Not all Americans are morons

[Guest guest]

OM members

 

Here is a recent cogent and passionate speech by U.S. Senator

Byrd. Let us hope that his voice is listened to. Otherwise no one

has immunity from U.S. imperial arrogance.

 

Perhaps the U.S. needs to reminded that it is a superpower only

so long as the rest of the world buys its goods and services and

supplies it with sources of energy.

 

Published on Wednesday, March 19, 2003 by

CommonDreams.org

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.

 

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