"Today I weep for my country. No more is the image of America one of strong, yet benevolent peacekeeper. ... Around the globe, our friends mistrust us, our word is disputed, our intentions are questioned. We flaunt our superpower status with arrogance. After war has ended the United States will have to rebuild much more than the country of Iraq. We will have to rebuild America's image around the globe. May god continue to bless the United States of America in the troubled days ahead, and may we somehow recapture the vision which for the present eludes us."

-Senator Robert Byrd