[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Response from Senator Durbin

[John W.]

On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 6:28 PM, Brussel Morton K. <mkbrussel at comcast.net>wrote:



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


Ah, but at least he got your last name right, Unknown.  :-)




>   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
>
>
>

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