Russ Feingold on Obama's Speech:

[Thickasabrick]

"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.<...> 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.

That's really what we are all feeling....disappointment.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/01/obama-afghanistan-speech_n_376272.html

[subsuelo]

1. No longer in our national security interest?

When was it ever? We never had any right to be there in the first place.

[wisteria]

28. The Afghan War was waged to begin with because this was were those who harmed us on 9/11

plotted and hid. So, I guess you didn't think the lives of nearly 3,000 Americans was worth defending.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

34. How does one defend lives of dead people?

[Better Today]

40. Not when the government there at the time was willing to hand over

the culprits within their borders IF ONLY we were willing to show our evidence to them.

[Dinger]

2. Russ Is My Senator And I Am Proud Of Him

Can't wait to vote for him again!:patriot:

[PeaceNikki]

4. Me, too.

:)

[LakeSamish706]

6. He's not mine, but I still love the guy.... He is very up front and has a great sense of...

good vs. bad.

[patrice]

21. What's he saying about the Senate HC bill?

Being 0 for 2 on my main issues, I think I would really enjoy calling my Republican senators and telling them to "shove it".

[PeaceNikki]

22. If you're interested, look him up

http://feingold.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=320178
http://feingold.senate.gov/healthreform.html

[Golden Raisin]

38. I wish he was mine!

[PeaceNikki]

3. But I'll bet Russ isn't shocked by this.

We all knew damn well what Obama's intentions were during the campaign. I agree with Russ but the feigned shock here on DU is fucking epic.

[Skittles]

7. what exactly are you saying

because he whored for this war before we should all be whoring with him now?

[PeaceNikki]

11. No. But the "BETRAYED!!!!" shit is ridiculous.

In his campaign Obama called it a just war, promised to increase troops and called Afghanistan the "real central front in the war on terror". Nobody should feel betrayed or shocked.

[Skittles]

13. but it IS OK to be DISGUSTED

[PeaceNikki]

16. Of course.

Be disgusted.

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. What a cop out.

x(

[Orrex]

17. I agree

It totally sucks that he did exactly what he said he'd do. The nerve!

[PeaceNikki]

18. Whatev.

Who's "copping out"?

I agree 100% with Russ. One HUNDRED percent. But I am not shocked. Not even a little. Know why? Cuz I heard what Obama said during the campaign. I didn't agree with some of it, but I HEARD it. I am more shocked and angry that he's not the fierce advocate for LGBT rights he said he was. I am more shocked an and angry that he isn't advocating better HCR. I am not pleased with tonight's speech but I sure as hell am NOT shocked.

[patrice]

15. The shock for some of us isn't in what he said,but how he said it: American Exceptionalism=Slavery

I was prepared to live with the logistic and military strategic realities of our immediate future - NOT Endless war for a pipeline so China can get cheaper oil - as the polar ice-caps melt and Antarctica greens.

[LakeSamish706]

5. The biggest problem that we have to come to grips with is.... Who perpetrated 9/11?

If you are like me and do not believe the official story of what happened on 9/11, then you will also come to the conclusion that we should in no way be in Afghanistan to begin with. So my mind thought is we should get the hell outta there ASAP and let the Afghani's sort out what needs to happen in their country.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. Yup. It's why I am very interested in what will come out of the trial in NY.

[LakeSamish706]

12. I'm looking forward to this as well....n/t

[progressoid]

9. yup

+1

[shadowknows69]

10. Go Russ. K+R

[midnight]

I do not support the presidents decision to send additional troops either.

Mr. President I know the pressure you have bearing down on you, but don't let this happen....

[midnight]

19. I do not support the presidents decision to send additional troops either.

Mr. President I know the pressure you have bearing down on you, but don't let this happen....

[tekisui]

20. knr!~

[peacetalksforall]

23. Scoreboard - can you help by adding to this list? Thanks.

Paul Wellstone:
Ist vote in the Senate - against Iraq War 1.
Last vote in the Senate - against Iraq War 2.

Russ Feinghold:
The only Senator to vote against the Patriot Act.

Russ Finegold:
On the 30 thousand plus escalation in Afghanistan - December 1, 2009:

"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.<...> 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."

[PeaceNikki]

25. Feingold voted against the war, too

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=7880&can_id=53361
And for withdrawal: http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=16735&can_id=53361

[PM Martin]

24. See that the Taliban and company have

moved behind Pakistan's borders, this escalation seems meaningless. :shrug:

[wisteria]

26. No surprise here. If he said otherwise, now that would be news. n/t

[unkachuck]

27. Thank you, Russ....n/t

[MissDeeds]

29. Bingo

K&R

[lovuian]

30. Obama said he would get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan

He lied
He has only continued the Patriot Act
the Agenda of Bush and Cheney

He is a PUPPET
Credibility lost and moves farther and farther down

the people will not support him
he is a nobody with a Nobel Peace Prize
of which that is a farce

[PeaceNikki]

31. No he didn't.

You heard what you wanted to hear.

[slipslidingaway]

32. knr nt

[quiet.american]

33. What part of July 2011 is not a timetable?

WTF?

[jbnow]

36. I knew someone had to bring that up. It was the 1st thing

that came to my mind too. He is getting bashed for that timetable by those who support escalation over and over so I am pretty sure that timetable is there

I like Russ a lot and I do not like war but that part of his comment does not make sense

[PeaceNikki]

39. I stand corrected

Here's his full statement:
http://feingold.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=320330

Feingold Statement on the President's Decision to Increase Our Troop Presence in Afghanistan


Tuesday, December 1, 2009

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 think the word "ending" is important. Obama discussed beginning withdrawal in July 2011.

[Blue_In_AK]

35. There never should have been a military presence

in Afghanistan. The perpetrators of 9/11 should have been hunted down in cooperation with international police and they should have been brought to justice in an international court of law. The victims were not all Americans; it was an international crime.

No country declared war on us -- Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq. We should not have invaded anyone.

[dusmcj]

37. we're feeeeeling disappointment. a litte unproductively whiney, no ? /nt

[sofa king]

41. The corrupt government of questionable legitimacy retired to Dallas.

[TornadoTN]

42. Feingold has it right, along with others

Considering that Al Quaeda has moved into Pakistan and it's essentially off limits to us (aside from a drone attack here and there), how exactly are we going to put a dent into their resolve? If anything, this will increase resentment towards the U.S. when we start occupying the streets and bombing, shooting, slaughtering, and otherwise destroying their country.


There is no good that will come of this.

[Hepburn]

43. Gawd....

...at least there is one voice in DC that speaks for me!

[Divine Discontent]

44. why couldn't he have run!!! sigh.. I liked him, and got Obama.

I wish Kerry would have run again, too. I know Obama was a juggernaut, but he really had a hard time with Hillary. I almost feel ---- guilty ---- not supporting her. Almost... lol.