NO! Chemical weapons in Iraq???

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Whether full inspections allowed by Saddam would have led to cries that he was just hiding them effectively....what ifs can go any and every direction.

That isn't a what if, that is a reality.

Shortly following the beginning of the war a program of unrestricted inspection began. Nothing was found. The general response from certain circles was "well he hid them pretty good then."

It isn't a hypothetical.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

That isn't a what if, that is a reality.

I can accept that. However, it does appear that some pretty good hiding had been going on if they are still uncovering the old ones.

Disagreement is fine. I don't see your argument as "fundamentally flawed", just incomplete in that you don't allow for the fact that an out was given that would have allowed Saddam to disprove the arguments being presented.

My summary of the road to war:
"I think A. You say B. I will continue to think and act on A until you allow me to pursue the path that will prove B."

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

My summary of the road to war:
"I think A. You say B. I will continue to think and act on A until you allow me to pursue the path that will prove B."

Ah crap. I've never been good at stopping when I say I'll stop.

The summary you provide there is approximately my road to war. The summary that would be Bush's road to war is:

"I know A. You say B. I will continue to act on A until you allow us to dismantle A."

A turned out to be wrong. In your summary (that is closer to my justification than Bush's) it isn't so important whether A is actually true or not. In the Bush version is is extremely important.

You view the U.N. resolutions as a trigger. I view them as a convenient excuse for doing what they were going to do anyway (and Bush has said as much, that while the support of the U.N. was important it wasn't necessary).

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

You view the U.N. resolutions as a trigger. I view them as a convenient excuse for doing what they were going to do anyway (and Bush has said as much, that while the support of the U.N. was important it wasn't necessary).

It was the trigger. One that Saddam pulled. No one forced him to do so. So I cannot see it as an excuse, because Saddam held the power and no one else.

Another modification then -
"Most of the world knows A. You are pretty much the only one saying B. Show us B is not true and we will not be forced to dismantle and dispose of B."

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

"Most of the world knows A. You are pretty much the only one saying B. Show us B is not true and we will not be forced to dismantle and dispose of B."

"When did you stop beating your wife?"