[Peace-discuss] Fw: It's time for a new course in Afghanistan

[C. G. Estabrook]

[We know that both parties are substantially to the right of the US populace on 
many issues, but here it seems that Feingold, advertised as the most liberal 
Democratic senator on the war, is to the right of the Pentagon itself on the 
matter of "timetable."  And the timetable of the JCS Chairman is even more 
specific that the Senator's.  Some anti-war move... Let's urge the Democratic 
liberals to bring US troops home from the Middle East, not look for ways to 
cover over the extension of the war.

	Admiral Mullen: US ‘Starting Over’ in Afghanistan
	12 to 18 More Months to 'Turn This Thing Around'
	by Jason Ditz, August 26, 2009
     Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen says that the Obama 
Administration’s massive escalation in Afghanistan is going to take another 12 
to 18 months to “turn this thing around,” and he seems poised to ask for 
additional forces above what’s already committed to the war, though he is 
waiting for Gen. McChrystal’s assessment to hit before making specific 
recommendations.
     But nearly eight years into the disastrous war, and with the American 
public seeming less and less eager to keep the conflict going, the admiral 
sought to distance himself and indeed the war effort from the last eight years 
of failure, saying that the military was basically “starting over.”
     “There is a newness here,” Mullen claimed, “there is a starting again, or 
starting over.” At the same time, they’re starting in a considerably worse 
position than they had eight years ago when they originally invaded.
     Just last week Gen. McChrystal admitted that the Taliban was at its 
strongest point since the war began. A rising number of attacks have been 
setting new records for soldiers killed in the war, and Afghan voter turnout 
plummeted amid threats of violence and reports of corruption. As General David 
Petraeus put it today, “an enormous amount of hard work and tough fighting lies 
ahead,” one that will “require a sustained, substantial commitment from all 
involved.”
    But with growing impatience, and in some cases outright opposition, to the 
US war effort among its allies (and among the US voters), such a commitment 
seems unlikely. Even if one was to discard the last eight years, the thousands 
of people killed, the hundreds of billions of dollars spent, the “new” war 
doesn’t look to have a very bright future, and the 12-18 month timetable to 
reverse the momentum seems remarkably optimistic. 
<http://news.antiwar.com/2009/08/26/
admiral-mullen-us-starting-over-in-afghanistan/>]

Jenifer Cartwright wrote:
> Hello Friends, I sent Feingold a check yesterday via US mail. Now I need to
> email my gov't officials in the House and Senate -- who are supposed to be
> representing my views -- telling them what I've done. Join me?? --Jenifer
> 
> --- On *Thu, 8/27/09, Russ Feingold, U.S. Senator 
> /<campaign at russfeingold.org>/* wrote:
> 
> 
> From: Russ Feingold, U.S. Senator <campaign at russfeingold.org> Subject: It's
> time for a new course in Afghanistan To: jencart13 at yahoo.com Date: Thursday,
> August 27, 2009, 9:35 AM
> 
> Russ Feingold - United States Senator 
> <http://campaign.russfeingold.org/site/R?i=J07v340YqszJYjdFcVZ7Kg..>
> 
> Jenifer, support a flexible timetable 
> <http://campaign.russfeingold.org/site/R?i=t1xVLgc59sPGAtymOybYag..> While I
> was in Appleton earlier this week, I outlined my views on a flexible
> timetable to bring our brave men and women home from Afghanistan.  After
> eight years of war, I am not convinced that continuing to send troops into
> Afghanistan, with no end in sight, is a well-thought out strategy.  It’s time
> for a new course. I am concerned that the current military build-up could end
> up simply driving more extremists across the border into Pakistan, while
> feeding resentment among the Afghan people about a perceived occupation.  A
> flexible timetable that shows the people of America and Afghanistan that we
> have a strategy and a commitment to leave is going to be one of the best
> things we can do to succeed in that country and strengthen our own national
> security. As we debate important domestic issues such as health care, and the
> economy, we must never forget our troops currently serving our nation
> overseas.  While there are still four months left in the year, 2009 is now
> the deadliest year for international forces in Afghanistan since 2004.  We
> are clearly not moving forward, and we can’t continue this open-ended
> commitment indefinitely. I will continue to speak out in favor of a flexible
> timetable for withdrawal, and I’m counting on you to help spread the word.
> You can *sign on as a supporter of a flexible timetable to bring our troops
> home from Afghanistan here* 
> <http://campaign.russfeingold.org/site/R?i=SUpdNPLIsTQShNvMGxIKdg..>. You’ll
> also be able to view my recent ed board meeting on the topic and forward this
> message to your friends and family.  I’ll keep you updated on the next steps,
> and what you can do to make sure our message is heard. Sincerely, Russ
> Signature Russ Feingold United States Senator