Looks like Democratic Rep. Jackie Speier thinks David Brooks is right on. This morning, Speier told MSNBC’s Kristen Welker that the Taliban aren’t as bad as some people (i.e. Republicans) have made them out to be:
Talked to Kirsten Welker on @MSNBC this morning about the Bowe Berdahl prisoner exchange http://t.co/nqkmsl9fLH
— Jackie Speier (@RepSpeier) June 10, 2014
Transcript (starts around the 4:40 mark):
Let me underscore the term “terrorist.” The Taliban is part of the fabric of Afghanistan. They were part of the leadership of that country before we engaged there. We are now actively attempting to get the Taliban to negotiate with President Karzai and the [Afghani] government, because there will be some cooperation, some level of coordination between the two if that country is going to survive and move forward. So, to say that they are terrorists, at this point, is not necessarily accurate.
The Taliban are just patriotic Afghanis. So stop being so judgmental, you guys, and give ’em a chance.
What's "American as apple pie" for Afghanistan? RT @NoahCRothman "The Taliban is part of the fabric of Afghanistan." – Rep. Jackie Speier.
— Simon Templar (@SimonTemplarPV) June 10, 2014
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