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If that's really all it's about, why are the French and Germans undermining us at every turn? Surely we could inform them through private channels that it's all a show to pressure and contain Hussein, and we don't really intend to invade. If anything, what France and Germany are doing is making it far easier for Hussein to relax and not take our threat of force seriously at all.

If France and Germany are somehow actually in on some bluff being played by Bush and Blair, and their roles are to play the spoiler's part in an international game of chicken, how on earth does that help us?

Does anyone seriously think that Hans Blix, Mohammed Elbaradei, and their parade of Inspector Clousseaus cause Hussein to lose any sleep?
Does the appearance of our being tied up in knots in the UN, or the turn-out of millions of his fellow Socialists in the streets of European capitols, cause Hussein any grief?
Is the resolve of the American people likely to be bolstered or eroded by this turn of events, which enables our media to pound home the message that "the world" is against our invading Iraq?

Or is Hussein actually emboldended by these public relations wins for the anti-United States crowd?

If Iraq really is the source of the anthrax used against us in 2001 (and I'm convinced it is), and
if the purpose of the 2001 anthrax attack was to blackmail the Administration into not invading Iraq, and
if, as a consequence, we are trying to figure out a way to dislodge him without risking a massive bioweapons attack, then...

...where do the events of the past 10 days or so leave us? In a box, that's where.

Whatever is going on, one thing I know to an absolute certainty based on an entire career spent in public communications: The President cannot keep blustering about the use of force in Iraq for much longer without losing all credibility. And this warning is from someone who adores the man and campaigned hard for him out here in LaLaLand (Los Angeles) where campaigning for Republicans is tough business.

Soon — maybe another month at the outside — it will not be Hussein who has "one last chance," it will be a man for whom I would do almost anything: George W. Bush.

I do not think the administration put itself in a box. They have had months to come up with likely scenarios, and they are not fools. Powell wasn't panicked on Friday, simply exasperated.

Bush doesn't bluster. He doesn't lie. He tells the truth. We will go in, unless Saddam is killed or goes into exile.

Let not your heart be troubled. Everything is going according to plan. Ask Uncle Vlad. He knows.

IMO and many probably disagree, but I do not believe the French and Germans are part of some "strategery". I believe they know he was the author of 9/11, the anthrax attacks and that many Iraqi "politicals" reside in their countries. I believe they have come to the conclusion that they would rather live with an Iraq armed with WMD and whatever that may entail than risk the cost of taking him out. My guess is somewhere in the back channels it has been communicated that if they play the game according to his rules they will be spared any retaliation.

Whatever is going on, one thing I know to an absolute certainty based on an entire career spent in public communications: The President cannot keep blustering about the use of force in Iraq for much longer without losing all credibility

Have you ever looked around you? Do you think anyone besides a couple hundred freepers and a few thousand left wing agitators really even have a clue what is going on or what is a stake? As long as Joe Millionare keeps running, Wal Mart is still open and stocked and the Circle K is still selling beer and lottery tickets it will be but a blip in the continuum.

Whatever is going on, one thing I know to an absolute certainty based on an entire career spent in public communications: The President cannot keep blustering about the use of force in Iraq for much longer without losing all credibility.

Thanks for stating this so clearly. This has been my biggest stumbling block in considering The Great Satan's hypothesis regarding the current state of affairs. I simply can't believe that Bush can hold out for another year given the rhetorical benchmark he's set. And I can't believe that the master communicators of the WH would have allowed him to adopt such a strong line if the possibility existed for him to have to sit on this words, and this level of national emotional buildup, as a bluff. Domestically, politically, it's just too risky. Bush surely realizes that the absolute worst outcome to all of this would be leaving the job unfinished and turning it over to a Democrat in 2004.

Although, I have to admit that after giving up television about a month ago and only getting my news from the Internet, it's amazing how less the "pressure" seems. Perhaps the great mass of Americans doesn't feel like Bush has built up to the rhetorical breaking point after all. Hmm...