Bill Clinton says Bush erred by giving Saddam priority over bin Laden

Boston Globe (AP) ^ | 5/11/2004 | RICHARD PYLE

[wjersey]

NEW YORK -- President Bush wasted international sympathy for the United States after the 2001 terrorist attacks by shifting from the search for Osama bin Laden to the ousting of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, former President Clinton said Tuesday.

The move alienated many U.S. allies and created a false impression among Americans that Saddam had a key role in the al-Qaida-engineered terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Clinton said. "I think the world was really pulling for us after 9-11," he said, but the Bush administration "divided the world ... to pursue our vision _ not because of any imminent threat but because that's what they wanted to do."

[graf008]

I don't see the connection. The same people where not propping up both Saddam and al Quada - the link has never been proven. I trust President Bush on this issue.

I don't think we were fighting terrorism by going into Iraq. What were were doing was toppling a despicable regime that seemed to be losing its desire to exist, and therefore was a probable supplier to whoever would attack its enemies (whether al Quada or Radiohead - it did not matter). It was much as our support of Saddam in the 80s. We were really against Iran, but didn't like Saddam either. One day, we knew we would go against Saddam (and we did). We didn't like the possible instability in Iraq (as well as the instability that would exist if Saddam was toppled internally) so we went in and hoped to make the process go smoothly.

And I may have not been clear - I don't believe there was any cult following behind Saddam. Which is why toppling Saddam was really pretty easy.

[graf008]

Break given ;P

[graf008]

Really? Was this the same time he was going around the country talking about his support for the war?

Do you have proof of this?

[Amelia]

I think Clinton erred by not going after Saddam in 1998. Or sooner.

[graf008]

Nevermind - A Google search found an article from the Guardian speaking on how Clinton and Blair met to discuss thge impasse between Europe and the US and how to best address this.

Seems Clinton was advocating for eventual action - but counseling Blair on how to get Europe to go along...

[Waco]

From the guy who gave Monica priority over both of them, I see. No surprise here, move on, don't buy book, just move on.

[RagingBull]

Coincidentally, I literally just at this moment received a "40% off on BC's memoirs" offer from Borders. What do you suppose it means?

Sorry, our bad. It's his pants, not his memoirs that are 40% off.

-- Borders.

[Jeff Chandler]

I understand that a book gets discounted when it goes on the bestseller list, or something. It has to do with large sales...which seems odd since it hasn't even been published yet?

[Feckless]

I hereby release all claim and copy write. :->

[swheats]

I'll let my last post stand.

[eddie willers]

It's his pants, not his memoirs that are 40% off.

That's enough for him and Monica.

[graf008]

Understood. I just think the President is correct.

[swheats]

I just think the President is correct

We definately agree on that!

[swheats]

Maybe I should have clarified. President Bush is correct.

[No One Special]

Yeah, exactly. Means he can't even get it up anymore.

[graf008]

Didn't President Bush say there is no connection between al Quada and Saddam Hussein?

[ldish]

geez graf......if you were on the titanic you would be arguing over the gallons per minute flowing into the sinking hull.....never mind for people like you....if islam wins you are dead......your arguing is not allowed....your comments are not allowed.....your head will be off....reality? enough said about meaningless vollys of hot air.....charge on faithful ones.....may GOD be with us and other civilized beings of the planet!

[river rat]

Just look at who is giving all the advice...

Jimmy Carter --- the most incompetent president in my lifetime..
Whose most manly act, was to swing his oar at an "attack rabbit"

Ted "Fats" Kenney --- whose most manly act was to swim to shore, alone. Leaving his date submerged in an air pocket for HOURS while he sobered up, cleaned up and lawyered up..

Billy Clinton --- whose most manly act was to marry Hillary!

These three failed assholes - ruined everything they touched, failed to do anything but secure lifetime pay from us taxpayers --- and gave us NOTHING of value in return...

Think about that -- and tell me how it makes you feel..

It sickens me.......
All I expect to get our of the deal, is the satisfaction of pissing on their graves...

Semper Fi

[Lucky2]

b.j. clinton can go f himself. As a matter of fact that's probably what he's doing anyway!

[graf008]

Nah..if the I was on the Titanic I would be figuring out how to maximize the use of the lifeboats and construct other craft, rather than jumping into the water and swimming because one would rather swim with futility than go down with the ship...which is what I feel we are doing. My God be with everyone.