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The Great Satan believes that we have been blackmailed by Iraq since the end of the Gulf War. He further feels that President Bush is moving 300,000 troops, enlisting Blair, Aznar, Howard, Berlusconi, all of Eastern Europe, and the entire Pentagon, CIA, and FBI in nothing but show. He believes that this is a stalling action until sometime in 2004.

I have a bet with him, as do some others. Amazingly, although if we don't invade or see Saddam exiled or assassinated by April 1, at which point I lose my bet, I somehow am quite calm, unlike many of the handwringers and armchair generals here.

I believe The Great Satan has read more into events than are warranted. Scooter Libby's belief on the source of the anthrax is not the most expert in the administration, and I didn't really see them covered in the book. Woodward has a habit of picking and choosing phrases, which are not deniable but are inserted in text to push his theories along. I don't know that Woodward has been back to the White House since his book was published, so I have no way of knowing what that situation is. However, I think Cheney's comment was true. At the time (right after September 11), we weren't ready to attack a state sponsor of anthrax. Right now I believe we are.

At the time (right after September 11), we weren't ready to attack a state sponsor of anthrax. Right now I believe we are.

On what do you base your belief that we are now prepared to attack a state sponsor of anthrax? I'm curious, because your posts are always well thought out. Do you mean that we are ready to prevent an anthrax attack, that we can minimize the damage of an anthrax attack, or that we are ready to absorb the potential casualties of a successful anthrax attack?

He further feels that President Bush is moving 300,000 troops, enlisting Blair, Aznar, Howard, Berlusconi, all of Eastern Europe, and the entire Pentagon, CIA, and FBI in nothing but show. He believes that this is a stalling action until sometime in 2004.

TGS can speak for himself, but since I basically agree with his premises, I need to point out what seems an inconsistency in your statement. First, you say TGS believes the deployment is "nothing but show". Then, you TGS believes the deployment is in preparation for a 2004 invasion. Which is it? If it's preparation for a major invasion, just later than most freepers would like, how is it simultaneously just for "show"? I don't believe TGS is arguing that the troops will be called home, and then redeployed in 2004. Just that they're going to have to deal with being deployed for awhile.

MM -- However, I think Cheney's comment was true. At the time (right after September 11), we weren't ready to attack a state sponsor of anthrax. Right now I believe we are...

The posters on this thread who believe we will attack Iraq sometime after this summer and the posters on this thread who believe we should have attacked Iraq six months ago perhaps should address each other on this manner instead of dirtboy -- who seems to be getting it from both directions.

IMO, like dirtboy and MM, we were not ready 6 months ago and we are ready now. The threat of WMD retaliation by Sadaam and al Qaeda has NOW been reduced greatly as Cheney alluded to several weeks ago. The attack on Iraq will happen shortly.