Byrd's latest Senate speech

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: Bruce R Koball <bkoball () well com>
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 10:35:49 -0800 (PST)
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Byrd's latest Senate speech

Dave,

It seems that some in Congress can still summon the eloquence the
situation deserves.

-brk-


http://commondreams.org/views03/0319-04.htm

> Arrogance of Power
> Today, I Weep for my Country...
> by US Senator Robert Byrd
> Speech delivered on the floor of the US Senate
> March 19, 2003 3:45pm
>
>
> I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied its roots and
> gloried in the wisdom of its magnificent Constitution. I have marveled
> at the wisdom of its founders and framers. Generation after generation
> of Americans has understood the lofty ideals that underlie our great
> Republic. I have been inspired by the story of their sacrifice and
> their strength.
>
> But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the events of recent
> months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is the image of America one
> of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. The image of America has
> changed.  Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is
> disputed, our intentions are questioned.
>
> Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, we demand
> obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead of isolating Saddam
> Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine
> of preemption which is understood by few and feared by many. We say
> that the United States has the right to turn its firepower on any
> corner of the globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. We
> assert that right without the sanction of any international body. As a
> result, the world has become a much more dangerous place.
>
> We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UN Security
> Council members like ingrates who offend our princely dignity by
> lifting their heads from the carpet. Valuable alliances are split.
>
> After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuild much more
> than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image
> around the globe.
>
> The case this Administration tries to make to justify its fixation with
> war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial
> evidence. We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for
> one simple reason. This is a war of choice.
>
> There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11. The
> twin towers fell because a world-wide terrorist group, Al Qaeda, with
> cells in over 60 nations, struck at our wealth and our influence by
> turning our own planes into missiles, one of which would likely have
> slammed into the dome of this beautiful Capitol except for the brave
> sacrifice of the passengers on board.
>
> The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terrorist attacks we
> have witnessed around the globe are the violent and desperate efforts
> by extremists to stop the daily encroachment of western values upon
> their cultures. That is what we fight. It is a force not confined to
> borders. It is a shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and many
> addresses.
>
> But, this Administration has directed all of the anger, fear, and grief
> which emerged from the ashes of the twin towers and the twisted metal
> of the Pentagon towards a tangible villain, one we can see and hate and
> attack. And villain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is
> the wrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probably drive him
> from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assist our global war on
> terrorism may have already taken flight.
>
> The general unease surrounding this war is not just due to "orange
> alert." There is a pervasive sense of rush and risk and too many
> questions unanswered. How long will we be in Iraq? What will be the
> cost? What is the ultimate mission? How great is the danger at home?
>
> A pall has fallen over the Senate Chamber. We avoid our solemn duty to
> debate the one topic on the minds of all Americans, even while scores
> of thousands of our sons and daughters faithfully do their duty in
> Iraq.
>
> What is happening to this country? When did we become a nation which
> ignores and berates our friends? When did we decide to risk undermining
> international order by adopting a radical and doctrinaire approach to
> using our awesome military might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts
> when the turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?
>
> Why can this President not seem to see that America's true power lies
> not in its will to intimidate, but in its ability to inspire?
>
> War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that the cloud will
> lift.  Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run. Perhaps reason will
> somehow still prevail. I along with millions of Americans will pray for
> the safety of our troops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for
> the security of our homeland. May God continue to bless the United
> States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow
> recapture the vision which for the present eludes us.


------ End of Forwarded Message

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