[vannrox]

I'm speechless.

[dighton]

</marquee up></marquee up></marquee up></marquee up> On the bright side, it's NOT Powell's call.

[NYS_Eric]

Surely Powell must realize that it does no good to build up a broad-based coalition of nations to fight terrorism if the price you pay for it is inaction.

Iraq was behind this, make no mistake. They will be behind many more in the future unless we act. I pray that our President is heeding the counsel he gets from Wolfowitz, Rumsfeld, Rice, and others with a more realistic sense of what needs to be done.

[tazman3]

I heard a rumor...

Ben Laden is in Iraq. Pass it on.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

Dear Mr. Powell,

Buh-bye.

Sincerely,
W

[LS]

Try acting with less knee-jerk and try thinking: do you see the dilemma here? On the one hand, Powell is trying to get Arab states such as UAR, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and even Jordan and Pakistan to help us. They have access to information that is critical. On the other hand, you have Saddam who is a pretty easy target.

He can wait until you are sure that you have the principal terrorist cells at least identified. If you march in now and get distracted in Bagdad, then you are NOT going to get the main nest of vipers.

Saddam is the most vulnerable and easiest to get of ALL these people. He should be on the list, but well down the line.

[chatham]

Last I heard, Poweel was Sec. of State, Not commander in Chief.. It is not his call, Thank God. Besides he had his shot and wussed out.

[FReethesheeples]

Bump.

See FR post:

"Why Taking Out Saddam is Essential to Winning War Against Terrorism." (Approx. Title.)

[OldFriend]

Powell is the perfect foil.....isn't he! Or is it fool! Either way this keeps them guessing so I'm okay with his wussiness.

[George W. Bush]

I'm not surprised. Powell does not compare favorably to the ability of Secretary Baker. I don't think Powell can assemble the coalition. Perhaps Baker had some advantages, for instance the other Arab states fearing Saddam's aggression. But somehow, I don't picture any sort of Gulf Coalition assembling now. Especially under Powell. He's a great guy and we should respect him. But I still just don't think he's got what it takes.

George Sr. had an easier time of things. Baker and Cheney made him look very good. Junior only has Cheney.

[Enlightiator]

I saw Al Haig tonight smile at this "story." He said the story was wrong and indicated that this would not be a "selective" war, that it would a one step at a time deal (not his words). First Bin Laden, then the other terrorists...

Still, it would be typical Powell, whose lack of courage I have never been a fan of.

[Rockinfreakapotamus]

Let 'em finish following the money and when it is soon revealed to all point to Iraq, Colin will be wearing his foot in his mouth.

[fightu4it]

Saddam has to be replaced by a freely elected candidate. Americans do not like to see Iraq's people suffer. We have held hopes of a popular uprising against him, however his brutal grip on the country is simply to strong. Iraq needs our help; as does Afganistan.

[RickyJ]

Powell has no say in who we strike and when we strike them.

[Praxeologue]

Powell and deputies believe a full-blown military strike on Baghdad would only kill many Iraqis, enrage the Arab world and probably not dispose of Saddam, who has slowly won new allies with promises of oil deals since 1991.

This is a defeatist perspective. Saddam will "win" many more "allies" if we don't stop him now. Powell is either scared of Saddam, frightened of Arab pique or ...

[cva66snipe]

On the other hand, Powell and deputies believe a full-blown military strike on Baghdad would only kill many Iraqis, enrage the Arab world and probably not dispose of Saddam, who has slowly won new allies with promises of oil deals since 1991

Well then get a clue Powell. How exactally was he able to build up an alliance? Was it not because someone left him in power? Please let's keep the State Department out of this one. The State Department has failed in it's last four attempts to run a war.

War means the unconditional removal from power or destruction of the enemy and not a diplomatic settlement short of that goal. Sec. Powell as a warrior you know this truth yet you choose to ignore it. You can not have it both ways nor can America. We have Korea which is still a threat, Nam, and Iraq, simply because government refused to let the warriors finish their job and complete their victory. That is wrong! Learn from our previous mistakes Mister Secretary of State.

[Hillary 666]

There are all kinds of conflicting stories out there whose purpose is to confuse anybody who is watching our media. I keep hearing that Germany supports us, then they don't, then they do again. I keep hearing that Iran will play ball, then they don't want us to use their airspace, then they do again. I wouldn't worry about this story too much. There are all kinds of conflicting stories out there.

[mdittmar]

I think it might go like this,Powell:"No,No,No" BOOM!!!

[Illbay]

The powers that be on FR have repeatedly asked that we not rewrite the headline. Yours is terribly inaccurate.

First of all, assuming that this information, which has been Drudged up after all, is even accurate, consider: This is a council of war. These people are trying to decide the direction our effort against terrorism must take beyond the initial attempts to rout the Al-Qaeda operation out of Afganistan.

As you might expect there are likely to be differing views. Sec. Powell's is but one of those, albeit an important one, and one that needs to be considered in light of his demonstrated perspicacity in dealing with this region of the world.

In the end, the only one who can "say no" is Pres. George W. Bush.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Powell ain't the boss.

Bush has a brain.

More "administration split down the middle" propoganda

I don't doubt a difference of opinion. The whole point is to present the president with exsisting options. That is the way it is supposed to work. Someone is trying to undermine the confidence expressed for President Bush as demonstated with "the largest approval rating in American history." How? By painting Powell as the "brains" behind the idiot [not just any idiot mind you, the idiot who was so afraid on the 11th, he had the SS fly him from air base to air base].

Soon, we will hear Powell is the "real" leader. [not my opinion]. Mario Cuomo did his part the other night. He said President Bush comes out and says all the right things to get the juices of the public going (i.e. Wanted : dead or alive) and then Powell comes out, a voice of reason, a voice of calm.

I sense (can't prove) the clinton gang is trying to spin this furiously. I do know this. The Clintons have both been a footnote in this. Nothings. Powerless. AND IT IS EATING THEIR GUTS OUT!!! This is when they shine. They know how to work the spin to their advantage when times are tough---and they have no forum to do it!

Rudy is the hero, the man of the hour. Rudy, the Rock. A real New Yorker. Hillary planted the Judas kiss on Arafat's wife. Bubba released the terrorists. Bubba pardoned Marc Rich, a known trader of arms with our enemies. And real New Yorkers remember.

[Diogenesis]