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Jonathan Tasini, my candidate for the US Senate, stood with me, holding a picture of my nephew. This is my speech:
Kudos to the cadets and their parents. I wish them peace. One of their own was just killed. West Point graduate Capt. Doug DiCenzo died Thursday when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb.
I know many of the cadets must be conflicted because this war is illegal, immoral, and based on lie after lie. I wish my nephew had been conflicted. Instead, he bought the jingoism of the Bush Administration. And he paid dearly.
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the truth of war. In his last call, he said he was counting the days. He had 73. He was home much sooner, killed August 6th by a Vehicle Borne IED,
his face completely blown off.
I think of all the Chases, counting the days 'til they come home. I think of the dead and injured. And I think of the Iraqi people.
George Bush Doesn 't Care. If He Did, This Is What He 'd Say To The Cadets Today:
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The cadet honor code is: 'A cadet will not lie, cheat, or steal, or tolerate those who do. ' Please break the code briefly and tolerate me as I apologize for my failures of mass proportion.
First, I must express regret to the families of dead soldiers and to the physically and psychologically maimed. And to the Iraqi people. I beg mercy for cheating them of their loved ones, for stealing their futures, and causing never-ending grief.
I apologize for lying about WMD and linking Saddam Hussein with 9/11 in every speech I 've given to promote this war. I apologize for saying the United
States doesn 't torture while I have condoned and encouraged it.
I apologize for violating the Geneva Convention.
My desire for 'regime change ' in Iraq as a basis for the use of force is barred by the United Nations Charter. I have interpreted the nature of defense and reinterpreted the Constitution to suit my will. For this I apologize.
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I apologize for violating the Nuremberg Tribunal Charter. I have committed crimes against humanity. I have used white phosphorous and depleted uranium. In other words, WMD. I have destroyed a culture. My entire presidency is an improvised explosive device.'If the war is illegal, then you as members of the armed forces have a legal and moral obligation to resist illegal orders. '
Honor, as it is understood by the Corps of Cadets, is a 'fundamental attribute of character. Honor is a virtue which implies loyalty and courage, truthfulness and self-respect, justice and generosity. Its underlying principle is truth. If a cadet is true in thought, word, and deed, there is no question about his or her meeting the standards of the Corps. '
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