In His Own Words

In 2000, then Candidate Bush said "A generation shaped by Vietnam must remember the lessons of Vietnam: When America uses force in the world, the cause must be just, the goal must be clear, and the victory must be overwhelming."

On this day when we have lost 10 more of our brave and courageous soldiers, I think it is appropriate for us to remind President Bush of his own words. Remember the lessons of Vietnam. The goal must be clear, the cause must be just, and we must be sure that a foreign war never again tears our country apart as did Vietnam. I hope, too, that President Bush is looking to the West Bank for new, more modern lessons. Occupations don't end well. The Israelis have never been clear enough about their intentions to leave the West Bank and help peaceful Palestinians in their quest for self-determination. I fear that we are walking the same path.

I hope that as we come to the this next election, Americans will look deep into their own hearts and ask themselves, "Have we learned the lessons of Vietnam? Have we understood the lessons of the West Bank?"