Esteban Toledo
Member
A friend of mine sent me this, thought provoking, speech:
> 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.
> ###
> 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.
> ###
