posted on September 20, 2001 10:51:20 PM new
September 14, 2001
Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and loved ones who were killed and injured in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Only the most foolish or the most callous would not understand the grief that has gripped the American people and millions around the world.
This unspeakable attack on the United States has forced me to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction.
September 11 changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States.
I know that this use-of-force resolution will pass although we all know that the President can wage war even without this resolution. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. There must be some of us who say, let's step back for a moment and think through the implications of our actions today--let us more fully understand their consequences.
We are not dealing with a conventional war. We cannot respond in a conventional manner. I do not want to see this spiral out of control. This crisis involves issues of national security,foreign policy, public safety, intelligence gathering, economics, and murder. Our response must be equally multifaceted.
We must not rush to judgment. Far too many innocent people have already died. Our country is in mourning. If we rush to launch a counterattack, we run too great a risk that women, children, and other non-combatants will be caught in the crossfire.
Nor can we let our justified anger over these outrageous acts by vicious murderers inflame prejudice against all Arab Americans,Muslims, Southeast Asians, and any other people because of their race, religion, or ethnicity.
Finally, we must be careful not to embark on an open-ended war with neither an exit strategy nor a focused target. We cannot repeat past mistakes.
In 1964, Congress gave President Lyndon Johnson the power to "take all necessary measures" to repel attacks and prevent further aggression. In so doing, this House abandoned its own constitutional responsibilities and launched our country into years of undeclared war in Vietnam.
At that time, Senator Wayne Morse, one of two lonely votes against the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, declared, "I believe that history will record that we have made a grave mistake in subverting and circumventing the Constitution of the United States ... I believe that within the next century, future generations will look with dismay and great disappointment upon a Congress which is now about to make such a historic mistake."
Senator Morse was correct, and I fear we make the same mistake today. And I fear the consequences. I have ago- nized over this vote. But I came to grips with it in the very painful yet beautiful memorial service today at the National Cathedral. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, "As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore."
posted on September 20, 2001 11:09:08 PM new
I do not want to see this spiral out of control.
I wonder if Rep. Barbara Lee has missed the point of all this? "Out of control" happened on Sept. 11th. Our country is more in control right now than for many years prior.
posted on September 20, 2001 11:11:38 PM new
Looks like Barbara Lee was in the minority. Bush said "on our own time, not theirs". Looks like our time is now...9 days later. Doesnt seem like alot of time to THINK, does it?
posted on September 20, 2001 11:13:10 PM new
Any chance of you finding the speech from the lone Congressman that opposed the use of force against Japan in 1941? Can't remember his name, but there was one dissenting vote then also. He felt the U.S. should negotiate with Japan even after Pearl Harbor had been bombed.
http://www.huntington.org/vfw/imp/rankin.html Rankin's brother Wellington had urged her to vote for war, but she replied that sentiment in Montana was against U.S. involvement. She later released a statement in which she explained her position, "I knew that we were asked to vote for a commercial war, that none of the idealistic hopes would be carried out, and I was aware of the falseness of much of the propaganda. It was easy to stand against the pressure of the militarists, but very difficult to go against the friends and dear ones who felt that I was making a needless sacrifice by voting against the war, since my vote would not be a decisive one.... I said I would listen to those who wanted war and would not vote until the last opportunity and if I could see any reason for going to war I would change it." After the second roll call Rankin voted "No." Although fifty-five male members of the Senate and House had also opposed going to war, Rankin's vote received the most attention. According to some unverified reports, she had acted "just like a woman" and cried as she cast her vote. Amid calls for her resignation, several suffragist groups in New York even canceled her speaking engagements.
[ edited by bunnicula on Sep 20, 2001 11:22 PM ]
[ edited by bunnicula on Sep 20, 2001 11:25 PM ]
[ edited by bunnicula on Sep 20, 2001 11:31 PM ]
posted on September 20, 2001 11:46:23 PM new
Thanks Bunnicula, Rankin is also mentioned in this WSJ editorial that deals specificly with Barbara Lee's history.
In 1998, she was one of five House members to oppose retaliatory air strikes against Iraq. In 1999 she was the lone vote to oppose a resolution supporting U.S. troops during the conflict with Serbia. "I believe in peace," she explained. "I believe the way we resolve conflict is not through military action and bombing." But she was aware of the fact that other peace activists had voted in support of U.S. troops. "I was surprised," she admitted. "Being the only 'no' vote is troubling. You wonder if there's something you've missed."
On the surface, Ms. Lee is consistent in her pacifism. She was appalled that the U.S. didn't do more to stop the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, in which 800,000 people died. "We should have been there," she said, "but not with bombs. We should have negotiated, and put our stake down." She left unsaid how the U.S. could have negotiated with the rampaging machete-wielding madmen who massacred whole villages.
posted on September 21, 2001 12:56:43 PM new
I was listening to a talk show last week, and a voter inside of Lee's district (which I guess is Berkeley, CA) said he was going to start a petition to get her recalled.
