Fred Boenig, father to a son who died in Afghanistan in 2010, had a tense confrontation with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., over what the dad called Cotton’s “biggest hawk in Washington” views on the Iraq conflict.
The repartee occurred at a foreign policy discussion at John Hopkins’ campus in Washington, D.C., Friday, and started when Cotton asked Boenig about four lapel pins he was wearing. Boenig said they represent three children he has currently serving and one who died in Afghanistan in 2010.
Boenig said he is a “gold star dad” and told Cotton: “When I hear you speak, all I hear is somebody knocking on my door again.”
He challenged the senator to name how long it has been since an American military member died in combat.
“I can’t tell you the exact time frame,” said Cotton, conceding that Americans had died in Afghanistan this year.
Boenig replied that it has been 58 days and asked, “When do we get to hang up the ‘mission accomplished’ banner, and when do I get my kids to come home safe again?”
“There’s no definite answer because our enemies get a vote in this process,” replied Cotton, saying that he was deeply sorry for Boenig’s loss and that he honors the service of Boenig’s children. “In the end, I think the best way to honor our veterans…”
“Is to have more killed?” interrupted Boenig.
“… is to win the wars for which they fought,” Cotton said, finishing his sentence.
“We have been fighting in Iraq for 24 years — really,” said Boenig. “If that’s what you consider winning, I don’t know — I ask the people in Iraq.”
Obama claimed Iraq was stable and peaceful in 2011, said Cotton, who is also a veteran. “And now we are at risk because we squandered the gains that our troops fought and too many of them died for.”
“The day after you signed that letter, you went and spoke at a defense contractors meeting,” charged Boenig, questioning the senator’s motives. “It’s very clear what your views are, sir. My views are keeping our kids safe … the difference between going yourself and sending your child is a much greater things sir.”
The four-minute heated exchange is worth watching in full.
