Lynn C. Woolsey: “It is February 29, a date that exists only once every 4 years, and yet this is the third February 29, the third leap…”

“It is February 29, a date that exists only once every 4 years, and yet this is the third February 29, the third leap day, that we've been at war in Afghanistan. I have my granddaughter here with me. She's 8 years old. She's not lived in the United States when we were not at war. Last week in particular, we were exposed to the grave dangers and the fundamental flaws of our Afghanistan strategy. The week started with the burning, accidentally, of several copies of the Koran by U.S. troops. That sparked days of violence and protests throughout the country. Angry Afghanis tried to storm U.N. compounds and other Western installations. At our largest military base, thousands, including many who worked at the base, gathered to throw rocks and shout ``Death to America.'' Days later came the killing of two NATO soldiers, shot in the back of the head while working at their desks inside the Afghan interior ministry. The killer was apparently a Taliban insurgent who had infiltrated the government security forces and penetrated what is supposed to be one of the most secure buildings in Kabul. Mr. Speaker, it is clear that police officers, the ones we are supporting and training to keep militants at bay, are losing patience with our continued military occupation of their country. One of them told The Washington Post: Afghans and the world's Muslims should rise against the foreigners. We have no patience left. We will attack the military foreign people.…”