Political Quotes

“our country was founded and bases itself on civilian control of the military. And when I wore the uniform of our country, I, like all other military people in uniform, followed orders. I obeyed my commanders and I tried to do whatever the mission was that was set before us. That is what you do in the military of the United States under civilian control. But I am not in uniform any more. I am a civilian now, and part of that civilian authority. And it is our patriotic duty as part of that civilian authority to ask questions, to constantly reexamine the strategy, to constantly reexamine the policy of this country, to do everything we can to, one, accomplish our mission; and, secondly, and more importantly, protect the men and women who are actually doing the fighting for us now. That is why this debate, I would have hoped, would have been more broad; that we would have had more opportunity, because this debate in this country has to take place in this building on this floor here and in the Senate Chamber. It is the patriotic obligation and duty of civilian authority to do that, and I am proud to be here tonight. Now, I have supported resolutions like this in the past, but I want to ask Mr. Coble a question, sir.…”