Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, after this partisan debate, I want to open my remarks by saying I agree with Bill Clinton who in December of 1988 said, ``There should be no doubt, Saddam's ability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction poses a grave threat to the peace of that region and the security of the world.'' I could not have put it better myself. Unfortunately, too many in the minority, faced with the harsh realities of the war on terror, have not even tried to say it at all. Too many seem to be in denial. Too many seem to prefer to ignore the war on terror or choose to see it as ``far less of a military operation and far more of a law enforcement operation.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, this is a fundamental debate before us today. Are we at war or are we not? Should the United States appease international terrorists and pretend that they are a law enforcement problem or fight them as the military threat that they are? Let us consider the records of these competing positions. First, the appeasement approach. Through the 1990s, the United States and our allies were victimized by progressively deadlier and more audacious terrorist attacks, and in accordance with the international law enforcement strategies, our leaders did nothing. They passed U.N. resolutions and they issued subpoenas and indictments.”