Defense Official: Operations In Marjah And Helmand Has Been Successful

By Monique Cala University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy said she was 'optimistic for the future' of military offenses in the Afghan towns Marjah and Helmand.

"So far the evidence suggest this fundamental shift and approach has been extremely successful," said Flournoy during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee. "The percentage of Afghan civilian casualties caused by coalition actions has dropped substantially."

The operation is a combination of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Afghan forces working together to remove the Taliban and restore security to Marjah and central Helmand.

Flournoy highlighted how the perception of Americans on the ground in Afghanistan has improved recently due to the fundamental approach. Yet, the joint staff did warn that things could get worse before they get better.

"We may well see increases in violence, increase in attacks on our forces," said Flournoy. "Our adversaries are cunning, they are adaptable, they are tenacious and we will need to continually reaffirm out commitment and refine our response."

Lieutenant General John Paxton said, "In spite of recent success, we know this is going to be a hard fight. There are going to be pockets of intense resistance. There will be perhaps one step forward two steps back for awhile."

The ratio of Afghan Armed forces to U.S. troops in Marjah is now 1 to 2. Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) called it 'considerable progress' from 1 to 5 last September.

"Operation Moshtarak is first operation in Afghanistan where coalition planning has been fully interrogated with our Afghan partners from the very start," added Paxton.

Contract Dispute Blocking U.S. Efforts To Train Afghan Police Force

By Monique Cala - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

As reconstruction efforts get underway in Afghanistan, the shifting in oversight of Afghan police training from the U.S. State Department to the U.S. Defense Department has been slow to develop.

"The State Department was doing an inadequate job in training the police. At least that was the view of the policy people of the time. Ironically, that is exactly the view of today," said Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Stuart Bowen on Monday.

DynCorp International, which held the State Department contract, has filed a protest, delaying the transition and forcing an extension of their contract to July of this year.

While a resolution regarding the transition has yet to be announced, Douglas Ebner with DynCorp promised that his organization, "will do nothing to impede the mission” in Afghanistan.

"Our main concern today, however, is not the process and detail of contingency contracting," said Federal Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan Co-Chair Christopher Shays. "It the strategic concern about the roles and responsibility, the planning, the visibility and especially the inter-agency coordination of efforts that rely on contracts."

As pressure mounts on the U.S. to withdraw troops and transition governing power to the Afghan people, the need for a strong police force there is a key issue. According to U.S. officials, the number of Afghan police is expected to grow to 160,000 by 2013.

Sebelius Blasts Hike In Health Care Premiums

By Monique Cala University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius had harsh words regarding the ‘extreme’ premium increases insurance companies have requested this year.

“We are seeing this at a same time where not only is there an economic down turn around the country, but we know that insurance companies are not suffering that same kind of downturn,” said Sebelius during a conference call with reporters Thursday. “The five largest insurers in America have declared more than $12 billion worth of profits in 2009.”

The Secretary's comments came shortly after Health and Human Services released a report entitled "Insurance Companies Prosper, Families Suffer: Our Broken Health Insurance System," which detailed hikes in premiums, such as Anthem Blue Cross of California, which seeks to raise premiums by up to 39 percent.

Sebelius said she had contacted Blue Cross to ask for an explanation for the hike. In response, the company said they would delay the increase for two months.

According to the report, a recent study found that almost 75 percent of individuals looking for coverage on the individual market never bought a plan, with 61 percent of those who did not purchase insurance citing premium costs as the primary reason.

"The president said we won't fix the economy without fixing our healthcare system,” added Sebelius. “Thats why he invited leadership from the Democrats and Republicans, from the House and Senate, to sit down, roll up their sleeves and talk about a comprehensive health reform plan.”

DNC Chairman Cites Republican Hypocrisy Over Stimulus

By Monique Cala - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

At least 87 Republicans have shown hypocritical actions toward the Recovery Act by denouncing its merits in public, but attending ‘ribbon cutting ceremonies’ for local projects funded by the bill, said Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tim Kaine on Tuesday.

“The very same Republicans who indignantly raised a hand in opposition to the Act, have extended the other hand in many cases to ask for and accept funds from it for projects in their states and districts,” said Kaine.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed one year ago Friday by President Obama, was a $787 billion piece of legislation designed to stimulate the nation's spiraling economy.

“One year ago, when the President was inaugurated, the country was averaging more than 700,000 jobs lost every month,” said Kaine. “The Recovery Act has reduced that number to just a fraction of where we would have been had we gone along either with congressional Republicans' plan to do nothing, or simply do more of what President Bush and others did over the past decade to get us into this mess.”

According to Kaine, the list of 87 lawmakers includes Senators, Congressmen and Governors who either referred to the Recovery Act as 'socialism,' or called for its repeal, but then used money from it to strengthen their achievements.

You can view a complete list at Hypocrisy Hall of Fame.

Reid: Jobs Bill Will Reach Senate Floor Monday

By Monique Cala University of New Mexico/ Talk Radio News Service

Legislation aimed at boosting job creation will reach the Senate floor Monday, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)

“For Senate Democrats, creating jobs is job number one,” said Reid during a press conference Thursday

Reid, along with Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bryon Dorgan (D-N.D.) presented the ‘Democratic Jobs Agenda.' The three page agenda lacks detail, but outlines tax incentives for businesses that hire new employees and provide greater access to credit through lending programs.

“We support programs to help small businesses more easily access the credit they need to expand and hire more workers, to export their products to foreign markets and to create a Small Business Lending Pool to help community banks more quickly lend to small businesses,” according to the text of the agenda.

In reference to losing a Democratic seat to Massachusetts Republican Scott Brown, Schumer said that Democrats have "heard the message of Massachusetts."

“The message wasn't 'don’t do health care.' More than half the people polled said they liked health care and we should do it,” said Schumer. Instead, Schumer said, the message was to "focus immediately on jobs, the economy, helping the middle class.”

“This is a good faith offering on the Democratic side. We are inviting our friends on the Republican side to join us. Bring your best ideas forward,” said Durbin. “Let’s put these on the floor and move on them with a sense of urgency. It is of highest priority of the people of this country. It should be the highest priority in the Senate.”