Levin Backs Obama's Troop Reduction Date In Afghanistan

By Kyle LaFleur - Talk Radio News Service

US Senate Armed Service Committee Chairman Carl Levin expressed great support Friday morning to the Council on Foreign Relations for President Obama’s strategy to begin reducing US forces in Afghanistan and transfer in responsibilities to the Afghan government in July 2011.

“Once the President announced his decision, I focused my efforts on what I believe to be the decisive factor in success or failure in Afghanistan, building the Afghan army’s capability and getting Afghan troops to take the lead in operations,” said Levin, “That belief is based on my conviction that it will be up to the Afghan forces and people to succeed in this conflict if they want a better future than the grim prospect the Taliban offers.”

Levin bolstered his support for the timed turnover by pointing out that when Marines began operations in Helmand Province last spring, the ratio of Marines to Afghan soldiers was five to one. 

“The ratio is now one to one,” said Levin, “And we finally are seeing Afghan forces leading some operations in Arghandab and other districts around Kandahar.  Having Afghans lead these operations is the Taliban’s worst nightmare, because it gives the lie to the Taliban propaganda that portrays Western troops as hostile occupiers.”

Levin believes sticking to the July 2011 date would also send a message of pressure to the President Karzai and the Afghan government to earn the support of the people. The senator also said that only through proving itself as a legitimate and effective governing body, Afghanistan would not return to a state of “Taliban domination” and the negative public view of the government would jeopardize sustaining credibility of a currently respected Afghan army.

“If the Afghan people begin to perceive the army as protecting a corrupt and ineffective national government, that respect will wane,” he said. 

Back at home, people seem to agree with Levin.  A Gallup poll from June showed that 58% of Americans agreed with the President’s time table.  

Levin: Detainees Could Be Allowed In US

Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) discusses how he believes that the decision about detainees coming into the United States should be left up to local governments, and the federal government should not institute a national ban. (0:36)

Senator Levin active concerning Armed Services

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) gave an overview of the goals of the Armed Services Committee during a news conference today. The Committee will focus on several non-budget items this year, and according to Levin the plan is still to take the troops out of Iraq within the next 16 months.

One of the items on the agenda is a move to place Afghan troops on the border and place the border patrol under the ministry of defense. Another major initiative will be to take on acquisition reform with focus on the overrun costs of 300 billion dollars, the oversights on wounded soldier legislation, and taking advantage of the lessons learned from using security contractors. According to Levin, it is time to face the reality that there have to be budget cuts.

Sen. Levin also discussed the potential for working with Russia on missile defense in order to create an alliance against Iran. He said that if Iran can see the U.S. and Russia coming together that he ”can't exaggerate the power of such an impact.”

Levin voiced concern over the amount of private sectors that are performing governmental functions. He also warned that we have to be careful to not "Americanize" the Afghan army, like we did with Iraq.

In regard to the William J. Lynn III nomination for Deputy Defense Secretary, Sen. Levin stated that additional information has been requested and he still supports the nomination. Levin said that there is a strict set of rules applied to nominees, and that Lynn is no exception.

by Suzia van Swol, University of New Mexico-Talk Radio News Service

Committee introduces legislation on credit card regulation at press conference

Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced legislation to improve credit card billing, marketing and disclosure regulations and practices today at a press conference. The Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act (C.A.R.D.), is set to strengthen industry regulation and supervision, prevent increases in interest rates and terms, and prohibit exorbitant and unnecessary rates and fees, among other things.

Upon becoming chairman, Dodd put credit card companies “on notice” in 2007 and with this legislation is hoping to create “fairness and transparency for consumers.” Last year 700 million credit cards were given out that allocated about $9,000 of debt per household, due to, as Dodd said,“mostly excessive fees and exorbitant interest rates.”

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), at the press conference in support of Dodd’s legislation, noted “With all the economic hardships facing folks today, from falling home prices to rising gasoline and food costs, it is more important than ever for Congress to act now to stop credit card abuses and protect American families from unfair credit cared practices.”