[RandyRep]

Interesting thought. There are articles about CIA operatives working in Iraq now, doing liaison with the Kurds in the north. Who knows, there may be good guys near this particular palace, monitoring traffic and just waiting to light it up for the bombers. Or looking for a useful idiot or two to kidnap and interrogate.

My other thought is that W is trying to sucker-punch the Rats - by not divulging anything until they all say something really stupid (like after the SOTU speech) and then hitting them with the smoking mushroom cloud.

[elbucko]

My other thought is that W is trying to sucker-punch the Rats -

Good point. I certainly hope so.

[daviddennis]

These people have cojones, that's for sure, and yes, they all deserve our respect and appreciation.

This all being said, does anyone here feel any serious doubt that Saddam:

• Wants weapons of mass destruction very badly
• Will do anything he feels he can get away with to get them
• If he gets them, is prepared to use them.

If you do feel serious doubt, read Saddam's Bombmaker, the absorbing insider account of this nice chap who was dragooned against his better judgement into designing Saddam's atomic bomb program. One of the more amusing facts in the book is that he loves America thanks to his kind treatment while he was educated here. He had to be threatened with the usual torture and murder routine to be forced back to Iraq.

The more I learn about Iraq, the harder it is to accept the European viewpoint that we should have peace through concessions. Strength and bravery are the only languages Saddam understands. All else is weakness.

D

[isthisnickcool]

My other thought is that W is trying to sucker-punch the Rats

Based upon years of watching him I think you are close to the mark. This might be a classic "W" rope-a-dope. He gets pummeled and pummeled and then he drops his gloves and knocks out the other side with one punch. Don't get me wrong, this is likely not contrived. Just the way it works out.