This is a statement from Congressman Alan Grayson, regarding President Barack Obama's speech tonight at the United States Military Academy at West Point:
"Continuing the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq is a terrible mistake. We do not need to have troops 8,000 miles from our shore to keep us safe. I hope the President will re-consider this decision.
"This is a war that really ended a long time ago. Within two months following September 11th, we had overthrown the Taliban government, and after three months we had expelled al-Qaida from Afghanistan. General Petraeus said back in May that al-Qaida no longer even operates in Afghanistan. President Karzai agrees. So why are we there? You can't win the same war twice."
Congressman Grayson rejects the premise that American troops must remain in Afghanistan to prevent the Taliban from taking over. "In 2001, we overthrew a dug-in Taliban government, fighting on its home territory, with barely a thousand Special Forces troops, in less than two months. How can anyone seriously argue that we need 100,000 troops to keep the Taliban out now?"
Congressman Grayson deeply regrets the impact of war on our economy. "The economy is weak. People are suffering. We've spent more than $10,000 for every man, woman and child in this country, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. We can't afford it any more. We have to stop thinking about the well-being of the Tajiks, the Pashtuns, and the Hazara, and instead take care of ourselves."
Congressman Grayson has steadfastly opposed expanding the war in Afghanistan. He was one of 32 Democrats who voted against the war's supplemental funding in June. He is also a co-sponsor on H.R. 3699, which would prohibit an increase in the number of troops serving in Afghanistan. Congressman Grayson favors a speedy withdrawal of American forces. That withdrawal would leave Afghanistan to its people, while saving American lives and money, and achieving -- at long last -- peace.