The Fall of Saddam

Hoover Institution ^ | March 18, 2002 | Robert Zelnick

[iconoclast]

Thanks. I wish I could dig up more on that particular phase. I can vaguely remember a TV interview piece with her which did not put her in a particularly positive light.

[okie01]

"I COULD have come from Iraq but, I guess, there's no proof it did."

There may never be any proof, in a courtroom sense, but there is a substantial body of circumstantial evidence associating the anthrax with the terrorists. And, given that, there is a very high probability that the anthrax originated in Iraq.

By contrast, there is virtually no evidence, circumstantial or otherwise, connecting the anthrax with a so-called "domestic terrorist/rogue scientist".

Thus, a betting man might put his money on Iraq...and give odds.

In the meantime, the administration is in a position to know what we are only speculating about. And their actions, with respect to both Iraq and domestic security, suggest the finger of fate points conclusively at Saddam Hussein.

"Any idea where the West Nile thing came from? Egypt maybe?"

Ten years ago, the answer would've been easy, wouldn't it?

Nowadays, though, we would be well-advised not to dismiss the possibility that the introduction of WNV into the U.S. represents a bio-attack rather than an accident of global commerce.

In which case, there is not one, but two suspects: Iraq again...and, maybe, Cuba...

Castro Weaponizes West Nile Virus

[efnwriter]

I do not see any comment on the point of the article - removal of WMD's as necessary to win the war on terrorism.

What do you think about that issue?

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

My post #6 had lots of comments on the point of article and attempted to expand the scope from little and weak Iraq to the really threatening makers and potential users of WMD.

[efnwriter]

I agree with you on North Korea

I think China is an entirely differnt problem - we cannot approach that immense nuclear power as a rogue state.Secondly, China is not, to my knowlege, aligned with Islamic terrorist groups and IMHO unlikely to go down that road. After all, they don't need to, they are powerful enough alone.

I would like to know if you think disarming rogue states of WMDs that they can pass off to terrorists is necessary to win the War on Terrorism. I believe Zelnick is absolutely correct on that point and that is the answer to those who say war on Iraq is not part of the war on terrorism.

[CWOJackson]

There might be dancing in the streets of Bagdad but apparently there will be plenty of tears shed by some here in the U.S.

[Spook86]

Zelnick's "sin" was worse than an expose of affirmative action. As I recall, he signed a book deal to write a political biography of Al Gore, then (suddenly) the suits at ABC News decided not to renew his contract. BTW, this is not the first time Gore has used his muscle to get a reporter canned. Two years ago, the Gore team persuaded WMC-TV (Memphis) to spike a story about some serious misdeeds by Gore's uncle. The reporter who was prepared to break that story (Tommy Stafford) was also fired, as I recall.....

Could you imagine what would have happened if Republicans tried the same tactic?

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

You wrote at #12:

Yes, the British are going to make the info they have public. I guess they aren't operating on your timetable. Too bad.

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Okay, here's 'the goods' from Tony. Not much of anything, apparently.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=1&cid=578&u=/nm/20020924/ts_nm/iraq_britain_dc

Blair's document, which contained little new evidence, stopped short of saying Iraq had nuclear weapons but said it had tried to acquire "significant quantities of uranium" from Africa, despite having no nuclear power program to justify it.

The British premier told parliament he did not know whether the uranium had in fact been acquired.
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Note that the British premier told the parliament HE DID NOT KNOW.

Bombs away!!!!!!!!!

[Trust but Verify]

Well, apparently Saddam is not cooperating by answering these questions. Imagine that! Whoever said Intelligence is an exact science?

BTW, what kind of 'proof' would you accept? How 'bout a mushroom cloud over Tel Aviv or NYC? Or would you say, "how do we know who did it? Did anyone see who set it off? See, we just can't be sure!"