9-11 changed everything. 9-11 proved our homeland is no longer immune to terrorist attacks -- since we didn't learn our lesson the first time the World Trade Center was bombed.
Not to mention the risk of reprisal from Saddam or those who sympathize with Saddam. And possibly with the very same WMD's.
Do you think for a second bin Laden or any of the other terrorists wouldn't use WMD's against us if they had them and the means of using them REGARDLESS of what we do? Appeasement is no cure. Terrorists and despots, and also Dim-Dems for that matter, survive and thrive only by demonizing someone. They have to have someone to hate, someone to blame for their own inadequacies.
So am I saying we have to take on all the despots and dictators who have WMD's? Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. GW has a priority list and he's going to take them on, OR OUT depending on their response, one at a time. We're in for a long, long and terrifying war. Like it or not, we're the most powerful and successful country the world has ever known. We will always be the Great Satan to those terrorists needing a demon. And sitting back while they take potshots at us, to me, is not the solution. Offense truly is the best defense. We could contain WMD's when they were developed by major, semi-stable countries because they knew if they used them we would wipe them out. That's hardly a deterrent to sociopaths and suicide bombers.
Why won't Saddam use his WMD's if he knows his days are numbered? That's a fair question. Bullies and tyrants can not be negotiated with. Iraq didn't develop WMD's for defense. The Kurds didn't gas them first. Nor did the Iranians. Saddam developed them for offense . . . and he will use them again if we don't take him out now.
This sentence does sum up your response. And it is a good point. You say we are at war...and that requires that we destroy all those who pose a threat. And Saddam probably has WMD's....and if he doesn't use them, he may give access to those that will. And that is justification to invade Iraq. OK...I'll buy that. With that in mind, here is what I want our president to tell the American people. "My fellow Americans....we are at war. The enemy resides in many places in the world, but they are resolute in our destuction. They are a dangerous network. We know that Saddam is sympathetic to their cause, and may provide the terrorists with the weapons that could case our nation great harm. We have decided to target Saddam and his regime to destroy this certain threat. This is not an easy decision! It may result in casualties on both sides. But it must be done. And we will appreciate the support of any nation that understands the grave mission we are on. But we do not require permission form any nation or any supranational body. It is America under attack....and it is America I have sworn to defend! The removal of Saddam and the destruction of his arsenal of WMD's is our immediate objective. But the fight will not end there. We will root out all threats....from all terrorists...and destroy them. The world shall be put on notice that we shall prevail....at any and all costs. That is to ensure the security and survival of our great nation. That is my duty as President of this nation."