Prophetic words now ring true

[upi402]

Senate Remarks by Robert C. Byrd


February 12, 2003



"We Stand Passively Mute"




To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.

Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.

We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.

And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.

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http://byrd.senate.gov/speeches/byrd_speeches_2003february/byrd_speeches_2003march_list/byrd_speeches_2003march_list_1.html

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

1. I had my radio on that day and heard it live on kpfk los angeles

Hillary Clinton got up directly afterwards and kisssssed assss on _bush--totally spineless speach following Byrd's truthful message ---
I was yelling at the radio when hillary clinton was wilting...
"I trust you mister president, I trust you'll do the right thing"--that's exacty what I remember her saying (I think it's word for word)-
-I'll never forget her pathetic words that day and i'll always remember Byrd's heroic speech
--one of the greatest speeches ever made on the floor.

[upi402]

2. Glad you said that, I feel like the only one sometimes

:toast:

[The Traveler]

3. The Grand Old Man of the Democratic Party

Not without his flaws, some of 'em damn ugly. But he is an old man who has refused to stagnate, to become mired in his thoughts of his yester year. He is embarassed by some of his old stances and speeches. He came slowly to the right side on civil rights, for example. As he aged, he did what we are supposed to do ... grow wise in the knowledge of our rights and wrongs, learn new things and integrate them with old truths while dumping old lies.

He spoke his wisdom that day, and it turned out he was, this time, quite right.