Carney Statement on Afghanistan Not as Horrible As Expected

Statement from U.S. Rep. Carney marking the 10th anniversary of U.S. operations in Afghanistan

When something like this ends up in your in-box on the heels of the fraudulent payroll tax pep-rally/”town hall” conference call, how can anyone not be filled with dread? Well, let’s read on shall we..?

WILMINGTON – U.S. Representative John Carney issued the following statement today on the 10th anniversary of the start of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

“Today marks 10 years since the beginning of U.S. military operations in Afghanistan. Over the last decade, thousands of young men and women and their families have made great sacrifices in service to our nation. We can never fully repay the debt owed to these brave Americans, but as your Congressman, I am working to ensure that all our veterans receive the overwhelming support, respect, and quality care that they so well deserve.

Okay… You have to recognize the sacrifice. That’s a given. Support for Veterans? That’s the least we can do, and I’m sure we are doing the least we can do.

“When American soldiers were sent to Afghanistan a decade ago, their mission was not to build a nation. It was to deny al-Qaeda a safe place from which to plan and execute attacks on the United States. They have succeeded in completing that mission.

Succeeded…Completed… ? Go on….

“We must protect the gains that have been made — and I believe we can do so through a smaller force on the ground focused on counter-terrorism efforts. The U.S. has been training hundreds of thousands of Afghan security forces who will ultimately be responsible for the safety of their nation.

Smaller is better. Zero is best.

“It’s time to bring our brave men and women home. I’m hopeful that in the coming months, President Obama and the commanders in the field execute an accelerated withdrawal that brings our soldiers back and reunites them with their families as quickly and safely as possible.”

That was pretty straightforward. But who cares what I think? I wonder what Wade and Urquhart are going to make out of this?