Pete Stark: “last night, President Bush started the war against Iraq, a war that offends the vast majority of moral and religious…”

“last night, President Bush started the war against Iraq, a war that offends the vast majority of moral and religious groups in the world. Most major religious organizations, the Vatican, Muslim, Buddhists, Jewish, Protestant religious groups, oppose his war on moral grounds. Over 80 percent of the nations in the world oppose the war on ethical and moral grounds. But now that Bush has created this disaster to cover up his failed diplomatic, social, and economic agenda, it is up to Congress to find ways to support our troops overseas, and support them we must. For President Bush talks the talk of support for our troops while he and Republican leaders fail to walk the walk. In reality, they trash the future lives here at home for our brave servicemen and women today. How do George Bush and his Republican henchmen mistreat our troops? Well, let me count the ways. They are all outlined in the Republican budget before us today. Even though Bush may lie from time to time, the figures in his budget reveal his true intentions, and here they are. First, there is no money for our troops to fight this war of his, no money, period. So much for Republican support for our troops. Second, troops. Watch out if you come home as a veteran, because Bush and his Republican allies are cutting $15 billion from veterans' benefits, a fine thank you for your service.”