Political Quotes

“I come to the Senate floor with a heavy heart. As so many other Americans, I am horrified at the graphic images of American soldiers abusing Iraqi soldiers and prisoners. We are in a situation today where our troops in the field in Iraq and Afghanistan have performed millions of acts of kindness and good will and bravery which, sadly, have been overshadowed by the recently disclosed photographs. That is a reality. The war in Iraq is more dangerous today because of the scandal at the Abu Ghraib prison, and our standing in the world is being challenged. A nation which believes in the rule of law and democracy must demonstrate that in its own conduct. Our conduct is being called into question. I am very concerned that we have reached this point. I am concerned that statements from the Bush administration, sadly, over the last 2 years have sent a message that we were prepared to bend some of the time-honored rules and standards when it came to the treatment of prisoners of war. Over 2000 years ago, the Roman orator Cicero said: Laws are silent in time of war. In modern times, we have rejected this proposition. Some voices are now calling on us to turn back the clock, but we can't do that. That is not America. That is not what we are all about. Our great country was founded by people fleeing governmental repression.…”