Sen. Boxer's opening statement, Condi hearing (via Sen Boxer e mail)

[pinto]

Opening Statement of Senator Barbara Boxer
Confirmation Hearing of Dr. Condoleezza Rice


I'd like to begin by welcoming Dr. Rice to this committee hearing.


It is my hope that today, we will have a candid discussion, Dr. Rice, because I believe it is crucial that a Secretary of State speak openly and honestly with the American people and with Congress. Frankly, this issue of candor is where my concern lies.


Since 9/11, we have been engaged in a just fight against terrorism. I voted to use force against Osama bin Laden and the terrorists in Afghanistan, and I assumed that we would focus on that challenge, not stopping until we got bin Laden, dead or alive, and broke the back of al Qaeda.


However, instead, with you in a lead role Dr. Rice, we went into Iraq. I want to read you one paragraph that best expresses my views, and the views of millions of Californians, on the impact of the Iraqi war on the war against terrorism. It was written by one of the world's experts on terrorism and foreign policy, Peter Bergen, five months ago. He wrote:


"What we have done in Iraq is what bin Laden could not have hoped for in his wildest dreams: We invaded an oil-rich Muslim nation in the heart of the Middle East, the very type of imperial adventure that bin Laden has long predicted was the United States' long-term goal in the region. We deposed the secular socialist Saddam, whom bin Laden has long despised, ignited Sunni and Shia fundamentalist fervor in Iraq, and have now provoked a "defensive" jihad that has galvanized jihad-minded Muslims around the world. It's hard to imagine a set of policies better designed to sabotage the war on terrorism."


This conclusion was reiterated last Thursday by the National Intelligence Council, the CIA Director's think tank, which released a report saying that Iraq has replaced Afghanistan as the training ground for the next generation of "professionalized" terrorists. NIC Chairman Robert L. Hutchings said that Iraq is "a magnet for international terrorist activity."


These quotations are significant to this hearing, Dr. Rice, because as a major proponent and spokesperson for the war in Iraq, and as someone who was asked by the President to make the case for this war to the American people, and as the person in charge of the reconstruction effort -- you have many questions to answer to the American people.


This war was sold to the American people -- as Chief of Staff to President Bush, Andy Card said -- like a "new product." You rolled out the idea and then you had to convince the people, and as you made your case, I personally believe that your loyalty to the mission you were given overwhelmed your respect for the truth.


That was a great disservice to the American people. But worse than that, our young men and women are dying. So far, 1342 American troops have been killed in Iraq. More than 25 percent of those troops were from California. More than 10,000 have been wounded.


I don't want their families to think for a minute that their lives and bodies were given in vain. Because when your commander in chief asks you to sacrifice yourself for your country, it is noble to answer the call. I am giving their families all the support that they want and need, but I will also not shrink from questioning a war that was not built on the truth.


Perhaps the most well known statement you have made was the one about Saddam Hussein launching a nuclear weapon on America, with the image of a "mushroom cloud." That image had to frighten every American into believing that Saddam Hussein was on the verge of annihilating them if he was not stopped.


I will be placing into the record a number of other such statements which have not been consistent with the facts nor the truth.


As the nominee for Secretary of State, you now must answer to the American people through the confirmation process.


I continue to stand in awe of our founders, who understood that ultimately, those of us in the highest positions of our government, must be accountable to the people we serve.


###


Paid for and Authorized by PAC for a Change, Treasurer Sim Farar, FEC#C00342048

[sfbrent]

1. Sign the petition!

Great! While you're reading the statement, don't forget to sign the petition (30,000 signatures and counting!):

http://www.pacforachange.com/petition

[pinto]

8. kick...n/t

[pbartch]

2. Boxer --- the only LOGICAL, RATIONAL voice. BOXER FOR PRESIDENT

She is excellent. She should be running this country.....not Bush.

[damntexdem]

4. But she shuldn't be chair of the DNC, because ...

then she couldn't run for president.

[Pam-Moby]

3. Thanks for the post,

I just got a email from Boxer also. I hope she gets to the big questions and gets honest answers.

[KeireG]

6. Wow!

I got the e-mail as well. This is amazing stuff! This hearing is going to wild.

[Pam-Moby]

9. You know, I do not live in CA and most of the emails

I sent out over the voting fraud issues got a instant reply stating that they were unable to reply to anyone out side of their state. Boxer was the only one to reply to me. I also sent out a thank you card to her through the us postal service. We just love her. She rocks

[JDPriestly]

5. Bravo, bravissimo

Boxer is a leader -- true to her name, a real fighter. Thank you Barbara Boxer. I'm proud to hale from California.

[rodeodance]

7. "I will also not shrink from questioning a war that was not built

on the truth"
Go Barbara GO!!!!!!!!!

[sueh]

10. At last...

thank you, Sen Boxer. Hopefully the other senators will be inspired by Sen Boxer and do the same. Even better will be the democratic senators voting against Condi's confirmation.

[livvy]

11. I got this, too!

I hope everyone signs the petition! I will have to set the VCR. This should be an interesting hearing. She really lays it on the line. I imagine others will give Condo the grilling she deserves also. I'd say she has some serious "esplainin'" to do. Of course she'll probably do the same thing she did in front of the 9/11 Commission. Still, it will be a pleasure do view her discomfort.

[GreenPoet64]

12. Go Barbara!

:bounce:

[proudbluestater]

13. Well done, Senator Boxer

I hope somebody will nail her on this lie: "Who could have IMAGINED people would actually use planes to fly into buildings" regarding 9/11. Well, dear, I believe it was the CIA who told you that, dipshit, well in advance of it happening.

And, "The August 6th PDB was just historical information. Nothing that the president needed to be concerned with."

And what, Dr. Rice, was the title of the memo? "Bin Laden Determined to Strike on US soil."

Yep, just historical, old news and all that stuff, until a few weeks later.

[moggie12]

14. Wow, great opening salvo

Is Boxer limited in the time she will be allowed for her questioning?? I've got look up other Dems who are on Foreign Affairs Committee -- I wonder if there are any that will join in with Boxer's pursuit of the truth (I like how Boxer puts it regarding Cindi's role in Iraq mess: "statements which have not been consistent with the facts not the truth".)

[David Zephyr]

15. Senator Boxer: Profile in Courage and National Leadership.

How can anything be added to such a great statement?

[JohnOneillsMemory]

16. Boxer calls Condi an incompetent lying killer who's hurt the country. Yup.

Damn, how did so much truth show up in one place?

This is going to be interesting...

[PurityOfEssence]

17. Other questions to ask, since she'll be UNDER OATH

You said that nobody had raised the possibility of airliners being used as missiles before 9-11, yet that was known within the intelligence community. Did you not know? Did you misspeak? Are you a congenital liar?

The Phoenix Memo came up the chain of command to you and you were in possession of it before 9-11. Were you derelict, did you simply underestimate it or what?

You knew that there was no link between Saddam Hussein and Al Queda, and especially not with 9-11, yet continually insinuated and conflated them during the run-up to war. Is this acceptable behavior for someone in your position?

The Administration systematically removed all qualifiers and doubts from assertions of WMDs, especially the mythical ongoing Nuclear Program. Why?

When the Taliban turned down our deal for a pipeline, Tom Simons threatened them with a "carpet of gold or a carpet bombs". Are you familiar with this incident?

War plans for invading Afghanistan were on the President's desk on September 9th, 2001. At what point had the decision been made to attack?

This is a GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: Mary Tyler Moron will be under oath. If any of you can think of specific lies she's told, she should be grilled on them.

[slor]

18. I am liking her for Prez! n/t

[tuvor]

19. Yeah, great and all, but nothing's gonna happen. Too little, way too late.

Just as nothing has happened so far with this teflon administration.

And, God damn it, where were these questions three fucking years ago??????????

[Hippo_Tron]

21. Boxer voted NAY on the Iraq War Resolution

She was one of the people asking these questions three years ago.

[Hippo_Tron]

20. I genuinely hope that Boxer is getting ready for a presidential bid

And personally I think that she could win.