Chuck Hagel (R-Ne) spoke to the Council on Foreign Relations today and
delivered a very compelling speech regarding Iraq. Following are some highlights
of this speech. The full transcript can be read

here.

The Iraq war should not be debated in the United States on a partisan
political platform. This debases our country, trivializes the seriousness of
war and cheapens the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.
War is not a Republican or Democrat issue. The casualties of war are from
both parties. The Bush Administration must understand that each American
has a right to question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for
disagreeing with them. Suggesting that to challenge or criticize policy is
undermining and hurting our troops is not democracy nor what this country
has stood for, for over 200 years. The Democrats have an obligation to
challenge in a serious and responsible manner, offering solutions and
alternatives to the Administration’s policies.

That right there is a slam dunk. One thing I get tired of hearing is that
“you don’t support our troops if you question our President”. The very basis of
our democracy is built upon dissent. We would not even be a country if our
forefathers didn’t question and dissent from the leadership of England.

America and the West need to pursue a wise course in considering the
impact of our actions on those in Iran who would welcome a new openness in
their country. Engagement, backed by confident and strong U.S. leadership,
would re-frame our relationship. More unilateral U.S. sanctions –
particularly third country sanctions – are exactly the wrong approach. Why
would the United States want to give the Iranian regime more reasons to
point to a foreign threat and alienate our friends and allies who share our
concerns about Iran’s nuclear weapons program, its threat to Israel, and its
support for terrorism? That course is dangerous and self-defeating.

Every time we hear about Iran it strikes a strong similarity with what we
heard in 2002 and 2003 as we lead up to the Iraq war. It is almost giving us the
feeling that Bush is once again dead set on going to war in Iran with no chance
of a peaceful ending to the problems.

Terrorism is a real threat and a present danger that we must confront and
defeat. But we must not sacrifice the strengths and ideals of America that
the world has come to respect and trust, and that define us. That is why I
co-sponsored Senator McCain’s amendment to prohibit cruel, inhuman or
degrading punishment or treatment of any detainee under the custody of any
branch of the U.S. Government. I strongly oppose any exception to this
prohibition. As General Colin Powell wrote to Senator McCain in support of
this amendment,

“Our troops need to hear from the Congress, which has an obligation to
speak to such matters under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.”

That is a clincher right there. Bush and Co. refuse to work with Senate on
ending torture. They claim we don’t torture yet they do not want any legislation
blocking it. That kind of message from Hagel sends a strong message to the world
that we want to become that nation of hope and excellent human rights once
again.

As I said at Kansas State three weeks before we invaded Iraq:

“What distinguishes America is not our power, for the world has known
great power. It is America’s purpose and our commitment to making a better
life for all people. That is the America the world needs to see. A wise,
thoughtful and steady nation, worthy of its power, generous of spirit, and
humble in its purpose.”

That is the closing of his speech and it is very powerful. If we are in Iraq
torturing people or using chemical weapons against them then how can we be
worthy of our power. We are no better than Saddam, just more powerful. That is
scary thought when we have a leader like Bush.

I commend Senator Hagel on this great speech. Hopefully more from the right
will follow suit and realize that the road Bush is sending us down is the wrong
one. This country needs to be taken back from the nasty regime which rules it
now.