WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones is inviting residents of his district and North Carolina at large to join him in the national discussion over active military conflict and presence in Afghanistan.
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Jones will join the director and producers of the Netflix movie “War Machine,” starring Brad Pitt, in a panel discussion before and after screening the movie at the U.S. House Visitor Center.
“I have been very outspoken about the fact that since 2001, we have not had one policy debate on Afghanistan,” Jones said.
Jones represents the coastal, 3rd Congressional District of North Carolina, including Onslow County and Camp Lejeune.
Discussions will be live streamed via the Congressman’s Facebook page for opening remarks at 7:15 p.m., and again at 9:15 p.m. for a panel discussion.
“War Machine” is a satirical film which features Pitt’s portrayal of an oblivious, war-hungry, four-star American general in Afghanistan.
Categorized as a comedy on Netflix, for Jones, the film is a “sad satire,” a reminder of the lives lost over the war.
“I have the pictures of every marine from Camp Lejeune that’s been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan,” Jones said. “Every one of them.”
The film screening and panel discussions will tie into the congressman’s efforts to generate public and congressional debate over continuing war efforts in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires,” Jones said. “You will never change it and we have spent $1 trillion, 2,300 killed, well over 20,000 wounded and yet we can’t even get a debate on the floor of the house.”
Discussions will feature “War Machine” director and writer David Michod as well as producers Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner.
Democratic California Congressman John Garamendi and Republican Congressman Jones introduced legislation in March asking to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan. The bill would prohibit “making funds available for activities in Afghanistan.”
“Its almost like Congress is brain-dead because we don’t don’t debate war anymore,” Jones said. “Hopefully we’re going to get more members (of Congress) to join us.”
Jones has written a letter to President Trump citing his disapproval of over $1 trillion taxpayer dollars going toward efforts in Afghanistan. He also disagrees with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, as he “directs and controls what gets to the floor of the House”.
Much like Pitt’s character in “War Machine,” Jones sees Ryan’s “arrogance of power” as a block to meaningful debate and conversation.
“It’s just trying to wake up America- why in the world with our country going financially broke – how can we spend $1 trillion in a country like Afghanistan and nothing is changing?” Jones asked. “Nothing.”
To live stream the panel discussion before and after the screening of Netflix’s “War Machine,” visit Jones’ Facebook page at 7:15 p.m. and again at 9:15 p.m.
Congressman Jones’ letter to Trump by Johanna Ferebee on Scribd
Johanna Ferebee can be reached at [email protected] or @j__ferebee on Twitter
