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Books by Robert C. Byrd
Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields
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Losing America: Confronting A Reckless and Arrogant Presidency
Senate of the Roman Republic /
We Stand Passively Mute
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I
Weep For My Country
The
Arrogance of Power
By
Robert C. Byrd
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.
Source:
Senate Remarks.
Robert Byrd is The Dean of the Congress --The West Virginian of
the 20th Century
posted
March
19, 2003
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update
24 November 2007 / update 23 May 2008 |
