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Arrogance of PowerToday, I Weep for my Country...
By US Senator Robert Byrd

Speech delivered on the floor of the US Senate
March 19, 2003, Published by CommonDreams.org
http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0319-04.htm

I believe in this beautiful country. I have studied itsroots and gloried in the wisdom of its magnificentConstitution. I have marveled at the wisdom of its foundersand framers. Generation after generation of Americans hasunderstood the lofty ideals that underlie our greatRepublic. I have been inspired by the story of theirsacrifice and their strength.

But, today I weep for my country. I have watched the eventsof recent months with a heavy, heavy heart. No more is theimage of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper.The image of America has changed. Around the globe, ourfriends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentionsare questioned.

Instead of reasoning with those with whom we disagree, wedemand obedience or threaten recrimination. Instead ofisolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolatedourselves. We proclaim a new doctrine of preemption which isunderstood by few and feared by many. We say that the UnitedStates has the right to turn its firepower on any corner ofthe globe which might be suspect in the war on terrorism. Weassert that right without the sanction of any internationalbody. As a result, the world has become a much moredangerous place.

We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. We treat UNSecurity Council members like ingrates who offend ourprincely dignity by lifting their heads from the carpet.Valuable alliances are split.

After war has ended, the United States will have to rebuildmuch more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuildAmerica's image around the globe.

The case this Administration tries to make to justify itsfixation with war is tainted by charges of falsifieddocuments and circumstantial evidence. We cannot convincethe world of the necessity of this war for one simplereason. This is a war of choice.

There is no credible information to connect Saddam Husseinto 9/11. The twin towers fell because a world-wide terroristgroup, Al Qaeda, with cells in over 60 nations, struck atour wealth and our influence by turning our own planes intomissiles, one of which would likely have slammed into thedome of this beautiful Capitol except for the bravesacrifice of the passengers on board.

The brutality seen on September 11th and in other terroristattacks we have witnessed around the globe are the violentand desperate efforts by extremists to stop the dailyencroachment of western values upon their cultures. That iswhat we fight. It is a force not confined to borders. It isa shadowy entity with many faces, many names, and manyaddresses.

But, this Administration has directed all of the anger,fear, and grief which emerged from the ashes of the twintowers and the twisted metal of the Pentagon towards atangible villain, one we can see and hate and attack. Andvillain he is. But, he is the wrong villain. And this is thewrong war. If we attack Saddam Hussein, we will probablydrive him from power. But, the zeal of our friends to assistour 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 riskand too many questions unanswered. How long will we be inIraq? 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 oursolemn duty to debate the one topic on the minds of allAmericans, even while scores of thousands of our sons anddaughters faithfully do their duty in Iraq.

What is happening to this country? When did we become anation which ignores and berates our friends? When did wedecide to risk undermining international order by adopting aradical and doctrinaire approach to using our awesomemilitary might? How can we abandon diplomatic efforts whenthe turmoil in the world cries out for diplomacy?

Why can this President not seem to see that America's truepower lies not in its will to intimidate, but in its abilityto inspire?

War appears inevitable. But, I continue to hope that thecloud will lift. Perhaps Saddam will yet turn tail and run.Perhaps reason will somehow still prevail. I along withmillions of Americans will pray for the safety of ourtroops, for the innocent civilians in Iraq, and for thesecurity of our homeland. May God continue to bless theUnited States of America in the troubled days ahead, and maywe somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludesus.

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