Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the "Mission Accomplished" speech President George W. Bush delivered from the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the "Mission Accomplished" speech President George W. Bush delivered from the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
In his first speech since he left the hospital in March after falling in his home, Byrd called for a "new chapter in our nation's history" that will reject the administration's "reckless and arrogant foreign policy."
Bush delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech after landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier, just off the Pacific coast, in a helicopter.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd,
D-W.Va., talks with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) and Rep. Jane Harman, both D-Calif., in the
Senate on
Wednesday.
In his first speech since falling at home in March, Byrd called for a “new chapter in our nation’s history” on the eve of the five-year anniversary of
President George W. Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” address.
"Five years ago, I took issue with the president's choreographed political theatrics because I believed that our military forces deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and not used as stage props to embellish a presidential speech," Byrd said.
Byrd was already a vocal critic of plans for the Iraq war months before Bush launched his attack on Iraq in March 2003.
"The president's declaration of 'mission accomplished' and the 'end of major combat operations' proved wildly premature and dangerously naïve," Byrd said Wednesday.
"Our nation continues to pay the price every single day. More than 97 percent of the more than 4,000 Americans killed in Iraq lost their lives after the president's flashy declaration of victory."
More than 60,000 American soldiers have been hurt, physically maimed and/or psychologically damaged.
Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday afternoon, on the eve of the five-year anniversary of the "Mission Accomplished" speech President George W. Bush delivered from the deck of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
In his first speech since he left the hospital in March after falling in his home, Byrd called for a "new chapter in our nation's history" that will reject the administration's "reckless and arrogant foreign policy."
Bush delivered his "Mission Accomplished" speech after landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier, just off the Pacific coast, in a helicopter.
"Five years ago, I took issue with the president's choreographed political theatrics because I believed that our military forces deserved to be treated with respect and dignity, and not used as stage props to embellish a presidential speech," Byrd said.
Byrd was already a vocal critic of plans for the Iraq war months before Bush launched his attack on Iraq in March 2003.
"The president's declaration of 'mission accomplished' and the 'end of major combat operations' proved wildly premature and dangerously naïve," Byrd said Wednesday.
"Our nation continues to pay the price every single day. More than 97 percent of the more than 4,000 Americans killed in Iraq lost their lives after the president's flashy declaration of victory."
More than 60,000 American soldiers have been hurt, physically maimed and/or psychologically damaged.
Byrd said he expects history books published in future years will feature the "Mission Accomplished" speech "as the epitome of this administration's reckless and arrogant foreign policy....
"We have seen a president who is eager to use American troops for a political backdrop, yet is seemingly indifferent when it comes to providing them with the equipment they need, quality health care, or a real plan for ending the war."
Byrd believes history is already delivering a negative verdict on the Iraq war.
"It is evident in the strains of the long and multiple deployments that are wearing down our mighty military, and in the suffering of the American people as they bury their fallen heroes. It is evident in the fear and distrust with which the rest of the world views us."
Byrd concluded by telling the Senate, "President Bush has recklessly squandered more than 200 years of American leadership, good will, and prosperity.... That is his legacy.
"As we write the next chapter in our nation's history, let us commit to building a new legacy that restores the promise of America, both at home and around the world."
To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.
Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, sexually explicit, racist or offensive will be removed. If you wouldnt say it to your mother, dont post it here.
Be civil. Dont threaten to hurt anyone. Personal attacks, insults or harassment of any kind are subject to removal.
Be truthful. Dont lie about a situation or person.
Keep it brief. Keep your comment to one post. Redundant or multiple posts in a row arent allowed.
Stay on task. Stick to the topics relevant to the story and discussion.
Let us know about offensive comments. Click the Report Abuse button if you think a comment is against the rules.
Post a comment