I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
In a speech on primetime national television from West Point, President Barack Obama outlined his proposal to increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan by 30,000. Obama pledged that the troops would begin leaving by 2011.
“As Commander-in-Chief, I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan,” Obama said. “After 18 months, our troops will begin to come home.”
Just as many of other Americans responded to Obama’s speech and decision on Afghanistan, the New Mexico congressional delegation, all Democrats, also responded.
Senator Jeff Bingaman said “the United States has not had a coherent strategy for the war in Afghanistan” since 2001, but that he was “eager to learn the details of how the additional troops will be used, and look forward to Congressional hearings in the coming days.”
His colleague in the Senate, Tom Udall, also had a reaction. “Throughout the process that has led to the president’s decision, I have expressed my concerns surrounding the strategy in Afghanistan. I do not believe our commitment there should be open-ended,” Udall said. “It should be an Afghan-led effort. And with the widespread government corruption we have seen — especially in the recent election — I do not believe we have a reliable partner in this effort.”
Congressman Martin Heinrich, who represents the 1st Congressional District, said in a statement that putting hte emphassis on Afghanistan was long overdue.
“Tonight, President Obama articulated both the necessary resources and a clear strategy to accomplish our goals in Afghanistan and the region,” Heinrich said. “This is a critical step forward, and frankly, it should have taken place years ago.”
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan said he was “concerned” about sending more troops to Afghanistan and cited his travel to Afghanistan in August.
“It is clear that the people of Afghanistan must come together to take responsibility for their country by strengthening Afghan forces and police and addressing corruption in government,” Lujan said. “Furthermore, there must be an emphasis and commitment to humanitarian and diplomatic efforts as we cannot lose sight of the importance of human rights, including women’s rights, in Afghanistan.”
Harry Teague said, while he was “encouraged to see a commitment to training Afghan security forces,” he wanted to see more on the plan for troops once they return from the war in Afghanistan.
“We learned from the last administration the dangers of not planning for the health care of new veterans, and I’m going to be doing my best to make sure that President Obama doesn’t forget that lesson,” Teague said. “As we move forward in Afghanistan, my highest priority and responsibility will be to ensure that our service members have the equipment and backup they need to succeed in their mission and make it back to us safely.”
