Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/27/2010
Americans Killed: 1,207
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 577
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. Paul J. Miller, 22, of Traverse City, MI died July 19 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Brian F. Piercy, 27, of Clovis, CA died July 19 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Julio Vargas, 23, of Sylmar, CA died July 20 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Joe L. Wrightsman, 23, of Jonesboro, LA died July 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. James J. Oquin, 20, of El Paso, TX died July 23 in Orgun-E, Afghanistan.

*Lt. Col. Mario D. Carazo, 41, of Springfield, OH died July 22 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Maj. James M. Weis, 37, of Toms River, NJ died July 22 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Conrad A. Mora, 24, of San Diego, CA died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Daniel Lim, 23, of Cypress, CA died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Joseph A. Bauer, 27, of Cincinnati, OH died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Andrew L. Hand, 25, of Enterprise, AL died July 24, at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Frederik E. Vazquez, 20, of Melrose Park, IL died July 24 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Congressional Progressives Bring Back Fight for "Robust Public Option"

It’s baaaaaack….


Congressional Democrats, led by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and the Congressional Progressive Caucus have introduced legislation that would bring back the so call robust public option as an amendment to the recently passed “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”. Schakowsky and the 128 original co-sponsors of HR 5808 (Again, Washington’s Jim McDermott stands alone in our delegation) are hoping to appeal to their congressional colleagues on the basis of concerns over the growing federal deficit. Citing numbers from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office that predict the bill could save the government some $68 billion between 2014 and 2020, Schakowsky says,

"For those who care about federal deficits, small and large businesses, individuals and families, the healthcare of our country, the public option is the way to go".

During the train wreck that was the negotiation for healthcare reform last year, language that would have included a robust public option was incrementally chipped away until; upon final passage of the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, not a syllable remained. HR 5808 would allow anyone to sign on to a government administered healthcare plan as part of the planned state healthcare insurance exchanges due to begin in 2014. The government would pay doctors and hospitals Medicare rates plus 5 percent. According to the CBO, premiums in the public plan would be 5 percent to 7 percent lower than the premiums offered by private plans in the exchanges.

The bill’s sponsors will use time during the current election season to promote the bill and have vowed to fight for its passage next year.


So far there is silence from the Whitehouse.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Larry Kalb for Congress in Washington's 2nd Congressional District

To my Progressive friends (and fellow Democrats) in the 2nd Congressional District:

On next Friday, July 30th, ballots will begin arriving in mailboxes across the district for voting in the August 17th Primary Election. I am writing today to encourage you to join with me in casting your vote for Larry Kalb to be our next member of Congress. Let me tell you why.

I have known Larry since the 2004 election season when we stood in opposite camps of the Progressive tribe. I was supporting Gov. Howard Dean and Larry was supporting Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Neither of us has waivered in our support of either candidate or the principles they still stand for. But Larry has actually gone much further in his commitment to those principles. He has moved on to be a delegate to the Democratic national convention is support of Dennis Kucinich and has worked across the state as a tireless advocate for single payer healthcare for all Americans. He has marched with those who oppose this country’s fatal preoccupation with military interventionism and this year he has taken on the herculean task of challenging a 5 term incumbent Democratic congressman to be a much needed Progressive voice in the United States Congress.

While our incumbent wrestles with the question of whether or not healthcare is a right to be afforded to each American, Larry recognizes that basic healthcare is, in fact, a human right. And, in these economic times, Larry also recognizes that a single payer healthcare system would be a major economic stimulus; especially to small business who would no longer have to chose layoffs over expansion due to rising healthcare costs.

In perhaps the biggest difference between the Progressive agenda that Larry would pursue and the business as usual agenda followed by the incumbent, military spending stands out like the proverbial sore thumb. While Rep. Larsen; who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, treats the tax payers like an ATM when it comes to anything military – more money for nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines and multiple contractors to provide redundant equipment, not to mention continued support for US military bases and personnel in over 70 countries around the world – Larry realizes that we can no longer sustain trillion dollar DoD budgets at a time when we cannot afford to repair our highways, and other elements of our infrastructure. Larry would advocate for re-prioritizing our tax dollars to boost our domestic economy – create new Green Energy jobs, provide a college education to all our children so as to educate our future engineers and scientists, and to guarantee a safety net for the most vulnerable in our society. It is long past time to tame the Military/Industrial Complex. The incumbent will not do this – Larry Kalb will.

While Rep. Larsen earned the praise of the Progressive community when he voted against the original Iraq War Resolution; he has spent the remainder of his time in Congress voting time and time again for every off-budget “emergency supplemental” to keep pouring good money after bad in a tragic affirmation of wrongheaded foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even today, when more and more Americans, as well as a growing number of his congressional colleagues are demanding an end game in those countries; Larsen is more than willing to leave thousands of US troops in Iraq while sending tens of thousands more Americans to Afghanistan. Larry understands that there can be no military “victory” for the US in a part of the world in which we are viewed as foreign invaders. Our choices are to either stay indefinitely as an occupying force or to “declare victory” and bring our troops (and the billions of dollars to provide for their support) home. Solutions in Iraq and Afghanistan must be found through diplomacy and in helping these countries to rebuild after the devastation our invasions have brought upon them. Larry has firmly committed to not vote for any additional monies for Iraq and Afghanistan except as is necessary to bring the troops home.

The power of incumbency is a fascinating illusion. There was a time when primary elections were a valuable tool for debating the issues of the day and encouraging the rank and file to choose who best represented the ideals and principles of the party as expressed in the party platform. Somewhere along the line, however, the refrain of “preserve the incumbent” became as common a party mantra as “show me the money.” But it only takes the determination of an organized and focused group who are tired of being fed the half of a loaf that is “better than none” or told that their time “will come” to realize that their time actually comes at every primary election and that they can only achieve their goal by refusing to accept the status quo and voting their collective conscious. Be assured that this is the time to stand and make your voice be heard and why we have primary elections in the first place.

No human is perfect and Larry will be the first to admit his flaws. However, if we are to begin to move the country in a more Progressive and just direction; Larry Kalb is the first step on the journey. We know we cannot accept the right-wing or even libertarian view that government is bad. In America the government is, after all, “of; by; and for the people”. But we must also realize that, after almost 10 years at the wheel, Rick Larsen’s bus is not going in our direction either. And so; to my fellow Progressives within and outside the Democratic Party, when your ballot arrives for the August 17th primary, vote your hopes and your principles. Vote for Larry Kalb for Congress.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/21/2010
Americans Killed: 1,195
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 565
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Matthew W. Weikert, 29, of Jacksonville, IL died July 17 in Paktika province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class John H. Jarrell, 32, of Brunson, SC died July 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Leston M. Winters, 30, of Sour Lake, TX died July 15 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Dave M. Santos, 21, of Rota, Marianas Islands of the Pacific, died July 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Justus S. Bartelt, 27, of Polo, IL died July 16 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Justin B. Allen, 23, of Coal Grove, OH died July 18 in Zhari, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Jesse R. Tilton, 23, of Decatur, IL died July 16 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Anibal Santiago, 37, of Belvidere, IL died July 18 in Bagram, Afghanistan.

*1st Lt. Robert N. Bennedsen, 25, of Vashon, WA (35th Washingtonian) died July 18 at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Gunnery Sgt. Christopher L. Eastman, 28, of Moose Pass, AR died July 18 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Alan Grayson tells it like it is...AGAIN!

On the day that my wife came to the end of her 6 months of state funded unemployment insurance, senate republicans (and Ben Nelson) decided that she, and millions more of their fellow citizens, were not deserving of extended benefits to help them get by until the job market starts to turn around.

For over 49 days the republicans (and Ben Nelson) have maintained a filibuster to prevent a vote on extending unemployment benefits. In that time some 2.5 million Americans have stopped drawing any kind of assistance to help provide food, shelter, clothing, or any other basic needs for their home and family. Their Orwellian excuse; show us the money; these extensions must be paid for. Not like their military misadventures need to be paid for; nor their tax cuts for their special constituents. No only the middle class, the working class must carry the weight of the deficit that, until 2009 the republicans (and Ben Nelson) showed zero concern for.

And so it was today, after swearing in a brand new senator, that the Democrats in the senate were finally able to break the republicans'(and Ben Nelson's) near death grip over millions of working class Americans. Oh but not being the type to concede a point with any grace, the republicans (and Ben Nelson) demanded that the majority party take a 30 break before they could vote to authorize an extension of unemployment benefits. Upon hearing this news, Rep. Alan Grayson from the state of Florida took to the floor of the U.S. House:

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's 'Big Muddy'?

A few days ago Rachel Maddow – recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan – sat down for an interview with Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, to talk about the ongoing operation in Afghanistan. Here is the transcript from the first few minutes of that interview:

HOLBROOKE: We`re in Afghanistan because if we fail in Afghanistan, it will have a direct, immediate danger to us. It will increase al-Qaeda`s worldwide reach. They will come back with the Taliban in all likelihood. And they will gain a worldwide success, which will be very dangerous for our national security interests.

So we have to be clear the American public needs to be clear on why we`re in Afghanistan. This is not Vietnam, a war which I participated in as a State Department civilian when I entered the government. This is not the Balkans. It`s not Iraq. This is quite different. And this one relates directly to our safety at home.

MADDOW: But we tried to do counterinsurgency in Vietnam, too, pretty explicitly. When you look back at those efforts, all those years ago, do you really have confidence that a foreign country can help create a state somewhere else, that we really can stand up an Afghan government?

HOLBROOKE: I think we can, if we do it right. The fundamental difference is the one you and I just have already mentioned. It matters to our homeland security. Vietnam did not, although, at the time, the administrations in power did say it did, but they were wrong. It`s a process which is not easy, and you only embark on it if you decide that it is absolutely critical for the U.S. national interests, which it is.

Is it me or did you notice the continuing reference to Vietnam – the compare and contrast; the Oz-like ‘ignore the man behind the curtain’ plea…”It matters to our homeland security. Vietnam did not, although, at the time, the administrations in power did say it did, but they were wrong.”

And so President Obama would have us believe that fighting the 50 Al Qaida (CIA count) who are in Afghanistan is in our immediate national interest: “…if we fail in Afghanistan, it will have a direct, immediate danger to us.” Certainly he can’t be wrong. I mean it’s not like there have still been a series of Al Qaida sponsored attacks around the globe since 9-11 and after our invasion of Afghanistan. It’s not like these attacks were planned in other countries; some of which are strong allies to the U.S. No, we must believe that “…if we fail in Afghanistan, it will have a direct, immediate danger to us.” You know, like Iraq posed an immediate threat to our safety. Oh wait! “… It`s not Iraq. This is quite different. And this one relates directly to our safety at home.”

Are you convinced yet?

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/17/2010
Americans Killed: 1,188
Americans Wounded: 10,000+
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 558
http://icasualties.org/

“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Shaun M. Mittler, 32, of Austin, TX died July 10 in Konar, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Christopher J. Moon, 20, of Tucson, AZ died July 13 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained July 6 in Arghandab, Afghanistan.

*Pvt. Brandon M. King, 23, of Tallahassee, FL died July 14 at Combat Outpost Nolen, Afghanistan.

*1st Lt. Christopher S. Goeke, 23, of MN died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout, 34, of Worthville, KY died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Sheldon L. Tate, 27, of Hinesville, GA died July 13 in Kandahar City, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Chase Stanley, 21, of Napa, CA died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Jesse D. Reed, 26, of Orefield, PA died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Matthew J. Johnson, 21, of Maplewood, MN died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Zachary M. Fisher, 24, of Ballwin, MO died July 14 at Zabul Province, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/14/2010
Americans Killed: 1,178
Americans Wounded: 9,496
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 548
http://icasualties.org/
“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Pfc. Anthony W. Simmons, 25, of Tallahassee, FL died July 8 in Kunar province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Robert W. Crow, 42, of Kansas City, MO died July 10 in Paktika, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Joseph W. Dimock II, 21, of Wildwood, IL died July 10 in Salerno, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Donald R. Edgerton, 33, of Murphy, NC died July 10 near Char Dara, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Jesse W. Ainsworth, 24, of Dayton, TX died July 10 near Walakan, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Antonik, 29, of Crystal Lake, IL died July 11 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Daniel G. Raney, 21, of Pleasant View, TN died July 9 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Roads, 20, of Burney, CA died July 10 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Carlos J. Negron, 40, of Fort Meyers, FL died July 10 at Asadabad, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Nathaniel D. Garvin, 20, of Radcliff, KY died July 12 at Forward Operating Base Frontenac, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/10//2010
Americans Killed: 1,165
Americans Wounded: 9,496
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 535
http://icasualties.org/
“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Spc. Clayton D. McGarrah, 20, of Harrison, AR died July 4 at Arghandab, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. David Jefferson, 23, of Philadelphia, PA died July 2 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Louis R. Fastuca, 24, of West Chester, PA died July 5 at Abdulhamid Kalay, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, NE died July 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, VA died July 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. Andrew J. Creighton, 23, of Laurel, DE died July 4 in Oruzgan province, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Jacob A. Dennis, 22, of Powder Springs, GA died July 3 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained June 30 at Forward Operating Base Lane, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Keenan A. Cooper, 19, of Wahpeton, ND died July 5 in Yakuta, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Jerod H. Osborne, 20, of Royse City, TX died July 5 in Yakuta, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Marc A. Arizmendez, 30, of Anaheim, CA died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Roger Lee, 26, of Monterey, CA died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Michael S. Pridham, 19, of Louisville, KY died July 6 at Qalat, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Hey Congress, here's your "Pay for It!"

Dear Congress (and congressional candidates):

I am confused about this dilema concerning the extension of unemployment payments for the millions of Americans your inept handling of our economy and job market(Deregulation, NAFTA/CAFTA, WTO, Free (not Fair) Trade, et al) has made neccessary. Apparently (perhaps due to election year politics?) there has become a sudden need to "pay for it." Well, you need not concern yourself with this problem any longer. With a tip of the hat to Mr. Keith Olbermann - amplifying a Progressive refrain sung for decades - and to your fellow members of congress, Barney Frank (D-MA), Ron Paul (R-TX), and Walter Jones (R-NC), behold the solution to the "pay for it" dilema:

Keith Olbermann [with occasional emphasis by me]:

"The Pentagon`s budget for 2010 is 693 billion dollars, more than all the government`s other discretionary spending combined. If you subtract the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it still accounts for more than 42 percent of total discretionary spending. The U.S. spends more now on military spending than it did during the Cold War. It spends more on military spending than Russia, China, all the Middle East, all of NATO and all the rest of Europe combined. Operating 11 large nuclear powered carriers -- no other country even has one -- a navy that can carry twice as many aircraft at sea as everyone else in the world combined, 57 nuclear submarines, more than the rest of the world combined, according to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, with 460 military installations around the globe in 38 countries, not including Iraq and Afghanistan."

But what of our national defense and the "War on Terror"? Well according to Massachusetts Democrat, Barney Frank; who along with Republican representatives Ron Paul and Watler Jones are pushing the effort to cut one trillion dollars from the defense budget over the next decade:

FRANK:

"I`m not sure the president will [make cuts in defense spending]. It`s the one area where I`ve been disappointed in the president. I think he gets intimidated by this notion that you look weak on defense. By the way, I want to fight terrorism. But those nuclear carriers you talked about, which are extremely expensive, don`t stop terrorists. Super-duper nuclear submarines don`t fight terrorists. This money diverts resources from a focused effort on fighting terrorism. But here`s what I think changes it, Keith: we`re in a situation now where the deficit has to be cut. Everybody understands that. If we don`t put military on the table, the extent to which we are defending Western Europe-- I have no idea what we are defending them against. If they were scared, they could spend their own money. We have 15,000 Marines on Okinawa. I think most people thought the Marines left Okinawa when John Wayne died, even though he never went there himself. Here`s the deal, if we don`t cut that, then forget about environmental protection, forget about waste -- Superfund sites. forget about better health care. As you pointed out, if you don`t cut the military-- deficit reduction is coming -- everything else gets but butchered. I think the need to make some tough choices will finally focus my colleagues on this. By the way, in addition to Ron Paul, I have Walter Jones, a very conservative Republican from North Carolina, the Cato Institute, which as you know is one of the leading intellectual aggregates for conservatism, is part of the task force we put together. I think Americans are now going to understand either we allow the European allies to have defense budgets that are half of ours in percentage terms for their gross domestic product, or we make savage cuts in our own domestic programs, or excessive tax increases. I`d like to see taxes go up some, but they can go up too high. I think, finally, my colleagues will be forced to make that choice."

So there you have it members (and would-be members) of Congress. Now get back to work and do the right thing for the millions of Americans who will soon be on the streets and play politics with some other issue.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Orrin Gorman McClellan - An American Tragedy

Last night I received the following note in an email from Carol Ronken of the Stanwood Democrats:

“Several years ago, The Stanwood Democrats voted to send a soldier from Whidbey Island a care package. It was a chance encounter via the internet. He was serving in Afghanistan. We bought all kinds of games and food. We sent so much that he wrote back and said he shared with all his buddies and how they enjoyed it. His name was Orrin McClellen.”

She was compelled to send this message after reading an article in yesterday’s Seattle Times

“Orrin Gorman McClellan grew up among the alder and cedar that cover his family's 11-acre homestead on Whidbey Island. He relished painting, music and acting, playing the star role of Toad in a local production of "The Wind in the Willows."

McClellan seemed an unlikely Army recruit. But in the post-9/11 world, he responded to talk of honor, service and camaraderie. After graduating from high school, without informing his parents, McClellan signed up for three years of active duty.

He served in Afghanistan, where he lost friends to enemy bullets, picked up the body parts of blown-up soldiers and wrestled with the emotions unleashed by combat missions.

"Have you ever felt that each word you say brings you further away from explaining yourself," he wrote in an April 30, 2005, poem in a computer journal. "Everything you create puts a sour taste in your mouth and every action you take burns you with shame."

In the fall of 2006, McClellan left the Army and came back to his Western Washington island and a strong support network eager to help him rebuild his life. But family and friends were not enough to save him.

This year, on May 18, McClellan took his life with a handgun.”

Please read the rest of the story, “Local veteran's suicide reflects troubling trend”

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 07/07/2010
Americans Killed: 4412
Americans Wounded: 31,616
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 191
http://icasualties.org/
“…a small price…” Rep. John Boehner

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. Steve M. Theobald, 53, of Goose Creek, SC died June 4 near Kuwait City, Kuwait.

*Sgt. Israel P. Obryan, 24, of Newbern, TN died June 11 in Jalula, Iraq.

*Spc. William C. Yauch, 23, of Batesville, AR died June 11 in Jalula, Iraq.

*Spc. Christopher W. Opat, 29, of Spencer, IA died June 15 in Baquah, Iraq.

*Capt. Michael P. Cassidy, 41, of Simpsonville, SC died June 17 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Spc. Jacob P. Dohrenwend, 20, of Milford, OH died June 21 at Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Bryant J. Haynes, 21, of Epps, LA died June 26 in Al Diwaniyah, Iraq.

*Sgt. Johnny W. Lumpkin, 38, of Columbus, GA died July 2 in Balad, Iraq.

*Spc. Morganne M. McBeth, 19, of Fredricksburg, VA died July 2 in Al Asad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Jordan E. Tuttle , 22, of West Monroe, LA died July 2 at Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Obama's War

Afghanistan Body Count: 07/04//2010
Americans Killed: 1,152
Americans Wounded: 9,496
Post Obama Inauguration
Americans Killed: 522
http://icasualties.org/
“…We will finish the job…” Pres. Barack Obama

----------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Sgt. John M. Rogers, 26, of Scottsdale, AZ died June 27 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan.

*Spc. David A. Holmes, 34, of Tennille, GA died June 26 at Sayed Abad, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Eric B. Shaw, 31, of Exeter, ME died June 27 in Konar, Afghanistan.

*Spc. David W. Thomas, 40, of St. Petersburg, FL died June 27 in Konar, Afghanistan.

*Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Silk, 25, of Orono, ME died June 21 near Gaza Ridge, Afghanistan.

*Spc. Matthew R. Hennigan, 20, of Las Vegas, NV died June 30 at Forward Operating Base Shank, Afghanistan.

*Cpl. Larry D. Harris Jr., 24, of Thornton, Colo., died July 1 in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

*Sgt. 1st Class Kristopher D. Chapleau, 33, of LaGrange, KY died June 30 at Forward Operating Base Blessing, Afghanistan.

*Pfc. Ryan J. Grady, 25, of Bristow, OK died July 1 at Bagram, Afghanistan.

*Capt David A. Wisniewski, 31, of Moville, IA died July 2 of wounds sustained June 9 near Forward Operating Base Jackson, Afghanistan.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Rick Larsen Just Can't Find the Door

Last Saturday I sat down (in my role as Snohomish County Progressive Politics Examiner) for an interview with Congressman Rick Larsen to discuss his re-election campaign. Before we concluded, he graciously consented to a couple of questions about some specific items in the news. Obviously the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was something that has been getting much coverage and; as Larsen sits on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I figured he would have a pretty good sense of what was happening there. I decided too that, because of his position on the House Armed Services Committee he would have something to say about the recent firing of Gen. Stanley McCrystal as commander of the military operation in Afghanistan and the continuing mission there. You can read the interview (in 3 parts) here, here, and here. However, for those who may only be concerned with Larsen’s take on the continuing operation in Afghanistan, go no further.

The bottom line is this: Rick believes that we are justified in being and staying in Afghanistan because it is, “…really about remembering that Afghanistan was the launch pad; was the planning department for Al Qaida in the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was a safe haven that a Taliban government provided. And, if we don't keep that lesson in our hearts the potential exists for that lesson to be learned again…” And what does he think about the withdrawal plan that President Obama put forward as he announced the “Obama surge”; the plan that would have us beginning a withdrawal in July, 2011? “…The two bigger challenges we face right now in Afghanistan are in training the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The training of those two security forces is very important in order to have an effective draw down beginning in July, 2011. And I expect that we will be able to start a preliminary draw down in July, 2011…”

So we are there to prevent another Al Qaida attack on the US homeland. Yet, according to CIA Director Leon Panetta, "Al Qaeda is probably at its weakest point since 9/11…” “…I think at most, we're looking at maybe 50 to 100, maybe less.” And, Gen. David Petraeus (just confirmed to replace Gen. Stanley McCrystal as Afghanistan Commander) said in a May, 2010 interview that he “…agreed with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's recent assessment that there is no Al Qaeda based in his country.” By the end of this summer, the US will have roughly 100,000 troops in Afghanistan attempting to prevent between zero and 50 Al Qaida from attacking the US.

Which brings us to the news from the House late Thursday night: “House approves funding for war in Afghanistan”. According to The Hill.com:

“The House late Thursday approved additional funding for the war in Afghanistan,
beating back a series of Democratic amendments aimed at forcing the Obama
administration to withdraw troops.


The supplemental appropriations
bill [roughly $33 Billion], containing billions of dollars in additional
domestic spending [another incredibly sore spot with me] sought by Democrats in
the House, passed 239-182, with 15 Democrats and 167 of 177 Republicans voting
against the measure.”

Take a moment to let that soak in - - - $33 Billion in borrowed money to fund 100,000 US troops to locate and prevent 50 Al Qaida from launching an attack on the United States. Setting aside for a minute that this vote means that 167 Republicans voted against funding the troops, guess where Rick Larsen was on this vote. Now go back and read that part about “…beating back a series of Democratic amendments aimed at forcing the Obama administration to withdraw troops.” Guess where Rick was on this idea.

“An amendment offered by Reps. David Obey (D-Wisc.), James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Walter Jones (R-N.C.) to require the president to submit to Congress a new National Intelligence Estimate on Afghanistan, including a timeline for
redeployment of U.S. troops out of the region, won the support of 153 Democrats
and nine Republicans. But with 162 Republicans and 98 Democrats voting no, the
amendment failed on a 162-260 vote.”

See that “…98 Democrats voting no…”? Hello Rick.

Is it just me or does Rick Larsen have a problem with pulling out? It seems whenever the question of troop withdrawal comes up; whether it be Iraq or Afghanistan, Rick just can’t seem to bring himself to say, we’re done – time to go home.

Well Rick, after 9 years and over 1,000 dead American troops, I say we’re done. Time to declare victory (A US implanted government – corruption and all – scattered remnants of the Taliban, and a couple Al Qaida left) and come home. Maybe you’ve noticed; we have some real serious problems here that could use some of those borrowed dollars.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue