SENATE BILL: End to Imperialism Act (Law'd)

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I don't think I need to tell Senators that this is a terrible bill.  It would radically damage our foreign policy; plunge Iraq and Afghanistan into chaos, and allow Gadaffi to regain power in Libya, ending all hope for regime change.  Let the foreign policy and defense experts advising the President handle troop numbers, so that we don't reflexively commit very serious damage.  The President's recently announced plan shows progress is being made; let us go at that pace.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Yes, don't table this bill.  We should debate the bill, see that it is a disastrous piece of legislation, and reject it.  But, we should allow Napoleon to present his arguments.

Nay, maybe we could get some amendments on it?

Frankly, given the plan the President put through, I don't think we need amendments.  I think we should follow the President's plan.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Napoleon, please don't insinuate that I am not a real member of the Left because of my position.  It is a foolish way to identify someone.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

The President, in his role as Commander-in-Chief, authorized Atlasian troops to be part of NATO operations in Libya several months ago.  The Atlasian troops in Libya now are NATO soldiers; this is not an Atlasian military expedition.  The Senate, by keeping Atlasia in NATO, has acquiesced to Atlasian troops being used in NATO military ventures.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Also, Atlasia recognizes the NTC as the official government of Libya.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Senator, you have (hopefully accidentally) completely ignored what I've been saying.  For us to withdraw now, hastily, would do far more damage to the people we are trying to help than following the President's timeline.  Withdrawing just to withdraw, which is what you and Senator Napoleon are arguing for, is dangerous.  It doesn't give the people left time to prepare themselves; it will lead to the collapse of anti-Gaddafi resistance in Libya, it will strengthen the Taliban in Afghanistan/Pakistan, and will fuel instability in Iraq.  These are all outcomes that must be avoided, and so this bill must be defeated, and the President's timeline must be the absolute shortest we can have this process take.

The President consulted all the top foreign policy and military advisers before making his decision (I know, I was there).  His explanation is solid, and backed up by fact.  It appears, Senator, you are choosing to follow your own instincts as opposed to expert advice, and that is a mistake - one which I hope the Senate will not follow.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

10 years in Afghanistan was plenty of time to affect change.  You've made it clear in your statements that we should be there "until the job is done"... unfortunately, you cannot explain what job it is that needs to "get done"... only that it is some far off, pie in the sky goal that will require lots more money and troops to achieve.

The goal in Afghanistan is creating a stable nation that can defend itself, as well as eliminating the Taliban, our mortal foe.  And yes, that goal will take some time.  But it's imperative that we achieve that goal.

We should not have gotten involved with Libya.  While I vehemently oppose Ghadaffi and his murdering of his own people, I do not believe any good will come from our supporting the rebels.  At the very best, it will create yet another nation completely dependent on us for long term survival, and at the worst, sour those people and turn them against us.  This has been tried so many times before that you'd think the military establishment would get it through their thick skulls... but alas, they do not.

The Libyan people want Gaddafi gone.  We are strengthening the only viable resistance to him.  To leave now would be giving the middle finger to those who hoped we could help them.

As far as Iraq is concerned:  It is time they carried their own water.  I believe they can do it.  There is no reason to drag things out any longer there.

We're not asking for years; we're asking 5 months.  There's a difference.

I'm not "acting with my instincts" here.  And I'm not endangering the troops by bringing them home in a timely manner.  I'm only endangering the warmongers' ability to keep waging pointless wars and the profit margin of defense contractors.  And I have a feeling that is what scares this administration most.

A ridiculous and, frankly, insulting comment.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

It is clear the Senate will have to act on its own for this.

Yes, you've made it quite clear that you and your cronies will do whatever possible to destroy the good work Atlasia has done and is trying to do, in order to satisfy some wrongheaded grudge.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I urge the Senate to adopt the compromise.  It achieves our goals, and all I wish for is a name change

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Now can we turn to the FPR and GTO bills waiting in the wings?