Lou Ann Zelenik Responds to Obama Address
Posted: 2009-12-02 by Lou Ann News
The president's remarks on Afghanistan are "encouraging."
The announcement that President Obama has decided to partially accept the recommendations of General Stanley McChrystal, and increase our troop strength in Afghanistan is an encouraging sign that he intends to commit America to a policy that gives us the opportunity to succeed in a crucial front in the war on terror. Although I am concerned with the president's reliance on timelines and exit strategies that could embolden our enemies, this is a positive step forward. With more than eight years having passed since the 9/11 attacks, it has become easy for some to forget why we have committed American lives and resources to success in Afghanistan. But as we learned in September of 2001, allowing Islamic extremists to have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on America, places all of us and our allies in danger. It is critical to help the Afghan people forge a government grounded in freedom. Only by giving them faith that they can live in a safe and secure nation, will they turn away from the Taliban and Al Qaeda. As this plan is implemented, our thoughts should always be with the men and women of our armed forces and their families. Afghanistan is an unforgiving part of the world and the challenge before us is great. I am confident that a unified nation supporting our troops will bring about success and leave us safer in the future. The decision to provide Afghanistan a greater opportunity to build a free nation is the correct one and gives America the path to bring our heroic men and women home more quickly and in victory.
