Senator Jeff Merkley Understands Concerns about the Surge

I got this e-mail from Senator Merkley's office this evening about Obama's plan for the surge of American troops in Afghanistan. Jeff Merkley gets it. Read on:

“I appreciate that President Obama has taken the time to fully examine this issue and consider the available options. However, I’m not convinced the case has been made to add more than 30,000 new troops. Significant questions remain about our strategic goals in Afghanistan and the human and financial costs involved in achieving them.

He continues:

“I have a number of questions about whether the Administration’s goal in Afghanistan is realistic, and how that goal advances our national security. How will our strategy overcome Afghanistan’s history of decentralized power exercised by regional warlords, its systemic corruption, the insurgents’ ability to use the presence of a foreign force as a rallying point, the geography and topography of the country, and the Taliban’s easy access to explosives and funding? Does this strategy reduce or increase the number of extremists motivated to strike at our nation? What will prevent al Qaeda from finding other safe havens in other places from which to plot attacks against the U.S.? Are there other approaches that can meet our national security objectives?

And to ensure he will be asking for accountability:

“I look forward to discussing these questions with the Administration and learning not only the full details of their plan, but also reviewing how the sacrifice in lives and resources serves our national interest.”

Senate Merkley rocks. To repeat: he gets it.

All of the JRE supporters are likely to agree with Senator Merkley on this issue. I can't find one e-mail in which a JRE supporter can be supportive of the President unless he addresses the issues Jeff Merkley and Bernie Sanders raise in the Senate, or Dennis Kuchnich raises in the House.

Diversions from a public option for health care and the insipidness of insurance,

I don't like it. I bet those progressives don't either. And I think Obama is unwise to think to get Rethugs on this issue will buy him votes (or delays from fillibustering) on health care. I hope I am wrong, but so far, I've not been. Obama's inexperience in the Senate makes him appear naive.

And the Rethugs count on it.

Happy Thanksgiving 2009

Dear BW readers,

I wish you all the best of this truly American holiday. For many of you, it is to give to others, the gift of the time cooking, cleaning, or perhaps inviting a person over who is far away from family. Like President Obama, I will be thinking of the troops today as I prepare a meal of cornish hens, spinach, oven roasted red potatoes, and make a pumpkin pie for Mr. Benny. I can't eat the pie as it contains a lot of sugar, but the smell of it will be inspirational. And certainly, pumpkins as well as any of the squash family reminds us of the gifts of our Native American heritage.

I'm thankful for my two jobs, health insurance, and able to take vacation too. Mr. Benny still is looking for work, but hopefully he will find one in the next 3-6 months. He has to have 5 applications in each week to receive unemployment benefits. Anyone who sez that those on employment are just welfare receipents, then come to Illinois.

Thanksgiving also marks another tradition in the BW house: watching the Dallas Cowboys (as they play Oakland at home) on the telly. Go Pokes!