Rep. Eric Massa calls for a conclusion to the war in Afghanistan

I challenge all voters in the 29th Congressional district of NY to heed the comments of Congressman Massa. Had the Executive branch of our Government not only listened, but acted on his advice then at least one young constituent would have been able to exercise his right to vote on November 2nd 2010. It is surely the right of all citizens to expect that both houses of Congress regardless of party affiliation act in a truly responsible fashion with regard to the disposability of human life.

Also, the notion that democracy is impossible for Afghanistan is stupid. The Loya Jirga is a natural Pashtun custom that has existed longer than democracy in Europe. The problem is the Afghans who care about Afghanistan are not in power and we continue to play tribal politics, thinking we can break the cycle with force. It is possible to create an Afghanistan for Afghans, but you have to actually know what you're doing. And yes, there are long term strategic interests the USA has in the region.

I am sorry but the Afghan people have been fighting and dying for decades longer than we've been there. As if the USSR invasion wasn't bad enough, the shuras that compromised the mujahideen tore apart the country even more in the early '90s, only to weaken themselves to the point where the Taliban could take over. We should have been in Afghanistan in 1995, not 2001. And if we were really smart, we would have forced the Taliban into the Bonn Peace Accords when we had the chance.

Stop-loss, and the sending of National Guard troops into combat, should be reserved for cases of national emergency. (People signed up for the Guard to help with disaster relief, not to spend multiple tours in Iraq!) How can there be such an emergency without a draft?
Congress should specify that a President can use those measures only if the draft has been activated.

briliant give him an another medal somebody with
balls

I served with Honorable Congressman Massa from 95-97. Can you imagine if your passageway was not clean before pulling into port? Give 'em some MASSA Eric, he gets it !! we need more like him accross the board! Kevin Bishop, ITCS(SW) retired, USS ELLIOT

They got money for wars, but can't feed the Ameican poor! Thank you Rep. Massa for your stance, and thank you to the Veteran organizations that are taking stances against this UN-NECESSARY phony-war. AMERICA, STOP PRETENDING TO ENTER INTO A NATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING AMERICA, AND FOR THE PURPOSE FOR SPREADING DEMOCRACY! The Middle Eastern nations don't want it! Those nations are steeped with tradition, to include faction driven conflict and civil warring strife. Cut the bullshit!

Heroic speech, enough is enough indeed.

Now THAT'S a speech.

Bring them home.