[Maximilian]

is about whacked out dictators building war gasses, missiles and trying to build nuclear devices all swearing to destroy us and all the while funding the kind of terror cells that did in thousands on 911.

There is not the tiniest shred of evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected to 911 in any way, and no one in the White House claims that he was. So your contention has no basis whatsoever as a justification of an invasion of Iraq.

recognize that defense is justified and that it is, in fact, an OBLIGATION of our national government. They swore an OATH to defend us against all enemies Maxie, ALL of them.

And that's exactly why I wish they would stop "nation building" around the world which causes all this grief that endangers my safety. If they were interested in the defense of US citizens they wouldn't be extended into every country on the globe, but perhaps they would start by protecting our own borders for a start.

And where was all this defense on Sep 11, 2001, by the way? Why were they unable to scramble any defenses for hours? Where was our national defense when we actually needed it? According to the official story, at least, they did absolutely zero to protect us from the 4 hijacked planes.

[narses]

"There is not the tiniest shred of evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected to 911 in any way, ..."

There is HUGE evidence that he financed terrorism, provided safe haven and training for them and helped Osama Bin Laden. Or do you deny that OBL was behind 911?

[Petronski]

There is not the tiniest shred of evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected to 911 in any way, and no one in the White House claims that he was. So your contention has no basis whatsoever as a justification of an invasion of Iraq.

Strawman. She made references to 'the kind of terror cells....'

Should we wait for the kind of damage funded/sponsered by Hussein to hit American soil BEFORE we act?

Your ilk would keep the President locked in a box: Damned if he does (Oh! It's Preemptive!), Damned if he doesn't (Why didn't you act?!?).

[Skywarner]

"Why were they unable to scramble any defenses for hours? Where was our national defense when we actually needed it? According to the official story, at least, they did absolutely zero to protect us from the 4 hijacked planes."

What is your official source for no planes being scrambled for hours??? Can you explain to me why I personally saw F-16's on afterburner in the air at about 9:20 or so that morning? Maybe I was imagining things...

There is little that could have been done to protect us from the first several planes - they hadn't crashed into anything yet. Prior to 9/11, shooting down a hijacked plane was clearly and obviously out of the question.

If Flight 93 hadn't been brought down by the brave passengers on that flight, I am sure that every effort would have been made to bring the flight down by force before it was able to get to Washington.

[narses]

" Where was our national defense when we actually needed it?"

LOL, what 'national dfefense' had we a need of against AMERICAN AND UNITED AIRLINES? What declaration of war was issued?

But once attacked, you'd have us cower at home, is that it?

[Bayou City]

...There is not the tiniest shred of evidence that Saddam Hussein was connected to 911 in any way...

OK Max I have to ask... How do you know there is no evidence connecting Hussein to 911? If you can give a credible answer I'll be impressed, if not your statement is nothing but pure innuendo.

... According to the official story, at least, they did absolutely zero to protect us from the 4 hijacked planes...

So what is the official story? Do you have one?