Sen. Robert Byrd: 'Today I Weep for My Country'

Reuters via Yahoo News ^ | 3/19/03 | By Thomas Ferraro

[pubmom]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The oldest voice in the U.S. Congress rose on Wednesday to denounce as misguided President Bush (news - web sites)'s march to war with Iraq (news - web sites).

"Today I weep for my country," said West Virginia Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd. "No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. ... Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.

"We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance," Byrd said, adding: "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."

Byrd, who has been a leading foe on Capitol Hill of war with Iraq, spoke in a nearly empty Senate chamber about four hours before Bush's 8 p.m. EST deadline for Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) to leave Iraq or face a U.S.-led invasion.

"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," Byrd said.

As the white-haired senator concluded his remarks, a number of people in the visitor's gallery rose and applauded before they were admonished to be quiet.

At 85, Byrd is now the oldest member of Congress as well as the longest serving. He was first elected to the Senate in 1958, after six years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Byrd was among those who voted last year against the congressional resolution that authorized Bush to use force in his showdown with Saddam, and the senator has given frequent floor speeches since then warning against war.

Polls on Wednesday showed strong American support for a war but widespread opposition to it overseas.

"The case this administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence," Byrd said.

Despite administration suggestions to the contrary, Byrd said, "There is no credible information to connect Saddam Hussein to 9/11."

The senator said, "We cannot convince the world of the necessity of this war for one simple reason. This is a war of choice."

Byrd said that instead of negotiating, Washington demanded obedience or threatened recrimination. "Instead of isolating Saddam Hussein, we seem to have isolated ourselves."

He said many questions about the looming war were unanswered -- including how long it would last, what it would cost, what its ultimate mission was.

"A pall has fallen over the Senate chamber," Byrd said. "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."

[South40]

”"I will never fight with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds."
-Robert KKK Byrd

[VadeRetro]

The man was filthy-dirty, corrupt, and racist before he was senile. He should weep for himself. Or maybe West Virginia, who voted him its Man of the Century and it's hard to argue with the award. Mr. Pork-Barrel-Govvie-Handout-Liberalism epitomized WV politics for the century in question.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

So what does he expect? All of us to run out and burn a cross in the yard to make him feel better? Nothing doing. Suffer lib.

[savedbygrace]

"Today I weep for my country," said West Virginia Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd.

I wonder which country that might be?

[Blood of Tyrants]

That lying old bastard is crying because the Rats' are losing an ally in Saddam.

[pubmom]

I happened to catch a small portion of his little speech tonight. I had to change the channel, it nearly set my head on fire!

[breakem]

Don't cry for me West Virginian

[tomahawk]

Robert Byrd is Drek (Yiddish for poo poo).

[Ladysmith]

Fermez la bouche, Monsieur Byrd.

[pushforbush]

When is he up for reelection? 2004 or 2006?

[apeman81]

“Today I weep for my country," said West Virginia Democrat Sen. Robert Byrd. "No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. ... Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.”

Isn’t this from his speech concerning the 1964 Civil Rights act?

[pubmom]

He must be fond of recycling.

[John Valentine]

That this miserable, lying, gutless, demented piece of dog splatch can take the floor of the United States Senate and engage in such blatantly treasonous speech with impugnity - that's enough to make THIS patriot cry.

[breakem]

he has moved so many federal jobs to WVA they will vote for him 20 years after he dies. Don't know when his term ends.

[Kahuna]

Doesn't matter...it's MOAB time for the racist pig.

[spectre]

I weeped when YOU gave that speech condemming then President Clinton, but voted to leave that scum in Office, you jerk.

sw

[Moby Grape]

Hey Senator Byrd, did you weep for the black people who were terrorized and even murdered by the KKK while you were a member?...I weep for the people of Virginia..

[edsheppa]

Robert "Sheet Head" Byrd - truly a Rat among Rats.

[eeriegeno]

Sen. Robert Byrd. "No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. ... Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned.

Damn Bobby, that's the same that I feel about you; mistrust you, dispute your word, and question your intentions! It's time for old fleabags like you to retire, my friend, before you do more damage.......

[Sofa King]

"The case this administration tries to make to justify its fixation with war is tainted by charges of falsified documents and circumstantial evidence," Byrd said.

'Charges' mean nothing, especially considering how many 'facts' the media seems to just make up. Give me credible evidence or STFU.