Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent-ominously and dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion and no attempt to explain to the nation the pros and cons of this particular war.

We stand passively in the United States Senate, paralysed by our own uncertainty and stunned by the sheer tormoil of events.'

--- Excerpt of Democratic Senator Robert Byrd's speech, February 12th 2003.

Why? Why doesn't someone, someone who sees sense, tell the Administration the pros and cons of this war? Or are they simply too afraid to do so? The war in Afghanistan has already cost them US$37 billion, and now, before that war is over, they wish to start a second one??

Why don't they ensure that peace is going to be given a chance in Afghanistan before they begin another 'conquest' in Iraq? The war in Iraq may have greater dangers than that of the war in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the most they were hit with were probably mortar bombs and primitive planes, I'm not sure, but in Iraq, they will be facing a more formidable arsenal. What if Iraq really has a store of nuclear weapons underground? The Japanese cities hit by America's nuclear bombs in WW2 are still suffering from the aftermath, what if Iraq launched a nuclear weapon?

Speaking of nuclear bombs, why hasn't anyone bothered to question America? This is the world's superpower. Some of the world's richest people, greatest inventors and scientists come from America. They are allowed to monitor every country's every move through satallites. They posses probably the world's most elite and powerful arsenal, they are at the leading edge of technology. Why wouldn't they have nuclear bombs as well? After all, America did launch the first nuclear bombs, and to a great effect.

Moreover, if America attacks Iraq, and we know they have already 'invaded' Afghanistan, what's to say they won't move on to another country that could be a threat in the future? Now, Bush reminds me very much of a child who has been bought new toys, and wants to try them out. He is deciding on his course of action very rashly, and even turned away some of his allies. Russia and France, as well as China, have all more or less refused to give America a definite answer of 'yes' or 'no', and I applaud them for doing so.

What's the point of starting a third World War? Doesn't Man ever learn through his mistakes?

One of the first things we learnt in Secondary One in History was that, we learn about our past to learn from our mistakes. Perhaps the Bush Administration needs to take that into consideration before they make a serious decision.

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