Elijah Lewis: “I rise with deep concern that on this very day 4 years ago, our Nation inaugurated a conflict, an unnecessary war, a war…”

“I rise with deep concern that on this very day 4 years ago, our Nation inaugurated a conflict, an unnecessary war, a war of choice, not a necessity. The most comprehensive intelligence we have, the National Intelligence Estimate and the latest Pentagon report, tells us that Iraq had descended into a state of civil war. Over 3,000 Americans have died, and hundreds of thousands, some even say up to 1 million citizens of Iraq, have lost their lives in this unnecessary conflict. And while we are telling our veterans of this war, the elderly, the poor, and the sick that there is no room in the budget for them, the American people have spent over $400 billion on a failed policy. We cannot do more of the same. Mr. Speaker, violence begets violence. It does not lead to peace. President John F. Kennedy once said, 'Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.' My greatest fear is that the young people of Iraq and of the Middle East will never forget this war. My greatest fear is they will grow up hating our children and our children's children for what we have done. Mr. Speaker, the Bible is right. Even a great nation can reap what it sows. Nothing troubles me more than to see the young faces of these soldiers who have been led to their death. Some are only 18, 19, 21, 22, 23. It is painful; it is so painful to watch.”