Afghan withdrawal a disastrous idea

In reading the Nov. 1 Commentary Section, I found that U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson, my favorite congressman, and liberal extremist, Garrison Keillor, agree on our withdrawal from Afghanistan. Let's analyze this tragic situation.

Neither Johnson nor Keillor are willing to deal with the probable consequences of our early withdrawal.

First, our country made a commitment to defeat the Taliban and establish a democratic government there. President Obama has called it a "necessary war."

Gen. Stanley McCrystal, appointed by Obama to oversee the struggle, has maintained that without these additional troops he would not be able to win. Obama has been accused of waffling, and there was speculation that he was waiting for the results of the Afghan presidential election before making a decision.

But now that Afghan President Karzai's opponent has withdrawn from the election and Karzai has been proclaimed president, this excuse has been taken away. One would think it would behoove Obama to decide quickly and send the requested soldiers.

Withdrawal now would tell the world that the U.S. is not faithful to its promises, and our allies would be inclined to never trust us again. There also would be hysterical joy among all the world's terrorists, especially in Arab nations, and the Taliban would claim a great victory.

Finally, there would certainly be a danger of more terror attacks in this country.

Is this what Rep. Johnson wants to happen?

JIM PILLAR

Urbana