As the Iraq debate continues I was sent this regarding a speech made by Senator Robert Byrd from West Virginia to the Senate Floor. It's not only eloquant but touches almost all aspects of the Iraq question rather neatly. "To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war. Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing. We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war. And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no single attempt to defang a villain. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world. This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. This administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that record is dismal. In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $ 5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits that are as far as the eye can see. In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama Bin Laden. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper.This Aministration has turned the aptient art of diplomacy into threats, labelling and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come. Calling heads of state pygmies, labelling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. The war in Afghanistan has cost us $ 37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found Bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land. In only the space of two years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years. We are truly "sleepwalking through history ". In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings. I truly must question the judgement of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is "in the highest moral traditions of our country ". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure is having results in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is now to find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time."