[John H K]

As best I can tell, absolutely nothing has been directly lab-tested or anything yet.

And pesticides are incredibly chemically similar to nerve agents; it's just nerve gas for bugs.

There's still a danger the two reports today don't pan out, just warning people.

And the NPR report...no idea what the hell to make of that.

If NPR had reported "Marines with the 101st Airborne Division accidentally killed some babies" people would fall all over themselves to laugh at and discredit the report". But since it's finding chemical warheads the gaffe is ignored. It's one thing for Army troops to be attached to a MEF, another to have Marines attached to the 101st Airborne - the chances there are any strikes me as really low. The NPR report soundsl like a third or fourth-hand passed along rumor.

[VRWC_minion]

I believe the reporters have all had similar reports, its just that they have been holding them back in order to protect our troops. NPR was probably the first to decide to go with it.

[cake_crumb]

There were several reports in different sites yesterday: possible chem warheads in Aziziyah, a cache of missiles found with vials containing an unknown substance in Sayyid Abid and the possible sarin, etc in Albu Mahawish.

ALL are still being tested.

Yes, the reports ARE confused.

[tallhappy]

As best I can tell, absolutely nothing has been directly lab-tested or anything yet.

Pay attention to the third paragraph. I'll highlight it for you.

Early tests for chemical agents at the compound were inconsistent. Some showed the presence of so-called G-Series nerve agents, which include tabun and sarin, both of which Iraq has been known to possess.

A hand-held scanning device also indicated the soldiers had been exposed to a nerve agent. Other tests, however, came back negative.

More precise tests by an Army Fox mobile nuclear, biological and chemical detection laboratory indicated the existence of sarin and triggered the evacuation of the captured military compound by dozens of soldiers.

Above from a Knight Ridder report in Sydney Morning Herald, linked here

And pesticides are incredibly chemically similar to nerve agents; it's just nerve gas for bugs.

It's interesting you think Iraqi military compounds keep pesticides around but not chemical warfare agents.

Not particularly rational are you?

You seem to be making a case that Iraq does not have any chemical weapons. Is this your contention?

[Trident/Delta]

If NPR had reported "Marines with the 101st Airborne Division accidentally killed some babies" people would fall all over themselves to laugh at and discredit the report". But since it's finding chemical warheads the gaffe is ignored. It's one thing for Army troops to be attached to a MEF, another to have Marines attached to the 101st Airborne - the chances there are any strikes me as really low. The NPR report soundsl like a third or fourth-hand passed along rumor.

Ah, John, I hate to interupt a perfectly good tirade, but, the USMC has a NBC team attached to the 101st.

Semper Fi