If there is one group of people we should be asking about the Afghanistan war and the President’s speech last night, it’s the veterans who have already fought over there.
At least one journalist realized this, and so Jake Tapper of CNN asked some to share their views, which Tapper in turn shared on Twitter.
1/ I asked some veterans of the Afghanistan war what they thought of the president's speech and plan. Here are their thoughts (thread):
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
2/ "He is on right path. I have debated the immediate withdraw plan and it wouldn't end well. That means we have to stay…" (More)
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
3/ "…but we have to make it worthy of the sacrifice. We have just been treading water for too long. Will it work? No Idea."
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
4/ military spouse: "I would rather not have specifics and timelines. Military families understand that details can change at anytime…"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
5/ "…I appreciate that he as a leader cast vision, trusts his military advisors, assured us of the overall goal, …"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
6/ "…and does not take his responsibility to make theses decisions lightly."
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
7/ Gold Star Mother: "My son was killed in Afghanistan. It is a desperate feeling for me to think the gains made there,…"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
8/ "…the price paid, would be lost. My son believed in what he was doing. Hearing President Trump last night speak about …"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
9/"….finishing what was started, giving the Afghan people the opportunity to move their own country forward lifted my heart. …"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
10/ "…We don't need to know when, or how, or the # of…we just need to trust our president and his military leaders to make it happen"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
11/Gold Star Mom: Son, KIA '06 "believed in what he was doing. I agree and was thankful to hear President speak what so many of us feel ❤"
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 22, 2017
The Afghanistan War has been a long-fought one, and at times is has been disheartening to see setbacks in terms of strategy and in terms of the treatment and respect our troops get.
However, many of the messages posted show that, despite tough losses, many of the troops and their families have felt the sacrifice has been and will be worth it, assuming there is good leadership.
Do we have that leadership? Those who responded to Tapper seem to think so.
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