Robert Wexler: “while I strongly support the brave American soldiers risking their lives to defend security and freedom, I rise in…”

“while I strongly support the brave American soldiers risking their lives to defend security and freedom, I rise in opposition to this politically motivated resolution because it is a farce and anyone who says otherwise is too blinded by politics to see the truth. The truth is Iraq was not an imminent threat to America. There were no chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons; and there was no link between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein. The only mushroom cloud resulting from the war in Iraq is that represented by the Bush administration's barrage of deception and lies. While President Bush considers himself a war President, he is actually a self-made President of war. The President created the pretext for the war in Iraq. He planned for it before September 11, and he misused and fabricated intelligence to sell it to the American people. Instead of debating this empty resolution of praise for President Bush, Congress should investigate the President's unconscionable misuse of power and manipulation of the truth. Despite this second declaration of 'mission accomplished' in Iraq, history will tell the true story as it did in Vietnam. The mission is far from being accomplished, and President Bush will be judged harshly for the tragic events of the past year.”