House of Representatives - June 29, 2005

Much work left in Afghanistan

Mr. Speaker, 

Last week, the minority leader said that the war in Afghanistan is over. 

That is news to most people, and even more so to our men and women fighting the remnants of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The comments were just the latest in a series of comments that show some people still do not get it. 

Her comments, like many others made recently by leaders of the opposition, demoralize American troops and incite our enemies. 

And, worse, they discount the great progress that our soldiers have made in the war on terror.

Fifty million people have received freedom and are fighting for the future of their nation in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Just a few years ago, 50 million people lived in tyranny in Iraq and Afghanistan, and today they live in the dawn of freedom.

Much work is left, but writing off the efforts of our troops today, the sacrifice being made today, the Democratic leader writes off the quest for freedom and the necessity for us to support it. 

Why is that so hard to understand?