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2003-12-16 - 11:29 a.m.

For those just coming into the discussion, a quick summary.

Some, myself included, believe that the capture of Saddam Hussein is not the panacea and wonderful crowning moment of glory President Bush claims it is, although it is a net positive for the Iraqi people, and I am glad to hear that the military's special forces pulled the job off with a significant degree of success.

In other words, good job for the soldiers, but the political leaders of this country don't deserve nearly the credit they are claiming.

Now, Balynar who is a very good friend of mine, disagrees, which is his right, even if he is wrong.

I requested a link to *proof* of either the WMD issue or the link between Saddam and Osama, as those were the two primary reasons claimed by the Republican Administration as justification for going in now.

Balynar, thoughtfully, linked to the Kay report, which was testimony before Congress back in October. He claims this shows that Saddam was imminently capable of doing all these mean and nasty things.

Well, that would make me issue a retraction...except for the fact that that testimony doesn't do that.

What it does show is:

1.) Dual use R&D work with non-prohibited organisms that might have developed techniques suitable for use with weaponized anthrax and/or rictin. Not clear if the clandestine status of these programs has been confirmed by Iraqi scientists, or was merely inferred by the ISG.

2.) One vial of live C. botulinum Okra B. stashed in a scientist�s home refrigerator since 1993. No toxin found, or evidence of any effort to produce toxin.

3.) Preservation of some (undescribed) nuclear equipment and documents that might have been useful to restarting work on centrifuge purification of uranium at a later date.

4.) Several suspected efforts to build or adapt prohibited long-range ballistic missiles. Most never got beyond the drawing boards, and all were scrapped prior to the return of the UN inspectors.

5.) One alleged test flight of a drone aircraft beyond the maximum allowed range.

6.) Alleged discussions with the North Koreans about purchasing prohibited long-range ballistic missile technology. No actual transactions ever completed.

Just a few links for "Fair and Balanced" readers out there:

Fred Kaplan on slate

The Contra Costa Times, a newspaper from the Bay Area

Another rebuttal to the claims of "imminent danger"...

In short folks, the Kay report shows that there *might* be *some* things which could *possibly* be used to develop weapons in *2 to 3 years time*.

If all the folks in Caer Mear got together, we could develop something a lot more destructive in a lot shorter time for a lot less money...I'm thinking fruit soup for one...

So nope, that dog don't hunt. All Kay states was found was evidence that programs were in place once (no kidding...gee...really? A government investigating weapons...wow...I never) and could be resurrected, if the materials and money were put in place (which they weren't, so far as evidence discovered thusfar reveals).

Now, were the sanctions having negative side effects? Absolutely. Was Saddam a mean nasty evil bastard who doesn't deserve to run a country? Most definetely. Is it possible "The Truth is out there"? Sure. They might find it tomorrow. But there hasn't been a smoking gun provided yet.

It wasn't the United States' job to unilaterally make those decisions. The United Nations *could* have said "Go to War, Boys, and get that rat bastard outta there", but it didn't.

Congress could have passed a declaration of War, but it didn't. It did authorize funding for military action, which is kinda sorta similar, but it appears that was based on inaccurate information...

Of course the Conservatives out there have rebuttals...it's called debate...it's a wonderful thing. It might even lead to finding the truth eventually.

Alas, from the nature of many of the conservative commentators out there, the argument must be over, because Bush is right.

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