Barbara Lee Barbara Lee25APR2002 Ed. note: Although we gave Barbara Lee a non-existent Wayne Morse Freedom Award last January, Barbara was actually named the actual winner of the actual Wayne Morse Integrity in Government Award for 2002. Barbara Lee: Military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. Wayne Morse: I believe that history will record that we have made a grave mistake in subverting and circumventing the Constitution of the United States. Also see: Wayne L. Morse: A Political Maverick By William Prince. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee voted against granting Duh & Company the use of "all necessary and appropriate force" to respond to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Wayne Morse voted against the Tonkin Gulf resolution that gave Lyndon Johnson full power to wage war in Vietnam in 1965. As we now know, the Tonkin Gulf "incident" was a total fabrication, and U.S. military involvement in Vietnam was a terrible, terrible mistake. Also as we know already, an open ended war against an unspecified enemy in the name of eradicating terrorism from the face of the earth is only about war; of no consideration is peace. Barbara said on the House Floor, "I rise today with a heavy heart, one that is filled with sorrow for the families and loved ones who were killed and injured this week. Only the most foolish or the most callous would not understand the grief that has gripped our people and millions across the world. "This unspeakable attack on the United States has forced me to rely on my moral compass, my conscience, and my God for direction. "September 11 changed the world. Our deepest fears now haunt us. Yet I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States. "This resolution will pass although we all know that the President can wage a war even without it. However difficult this vote may be, some of us must urge the use of restraint. Our country is in a state of mourning. Some of us must say, let's step back for a moment and think through the implications of our action today so that it does not spiral out of control. "I have agonized over this vote. But I came to grips with opposing this resolution during the very painful memorial service today. As a member of the clergy so eloquently said, 'As we act, let us not become the evil that we deplore.'" After the vote, Barbara was referred to as a traitor, a coward, a communist, and un-American. Lee confirmed to Mother Jones, that the Capitol Police were providing a detail of plainclothes officers on 24 hour a day basis for her protection.
 
|
