ZGram - 3/20/2003 - "America at War!"

[irimland@zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny:  Now more than ever!

March 20, 2003

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

I have been busy all day long putting our monthly newsletter for our 
supporters together - and therefore have not had the time to even 
scan the news about "our" war, which seems to have started, despite 
all the protests by millions of people all over the world.

I don't know what to say.  My heart is very heavy.  This does not 
bode well for this country and for our little planet that could have 
been such paradise in space.

The title below spoke to me, and I think the words of this essay fit, 
too.  I don't agree with all that is said, but the tone fits my mood, 
and this cannot be anything but one of the saddest days for this 
country that has been my home for most of my life - and  that I came 
to love dearly, never really having had another home.

[START]

Today I Weep for My Country
Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D - WV)

March 20, 2003

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.

[END]