Welcome once again to $27 Quotes — a weekly place where you can sit back, relax, enjoy some inspiring quotes and good music, and (most importantly) spend time gazing at a picture or two of foresterbob’s cat Noble Fur.
Only have time for an abbreviated $27 Quotes tonight, primarily focused on quotes about a single matter...
War Does Not Establish Peace
Yesterday President Trump ordered the assassination of a top Iranian general, Qassem Suleimani, in Iraq, along with the leader of an Iraqi militia. This is a dangerous escalation that brings us closer to another disastrous war in the Middle East, which could cost countless lives and trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, more displacement in that already highly volatile region of the world.
When I voted against the war in Iraq in 2002, I feared that it would result in greater destabilization in that country and in the entire region. At that time I warned about the deadly so-called unintended consequences of a unilateral invasion.
Today, 17 years later, that fear has unfortunately turned out to be a truth. United States has lost some 4500 brave men and women fighting in Iraq, tens of thousands have been wounded, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, and trillions of dollars have been spent on that war.
The result: Today, today, we have massive unrest in that country. We have corruption in that country. We have terrible poverty in that country. And now, Iraqis want American troops out.
All of that suffering, all of that death, all of that huge expenditure of money, for what?
It gives me no pleasure to tell you that at this moment we face a similar crossroads, fraught with danger. Once again we must worry about unintended consequences, and the impact of unilateral decision-making. Let me repeat a warning I gave in 2002, during the debate over the war in Iraq, quote, this is what I said back then: "War must be the last recourse in our International Relations, and as a caring nation we must do everything we can to prevent the horrible suffering that a war will cause," end of quote.
~ Bernie Sanders
We’re on the brink of yet another war in the Middle East — one that would be devastating in terms of lives lost and resources wasted. We’re not here by accident. We’re here because a reckless president, his allies, and his administration have spent years pushing us here.
Donald Trump ripped up an Iran nuclear deal that was working. He’s repeatedly escalated tensions. Now he’s assassinated a senior foreign military official. He’s been marching toward war with Iran since his first days in office — but the American people won’t stand for it.
All three of my brothers served in uniform. I know the sacrifices we ask of them and their families. Trump’s actions put every service member and diplomat in the region at risk. This is a moment for vigilance—for Americans to speak up and speak out. No more Middle East wars.
~ Elizabeth Warren
They’re going to accuse anyone who cautions against war of "siding with our enemies" or "supporting terrorists." This is the exact rhetoric that got us into the War in Iraq. Don’t fall for it.
~ Ilhan Omar
Right now is the moment to decide if you are pro-peace or not.
The cheerleaders of war, removed from its true cost, will gladly convince you that up is down — just as they did in Iraq in ‘03.
But war does not establish peace.
War does not create security.
War endangers us all.
~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
War is a class conflict, too. The rich and powerful who open war escape the consequences of their decisions. It’s not their children sent into the jaws of violence.
It is often the vulnerable, the poor, and working people — who had little to no say in conflict — who pay the price.
~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
And, regarding Trump’s tweet threatening to take out 52 Iranian cultural sites if Iran does anything he doesn't like:
This is a war crime.
Threatening to target and kill innocent families, women and children — which is what you’re doing by targeting cultural sites — does not make you a “tough guy.” It does not make you “strategic.” It makes you a monster.
~ Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Attacking sites that are "important to the Iranian culture" is a war crime.
This is an impeached president going to war without any authorization from Congress.
This is madness and Congress must stop him.
~ Pramila Jayapal
...
It's been 19 years since I cast the only vote in Congress against the overly broad AUMF, which gave presidents blank checks for endless war...
I have been fighting tooth and nail to repeal the overly broad AUMF for years. And you can bet I’ll keep fighting until we stop endless wars for good.
~ Barbara Lee
Congress has a responsibility to reassert their Constitutional authority to declare war and peace now more than ever. I’ve introduced several bills to repeal the AUMF, which gives presidents blank checks for endless war. It’s time we follow through.
~ Barbara Lee
Barbara Lee and I are introducing a War Powers Resolution in the House to prevent a disastrous war with Iran.
We in Congress must reassert our Constitutional authority and stop a disastrous war.
The stakes could not be higher.
~ Ilhan Omar
We cannot stay silent as this lawless President recklessly moves us closer to yet another unnecessary war that puts innocent lives at risk at home and across the globe. Congress alone has the authority to declare war, and we must reclaim our responsibility and say no to war with Iran.
~ Rashida Tlaib
I voted against the Iraq War and helped lead the effort against it. As a caring nation, we must do everything we can to prevent the horrible suffering that a war will cause. War must be the last recourse in international relations—not the first.
~ Bernie Sanders
This country needs a whole lot of things, but one thing that we do not need is another war. We’ve got enough of those.
~ Bernie Sanders
Recently I've been criticized a bit because of my opposition to war, and my belief that we've got to do everything possible to solve international conflict without going to war. So let me be very clear, I make no apologies to anybody that when I was a young man and before I was elected to anything I opposed the war in Vietnam. And I know what that war did to my generation.
And when I was a member of the House, I helped lead the effort against the war in Iraq, because I knew that Cheney and Bush and these other folks were lying about weapons of mass destruction:
"I'm opposed to giving the president a blank check to launch a unilateral invasion and occupation of Iraq and [that's] why I will vote against this resolution."
And that war and that vote was the worst foreign policy blunder in the modern history of the United States.
And as a senator I'm proud that I helped for the first time in 45 years to utilize the War Powers Act to get the United States out of an unauthorized war in Yemen. Unfortunately after passing in the House and the Senate, Trump vetoed that legislation.
And I'll tell you something, that right now I'm going to do everything that I can to prevent a war with Iran. Because if you think the war in Iraq was a disaster, my guess is that war in Iran would be even worse.
So let's work together and prevent that war. And if people want to criticize me for that? Go for it, that's okay. I don't apologize to anybody. Thank you.
~ Bernie Sanders
That’s a transcript of what Bernie says in the 1 1/2 minute video in this Tweet:
Some Warren Pieces
I called for a criminal investigation of the Wells Fargo CEO in 2016, and successfully pushed for the bank's board members to be held accountable.
When CEOs and top bankers break the law, they should go to jail—just like anyone else.
~ Elizabeth Warren
The problem isn't big government versus small government.
The problem is a government that's been captured by the rich and powerful.
The solution is creating a government that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected.
~ Elizabeth Warren
Too many corporations are cashing in on all the benefits of America while skipping out on the bill. Companies that make massive profits shouldn't be paying less in federal income taxes than working families. It's time for them to pay their fair share.
~ Elizabeth Warren
Some Sanders Quickie Quotes
The president can boast about the stock market all he wants—the American people know it doesn't put food on the table. We need an economy that works for the many, not just the wealthy and large corporations.
500,000 Americans are homeless today, including 30,000 veterans. 87 million are uninsured or under-insured. We must invest in the needs of the American people, not spend trillions on endless war.
Native Americans have taught us we cannot destroy nature and survive. When I am president, they will get more than a seat at the table. They will be part of the decision making.
Our movement stands with the undocumented people of this country.
Our movement stands against racism, sexism, homophobia and religious bigotry.
At a time when the ruling class wants to divide us up, we have a moral obligation to stand together.
Here’s a New Year's resolution for Mitch McConnell: Stop obstructing and do your job.
- 67% want a $15 minimum wage
- 88% want universal background checks on guns
- 77% say it’s unfair to pay women less than men
Let the Senate vote on bills supported by the vast majority of America.
One out of every five children in America lives in poverty.
This year alone, the richest 172 billionaires in America added half a trillion dollars to their fortunes.
Billionaires stepping over children sleeping on the street is not what this country is supposed to be about.
I cannot win the fight to restore democracy and defeat powerful special interests alone. That is why our campaign is building a multiracial, working-class movement based on human solidarity.
The only way to beat Trump is with a massive voter turnout and a campaign that excites and energizes young people and working people.
And a closing thought:
We must defeat Trump, the most dangerous president in history. But we have to do more than that. Our job is to create a government based on compassion, not hate and greed.
~ Bernie Sanders