Just over a decade ago, Rep. Barbara Lee of California's 9th district was the only congressmember to vote against the Afghanistan war following the violent attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Today, the congresswoman reflects in the Guardian about that time and explains that the United States must now clean up the mess it has made in that country.
In her speech she warned Congress: "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore." She thinks that was happening under George W Bush, but while she supports Obama's change of course in foreign policy she remains critical over a range of issues in the region …
She believes that when it comes to its constitutional duties she describes Congress as "missing in action" …
Lee believes that as America prepares to move on it should not neglect is responsibility to right those things it has done wrong. "We bombed the heck out of these countries. We shattered lives. The refugee numbers are horrendous. We've unfortunately killed innocent civilians. We have a moral responsibility to figure out how to help."
Watch the video interview at the Guardian.