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 FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2010 2:30 pm |
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Local News 
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Reps. Larsen, Inslee split on Obama's plans for war in Afghanistan The two Democratic congressmen representing Snohomish County disagreed Tuesday on whether beefing up the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan is the right move to thwart terrorists operating in that country.The differing views of U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee and Rick Larsen expose the challenge faced by President Barack Obama in garnering public and political support for sending in 30,000 more troops at a cost of about $30 billion a year. “I have very serious concerns about this proposal. I just don’t think it is headed in the right direction,” Inslee said following the speech at the United States Military Academy at West Point. “I don’t have a magic solution for the difficulties in Afghanistan,” said Inslee, whose district runs from Mukilteo south to the county line. “I believe there is a strategy that will be much less punishing to our troops and our treasury.” Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., who serves Everett and the north part of the county, lauded Obama for reminding the public of the “national security interests” in keeping terrorists from continuing to operate in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s why the U.S. went there in 2001 following the attacks of Sept. 11. “The real debate is whether or not Afghanistan can stand on its own and not become a safe haven for al-Qaida and in my estimation the answer is no,” he said. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., agreed with Obama’s decision. “With reserved optimism, I am pleased the president has heeded the advice of our military leaders to send additional troops needed to accomplish our mission,” he said in a statement. “This is a complex issue, and I believe it is in America’s vital security interest to win.” He disagreed with announcing a timetable for withdrawal. It sends the signal that the U.S. is not fighting to win “but that we are only biding our time and looking for a way out,” he said. U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., expressed some concerns in a prepared statement. “I still have many questions about the cost of this effort. I am concerned about the toll of this war in lives and in dollars,” the statement read. “While I still have many questions about the specifics, the President made a compelling and responsible case for redoubling the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan in order to protect the American people and bring our troops home.” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., watched the speech and would comment in detail after learning more about the plan, said her spokesman, John Diamond. Aside from the military policy, she continues to push a bill to boost economic development in Afghanistan and Pakistan where extremists have thrived in part because of those nations’ poverty, he said. Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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We would be better off with Joe the Plumber!
Craig French | Dec 6, 2009 6:58 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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He votes on the "crumbs" that appease his party, but on the big issues, he's a complete sell-out...He's a conservadem...for sale to the highest bidder...
Anthony Vicari | Dec 2, 2009 3:00 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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I agree with the commenter that said that Larsen is a finger in the wind politician. At least he used to be. He has been discovered for what he is. He is a Liberal and he should embrace it. In 44 votes this congress he has voted exactly the same way as Pelosi. When the chips are down he votes with his party leadership and does what he is told.
Ken Klein | Dec 2, 2009 1:23 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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1.) Larsen voted for the bankruptcy reform bill during the Bush Administration, despite the majority of Democratic opposition because it rewarded credit card companies and the rich (who were able to keep multiple houses unlike the poor who are forced to make a choice to keep the home or move out and pay off all the unsecured credit card debt).
2.) Larsen never supported a single-payer healthcare reform bill (HB - 676), rather, he wanted a watered-down bill that had triggers and co-ops.
3.) Larsen never supported the BRACK (Base Realignment and Closure Commission), rather, he supported a missle shield that would have been placed in the waters off Everett AND pumping more money into the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and the Naval Station Everett.
4.) Larsen voted for the bank bail-out, despite overwhelming opposition by his constituents, both Democrat and Republican.
5.) Larsen was a lobbyist prior to being elected. He never makes floor speeches on C-SPAN and prefers to stay low-key so as not to "rock the boat"...
6.) Larsen supported the Iraq War by never speaking out against it or supporting attempts (co-signing bills) to look into Blackwater, Haliburton or other war profiteers...or impeach members of the Bush Administration.
Larsen is a weasel who will put his finger in the wind to determine which way the political winds blow...a typical politician who tries to pass himself off as a "small town boy who made good"...Snohomish County Democrats would be better served by a more progressive Democrat...hopefully Grethe Cammermeyer will run against him in the next primary...
Anthony Vicari | Dec 2, 2009 11:16 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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"Which way should I go, which way should I go"...?
I'm a conservative who believes if you're gonna fight a war, fight it to WIN. If you don't have the ba*ls to win then get us out NOW!
You "politicians" aren't fighting a war in Afgan, you're fighting a war to keep your power! The only "shock & awe" we're going to see from this administration will be on your faces in 2010.
You're doing to our troops in this war, what you did to the ones in Vietnam. Then your "Animal House" friends and supporters can feel free to jeer and spit at them in their usual "classy" manner.
Which way should I go...? How about OUT THE DOOR in 2010?
hope floats | Dec 2, 2009 8:51 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Do you remember back in 2006 when the Democrats wanted to regain control of congress and they promised they would end George Bush's make believe war on WMD, etc., etc., etc.?
Do you remember last year when Barrack Obama wanted to be elected president? He made all those glowing speeches about bringing American kids home from the senseless slaughter of Iraq and Afghanistan?
What ever happened to those promises? How about that Mr. Larsen?
I'm reminded a the last few lines from George Orwell's book Animal Farm:
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question now, what had happened in the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside look from pig to man and from man to pig and from pig to man again; but it was already impossible to say which was which".
Veritas Splendor | Dec 2, 2009 5:12 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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