The video is here (when I find it)
The fact sheet they used is here (whitehouse.gov)
The AEI Background -- you know, the $10k to rebut Global warming people.
-----------------------
I've still got a buzz from playing a drinking game during his press conference yesterday, so I'm staying sober for this one (against my doctor's advice.)
It's been a while since the Public has even heard, let alone thought about, Afghanistan. If you don't have loved ones stationed there, Afghanistan is just one more issue of the myriad of issues we are fighting with this Administration. This is still an important issue though, because this war helped Bush rev up the War Machine and helped prepare the American psyche for the Occupation of Iraq and has some of them salivating for invading Iran as well.
To bring some of us up to speed the dkosopedia entry on Afghanistan provides
Current Situation
Security is deteriorating throughout the country. Human Rights Watch published a report in July 2006, that Taliban attacks have closed hundreds of schools in the region (HRW report), especially schools for girls. The Taliban have been joined in these attacks by local warlords who want to drive out any government interference in their areas and protect the poppy crop.
Last year's opium production was 52% of GDP, and this year's crop is even larger.
The United States cut its development assistance in half in 2006, to $622 million. That did not change things much for most Afghanis because much of the foreign aid given to the country is spent on projects where it can siphoned off into the pockets of foreign, especially American, contractors or corrupt Afghani officials.
Safia Ama Jan, a teacher and provincial director of the Ministry of Women's Affairs, was assassinated by the Taliban outside her home in Khandahar on Sept. 26, 2006.
Incredibly, on Jan. 7, 2007, the U.S. Army announced that an infantry battalion fighting in a critical area of eastern Afghanistan will be withdrawn within weeks in order to deploy to Iraq. This withdrawl is happening at the same time that NATO's commanding general is asking other countries to commit more troops to Afghanistan. Later that month, the US announced that it planned to spend an additional $10 billion on reconstruction; in addition to the $14 billion that has been spent since the invasion.
Keep this in mind when you hear not just his rhetoric speach, but in listening for the questions the Televised Tabloids© will throw the President's way.
My money is on Bush saying something like "We need more money for..."
Update: Bush to ask for 3200 more troops.
Update: Taking no Questions?! Coward.