Up & Coming Weekly

August 30, 2022

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 UCW 5 It's been one year. But we will never forget. On August 2021, Kabul, Afghanistan, fell to the Taliban. is event marked the end of our nation's 20-year involvement in the country. It also marked a blatant moral and national security failure that has had lasting consequences for our country, allies, and the people of Afghanistan. Kabul's fall one year ago was tragic, it was predictable, and it could have been prevented. President Joe Biden ignored the advice of his military commanders. His rushed and disor- ganized effort to pull the United States out of the region cost American and Afghan lives. Just before the events of August 2021, President Biden announced to the nation that our withdrawal from Afghanistan would not be another Saigon. However, that is exactly what happened. In the chaos that followed the fall, America lost 13 brave U.S. service- members who were attempting to pro- tect Americans and our allies fleeing the Taliban. ese servicemembers were heroes who endured extremely dangerous circumstances in order to protect the innocent. is included U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ryan Knauss stationed at Fort Bragg. We continue to pray for the families and friends of all servicemembers lost that day. On top of this tragedy, billions of dollars in equipment and thousands of American citizens and Afghan al- lies who supported our troops were left behind. My office alone directly contacted or worked with organiza- tions representing more than 11,700 citizens and allies who needed to flee Afghanistan. Our government made them a promise, and Joe Biden broke that promise. More than 800 citizens and tens of thousands of Afghan part- ners remain left behind by the Biden administration today according to a new report by House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans. Today, Afghanistan has descended into an abysmal state and a haven for terrorists. Political and social liber- ties, especially for women, have been severely restricted by the Taliban, and most Afghans are facing acute starva- tion and poverty. It is estimated that 97% of the population could fall below the poverty line by year's end. Beyond this humanitarian crisis, Afghanistan has also, once again, become a haven for terrorists. is became clear after the announcement of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri's death in Kabul. While his death was a major step in the fight against terrorism, the fact that he was in Afghanistan is worri- some and may indicate the country will once again be a cradle for violent extremism. e situation in Afghanistan is a moral and national security failure. It could have been avoided if President Biden had listened to commanders on the ground. Instead, they prioritized speed over the safety and security of the American people, as well as the wellbeing of all those in Afghanistan. is is unacceptable. As Fort Bragg's Congressman, I promise to work diligently to provide oversight of this deadly withdrawal, to get our citizens and allies out of harm's way, and to honor the brave Americans who lost their lives serving in Afghanistan. While the scope and scale of this catastrophe stands alone, it is unfortu- nately not the only policy failure that has threatened our nation. In addi- tion to their many foreign policy and national security missteps, Washing- ton Democrats' economic agenda continues to undermine you and your family. Last week, President Biden signed the Inflation Expansion Act into law. is $700 billion bill will raise your taxes, make inflation worse, and enable the IRS to come after you by adding more than 87,000 new agents — more than all the troops stationed at Fort Bragg. I voted against the Inflation Expan- sion Act and am working to cut reck- less spending and get our economy back on track. Whether it be demanding account- ability over Afghanistan or fighting to grow our economy, I will never stop working for you. Misguided policies from Washington have created nu- merous challenges for us abroad and at home. Yet I am optimistic for the future of our nation because of strong communities like ours. OPINION Congressman highlights Biden Administration policy failure by REP. RICHARD HUDSON JOIN NOW! Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. Strength and Safety. Proud to be a 5-star credit union. This project is supported by the Arts Council in part by contributions from businesses and individuals, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources. T I C K E T S A V A I L A B L E A T (910) 678-7186 GilbertTheater.com Print & Sign Shop Westwood & Fort Bragg September 16-October 2, 2022 The Man Who Liberty Valance SHOT November 25-27, December 2-4, December 16-18 2022 February 17-March 5, 2023 THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE abridged April 21-May 7, 2023 ALL IN THE FOUR SHORT PLAYS TIMING June 23-July 9, 2023 [title of show] 2022/2023 S E A S O N REP. RICHARD HUDSON, -N.C. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200.

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