
What? is it that time of year again for a handfull of Democrats to suggest a timetable for withdrawal? Ah, what was once a farcical token gesture, is morphing into a beloved Democratic pastime!!! Vote for more war money for foreign occupation and assassinations, then try and fail to require a timetable for withdrawal.
“After 8 long years, hundreds of billions of dollars and – most importantly – thousands of our brave soldiers killed or wounded, it is past time to re-examine this strategy"
Please, let's not forget hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans dead and wounded, and millions more displaced. We've never had it so good in comparison. Unfortunately, their dead, wounded and displaced, not to mention devastated economies and infrastructures are not sufficient reasons for the U.S. "powers that be" to re-examine our continued presence in the Mideast. Shame on us!
"does not set a specific date for withdrawal"
I agree with those that say the Dems are just posturing
for the 2010, 2012 elections, they are not sincere nor do
they label these wars as the resource wars that they are but
still try to sell the boogyman. Democrats also will be
the ones that continue to fan the flame of racism in order
to keep the minority vote that they don't deserve.
The "good Democrats" know full well how this will turn out. A timeline! Yeah right. And after the elections they can go back to "supporting the troops" and "fighting terror."
This is another scam.
Call them and tell them to stop the next funding bill, period. Or you will work your fingers to the bone to elect someone to take their places.
Do you not have a clue that by dissing this bill, you are helping ensure that there will be no change in our policy toward Afghanistan. For gods sake, give the few that are standing up for sanity a little support will ya?
A timeline...with no specific date for withdrawal. Meaningless. A gesture and that's all. The way out is to cut off the funds. Do you really think the Dems, even the ones listed here, will do that?
I'm sorry but the few standing up for sanity are the ones calling for the Democratic Party to go away...to die...to be replaced by something that really stands for Progressive change. Easier said than done, I know. But no one should have any doubts about the true nature of the DP after one year plus of Obama.
Time to quit!
from the article:
A large, open-ended presence in Afghanistan is counterproductive to our global fight against al Qaeda. Rather than pour resources into a nation-building strategy in a country that isn’t even al Qaeda’s base, we should develop a timetable to end our massive presence in Afghanistan, so we are better able to go after al Qaeda’s global network. - Sen Feingold
the word 'global' appears twice...a 'global' fight against a 'global' network...
sounds like 'global' carte blanche for the drones...
Flexible timeline? Well now, that leaves room for indefinitely staying in Afghanistan, no? I don't think that any of what they introduce means anything. Just single John Conyers's plans for Medicare for all, this one will fade away quickly unless there's plenty of pork for the congress critters.
Now that I've read the many comments that have come before me, which have predominantly been of a ridiculing nature, I believe it is time to get dead serious.
McGovern, Feingold and Jones are to be commended for their efforts and their sincerity in offering up this legislation.
Might I suggest that at the same time they propose the aforementioned, they also introduce a bill to remove the wrinkles from prunes.......and see which gets passed first.
How many years has it now been that the Sunwseet folks have been saying "Today the pits, tomorrow the wrinkles"? Considerably longer than we've been in Afghanistan so I believe it is about time that we got our priorities straight.
Reinstitute the draft and you will see how fast the war will end.
With the new cowboy president in charge of the War on Terror, don’t count on it. Time-lines, Obama said, are subject to change. Americans should not expect anything nice from a so called Nobel Peace Prize recipient who set the precedent for authorizing the assassination of US citizens. Obama was busy behind the scenes extending the Patriot Act during the health reform ruckus. This from a man who promised transparency, and now we are supposed to believe there is going to be a time line for withdrawal. There may well be a withdrawal but it can well be followed by a surge months later. It’s all meaningless and political maneuvering for the coming elections. There’s empire building to be taken care of, tin-pot dictators to support, new bases to build or expand, more money to be spent on weapons of mass destruction from the 53% of our taxes that fund the wars. War is Peace, don't ya know?
Even if Feingold, McGovern & Jones intentions are sincere it won't matter (and I don't believe it), Obomber and the majority of the Democrapic party are dedicated to AIPAC & PNAC appeasment as evidenced by its prime cheerleader: Nancy 'Impeachment is off the table' Fancy Pants Pelosi as well as Hairy Reed.
Let us remember Obomber has legalized killing U.S. citizens that are suspected of being enemy combatants...the key word 'suspected'. We could be the next suspects.
Obomber voted for retro-active immunity for telecoms spying on Americans emails & phone calls; Obomber said he voted for it as a 'compromise'.
I am tired of the platitudes being dished out by Lexus Liberal Democrappers but when the rubber hits the road, the D-Crappers are spineless panty waisted Jellyfish.
Barbara Boxer is a prime example in her Californnia senate race when she came out against a California ballot measure that seeks to legalize and tax marijuana. Boxhead says she is concerned that if it passes that crime will go up and higher costs for local law agencies...is that the biggest croc sh*t you've ever heard! I'm sure the Prison guards union is shouting for joy that Boxhead is taking that position which of course is money in the bank for them for all the volken that get thrown in jail for non violent crime and are not a danger to society.
*#@#** the Democrats. Vote Independent.
Obama is busy putting on his Makeup for his Remake.
Most of America will buy it. There is , after all is
said and done with the nuclear disarmament talk, no change
from the last fifty years. Just tons more empty rhetoric
with a lot of pomp.
Russ Feingold and Barbara Lee are just decoys of the
Democrat Party.
Now that it has become abundantly clear that our heroes will not stand up and fight "like men", hiding instead behind anonymous drones and 2,000-pound bombs which all the world knows represent war crimes, more and more politicians will support withdrawing our heroes.
Time to redecorate our trailer parks and beff-up police ranks in anticipation of our heroes coming home to beat up on their wives and children.
Our police ranks are already being beefed up... with psychotic killers returning from IrAfPak. Do not carry a camera anywhere near a new police cadet. Do not walk about randomly in a town square anywhere near a new police cadet. Do not carry children in a car anywhere near a new police cadet. Any of these represent danger to the psychotic returnees and may draw fire. Best to avoid police altogether if you can.