Posted on 21-3-2003
Today,
I Weep for my Country
US Senator Robert Byrd Speech delivered on the
floor of the US Senate, Wednesday 19 March
2003
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.
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