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"Rep. McDermott says "No to War.""
House of Representatives - March 13, 2008

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)

Mr. Speaker,

Any voice of reason inside the current Administration is a voice in the wilderness, a voice that is silenced by the President, all of which is a matter of grave urgency for the American people. The Administration has its sights set on a military confrontation with Iran. And just like Iraq, any voice of reason is not merely muffled, it is exiled. Remember Colin Powell. Remember General Eric Shinseki. Drummed out for speaking truth to power about what it would really take to go to war with Iraq. And now, there is Admiral Fallon. The Secretary of Defense wouldn't return his phone calls until the Admiral got the message to turn in his resignation. Because he questioned the President's policy toward Iran.

The President's foreign policy is open hostility and a finger on the trigger, looking for any provocation for a military strike against Iran. That's what his Neocons want. That's what his co-President Dick Cheney wants. Their thirst for oil is matched only by their thirst for war. They think the US will dominate the world with military confrontation. They are the only ones who believe that. And we must keep the pressure on to ensure this President does not launch another hopeless and irresponsible. War. Nearly 4,000 US soldiers have died in Iraq.

We cannot allow this to happen in Iran.

Thank you.