 5 Feb 2003 @ 15:03, by Eyes to the Skies UK
Just days after the attacks of September 11th 2001, President George W. Bush went to Congress.
Just days after the attacks of September 11th 2001, President George W. Bush went to Congress. He asked the representatives of the American people to grant him the power to use "all necessary and appropriate force" against the terrorists involved. The vote was carried 420 in favour, just 1 against.
That lone dissenting voice was Congresswoman Barbara Lee of the 9th District of California, a constituency that covers the largely "blue-collar" area of Oakland, San Francisco.
Barbara Lee reached her decision about which way to vote at a September 11th victims' memorial service as she listened to the minister praying that the American nation may not "become the evil we deplore". Her vote won praise from some but contempt from others. Death threats led to her being given round the clock armed protection. As the world anticipates a likely war in Iraq, Barbara Lee tells Fergal Keane why she believes that first resolution, taken in the highly-charged atmosphere that followed the terrorist attacks, granted the President of the United States a 'blank cheque' for violence - and why she believes that the American people will not tolerate "another Vietnam" in Iraq.
Listen to the interview here...
[link]
My question is "Why only one?"
|
|
