McDermott questions timing of arrest

Seattle Times ^ | Alex Fryer

[trajanus_red]

WASHINGTON — On Seattle radio yesterday, Rep. Jim McDermott questioned the timing of Saddam Hussein's capture, saying, "I'm sure they could have found him a long time ago if they wanted to."

His comments came during an interview on "The Dave Ross Show" on KIRO-FM.

"I've been surprised they waited, but then I thought, well, politically, it probably doesn't make much sense to find him just yet," he said.

"There's too much by happenstance for it to be just a coincidental thing that it happened on this particular day," he continued.

Later yesterday, the Seattle Democrat said he did not know whether the Pentagon had manufactured the arrest of the Iraqi leader. "I think the fact is that the administration has been desperate to find something (positive), and this came up.

"I don't have any knowledge if they knew about it (Saddam's hideout). I think they (Bush administration) got a Christmas present early."

State Republican Party Chairman Chris Vance quickly launched a statement condemning McDermott's earlier statements. "Once again McDermott has embarrassed this state with his irresponsible ranting."

Despite the capture of the Iraqi leader, McDermott said Americans should remain concerned about the welfare of U.S. troops.

"My worry is that problems will be just as bad tomorrow," said McDermott, who has represented the 7th District since 1988.

"... It is not the end of the problem. The fact that he is in captivity does not change things."

McDermott's comment stands in contrast to other members of the state's delegation, who lauded Saddam's capture.

In September 2002, McDermott made news when he traveled to Iraq and told television interviewers that President Bush would mislead the public to justify an invasion.

It's an incident that continues to reverberate on Capitol Hill.

Two months ago, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, wrote McDermott a personal letter after McDermott denounced a comment by a member of DeLay's office. The staffer said McDermott had attacked the U.S. while he visited Iraq.

Instead of an apology, DeLay wrote: "Your words, had they been spoken in the United States, would have amounted to mean-spirited but predictable mediocre hackery. That they were uttered in Saddam's Iraq, however, perhaps within shouting distance of a torture chamber or mass grave, elevated (or lowered) those remarks to the sickening embarrassment they were."

[Texagirl4W]

How on God's green earth do these jerks think that all the military personnel involved could cover up a story like this? I'll just have to get some work done this week and quit reading FR because my blood pressure is going sky high.

[G.Mason]

You can't make this suff up!

I can only hope this becomes their "big" talking point. Oh yes, and that one about the "theory that GWB had advanced warning about 9/11", by Deanie Weenie.

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa
To the funny farm.
Where life is beautiful all the time
and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
and they're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!!!!

From: Dr. Demento's Delights

[microgood]

They're coming to take me away, ha-haaa!!

Ironic since McIdiot is a psychiatrist.

[shotgun]

Why are we subjected to the ramblings from a delusional, paranoidal, megolomaniical, bi-polar, self important, egomaniac, with an Oedipus complex?

[Shermy]

[beelzepug]

This is the e-mail I sent to McDumb$hit earlier this morning:

Your recent comments regarding the timing of Saddam Hussein's capture are not only incorrect and inappropriate but a disgrace to the Congress and your party, just as you are a disgrace to the fine state of Washington.
Your paranoid rantings and wild conspiracy theories might lead one to think your mental faculties are impaired. Perhaps the psychiatrist is the last to know when his brain has finally imploded. I would suggest you check on the condition of yours at the earliest opportunity.

[Dog Anchor]

Yes, the entire U.S. Army and Marine Corps have been conspiring for the past eight months to wait until now to arrest Saddam.

We should have waited until an election year like the
Senate Intelligence Committee Democratic Memo...

[ppaul]

...the psychiatrist is the last to know when his brain has finally imploded

LOL!!!

Unfortunately, his brain is working all too well.
He's an enemy of our free republic.

[octobersky]

Well then he oughta prescribe himself some of the antipsychotic meds he's no doubt familiar with.

[zbigreddogz]

Why oh why does the worst Rep. this side of the Maxine Watters have to be from my state?

At least I don't live in his district. (Of course, I live in the almost-as-bad-just-less-retarded Jay Inslee's district, but that's another story)

That said, I think we all should write him a personal note of thanks for his Bagdad trip/speech last October. It did wonders for R's.

[ironmaidenPR2717]

re: "There's too much by happenstance for it to be just a coincidental thing that it happened on this particular day," he continued.


What's so particularly special about December 13th?

[bigfootbob]

Move over to Kitsap, we have a vibrant and growing GOP presence. We need like minded residents.

[Steve_Seattle]

Is it too much to hope that the Seattle media will hold McDermott to account for these unfounded, irresponsible allegations?

[lelio]

Take a look at this thread on the DU. Its just hiliarious. A lot of jr high school "Yeah, I think so too!" posts in support of Baghdad Jim.

The only post that went beyond what a kid could write was one that said "Why if Bush is so incompetent could he hold Saddam captive and then release him for support? Wouldn't it of made sense just before the election." To which there wasn't a decent reply.

The average DUmmy post is 2 sentences long which always finishes off with a F Bush!!! or Go Dean!!! At least it has amusement value.

[lelio]

I just found the best DUmmy post, emphasis mine:

much was coming out. Also, with the "courts" set up in Iraq and Shrubs statement about letting the Iraqis try him, this will keep the focus on what an evil guy SH was, exactly what is needed to draw attention away from all the lies they used to go to war.

This may seem way out there, but think about this....

Reverse the before and after pictures. There is something fishy about those pictures, certainly were not taken with the same camera, look at the difference in resolutions, not to mention all the other differences noted here on DU.

The video of SH, it was like someone just coming around after a drunken stooper or long drug trip. He was feeling his beard as if to be saying to himself "where the hell did this come from".

I'd say we had him for a while. We had him drugged and running around the country with special ops under cover. Safely within our custody and under our watchful eye, only SH didn't know it.

Ya, ya I know, I watch too many movies.