Congress Begins Afghanistan Debate

Congressman
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today introduced H. Con Res. 248 a privileged
resolution with 16 original cosponsors that will require the House of
Representatives to debate whether to continue the war in Afghanistan.
A rule is expected to provide for three hours of debate which will
occur on Wednesday March 11, 2010.

Speaking
about his resolution on the House floor today, Kucinich said, "There is
a new way to fight war in Afghanistan. U.S. Commanders are publicly
telling the Taliban when we are coming and where we are going to wage
war. This while Karzai tries to cut a deal with the Taliban!

"Meanwhile
a large offensive is being mounted--an assault on Kandahar. The U.S.
is going to have 100,000 troops ready for a big battle by autumn and
logistical problems abound. Here is a quote from the February 20th
National Journal, "So, despite the immense effort to push out supplies,
the front-line fighters sometimes don't even have the minimum they
need. 'We had guys out there at outposts in my area of operations
starving because we couldn't get resupply in to them,'" said one Major.

"What
is this all about? To strengthen corrupt central government officials
building villas in Dubai? I am introducing a privileged resolution to
get us out of Afghanistan and I urge your support," Kucinich added.

Original
cosponsors include Representatives John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI); Ron Paul
(R-TX); Jose Serrano (D-NY); Bob Filner (D-CA); Lynn Woolsey (D-CA);
Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC); Danny Davis (D-IL); Barbara Lee (D-CA);
Michael Capuano (D-MA); Raul Grijalva (D-AZ); Tammy Baldwin (D-WI);
Timothy Johnson (R-IL); Yvette Clarke (D-NY); Eric Massa (D-NY); Alan
Grayson (D-FL); and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

See a copy of the resolution here.