Quote:
Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop
So we are down to the following sources for the notion that Iraq tried to obtain uranium from Niger: (1) A phony set of documents peddled to a bunch of European intelligence agencies, among others, and (2) some other source the British say they have about which they will tell us nothing. We also know that Iraq had no nuclear program, and that the mines in Niger were under French control and/or flooded.* And yet you cling to the notion that it was appropriate for Bush to go in front of the nation in the State of the Union address to try to scare people into going to war with a nation that we now know posed no threat to us. OK. Not even the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, previously noted for his willingness to carry the Administration's water on a variety of issues, agrees with you, but OK.
* Conservatives would ordinarily be trying to make something of this combination of factors -- more's the pity they can't here.
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(1) As set forth in the Lord Butler report, the phony set of documents were not relevant. I also note that Wilson cited these as evidence backing his claim, even though they didn't come to light until 8 months after his "report."
(2) Take it up with Lord Butler
(3) They had a nuclear program. It may not have been as advanced as we thought, but it was there.
(4) It is true what you say about the mines . . . in Niger. Niger is not Africa, however.
(5) Wilson, himself, cites evidence that Iraq sought uranium in 1999.
(6) Scare is a pejorative term. He laid out what he believed to be true. At the same time, Saddam was in violation of 1441 and was playing games with the inspectors. And, of course, the nation had just been bombed 1 year before, and the intelligence agenices were roundly being criticized for "not connecting the dots." What do you think dots look like? Hint: it is not a perfect picture where, if you work hard enough and are smart enough, you get an infallable answer. Frankly, I would be calling for Bush's removal had he not done what he did.
