Cord Byrd: “Naturally, the common people don't want war but, after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy and…”

“Naturally, the common people don't want war but, after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along. Whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a parliament or a Communist dictatorship, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country. Hermann Goering, 1893-1946, field marshal, German Army, founder of the Gestapo, President of the Reichstag, Nazi parliament, and convicted war criminal. Speech, 1934. Mr. President: The moving Finger writes; and, having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, Nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it. So said the Persian poet, Omar Khayyam, in the 11th century. And so I say today. The Senate has made clear its intentions on the Iraq resolution. There is no doubt, there is no question. The Senate has made its intentions indubitably clear. The outcome is certain. The ending has been scripted. The Senate will vote, and the Iraq resolution will pass. I continue to believe that the Senate, in following this preordained course of action, will be doing a grave disservice to the Nation and to the Constitution on which it was founded.”