Posted on 09/25/2004 4:02:24 AM PDT by kattracks
As a young Navy officer in World War II, I was one of the first Americans to see Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. That experience lives with me today, and it helped to shape the view I held during my public service career: a view that war is wrong in nearly every circumstance.As Oregon's governor, I was the only governor in the nation who refused to sign a statement supporting President Johnson's Vietnam War policy.
As a senator, I joined with Sen. George McGovern in an unsuccessful effort to end that war. I was the only senator who voted against both the Democrat and Republican resolutions authorizing the use of force in the 1991 Gulf War.
In my final years in the Senate, I opposed President Clinton's decision to send American troops to Bosnia.
During my 30 years in the Senate, I never once voted in favor of a military appropriations bill.
I know that this record will cause many to wonder why I am such a strong supporter of President Bush and his policy in Iraq. My support is based on the fact that our world changed on Sept. 11, 2001, a day on which we lost more American lives than we did in the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I know from my service in the Senate that Saddam Hussein was an active supporter of terrorism. He used weapons of mass destruction on innocent people and left no doubt that he would do so again. It was crucial to the cause of world peace that he be removed from power.
Having seen atrocious loss in World War II, I understand the devastation of armed conflict. We have paid dearly with American and Iraqi lives for our commitment, but we cannot afford the alternative. Nor can we afford a president who puts a wet finger in the air and turns over his decisions to pollsters.
President Bush has indeed taken heat for his resolve in pursuing the war on terrorism and efforts in Iraq. His steadfastness and resolve in the face of his critics are deserving of praise.
As terrorists continue to plot against our country and our interests, the American people must choose between action and inaction, between security and insecurity.
I believe the choice is clear. I will proudly cast my vote for President George W. Bush.
Mark O. Hatfield served as a Republican U.S. senator from Oregon from 1967 to 1997.
Geez, that's a suprising blast from the past! Guess you can get wiser as you get older...
ping
My MY...This is a shock!
Has hell frozen over?
The only other persons I would be more shocked to see supporting George Bush would be John Kerry and Muqtada al-Sadr
We apid dearly, in part, because this excremental dolt resisted keeping America strong. He fought against a militarily strong country until the wolf was through the door and now is all for destroying the wolf.
The wolf should never have become bold enoug or strong enough to attack us.
Game Master: "Mr. Kerry, would you please remove the Oregon Piece from the game board?"
Has hell frozen over?......
Good question. Who do we know down there to check it out?
Spoken by a man of strong principle. I had heard of this man, but who could imagine such a super-pacifist republican in the first place, but of course, now he's sees the real difference between "then" and "now".
Next, perhaps WWII vet McGovern will endorse Bush.
why isn't this up on drudge?
Good point!
Not only Hatfield, but in the Oregonian?
...I've been looking for Dorothy and her little dog ever since...
OMG...this...for a baby-boomer who well remembers Hatfield..is one hell of a shock. This is an important endorsement- Hatfield was always known by his integrity and principles.
Good question. Let's send ol' Matt a link to the story.
Welcome to FR! You're coming up on your first month anniv.
Having a good time yet?
Dang,
Guess I can be proud once again to say I'm from Oregon. Well, almost as I'm sure Ashland will be mostly john-john in November.
Sako
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