[TruthShallSetYouFree]

While the danger from Saddam is palpable, it is not imminent in the sense that a delay of a few weeks before attacking would change things very much. He's had four years without inspectors to develop his weapons. A slight delay won't hurt, and it could help. If we send in an inspection team, they almost certainly will find some instances of the proscribed weapons development. This can only help in our targeting, which can begin immediately thereafter. Additionally, the very thought of the inspectors' return should cause some serious movement of Saddam's secret stash, and such movement might well be discernible via satellite, radio eavesdropping, or from spies we already (or should) have in place.

I am as militant as anyone in my belief that Saddam is an evil man who has repeatedly violated international law and is stockpiling weapons of mass destruction on a daily basis. Indeed, given the choice between allowing him to survive and dropping a neutron bomb on Baghdad, I would regret the loss of innocent life but would probably opt for the nuclear alternative. However, our choice now is not "if" we should attack, but "when." A slight delay that would give us useful insight into his weapons program, while having the corollary affect of squelching negative world opinion (to the extent that matters to anyone) seems worth the risk.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

"A slight delay won't hurt,"

Really? How do you know Saddam isn't a slight delay away from being able to manufacture and distribute WMD?

[thedilg]

"A few more weeks of delay will not make much difference."

You can be certain that you are absolutely correct or absolutely wrong.

There is already or will be some day soon when Saddam will have crossed over the line which he says, "Now I am ready. I will unleash my weapons of mass destuction now."

The trouble is we don't know when that day will occur. Infact it may already have occurred.

What we know for absolute certainty, that if it hasn't already happened it will happen in the not too distant future. Each do-nothing day that passes brings the inevitable day closer. For sure such a do-nothing position will ultimately be wrong. The US will suffer mightily. 911 will seem like a child's party by comparison.

Godspeed, The Dilg