An Open Letter to President Obama re Afghanistan

Dear President Obama,

I have a request. But first, know that I am a supporter of yours. I worked in the campaign office in San Antonio, made phone calls during the campaign, I sent money each month. I wore your tee-shirts in the midst of very red, Republican territory.
So I am a supporter.

One of the reasons I supported you was your vote against the war in Iraq. Now you are considering putting a huge contingent of our young soldiers in Afghanistan. Two reasons have floated to the surface; (1) we must stop Al Qaida from plotting another attack on us; (2) we must build the infrastructure of Afghanistan up so they can resist the presence of terrorists.

General Jones has said there are only around 100 Al Qaida persons in Pakistan or Afghanistan now. Could not a detachment of special forces, e.g., Green Berets, Rangers, Seals, etc. be given the task of taking them out? And, why must we spend so much money building up Afghanistan when we have such huge needs here at home? Could we not better spend that money employing our unemployed, building bridges, electric power transference systems, schools? Why do that in Afghanistan in an effort that brings us closer as a people to bankruptcy?

And now my request: I would ask you to find a copy of the DVD "Pete Seeger: The Power of Song". It will take you ninety minutes to watch this DVD. I truly believe it will bring you closer to the feelings of the average citizen in America.

This is one of his songs with a potent message for today:

(IF YOU LOVE YOUR UNCLE SAM) BRING THEM HOME

If you love your Uncle Sam,
Bring them home, bring them home.
Support our boys in [Afghanistan] Vietnam,
Bring them home, bring them home.

It'll make our generals sad, I know,
Bring them home, bring them home.
They want to tangle with the foe,
Bring them home, bring them home.

They want to test their weaponry,
Bring them home, bring them home.
But here is their big fallacy,
Bring them home, bring them home.

I may be right, I may be wrong,
Bring them home, bring them home.
But I got a right to sing this song,
Bring them home, bring them home.

There's one thing I must confess,
Bring them home, bring them home.
I'm not really a pacifist,
Bring them home, bring them home.

If an army invaded this land of mine,
Bring them home, bring them home.
You'd find me out on the firing line,
Bring them home, bring them home.

Even if they brought their planes to bomb,
Bring them home, bring them home.
Even if they brought helicopters and napalm,
Bring them home, bring them home.

Show those generals their fallacy:
Bring them home, bring them home.
They don't have the right weaponry,
Bring them home, bring them home.

For defense you need common sense,
Bring them home, bring them home.
They don't have the right armaments,
Bring them home, bring them home.

The world needs teachers, books and schools,
Bring them home, bring them home.
And learning a few universal rules,
Bring them home, bring them home.

So if you love your Uncle Same,
Bring them home, bring them home.
Support our boys in [Afghanistan} Vietnam,
Bring them home, bring them home.

Words and Music by Pete Seeger © 1966 Storm King Music, Inc.

I just watched this DVD and it moved me to pass these words on to you. Please do not take on the job of rebuilding Afghanistan when we have so many needs here at home.

W. Conrad Archer
San Antonio Texas

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