No one here today needs to be told that the Iraq War is a mistake. Almost everybody in the country seems to know this except the President. The War is a major blunder. The ordinary definition of blunder is “a gross error usually resulting from ignorance, stupidity, or carelessness.” I believe this war came about because of careless and reckless disregard for time-tested rules of behavior that have guided US foreign policy for the past 60 years.

1. Rule-based foreign policy (adhering to international law that rejects pre-emptive war unless one is under imminent threat);
2. Consensus building (working with other countries to build a winning coalition);
3. Respect for multilateral institutions (working with the UN and within its rules to achieve legitimacy for our actions).

The Bush Administration callously abandoned all three of these traditional pillars of American foreign policy.

Let me explain:

1. Rule-based behavior was tossed aside when we adopted a policy of pre-emptive war that has no bases in international law. International law is very clear about lawful pre-emption. It is only lawful when the threat is so grave and imminent that the threat can only be thwarted by force.
2. American tradition of consensus building was tossed aside when the President basically said to the world: “You’re either with us or against us.” Instead of working to persuade countries by convincing them of the rightness of his policy, he bullied with tough talk and threats.
3. Probably the most serious error was the President’s rejection of a multilateral approach to Iraq. He has surrounded himself with a group of advisors who believe that “might makes right” and that the US has the might and that we ought to use it to shape the world as we choose. These advisors have nothing but contempt for the UN, seeing it as a cumbersome obstacle to America’s ability to “go it alone.” They see the UN and multilateralism as a “liberal illusion,” a mere nuisance. Therefore, they seek not merely to get around the UN, but to undermine its work, to set it up for failure, and to reduce its activity to handing out rice to refugees and other charitable assignments.

Important matters, like war and peace, must be decided in Washington, where the real power resides. The worldview of the President and his advisors is that legitimacy comes from power, and not law, consensus building or multilateralism.

This view of the world is wrong-headed and reckless and is what led us into this disasterous war. We have sacrificed thousands of young lives and have spent billions of dollars on what even the President’s own supporters now admit was a mistake. The President insists on “staying the course,” while ignoring the advice of the Baker-Hamilton Commission, which contends that the current path is the wrong path.

Public support for the war at home is evaporating. Congressional support is ebbing away. Members of the “coalition of the willing” are withdrawing their troops from Iraq.
Members of the President’s own party are speaking out in opposition. Our own Senator Hagel has become one of the most outspoken and respected critics of the war. He is absolutely right: There is no military solution in Iraq. Now is the time to begin a withdrawal of American troops. The policy is wrong. It was wrong from the beginning. And we should admit our mistake, cut our losses and bring our troops home.

Some people may question your patriotism and mine because we are here. This is a good time to reflect on the real meaning of patriotism. Some will tell you that you must support the President on the war to be truly patriotic. But the true patriot respects the permanent right of each citizen to express their own viewpoints….without fear of censure and free from intimidation.

We must never define patriotism as blind attachment to country or unquestioning support for its policies. Patriotism means passionate and complete support for the institutions and values that make our country great. It is certainly patriotic to support a strong military and the men and women who risk their lives to protect us. But it is equally patriotic to believe that a strong military should be tempered with prudent restraint in its use.

I believe patriotism also means providing affordable health care for every citizen in this country. I believe further that patriotism is guaranteeing every child a proper education. It’s patriotic to support the union family and every worker’s right to decent wages and a safe work place. It’s patriotic to support a clean environment. It’s patriotic to insist on justice and freedom from fear for our senior citizens. You’re patriotic when you demand equal rights for all, no matter their race, religion, national origin, and sexual orientation. So stand firm, because you are true patriots.

Thank you from giving me the opportunity to speak to you about this important subject and God bless you as you continue your work to bring peace.

Coalition for Peace
contact: 402-499-6672
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