Caught on Tape: ‘Hold onto your hat,’ says one U.S. intelligence official

Newsweek ^ | January 31, 2003 | Michael Isikoff and Michael Hirsh

[aculeus]

EXCLUSIVE: Bush administration to release tapes that could incriminate Iraq.

Jan. 31 — The Bush administration is preparing to release supersensitive electronic intercepts obtained by the National Security Agency that officials say prove that Iraq has repeatedly lied to United Nations inspectors, plotted among themselves about how to conceal weapons material and even appeared to boast afterward at their success in doing so, NEWSWEEK has learned.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, my FRiend.

I understand. The Admin Mod sent me a note when they removed that. I didn't realize it, or I wouldn't have done posted full text. Although I don't like the rules (Grrrr!! WP/LAT), I go by them. I made a mistake...

[Darksheare]

Don't feel too bad.
It's unfortunately true....
Just look at Barabara Striesand...

[OReilly]

I wonder if this will change Eleanor Clift's mind ...??

Of course not, but it will be fun to watch McLaughlin's hostile question pointed in her direction. (not that I have watched that stupid show for years, mostly because of her)

[CedarDave]

I'm willing to bet a lot of the Dims will come on board when they see the evidence:

“I’m all for it (disclosure),” said Rep. Jane Harman of California, ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. “It’s very important to have popular and multinational support for this effort.” Harmon said the administration’s body of evidence, which has been shared with the intelligence committees, is strong enough that it will accomplish that purpose. If so, Harmon said, she was still hopeful that Iraq would be forced into compliance and war could be averted.

(admin moderator --this short excerpt o.k., I presume?)

[woodyinscc]

"I think there is more than hope."

Right! For one, I think we know the location of their scud missiles.

[Admin Moderator]

Yes it is. Thanks.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Luckily, in the event of war, I am all set... I recommend everyone else get protected, too...

[Betteboop]

the "smoking gun" will only come after it's fired--are we waiting for that--another attack to call that the smoking gun???

[MattAMiller]

This is a mistake, if only because it legitmises claims that evidence isn't publically available. It's absolutely crystal clear that Iraq is hiding WMD.

[Grampa Dave]

Bad Boy!

We will have to lash you with a wet editorial page from the Compost!

40 lashes sounds about right for this serious infraction.

[Thud]

ping

[Maigret]

Sen. Pat Roberts has said that there's no "smoking gun," No? Well there are two holes in the ground one in New York and one in PA, as well as one in Virginia that smoked for a good long time, guess they don't count, especially if they resulted from eight years of Democratic rule.

[lawgirl]

You know, I have a feeling we won't need to look for everything once we have conquered. Somehow I am guessing the scientists in Iraq will be MORE than happy to give us a tour!

[Samwise]

I have lost all respect for the Dems. Any of them who had any decency have left the party. Some of the ones who are left do the right thing...occasionally, and only when they are forced to do so.

[apackof2]

Funny profile too

[Chad Fairbanks]

Or, alternatively, we could really mess with the scientists' heads by saying if they don't show us where they are, we'll kill their families and then kill them... between that and Saddam's threats, it'll confuse them so much it COULD in theory set back Iraq's technological advances for decades...

(Hey, I'm just striving for peace, ya know?) ;0)

[Darksheare]

What can I say, on the side I write fiction and draw.
Sometimes what I come up with frightens even me.
And I'm pretty unflappable.

[Bonaparte]

"I wonder if this will change Eleanor Clift's mind ...??"

To paraphrase Dennis Hopper, "there are only two ways that will happen -- no way and no how."

The left will never, ever, ever admit they were wrong. Some will call the tapes forgeries. Others will tortuously parse them, teasing out the most far-fetched interpretation that casts them in an "innocent" light. There is nothing Saddam could ever do or say, including frank admission of all our claims against him, that will ever convince the left that military action is justified. If Al Quaida nukes Chicago, the left will say, "See what you provoked?" If Al Quaida does not nuke Chicago, the left will say, "Obviously, there is no threat from Al Quaida."

[mhking]

Checkmate!

[MeekOneGOP]

Ah !...

The White House has been regularly receiving the NSA transcripts ever since the inspectors returned to Iraq late last year. The damning nature of some of the transcripts, officials said, explain President Bush’s occasional outbursts of anger at the Iraqis, as well as the willingness by Powell—who had previously cautioned against war—to lay out a damning picture of Iraqi noncompliance in next week’s speech. One official who had dinner with Powell recently said the secretary remarked how “we have a stronger case than many people realize.”