Sen. Al Franken Franken expresses support for Pres. Obama's Afghanistan troop increase

U.S. Senator Al Franken, D-Minn., talks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday.

January 14, 2010 - 12:35 PM

WASHINGTON - "I do support the president's plan," Sen. Franken said, adding that he will vote for additional funding. "I may have done it a little bit differently myself but I ... came away from this trip feeling that we already have momentum from the president's speech."

Sen. Franken noted that officials in the area told him local police recruitment spiked after Obama's announcement - likely, they think, because of the stated deadlines for withdrawal.

Sen. Franken said he has attended 13 military funerals. "I don't want to see one more soldier go to Afghanistan than has to go there," he said.

After meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Sen. Franken said that "I'm having more optimistic feelings about the government there," but added that "there is still some reason to be skeptical."

Given the region's long history of corrupt government, he said, "This is not going to be a Jeffersonian democracy in a year and a half."


full article: http://www.startribune.com/politics/national/senate/81523727.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUq9_b9b_jEkP:QUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Here's the modern version.

missing him

One more Washington insider.

I'd like to see, just once, somebody besides Kucinich stand up against the excuses for war.

You guys really need to run for office so you can save us all.

Oops, I meant Dr. Who.

Do you really want folks here to take that attitude toward your opinion that you so graciously share here? How about arguing the issues and leave the 'keyboard' analysis of folks who post here out of the debate?

my narrow point is that people who actually go out and run for office should be given more consideration than all of us who mash on keyboards, myself included.

. . . in my view he hasn't convinced.

That's what we do out here on the verge, we listen to our senators and representatives that we advance to office and we agree or disagree. I don't know of any rational or acceptable precept of democracy which counsels that we merely delegate all of our opinion to those we elect.

and your posting this thread which is against your personal interest speaks volumes to your contribution to the debate.

That is why I try to read all of your postings, knowing that some, especially on Afghanistan, are going to conflict with my opinion.


My snarky response was not aimed at folks like you but others who post anti Obama remarks EVEN WHEN THOSE ACTIONS AGREE WITH THEIR OWN POSITIONS.

. . . and no one who dares disagree with him needs to 'run for Congress' to register their dissent here.

issues. God, if only I were as smart, I'd find somewhere else to post.

. . . let us know when we've reached the limits of our intelligence, willya? :crazy:

I am not worthy.

you do realize that visits to GD can result in unwanted stress, don't you?

Here, just in case: :hug:

:P

That's where I differ...lol.

Thanks for the hug and back atcha

this thread, as it has good news in the subject line, would benefit from a highjacking.

I'll start.

How surprised are you that the Lounge thread still lives?

Don't you wish you had a nickle for every reply?

we've accomplished something Obama "disappoint-ees" could never ever accomplish by hard work and stick toitiveness (is that a word?) Is dissappoint-ees a word? I'm so rad.

"Disappointees", with the President being the "Disappointor in Chief", so say NYC_SKP and graywarrior, and so shall it be.

Of course such a thread could never live long among the self-appointed disappointees because the subject of their specific disappointment would become a matter of division and mortal combat.

you are so rad.

Must be some strong kool-aid up there.

Score +1 for the PTB, and goodbye Al.

This shouldn't come as a huge surprise. Al is a middle-of-the-road Dem, not a progressive.

He's been mostly 'moderate' on the issue of the ongoing deployments throughout.

I am saddened by this, and took him off my email list.

. . . they'll likely consider his comments and vote in that light. I don't see that as anything sinister or a stance which deserves ridicule.

Many considered him a DLC stooge.

I have enormous respect for the man inteligence, wit, and humanity.

. . . all of those superlatives apply to Sen. Franken.

I had to laugh at his newfound hero status here. I remember some of the bile directedtowards him even as the decision hadn't come yet.

FWIW, I always thought he'd be a fine Senator and still do.

I knew he supported Iraq, but after everything that's happened, I was hoping he wouldn't be be so willing to give his support of the Afghanistan occupation.

I voted for him despite his hawk-ish nature, just like I did with President Obama.

It's a couple of million knees jerking.