KIND: WAR ON TERROR NOT OVER YET
Monday, May 9th, 2011 -- 11:37 AM
Just because we got Osama bin Laden, don?t expect U.S. troops to come home immediately.That warning from Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse).
Kind says the assassination of the world?s most notorious terrorist is ?big? in the war on terror, but not big enough to justify completely ending our military efforts in the Middle East.
"I think we're definitely closer," Kind said last week. "I think the President's asking the right questions: where are the off ramps? What's the exit strategy?"
Kind said there "would be nothing easier" than to get drawn into a prolonged stay in Afghanistan.
Many leaders in his own party have been upset with Pres. Obama for not bringing the troops home sooner. Kind says the Administration is committed to ?winding down? our presence in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"He's established some target dates to do that. It's going to require the Afghans to step up themselves and assume greater responsibility," Kind said. "I hope the President stays true to the timelines and keeps the pressure on, not just in Afghanistan, but there's also more reduction that needs to take place in Iraq."
The wars overseas haven?t been budgeted for, and are a major contributor to the country?s huge budget deficits, Kind claimed.
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