Lynn C. Woolsey: “this is a moment that I had hoped would never come. I am rising for the 250th time to oppose the occupation of Iraq.…”

“this is a moment that I had hoped would never come. I am rising for the 250th time to oppose the occupation of Iraq. It's a sad task, because 250 times means that the occupation has dragged on and on nearly 5 years. I had hoped that my first speech would be my last, or my 50th or even my 100th, but the administration continued to follow its blind and destructive path year after year. As the saying goes, ``All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good people do nothing.'' So, to be sure, I have raised my voice time and time again on this floor to protest the administration's folly and hold it accountable for its reckless actions and its reckless policies. The American people have raised their voices, also, Mr. Speaker. They have said that they want an end to this occupation and a responsible redeployment of our troops. But our leaders in the White House, who first turned a deaf ear to the people of the world when they invaded Iraq, continue to turn a deaf ear to their very own people in the United States of America. What makes this occasion even sadder for me is that I will have to rise many more times before the occupation ends because the administration has made it absolutely clear that it will continue its occupation right to the bitter end of its term in office. And I fear that the occupation may go on long after that. A leading Republican Presidential candidate said that he has no problem with the occupation lasting 100 years. No problem.…”