Thompson says hes very worried over Afghanistan

Eureka Times Standard

As a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, has traveled all over the world to learn about conflicts and situations that could impact the United States.

During a recent visit with the Times-Standard editorial board, Thompson discussed how one of those situations in particular raises concerns -- the current conflicts and unrest in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

”I'm very worried about it,” Thompson said. “The past administration really created a mess that's going to be very hard for anyone to deal with in the immediate and long term.”

By going into Iraq and essentially ignoring Afghanistan, Thompson said, the Bush administration created a situation where Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have found safe harbor in Pakistan, a nuclear power, where they have become a destabilizing force.

But President Barack Obama's developing plan to address the conflict there has a chance at success, Thompson said.

”The Obama plan could work in Afghanistan,” Thompson said. “The concern I have is at what point does our presence there reach a tipping point (and become an occupation).”

In Pakistan, the problems are compounded by a military that hasn't pursued the bad guys like the U.S. would like, Thompson said, and a government that even now seems too preoccupied with their historic enemy of India, rather than extremists within their own borders.

Thompson is chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Human Intelligence, Human Analysis and Counterintelligence.

On economics, Thompson sounded a note of optimism, saying that signs indicate the economy is no longer in a free fall.

”But it's still not good,” Thompson said.

The Obama stimulus package is just now getting deployed, he said, “so as that money starts getting spent, things are going to improve.”

In his district alone, Thompson said the plan should produce 8,000 jobs.

Thompson also remarked on the passing of Obama's first 100 days. He gave the president a positive review.

”I think he's been very, very successful,” Thompson said. “He's brought a certain amount of calm, vision and intelligence to the office.”

With a huge agenda, Obama is essentially pursuing a “full-court press,” Thompson said.

”I don't think he's taken on any more than necessary,” Thompson said.