Jim Saxton: “Mr. Chairman, the process that we are involved in here, I think, is most regrettable; and the message being sent is a…”

“Mr. Chairman, the process that we are involved in here, I think, is most regrettable; and the message being sent is a terrible message. We are involved in a conflict that I think is every bit as serious as any conflict that this country has ever been involved in, particularly when you consider the issues involved and the potential use of weapons of mass destruction in this war. As I listen to speaker after speaker from the other side get up and proclaim their support for this war effort that is under way, I am reminded of a debate technique. It involves the word but. I am all for supporting this war, but. And I think that is a very regrettable message that this body is sending, hearing those speeches over and over and over again. In the war on terrorism, the most important thing we can do is to stay together and stay strong. I recently was paid a visit by an Israeli general who recently retired. His name was Effi Eitam. General Eitam was the general who commanded the Israeli forces in southern Lebanon for the last several years that they were engaged in the southern part of that country. And he told me that on the day that the political leadership in Israel decided to withdraw from southern Lebanon, he called the Prime Minister and he said, Sir, with all due respect, I resign. He said, I did not retire, I resigned. I resigned because the worst thing you can do in the war against terrorism is to show indecision and weakness.”