A Senator speaks for the under represented majority
Guy T. Sturino
November 19, 2005
Friday, November 18, about 3:00 P.M. on the floor on the U.S. Senate, an elderly white-haired, straight-backed, distinguished looking gentleman made his way slowly to the podium. He began to speak haltingly about changes in the weather, the beauty of the countryside, and the colors of the leaves. Then, like a fog that creeps up and surrounds you before you recognize its presence, the scene has changed and its not falling leaves but fallen soldiers in Iraq. Descriptions of people giving thanks during the coming holiday season turns into Thanksgiving tables with empty chairs. Senator Robert Byrd is delivering the kind of speech that would have theater audiences teary eyed because of the undeniable link between his words and our emotions.
As he continues his speech, he quietly inserts that we need to question government policy – that questioning policy is a patriotic duty. He had been speaking somewhat softly, and with a bit of hesitation. But then in a strong, clear steady voice he said, “I opposed the war in Iraq from the outset. But our troops were ordered to go to Iraq, and they went. The question is now: When will they come home? The Administration has so far laid out only a vague policy, saying our troops will come home when the Iraqi government is ready to take responsibility for its country. That sort of political doublespeak is small comfort to the mothers and fathers of our fighting men and women.”
As he continued, Senator Byrd shifted from soft and halting speech to a clear, strong voice like a musician, using his voice as much as his words to convey the importance of his message. Here is more of what he had to say.
Wednesday evening, the Vice President of the United States even claimed that criticism of the Administration’s war in Iraq was "dishonest and reprehensible." The Vice President’s comments come on the heels of comments from President Bush, who said, "What bothers me is when people are irresponsibly using their positions and playing politics. That’s exactly what is taking place in America."
The President and the Vice President need to reread the Constitution. Asking questions, seeking honesty and truth, and pressing for accountability is exactly what the Framers had in mind.”
Then, speaking directly to the Senate, he said, “We are the men and women who are tasked with seeking the truth. But instead of working with the Congress, instead of clearing the air, the White House falls back to the irksome practice of attack, attack, attack, obscure, obscure, obscure.
The American people are tired of these reprehensible tactics. Circling the wagons will not serve this Administration well. What the people demand are the facts. They want their elected leaders to level with them. And, when it comes to the war in Iraq, this Administration seems willing to do anything it can to avoid the truth - - a truth that I believe will reveal that the Bush Administration manipulated the facts in order to lead this nation on the road to war.”
This week, the United States Senate had the opportunity to establish some very basic benchmarks for progress in Iraq, benchmarks that would have clearly outlined goals and provided accountability in meeting them. The proposal, offered by the Senior Senator from Michigan, Senator Levin, was a modest, flexible approach that would have given our troops, their families, the American people, and the Iraqi people some basic guide posts. Unfortunately, the Senate could not see the wisdom of this approach.
The Vice President also lashed out at those who might deceive our troops: “The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out.” Was the Vice President trying to clarify some of his past statements on Iraq?
On March 24, 2002, the Vice President said that Iraq “is actively pursuing nuclear weapons at this time.”
On August 26, 2002, the Vice President said, “Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us.”
On March 16, 2003, the Vice President said, “We will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
Are these the “pernicious falsehoods” that the Vice President believes our troops have been subjected to?”
Senator Byrd's closing statement was, “I for one believe that it is time to say “well done” to our brave fighting men and women. May Almighty God bless them -- one and all. Let’s say, job well done, and start to bring the troops home.”
I have been waiting a long time, and I’m sure others have also been waiting, to hear a Senator express on the floor of the Senate what many have been thinking and feeling. However, even though his speech was moving and replete with facts to support his personal contentions, I’m sorry to say that I found no reference to Senator Byrd’s remarks in national media or the web so far this morning.
The complete transcript of Senator Byrd’s speech can be found on his website at http://byrd.senate.gov/speeches/2005_november/start_to_come_home.html . As clear as those written words are, they cannot come close to the impact of the Senator’s presentation. For those who may not be aware, Senator Byrd of West Virginia is the most senior U.S. Senator. He entered state politics in 1946, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and has been in the U.S. Senate since 1958.
As he continues his speech, he quietly inserts that we need to question government policy – that questioning policy is a patriotic duty. He had been speaking somewhat softly, and with a bit of hesitation. But then in a strong, clear steady voice he said, “I opposed the war in Iraq from the outset. But our troops were ordered to go to Iraq, and they went. The question is now: When will they come home? The Administration has so far laid out only a vague policy, saying our troops will come home when the Iraqi government is ready to take responsibility for its country. That sort of political doublespeak is small comfort to the mothers and fathers of our fighting men and women.”
As he continued, Senator Byrd shifted from soft and halting speech to a clear, strong voice like a musician, using his voice as much as his words to convey the importance of his message. Here is more of what he had to say.
Wednesday evening, the Vice President of the United States even claimed that criticism of the Administration’s war in Iraq was "dishonest and reprehensible." The Vice President’s comments come on the heels of comments from President Bush, who said, "What bothers me is when people are irresponsibly using their positions and playing politics. That’s exactly what is taking place in America."
The President and the Vice President need to reread the Constitution. Asking questions, seeking honesty and truth, and pressing for accountability is exactly what the Framers had in mind.”
Then, speaking directly to the Senate, he said, “We are the men and women who are tasked with seeking the truth. But instead of working with the Congress, instead of clearing the air, the White House falls back to the irksome practice of attack, attack, attack, obscure, obscure, obscure.
The American people are tired of these reprehensible tactics. Circling the wagons will not serve this Administration well. What the people demand are the facts. They want their elected leaders to level with them. And, when it comes to the war in Iraq, this Administration seems willing to do anything it can to avoid the truth - - a truth that I believe will reveal that the Bush Administration manipulated the facts in order to lead this nation on the road to war.”
This week, the United States Senate had the opportunity to establish some very basic benchmarks for progress in Iraq, benchmarks that would have clearly outlined goals and provided accountability in meeting them. The proposal, offered by the Senior Senator from Michigan, Senator Levin, was a modest, flexible approach that would have given our troops, their families, the American people, and the Iraqi people some basic guide posts. Unfortunately, the Senate could not see the wisdom of this approach.
The Vice President also lashed out at those who might deceive our troops: “The saddest part is that our people in uniform have been subjected to these cynical and pernicious falsehoods day in and day out.” Was the Vice President trying to clarify some of his past statements on Iraq?
On March 24, 2002, the Vice President said that Iraq “is actively pursuing nuclear weapons at this time.”
On August 26, 2002, the Vice President said, “Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. There is no doubt that he is amassing them to use against our friends, against our allies, and against us.”
On March 16, 2003, the Vice President said, “We will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
Are these the “pernicious falsehoods” that the Vice President believes our troops have been subjected to?”
Senator Byrd's closing statement was, “I for one believe that it is time to say “well done” to our brave fighting men and women. May Almighty God bless them -- one and all. Let’s say, job well done, and start to bring the troops home.”
I have been waiting a long time, and I’m sure others have also been waiting, to hear a Senator express on the floor of the Senate what many have been thinking and feeling. However, even though his speech was moving and replete with facts to support his personal contentions, I’m sorry to say that I found no reference to Senator Byrd’s remarks in national media or the web so far this morning.
The complete transcript of Senator Byrd’s speech can be found on his website at http://byrd.senate.gov/speeches/2005_november/start_to_come_home.html . As clear as those written words are, they cannot come close to the impact of the Senator’s presentation. For those who may not be aware, Senator Byrd of West Virginia is the most senior U.S. Senator. He entered state politics in 1946, served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and has been in the U.S. Senate since 1958.
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