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dirtbag
climber
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:21pm PT
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Byrd's words in 2003.
To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.
Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.
We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.
And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.
This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.
Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim. The economy is stumbling. Fuel prices are rising and may soon spike higher.
This Administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that that record is dismal.
In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits as far as the eye can see. This Administration's domestic policy has put many of our states in dire financial condition, under funding scores of essential programs for our people. This Administration has fostered policies which have slowed economic growth. This Administration has ignored urgent matters such as the crisis in health care for our elderly. This Administration has been slow to provide adequate funding for homeland security. This Administration has been reluctant to better protect our long and porous borders.
In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.
Calling heads of state pygmies, labeling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. We need the cooperation and friendship of our time-honored allies as well as the newer found friends whom we can attract with our wealth. Our awesome military machine will do us little good if we suffer another devastating attack on our homeland which severely damages our economy. Our military manpower is already stretched thin and we will need the augmenting support of those nations who can supply troop strength, not just sign letters cheering us on.
The war in Afghanistan has cost us $37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land.
Pakistan as well is at risk of destabilizing forces. This Administration has not finished the first war against terrorism and yet it is eager to embark on another conflict with perils much greater than those in Afghanistan. Is our attention span that short? Have we not learned that after winning the war one must always secure the peace?
And yet we hear little about the aftermath of war in Iraq. In the absence of plans, speculation abroad is rife. Will we seize Iraq's oil fields, becoming an occupying power which controls the price and supply of that nation's oil for the foreseeable future? To whom do we propose to hand the reigns of power after Saddam Hussein?
Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?
Could a disruption of the world's oil supply lead to a world-wide recession? Has our senselessly bellicose language and our callous disregard of the interests and opinions of other nations increased the global race to join the nuclear club and made proliferation an even more lucrative practice for nations which need the income?
In only the space of two short years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years.
One can understand the anger and shock of any President after the savage attacks of September 11. One can appreciate the frustration of having only a shadow to chase and an amorphous, fleeting enemy on which it is nearly impossible to exact retribution.
But to turn one's frustration and anger into the kind of extremely destabilizing and dangerous foreign policy debacle that the world is currently witnessing is inexcusable from any Administration charged with the awesome power and responsibility of guiding the destiny of the greatest superpower on the planet. Frankly many of the pronouncements made by this Administration are outrageous. There is no other word.
Yet this chamber is hauntingly silent. On what is possibly the eve of horrific infliction of death and destruction on the population of the nation of Iraq -- a population, I might add, of which over 50% is under age 15 -- this chamber is silent. On what is possibly only days before we send thousands of our own citizens to face unimagined horrors of chemical and biological warfare -- this chamber is silent. On the eve of what could possibly be a vicious terrorist attack in retaliation for our attack on Iraq, it is business as usual in the United States Senate.
We are truly "sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings.
To engage in war is always to pick a wild card. And war must always be a last resort, not a first choice. I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is "in the highest moral traditions of our country". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure appears to be having a good result in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:24pm PT
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Dirt, see my last post, I edited it. He's gone!!!!
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dirtbag
climber
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:26pm PT
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I will at home later today, bluering.
I'm at work now. :-)
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Mtnmun
Trad climber
Top of the Mountain Mun
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:36pm PT
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Bluey, don't tell me your part of the evil empire of Bushco? Murder, lying and torture OK with you?
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:48pm PT
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I'm just saying the man has lost his mind.
I'm babysitting today dirt, so I can play all day in betwwen feedings and diapers.
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dirtbag
climber
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Jun 11, 2008 - 12:53pm PT
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I bet you are loving every minute of it, bluering. :-)
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:12pm PT
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If you think Bush "lied" then you're entitled to your opinion. If you think there's any possible way to prove Bush was lying about the intelligence that he received and shared with everyone in Congress then you're a moron. Go ahead -- chant your mantras and shake your fists all you want. Just because you believe he lied doesn't make it so. Now, go ahead a roll out all the anecdotal evidence you can muster and shake your fists some more.
Ed
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:29pm PT
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...but did you shake your fists after posting it?
That report amounts to a bunch of conjecture about what they panel thinks happened. It's their interpretation, which is no where close to the level of proof needed to impeach the President.
Ed
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andanother
climber
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:31pm PT
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up2top,
I know you're trying to sound intelligent. But you really shouldn't use words if you don't know what they mean.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:37pm PT
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up2top
What about the Downing Street Memo?
That's proof positive, from the British government
that shrub's administration was fixing the facts to push
their policy.
GO DENNIS!!!!!
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:41pm PT
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andanother -- I know you're trying to be critical but which part of "bullsh!t" don't you understand?
Ed
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andanother
climber
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Jun 11, 2008 - 01:47pm PT
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"which part of "bullsh!t" don't you understand? "
The exclamation point.
Punctuation belongs at the end of a sentence.
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bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
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Jun 11, 2008 - 02:06pm PT
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!Unless you're from Mexico, andy!
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 11, 2008 - 02:13pm PT
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RokJox -- since this impeachment would be a criminal proceeding, the burden of proof would be "beyond a reasonable doubt". That's a mighty high burden for the prosecution to meet.
Ed
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 11, 2008 - 02:21pm PT
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up2top
You seem to be ignoring hard evidence that I show regarding
the Downing Street Memo, and what about the memos from John Yoo's
memos in the Justice Department (Alberto's also), regarding
torture? Which is unlawful under the Geneva Convention, which the United States is a party to--just because shrub says we
don't agree it doesn't matter--only the Congress can breach treaties. Pretty convincing. You should probably read the
Constitution. It's an enlightening article, and Kucinich's articles point these out.
Try to explain that away with your lack of logic.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 11, 2008 - 02:46pm PT
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hmmmmmm
I'm waiting, up2top. . .
Lots of bluff when confronted by facts, are you. . . .
don't let them get in the way of a good story, now.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jun 11, 2008 - 03:04pm PT
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Khanom
It's sort of like shrub and his henchmen--
they believe that they can continue to lie, but
each time they repeat the lie it becomes more believable. . .
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up2top
Big Wall climber
Phoenix, AZ
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Jun 11, 2008 - 03:15pm PT
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The Downing St. memo is your evidence?
Keep it up, dude. Maybe fairy tales will come true.
Ed
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tooth
Mountain climber
B.C.
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Jun 11, 2008 - 03:21pm PT
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good job at evading the issue, up2top. Maybe your elevator doesn't quite go all the way, up2top.
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