Russ Feingold: "I do not support the president’s decision to send additional troops"

[kpete]

Martin,

I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on President Obama's plan for Afghanistan with you. I do not support the president’s decision to send additional troops to fight a war in Afghanistan that is no longer in our national security interest. It’s an expensive gamble to undertake armed nation-building on behalf of a corrupt government of questionable legitimacy. Sending more troops could further destabilize Afghanistan and, more importantly, Pakistan, a nuclear-armed state where al Qaeda is headquartered. While I appreciate that the president made clear we won’t be in Afghanistan forever, I am disappointed by his decision not to offer a timetable for ending our military presence there. I will work with members of both parties and both houses of Congress to push for a flexible timetable to reduce our troop levels in Afghanistan, as part of a comprehensive strategy to combat al Qaeda in the region and around the world.

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. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment and sign my petition supporting a flexible timetable for withdrawal. I’ll keep you updated on the next steps, and what you can do to make sure our message is heard.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
http://www.boomantribune.com/story/2009/12/2/121417/029

[NightWatcher]

1. why do politicians keep asking us to sign their petitions? He knows what he wants to do

I just dont get it. What's with the petitions? People voted for Feingold because they wanted him to do a job. He knows the job and says he wants to do the job. So why does he ask for us to sign another petition?

The constant begging for validation is insane. JUST DO IT ALREADY.

[Orsino]

3. Because of the magnitude of the forces arrayed against us, and against him.

If we blink, if we fail to sign every goddamned one of those petitions, he loses a little bit of his considerable political will.

We aren't guaranteed a win by participating, but we sure as hell will lose if we don't.

[NightWatcher]

6. how many petitions have you signed?

I've signed on to: end the warS, clean up the environment, save the whales, save the narwhals (Fuck yeah), Free this political prisoner and that one, and NOTHING EVER GETS DONE. I thinks it's merely an attempt to pacify us by making us feel like we DID something when all we did was shoot an email.

[Orsino]

14. Yep. Not enough of us are registering our opinions...

...and no matter how many petitions you sign, that's not gonna make a dent in the armor of the corporate forces opposing reform.

I can recommend sending snail-mail letters as a way to get more of a substantive response from a representative, though I can't claim that it has ever changed anything.

[Cant trust em]

10. Personally, I appreciate it.

I'm glad that (some of) our leaders constantly seek our approval for things. It's not just about getting elected, but about signing off on major issues.

[grasswire]

11. it's called COVER

...and it is legitimate. He is the representative of the people. If he has evidence of their wishes, he can act boldly.

[Freddie Stubbs]

13. To collect your contact info so that he can ask you for a contribution

[LakeSamish706]

2. I hope he attempts to block funding like he indicated that he would.. n/t

[Echo In Light]

5. Yes!

[Cant trust em]

4. I love Russ Feingold.

Keep it real, Russ.

[elocs]

7. I am proud and happy that Russ Feingold is one of my senators. n/t

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. What's his alternative plan for dealing with an already unstable nuclear Pakistan then? (nt)

[Liberation Angel]

9. Feingold in 2012!

nt

[Individualist]

12. K&R

[bvar22]

15. K&R

Help end the Wars for Corporate Profits!
Donate to MoveOn.

http://www.moveon.org /

[from outer space]

16. Russ is the man!

A voice of reason is always nice. Afghanistan is so screwed up that more weapons is not a long-term solution. A fully functioning society, judiciary, etc, is a couple decades away. In the meantime, the MIC is taking full advantage of the public's confusion. If AlQaeda is what they say it is, elusive, shadowy and uncornerable, then they will be defeated by intelligence - James Bond, not Army Rangers. Not even Chuck Norris' Delta Force.