Published on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 by Politico.com

Alan Grayson: Afghan War 'Futile'

by Meredith Shiner

Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson said Tuesday that the war in Afghanistan is "futile" and vowed to vote against the Pentagon's appropriations bill to protest President Barack Obama's decision to send more U.S. troops there.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) says he'll vote against Pentagon appropriations bill to protest President Barack Obama's troop surge. (Photo: John Shinkle)

"This is an 18th century strategy being employed against a 14th century enemy," Grayson said. " Other countries, one after the other, have given up on this strategy over the years. This war is costing us much too much in both lives and money. There's too much blood being shed in Afghanistan. There's too much blood being shed in Iraq. And there are simply better ways to accomplish the same goals."

Grayson answered with a definitive "yes" when asked if he intends to vote against the pending Department of Defense appropriations bill.

How many other anti-war Democrats will do the same isn't clear, and Grayson said he hasn't yet tried to garner support among those opposed to the troop escalation.

"Each one of us has to decide that for himself or herself, I guess. I don't know if you'll see a lot of that or not. But I do know that we're finding the futility of being the world's policeman is becoming more and more obvious," Grayson said.

Grayson is one of a dozen co-sponsors of a privileged resolution demanding an end to the war in Afghanistan. The leader of that effort, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), complained on the House floor Tuesday about efforts to attach an extension of unemployment benefits to the Pentagon appropriations bill.

"Unfortunately, we are now telling the American people that the only way they will get unemployment compensation is to support another $130 billion to keep wars going," Kucinich said. "What a cruel choice Congress is forcing on people out of work. Put your sons and daughters on the firing line, and we will pay you for being in the unemployment line."

Although Kucinich has not explicitly said he will vote against the legislation, a spokesperson for the Congressman noted he has yet to vote in favor of a war appropriations bill.

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