Marcus asked the censor for the floor, and stood up to speak.
While am positive to the idea of giving the people entertainment, i must say the following.
I ask the senate not to forget that our Republic is at war, and we know not yet when it will end, or who will win. I question whether this is the right time to begin such public works. Rather we should start discussing how we can end this war, how we can once again bring peace to our republic, and safety to our people.
When the Carthaginian holdings in Iberia are under our control, what should we do then? I for one believe we should offer the Carthaginians a cease fire. Before any of you jump at me, i wish to remind you of our relative success so far. And how catastrophic it could become should we foolhardily continue the war.
I ask the Senate, offer peace to the Carthaginians, let us show the world that we are the better men. Do not let greed become our downfall, and do not send our young men to Africa.
Should they however refuse our offer, then we have made our effort to be diplomatic...and must then consider how to bring down the Carthaginian Empire in its entirety.
I yield the floor.