Political Quotes

“at this very moment, the Senate Armed Services Committee is conducting a hearing on Somalia. One of the witnesses is a father who lost a son. I read from that father's testimony: We should also let everyone, especially the policymakers, know the consequences of foreign policy that is developed haphazardly and implemented by amateurs. Too frequently, policymakers are insulated from the misery they create. If they could be with the chaplain who rings a doorbell at 6:20 in the morning to tell a 22-year-old woman she is now a widow, they would develop their policies more carefully. Madam President, I most respectfully say to both of my leaders, I do not think we have conducted this debate in a manner that is adequate to the gravity of the decision about to be made. I spoke on Monday and laid out a series of questions in opposition to both Leader Dole's amendment and Leader Mitchell's amendment. I stand today in opposition to both, and I offer these questions: Has the Senate considered this resolution in committee? No; neither one. Has it conducted briefings directed specifically at the issues in the resolution? No. Yet, we are about to make a decision which could result in a subsequent hearing of the Armed Services Committee or other committees which would require that we look squarely into the eyes of parents and families who have lost sons and daughters in this region of the world.”