"The Speech" Against the Iraq War

This is a speech that is often referred to, but seldom quoted. If you were one of the millions protesting against the invasion of Iraq, you probably remember how it felt to have someone stand with you against the war.

I don't oppose all wars. And I know that in this crowd today, there is no shortage of patriots, or of patriotism. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt by Richard Perle and Paul Wolfowitz and other arm-chair, weekend warriors in this Administration to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne.

October 2, 2002 - a mere year since 9/11. Under the shroud of mourning, our country was going through a dark period in which dissent was quashed and criticism was shouted down.

We watched our government march into an illegal war against our wishes, with a sense of hopelessness many can never forget. Who was standing up for us? Where were our elected leaders?

What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income - to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression

A power-mad president, and a Republican majority in Congress - and many of our own Democrats *not * fighting for us, *not* standing up for us. Most not even trying.

I know that even a successful war against Iraq will require a US occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences.

Millions of citizens knew it was wrong, why couldn't they see it to? Only a few did - (23 Senators opposed the war.)

Nor should we allow those who would march off and pay the ultimate sacrifice, who would prove the full measure of devotion with their blood, to make such an awful sacrifice in vain.

And, at noon on Wednesday, October 2, 2002 - the same day and hour President Bush announced his agreement with Congress on a joint resolution authorizing the Iraq War - Illinois Senator Barack Obama stood up for us and fought Against Going to War with Iraq

You want a fight, President Bush?

Please click HERE to read the whole speech.

This Memorial Day I would like to reaffirm this commitment: that for each soldier who enlists their life to defend our liberty, we civilians bear a solemn responsibility to keep them from being sent into harm's way unless it is absolutely necessary.

Thank you, and support the troops: bring them home.
D. Tree