GENERAL OF THE ARMY BARNEY "FIVE STAR" FRANK SPEAKS ON AFGHANISTAN - AT 7:38 P.M. ET:  This is what's become of the party of Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy:

Rep. Barney Frank said he would oppose a troop increase in Afghanistan because people in his district face greater threats than al Qaeda.

Frank (D-Mass.), the House Financial Services Committee chairman, said that the federal government needs to spend its funds on domestic priorities rather than on foreign wars in light of the nation's record $1.4 trillion budget deficit. Frank said that domestic problems, such as crime and global warming, pose a greater "threat" to citizens in his district than al Qaeda does.

"There are cops in my districts who have been laid off. And there are people in my district who need more protection from criminals than they need from al Qaeda," Frank said during an appearance at Cornell University on Sunday. "That's just a fact of life."

Frank continued that "they need protection [inaudible] from urban areas where there have been foreclosures on the fire department. And they need more protection from bridges falling down when they drive over them. And from pollution in the water, et cetera."

COMMENT:  This is considered strategic thinking in some circles.  In World War II we fielded a force of 16 million, out of a population of 130 million.  Today we field a force of 1.5 million out of a population of 306 million.  And Barney Frank thinks we can't afford it.

I wish these people would just admit that they're leftists, and think the problems of the world are our fault.  I'd have more respect for them.

November 9, 2009