Tennessee Representatives Lincoln Davis and Marsha Blackburn just returned from Iraq and Afghanistan-with differing opinions of those countries’ status.
Like most congressional trips to the war zones, the schedule included meetings with US military on the ground. But it was also designed to pay close attention to issues of economic stability and community building.
Blackburn says she’s impressed with civil improvements in both countries. She notes increased access to health care and education and a new banking structure in Afghanistan. And the Franklin Republican says Baghdad looks –quote- “more like a city.”
“Looking down from the helicopter, I could see fruit stands, grocery stores, sidewalk cafes, businesses that had awnings that were up, neighborhoods where the streets had street lights, things that over the years you didn’t always see.”
On the other hand, Davis thinks rebuilding is happening at too slow a pace. The Pall Mall Democrat says laws in both countries actually get in the way of revitalization.
“Some of the changes that have to be made in Iraq and Afghanistan is for individuals to be able to leverage their assets to borrow capital so they can start a business and employ folks. Until they change their laws in Iraq and Afghanistan we may be there a long, long time and may never accomplish the objective that the world has for Iraq and Afghanistan and certainly that we have.”
Both Davis and Blackburn say the surge in Iraq was a success. This spring, the Pentagon plans to begin redeploying some of the troops currently in that nation. Neither Blackburn nor Davis is interested in pushing for a faster withdrawal.
Jacqueline Fellows also contributed to this report
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