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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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