Since President Obama has taken office, instead of retreating our military engagements with foreign countries, we’ve increased them. Not only do we continue to fight a war in Afghanistan and Iraq, but we’re now involved in Libya. If Libya is not enough, the President just announced yesterday that he’s sending troops to Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Included below is the President’s letter to Congress:

Let’s take a look at the catalyst of this recent decision to send troops:

The History of Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009

This piece of legislation existed in the 111th Session of the the House of Representatives as H.R. 2478 and sponsored by Democrat Representative James McGovern from Massachusetts on May 19, 2009. The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. This legislation was known in the 111th Senate session as S.1067, sponsored by Democrat Senator Russell Feingold. You can read the full act of law for yourself. A couple of issues I have questions about:

  • Sec. 4 of the act states, “Requirement For Strategy — Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall develop and submit…” This bill was signed by the President on May 24, 2010; well over a year from today. So assuming that the President did submit a thorough strategy within six months, why are we barely hearing of this until now?
  • Sec. 6 and 7 of the bill outlines some items that Congress feels we need to “support” the government of Northern Uganda in completing: revitalize their economy, provide supporting livelihoods, alleviate poverty, develop clean water, health care, and schools, help their government with budget management, strengthen their civilian police, rebuild their justice system, provide vocational education and employment for former combatants, provide PTSD psychosocial services, and make reparations to victims of the conflict.
The bill authorizes Congress to spend up to $40 million within the next three years to fund our new obligations in Central Africa. In addition, we’re now putting our troops in harms way. I don’t have to point out the irony here. I think it’s time we all, as citizens, began reading exactly what these new acts of law and bills are getting us into and truly evaluate if we’re in a position to help others at this time.

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