The Emperor Has No Clothes (Senator Byrd's Floor remarks)

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/1018-01.htm

October 17, 2003

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That tale seems to me very like the way this nation was led to war.

We were told that we were threatened by weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but they have not been seen.

We were told that the throngs of Iraqi's would welcome our troops with flowers, but no throngs or flowers appeared.

We were led to believe that Saddam Hussein was connected to the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, but no evidence has ever been produced.

We were told in 16 words that Saddam Hussein tried to buy "yellow cake" from Africa for production of nuclear weapons, but the story has turned into empty air.

We were frightened with visions of mushroom clouds, but they turned out to be only vapors of the mind.

We were told that major combat was over but 101 Americans have died in combat since that proclamation from the deck of an aircraft carrier by our very own Emperor in his new clothes.

Our emperor says that we are not occupiers, yet we show no inclination to relinquish the country of Iraq to its people.

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Byrd had me in tears that day; it should be required reading

I've saved several of his very fine speeches about this ill-advised war, but this one is his most powerful and scathing indictment of (*) yet. Combine this speech with Ted's, and at least you've got some real opposition recorded for posterity.

What was going through the minds of the other Senators who were listening (or were they even listening)? Were they thinking that what he says is right but they can't vote against the $87 billion because of political considerations? Or do they just dismiss him as a cranky old octegenarian who has lost his grip?

There should have been much more debate concerning where we go from here in Iraq. Perhaps we can't just cut and run -- or maybe we should. The issue wasn't sufficiently debated. IMO, we need to cede authority to the UN to because the US occupation has no legitimacy.

One thing is for certain. The foundation for this war is built on lies, so the current policy has no chance of standing the test of time. Our troops are mired in a nearly impossible mission, and the emperor has no clothes.

one of his speeches. He is serving as the conscience of the Democratic party right now

:kick: :kick: :kick: