Peter_Puget Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 I observed the comments of the distinguished senator from West Virginia concerning the events which are about to transpire within the next hour or so, or days. I did not really look forward to coming to the floor and debating the issue. It has been debated. It has been discussed in the media. It has been discussed at every kitchen table in America. But I felt it would be important for me to respond to allegations concerning the United States of America, its status in the world, and, in particular, what happens after this conflict is over, which I do not think we have paid enough attention to, perhaps understandably, because our first and foremost consideration is the welfare of the young men and women we are sending in harm's way. But to allege that somehow the United States of America has demeaned itself or tarnished its reputation by being involved in liberating the people of Iraq, to me, simply is neither factual nor fair. The United States of America has involved itself in the effort to disarm Saddam Hussein, and now freedom for the Iraqi people, with the same principles that motivated the United States of America in most of the conflicts we have been involved in, most recently Kosovo and Bosnia, and in which, in both of those cases, the United States national security was not at risk, but what was at risk was our advocacy and willingness to serve and sacrifice on behalf of people who are the victims of oppression and genocide. We did not go into Bosnia because Mr. Milosevic had weapons of mass destruction. We did not go into Kosovo because ethnic Albanians or others were somehow a threat to the security of the United States. We entered into those conflicts because we could not stand by and watch innocent men, women, and children being slaughtered, raped, and "ethnically cleansed.'' We found a new phrase for our lexicon: "ethnic cleansing.'' Ethnic cleansing is a phrase which has incredible implications. The mission our military is about to embark on is fraught with danger, and it means the loss of brave young American lives. But I also believe it offers the opportunity for a new day for the Iraqi people. Madam President, there is one thing I am sure of, that we will find the Iraqi people have been the victims of an incredible level of brutalization, terror, murder, and every other kind of disgraceful and distasteful oppression on the part of Saddam Hussein's regime. And contrary to the assertion of the senator from West Virginia, when the people of Iraq are liberated, we will again have written another chapter in the glorious history of the United States of America, that we will fight for the freedom of other citizens of the world, and we again assert the most glorious phrase, in my view, ever written in the English language; and that is: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The people of Iraq , for the first time, will be able to realize those inalienable rights. I am proud of the United States of America. I am proud of the leadership of the president of the United States. It is not an easy decision to send America's young men and women into harm's way. As I said before, some of them will not be returning. But to somehow assert, as some do, that the people of Iraq and the Middle East are not entitled to those same God-given rights that Americans and people all over the country are, that they do not have those same hopes and dreams and aspirations our own citizens do, to me, is a degree of condescension. I might even use stronger language than that to describe it. So I respectfully disagree with the remarks of the senator from West Virginia. I believe the president of the United States has done everything necessary and has exercised every option short of war, which has led us to the point we are today. I believe that, obviously, we will remove a threat to America's national security because we will find there are still massive amounts of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Although Theodore Roosevelt is my hero and role model, I also, in many ways, am Wilsonian in the respect that America, this great nation of ours, will again contribute to the freedom and liberty of an oppressed people who otherwise never might enjoy those freedoms. So perhaps the senator from West Virginia is right. I do not think so. Events will prove one of us correct in the next few days. But I rely on history as my guide to the future, and history shows us, unequivocally, that this nation has stood for freedom and democracy, even at the risk and loss of American lives, so that all might enjoy the same privileges or have the opportunity to someday enjoy the same privileges as we do in this noble experiment called the United States of America. Quote
Greg_W Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 Hear, hear!!! Well-spoken. Senator McCain has just started redeeming himself as an American and a War Hero. Quote
chucK Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 "Redeeming" himself? That implies that he was once soiled. Care to elaborate on why you don't like McCain? Quote
AlpineK Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 chucK said: "Redeeming" himself? That implies that he was once soiled. Care to elaborate on why you don't like McCain? He had the audacity to run against GW. Hmmm Greg W.....GW....hmmm Quote
Greg_W Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 AlpineK said: chucK said: "Redeeming" himself? That implies that he was once soiled. Care to elaborate on why you don't like McCain? He had the audacity to run against GW. Hmmm Greg W.....GW....hmmm Nice one. Campaign finance reform for one (supression of 1st Amendment rights) and his recent gun control stance. I was thinking for awhile that they pulled some Manchurian Candidate shit on him in the Hanoi Hilton. Quote
freeclimb9 Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 Props to McCain. I've voted three times for the guy (twice for Senator and once in the 2000 primary), and would do it again. Quote
RobBob Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 McCain has 'Vietnam Guilt.' He has gone way over the top in supporting trade with that country, which does not trade freely. Quote
chucK Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 Me too!! I'm through with these f*ckin' Dem's who can't even win a damn election after presiding over 8 years of peace and unprecented economic expansion!! Sheesh!!? Afraid of a couple of BJ's and cigar jokes...give the people some credit. Somehow though I doubt McCain is gonna be on the ticket in 2004, at least I hope not anyway, 'cause that'd mean something really bad happened. Quote
Jim Posted March 21, 2003 Posted March 21, 2003 Peter, First, your reply is thoughtful, as usual. The first question I have is who is McCain addressing as "Madame President"? Byrd's speech was given in the Senate. Was someone standing in? Or was this at another point. Anyway - My point for putting up Byrd's quote is that our unilateral, preemptive move in Iraq is a major change from US policy. Take a look at Daddy Bush's recent speech at Tuft's university last week. It's a bold step to attack a country for what it might do someday. McCain is a bright guy, but waving the flag around and giving us the o' fight for democracy stuff is horseshit. We've put in dictators over democracy before, continue to support them, or crush our old partners depending on how best they support our interests. Saddam is a bad guy for sure. But our recent rush to current events is arrogant. We'll see how it works out. Quote
Peter_Puget Posted March 21, 2003 Author Posted March 21, 2003 I assume he was addressing the Presiding Officer at the time he was speaking. If you wish you can look it up yourself. I beleive that McCain spoke on the 19th. PP Quote
Fairweather Posted March 22, 2003 Posted March 22, 2003 Ahh yes....The Honorable Senator Robert Byrd. Senior Senator.... ....and former KKK recruiter/member. His words mean nothing. Quote
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