On the recordJanuary 19, 2011
Last night I stood here and spoke about my experience visiting Bethesda Naval Hospital and seeing the broken bodies of our country's young men and women. After that visit, I was very pleased to see an article this morning about Grover Norquist speaking out and encouraging fellow conservatives to speak out against the war in Afghanistan. Norquist also suggested that many prominent conservatives privately hold the view that the war in Afghanistan should end quickly. It is time for them to speak out publicly, Mr. Speaker. We need to become more engaged in the issue and make our feelings known. Mr. Speaker, I had mentioned before that a retired military general has been my adviser on Afghanistan for the past year. I would like to share two points that he made in a recent email. The first point he made is: 'What is the end state we are looking to achieve? What are the measures of effectiveness? What is our exit strategy? Same old questions. No answers.' The second point that the general made in his email to me: 'What do we say to the mother and father, to the wife of the last soldier or marine killed to support a corrupt government and corrupt leader in a war that cannot be won?'
