Below is the statement Representative Barbara Lee made in opposition to the Authorization of the use of military force in Afghanistan on September 14, 2001:
Mr. Speaker, Members, I rise today really with a very heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and the loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish and the most callous would not understand the grief that has really gripped our people and millions across the world. This unspeakable act on the United States has really — really forced me, however, to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction.
September 11th changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet, I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. This is a very complex and complicated matter.Now this resolution will pass, although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let’s step back for a moment. Let’s just pause, just for a minute and think through the implications of our actions today, so that this does not spiral out of control.
Now I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with it today, and I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful, yet very beautiful memorial service. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, “As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.”
This was just before the U.S. went off on a 20-year war in Afghanistan that saw the deaths of 200,000 souls and the squandering of trillions of U.S. taxpayer wealth and the serious degradation of our liberties here at home. All to replace the Taliban with …the Taliban. She was the only one to vote no.
How many times will we stand opposed to yesterday’s war and tomorrow’s war but remain silent (or worse) to today’s war. How many times must we learn this God-awful bloody lesson that God’s people are called to stand opposed to today’s war.
All other differences aside, I applaud Barbara Lee for her bravery in the face of a tsunami of bloodlust and revenge. I am sure it is of little consolation to her that she was proven correct in her opposition. Perhaps it will be of more consolation to her if we learn the lesson she tried to teach the United States. Simply put, we should have listened to her. Are we listening now?
Praise Be to God
