News Analysis: February 27, 2009
Today, President Obama is expected to announce plans to withdraw most US troops from Iraq by the end of August 2010, with up to 50,000 of the 142,000 troops now in country staying until the end of 2011. Iraq has been and continues to be a deadly, costly place for Americans — and now some of that human toll will be made visible again to the public now that the media ban on war dead being returned to Dover Air Force Base has been lifted. We at VFA urge immediate relief to our deployed troops.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan is fighting for its survival, according to that nation’s defense minister. A majority of Americans support President Obama’s decision to send more troops there. Is there a history lesson anywhere in Afghanistan, and Iraq? Do we really have to worry about our neighbor to the South? CIA and military concern with Mexico truly drives home how badly we need our National Guard ready to protect the homefront rather than brutalized, exhausted and war-battered over there.
Post-traumatic stress is gripping thousands of our troops, critically impacting their lives and the lives of their families, and still not enough is being done to help. As in Montana, our veterans are having trouble finding proper health care, especially for psychological wounds. They need, and are owed nothing less, than the nation’s help.
President Obama is proposing a 2.9 percent military pay raise effective at the start of next year — matching average wage growth in the private sector. He is also filling out his Pentagon with more appointments. Let it never be said that Obama is cutting defense.