[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Response from Senator Durbin

[Brussel Morton K.]

FYI.  You can guess how he'll vote from how he "frames the issue". He wishes to be a friend of the administration.  --mkb


Begin forwarded message:

> From: <correspondence_reply at durbin.senate.gov>
> Date: May 5, 2010 2:39:45 PM CDT
> To: <mkbrussel at comcast.net>
> Subject: Message from Senator Durbin
> Reply-To: <correspondence_reply at durbin.senate.gov>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> May 5, 2010
> 
> 
> 
> Unknown Morton Brussel
> 2003 George Huff Drive
> Urbana,, IL 61801-6203
> 
> 
> Dear Unknown Brussel:
> 
> Thank you for contacting me about the war in Afghanistan.
> 
> Our involvement in Afghanistan is now in its ninth year. Our troops have done everything we have asked of them and many of them have been deployed multiple times. We need to take a step back and make an honest appraisal of the situation in Afghanistan.
> 
> The President has presented his plan for the war and I am examining it carefully. This is one of the most important issues we face as a nation, and I appreciate hearing your views.
> 
> I was one of 23 Senators who voted against the authorization to go to war in Iraq. That war was not necessary, and it diverted us from the battle in Afghanistan.
> 
> We went to war in Afghanistan with just cause. Osama bin Laden planned his attack on the United States in Afghanistan. The Taliban government provided a safe harbor for him and his al Qaeda operatives. The U.S. military action targeted those who attacked us on 9/11 and those who provided support and protection to them.
> 
> Our efforts lifted the reign of terror in Afghanistan and disrupted the al Qaeda network. Because of our involvement, Afghanistan has adopted a new constitution; many Afghan citizens, particularly women, have regained personal freedoms that were forbidden under the Taliban; and some 3.5 million Afghan refugees have returned home.
> 
> However, while our resources were diverted to the war in Iraq, the challenge in Afghanistan grew. The circumstances changed, including in neighboring Pakistan. We must honestly assess what we can realistically expect to achieve.
> 
> I am not convinced that 30,000 more troops will make the difference in Afghanistan, especially if Afghanistan's government doesn't begin to address some of its own problems, including corruption.
> 
> The announcement of a starting date for withdrawal sends an important signal to the government of Afghanistan and the Afghan people that they must take their future into their own hands. They and we will be better off if our troops are able to leave an Afghanistan whose security forces have become self-sufficient and whose civilians are building a democratic system with a vibrant economy.
> 
> I will keep your thoughts in mind as I further assess the President's plan.
> 
> Thank you again for contacting me. Please feel free to keep in touch.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Richard J. Durbin
> United States Senator
> 
> RJD/ab
> 
> 
> 
> 


-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.chambana.net/pipermail/peace-discuss/attachments/20100505/87eb132f/attachment.html>