Posted on Tue, Feb. 11, 2003
Maine Lawmakers Approve Iraq Resolution
GLENN ADAMS
Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine - After an emotional and lengthy debate, the state House approved a resolution Tuesday night urging President Bush to disarm Iraq through the United Nations and without military intervention.
The resolution, amended twice to address the concerns of opponents who derided it as partisan, divisive and ineffectual, was approved 77-66 and sent to the Senate. The measure says Bush should seek no resolution of the Iraqi threat that compromises the safety of Americans.
Supporters said the resolution could become the first addressing the Iraq situation to win final approval by a state lawmaking body. A week ago, Hawaii's House adopted a resolution condemning unilateral action by the U.S. in its efforts to disarm Iraq and North Korea.
Opponents said a state legislature had no business taking up national issues. "No matter how you try to dress up this fish that's stinking in the sun, this representative's not going to vote for it," GOP Rep. Thomas Murphy Jr. said.
But Rep. Tom Watson, a Democrat, said he backed the resolution because he's seen the horrors of war in Vietnam.
"No matter how surgically a war is fought ... war is still a bloody, brutal business that must be avoided at all costs," he said.
Maine's legislature has in the past voted on resolutions dealing with such things as the apartheid government in South Africa and the conflicts in Northern Ireland.
Maine Lawmakers Approve Iraq Resolution
GLENN ADAMS
Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine - After an emotional and lengthy debate, the state House approved a resolution Tuesday night urging President Bush to disarm Iraq through the United Nations and without military intervention.
The resolution, amended twice to address the concerns of opponents who derided it as partisan, divisive and ineffectual, was approved 77-66 and sent to the Senate. The measure says Bush should seek no resolution of the Iraqi threat that compromises the safety of Americans.
Supporters said the resolution could become the first addressing the Iraq situation to win final approval by a state lawmaking body. A week ago, Hawaii's House adopted a resolution condemning unilateral action by the U.S. in its efforts to disarm Iraq and North Korea.
Opponents said a state legislature had no business taking up national issues. "No matter how you try to dress up this fish that's stinking in the sun, this representative's not going to vote for it," GOP Rep. Thomas Murphy Jr. said.
But Rep. Tom Watson, a Democrat, said he backed the resolution because he's seen the horrors of war in Vietnam.
"No matter how surgically a war is fought ... war is still a bloody, brutal business that must be avoided at all costs," he said.
Maine's legislature has in the past voted on resolutions dealing with such things as the apartheid government in South Africa and the conflicts in Northern Ireland.
