Memorable Quotes from the Bush ?Admin on Iraq & WMD

Maybe Judge Moore should ship Dubya those Ten Commandments so he can look them over. Thou shall not LIE!

 

What's the point? All he has to do is find a little time to repent and its all good!
Commandments, ShhMandments...

 

*Ahem* A few more memorable quotes gentlemen; it goes both ways.


If The Bush Administration Lied About WMD, So Did These People (Updated)
by John Hawkins
Since we haven't found WMD in Iraq yet, a lot of the anti-war/anti-Bush crowd is claiming that the Bush administration lied about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. The story being floated now is that Saddam had no WMD (or almost none) and that the Bush administration didn't tell the truth about the WMD threat.

Well, if they're going to claim that the Bush administration lied, then there sure are a lot of other people, including quite a few prominent Democrats, who have told the same lies since the inspectors pulled out of Iraq in 1998. Here are just a few examples of what I'm talking about...

"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs." -- From a letter signed by Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara A. Milulski, Tom Daschle, & John Kerry among others on October 9, 1998

"This December will mark three years since United Nations inspectors last visited Iraq. There is no doubt that since that time, Saddam Hussein has reinvigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to refine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer- range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies." -- From a December 6, 2001 letter signed by Bob Graham, Joe Lieberman, Harold Ford, & Tom Lantos among others

"Saddam's goal ... is to achieve the lifting of U.N. sanctions while retaining and enhancing Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs. We cannot, we must not and we will not let him succeed." -- Madeline Albright, 1998

"Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its agreement." -- Barbara Boxer, November 8, 2002

"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retained some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capability. Intelligence reports also indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons, but has not yet achieved nuclear capability." -- Robert Byrd, October 2002

"What is at stake is how to answer the potential threat Iraq represents with the risk of proliferation of WMD. Baghdad's regime did use such weapons in the past. Today, a number of evidences may lead to think that, over the past four years, in the absence of international inspectors, this country has continued armament programs." -- Jacques Chirac, October 16, 2002

"The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." -- Bill Clinton in 1998

"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including Al Qaeda members, though there is apparently no evidence of his involvement in the terrible events of September 11, 2001. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. Should he succeed in that endeavor, he could alter the political and security landscape of the Middle East, which as we know all too well affects American security." -- Hillary Clinton, October 10, 2002

"I am absolutely convinced that there are weapons...I saw evidence back in 1998 when we would see the inspectors being barred from gaining entry into a warehouse for three hours with trucks rolling up and then moving those trucks out." -- Clinton's Secretary of Defense William Cohen in April of 2003

"Iraq is not the only nation in the world to possess weapons of mass destruction, but it is the only nation with a leader who has used them against his own people." -- Tom Daschle in 1998

"Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal." -- John Edwards, Oct 10, 2002

"I share the administration's goals in dealing with Iraq and its weapons of mass destruction." -- Dick Gephardt in September of 2002

"Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access to weapons of mass destruction. Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to completely deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power." -- Al Gore, 2002

"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction." -- Bob Graham, December 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction." -- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

"I will be voting to give the president of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security." -- John F. Kerry, Oct 2002

"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandates of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them." -- Carl Levin, Sept 19, 2002

"Over the years, Iraq has worked to develop nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. During 1991 - 1994, despite Iraq's denials, U.N. inspectors discovered and dismantled a large network of nuclear facilities that Iraq was using to develop nuclear weapons. Various reports indicate that Iraq is still actively pursuing nuclear weapons capability. There is no reason to think otherwise. Beyond nuclear weapons, Iraq has actively pursued biological and chemical weapons.U.N. inspectors have said that Iraq's claims about biological weapons is neither credible nor verifiable. In 1986, Iraq used chemical weapons against Iran, and later, against its own Kurdish population. While weapons inspections have been successful in the past, there have been no inspections since the end of 1998. There can be no doubt that Iraq has continued to pursue its goal of obtaining weapons of mass destruction." -- Patty Murray, October 9, 2002

"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process." -- Nancy Pelosi, December 16, 1998

"Even today, Iraq is not nearly disarmed. Based on highly credible intelligence, UNSCOM [the U.N. weapons inspectors] suspects that Iraq still has biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin, and clostridium perfringens in sufficient quantity to fill several dozen bombs and ballistic missile warheads, as well as the means to continue manufacturing these deadly agents. Iraq probably retains several tons of the highly toxic VX substance, as well as sarin nerve gas and mustard gas. This agent is stored in artillery shells, bombs, and ballistic missile warheads. And Iraq retains significant dual-use industrial infrastructure that can be used to rapidly reconstitute large-scale chemical weapons production." -- Ex-Un Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter in 1998

"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years. And that may happen sooner if he can obtain access to enriched uranium from foreign sources -- something that is not that difficult in the current world. We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Saddam’s existing biological and chemical weapons capabilities pose a very real threat to America, now. Saddam has used chemical weapons before, both against Iraq’s enemies and against his own people. He is working to develop delivery systems like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles that could bring these deadly weapons against U.S. forces and U.S. facilities in the Middle East." -- John Rockefeller, Oct 10, 2002

"Whether one agrees or disagrees with the Administration’s policy towards Iraq, I don’t think there can be any question about Saddam’s conduct. He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do. He lies and cheats; he snubs the mandate and authority of international weapons inspectors; and he games the system to keep buying time against enforcement of the just and legitimate demands of the United Nations, the Security Council, the United States and our allies. Those are simply the facts." -- Henry Waxman, Oct 10, 2002

http://www.rightwingnews.com/quotes/demsonwmds.php

 

*ahem*

So what exactly makes a sub-100 poster on cc.net with only 79 posts use his/her powers of persuasion in this forum.

Dark Rhino...I compell you to start a new thread in the GARM in the next 24 hours to cleanse yourself of the dastardly dirt piling around you as you lurk in this forum.

This is yet another sign of cc.net's doom!

rise UP,,,,yee forsaken....we seek bbspeak...and the beginning is near.

off to the GARM with you. We must train and \prepare.

 

sigh...no edit...meant to write...what compells an April+\+\ 1999 poster with sub-100 posts...etc..etc..

 

Just enjoy reading IMO different, legitiment views in a public forum and trying to understand them. No big deal...

 

HP

Sorry about the "dirt piling"; it's late, I'm tired, and in my zeal to post, I overlooked the basics in not "dirt piling". My bad.

 

but it is a big deal. I got you to post twice.

Now...go start a Rockets thread or our season's karma is screwed.

Even if you aren't superstitious like me...It's best to just believe

I Believe!!!

I believe that our karma hinges on oldies like you posting more in the GARM than here.

now go do it!!! Start that one thread that you been craving for all summer!!

THREAD ACCEPTED!!!

 

Well, if its good for the Rockets, then why not?

 

cool...and while I got your ear...one other thing...

imso, don't mention SmeggySmeg in your post or do a poll about "If the Rockets were YoYao's sock, what would they smell like?"

...Smeggy ... he's a smeggin dork and noone will respond to your thread.

 

Maureen Dowd in today's NYT, on this topic and those which relate to it


From Swagger to Stagger
By MAUREEN DOWD


ASHINGTON — On one channel tonight, we can watch the iconic side of the Bush presidency. In the risibly revisionist Showtime movie "DC 9/11: Time of Crisis," George W. Bush is Vin Diesel-tough as he battles terrorists. "If some tinhorn terrorist wants me, tell him to come get me," the fictional president fictionally snaps on Air Force One after the 9/ll attacks. "I'll just be waiting for the b*stard."

On network channels at the same time — W. is pre-empting himself! — we can watch the ironic side of the Bush presidency. Even though Bush the Younger has done everything in his power not to replicate the fate of his dad, he is replicating the fate of his dad. Only months after swaggering out of a successful war with Iraq, he is struggling with the economy. His numbers have fallen so fast, Top Gun is now tap dancing. He will address the nation to try to underscore the imaginary line that links the budget-busting pit of Iraq to the heartbreaking pit of 9/11.

Just as the father failed to finish off Saddam, so the son has failed to finish off Saddam. Just as the conservatives once carped that the father did not go far enough in Iraq, now the "cakewalk" crowd carps that the son does not go far enough.

"We need to get Iraq right and we're trying to do it a little bit on the cheap," Bill Kristol, the Weekly Standard editor, chastised on "Nightline." "I think we could use more troops; we could certainly use more money."

The more you do, the more you need to do. That's the Mideast quicksand, which is why it is so important to know how you're going to get out before you get sucked in.

Dick Cheney's dark idea that a show of brutal force would scare off terrorists has ended up creating more terrorists.

Tonight will be a stomach-churning moment for Mr. Bush, and he must be puzzling over how he got snarled in this nightmare, with Old Europe making him beg, North Korea making him wince, the deficit making him cringe, the lost manufacturing jobs making him gulp; with the hawks caving in to the U.N. and to old Saddam Baath army members who want to rebuild a security force; with Representative David Obey demanding the unilateral heads of Rummy and Wolfie, so that "Uncle Sam doesn't become Uncle Sucker"; with the F.B.I. warning that more Islamic terrorists who know how to fly planes may be burrowing into our neighborhoods.

Does Mr. Bush ever wonder if the neocons duped him and hijacked his foreign policy? Some Middle East experts think some of the neocons painted a rosy picture for the president of Arab states blossoming with democracy when they really knew this could not be accomplished so easily; they may have cynically suspected that it was far more likely that the Middle East would fall into chaos and end up back in its pre-Ottoman Empire state, Balkanized into a tapestry of rival fiefs — based on tribal and ethnic identities, with no central government — so busy fighting each other that they would be no threat to us, or Israel.

The administration is worried now about Jordan and Saudi Arabia in the face of roiling radicalism.

Some veterans of Bush 41 think that the neocons packaged their "inverted Trotskyism," as the writer John Judis dubbed their rabid desire to export their "idealistic concept of internationalism," so that it appealed to Bush 43's born-again sense of divine mission and to the desire of Mr. Bush, Rummy and Mr. Cheney to achieve immortality by transforming the Middle East and the military.

These realpolitik veterans of Bush 41 say that Bush père, an old-school internationalist who ceaselessly tried to charm allies as U.N. ambassador and in the White House, "agonized" over the bullying approach his son's administration used at the U.N. and around the globe.

Some of the father's old circle are thinking about forming a Republican group that would speak out against the neocons. "What's happening in Iraq is puzzling," said one Bush 41 official. "The president ran on no-nation-building. Now we're in this drifting, aimless empire that is not helping the road map to peace."

W. has always presented himself as the heir of Reagan, and dissed his father's presidency, using it as a template of what not to do.

But as he tries to dig himself out tonight, he may wish he had emulated the old man, at least when it comes to slicing the deficit and playing nice with the allies.

 

from Reuters, this story telling what the White House has SAID would be the Bush message Sunday night

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush, in a televised address to Americans Sunday night, is expected to argue that the United States must stay the course in postwar Iraq despite the cost in lives and money, and to press for more international help.

The 15-minute speech, starting at 8:30 p.m. EDT, appears likely to be an effort to reassure Americans about the mission in Iraq and to shore up support for its growing price tag.

Bush may also feel he needs to respond to harsh criticism from Democrats who charge that the administration has fumbled the war's aftermath.

Analysts said the speech could provide a key test for Bush, whose approval ratings have been dropping in recent polls.

"Bush's foreign policy is in trouble," said Douglas Brinkley, a professor of American government at the University of New Orleans. "This is not an optional speech. It's a political imperative for a president who wants to win re-election next year."

Brinkley said Bush needed to level with increasingly skeptical Americans about what lies ahead.

Vice President Dick Cheney, in remarks on Friday that may foreshadow what Bush will say, acknowledged that the wars in Iraq and in Afghanistan have come with sacrifice.

But he added: "We will stay in Afghanistan and Iraq to make absolutely certain that the job is done before we move on."

Facing almost daily attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and a mounting death toll, the Bush administration last week shifted gears by dropping its resistance to a broader United Nations role in Iraq.

A MAJOR POLICY SHIFT

The administration is hoping to secure a new U.N. resolution on Iraq that will clear the way for other countries to contribute troops and cash.

But the initial American proposals were rejected by France and Germany, which opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq and want the United States to go further in broadening the U.N.'s role.

Aides said two themes will emerge in Bush's speech, coming just before the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

One is that the United States must confront its foes abroad rather than let them attack U.S. targets at home. The other is that a peaceful, democratic Iraq in the heart of the Middle East would undermine the militants.

"The president will clearly articulate to the public the very specific strategy that we're engaged in and making sure that we prevail," said a senior Bush administration official.

Bush might use the White House speech to announce how much he is requesting from Congress to fund the military deployment in Iraq and its reconstruction. He is said to be considering a request for around $65 billion, although some sources said that could be expanded to around $80 billion.

If his previous remarks are a guide, Bush will draw a link between the mission in Iraq and efforts to fight terrorism.

When he launched the war on Iraq in March, Bush warned that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction that could be sold to terrorists. He also said Iraq was a threat because of its support for Middle East terrorist groups.

The United States so far has not found any weapons of mass destruction and it has yet to prove a link between deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and al Qaeda, accused of masterminding the Sept. 11 attacks.

Criticism of the United States' handling of security in Iraq has grown louder after the Aug. 19 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad and the Aug. 29 car bombing in Najaf that killed at least 83 people.

"We obviously don't have things under control," said Joshua Muravchik, a scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank.

 

I smell some Peggy Noonan cowpies cooking.

 

heypartner: If people want to post in the GARM, they will. They don't need your challenges to do so. The board is here for everyone including those who like to discuss things other than the Rockets.

 

Bush is talking

1. gonna stay the course in Iraq and Afghanistan

2. got the right number of troops

3. gonna go to the UN and seek multinational force in Iraq

4. Iraq was a threat to the world, yada, yada, yada

5. gonna transfer sovereignty asap to Iraqis

6. we're training Iraqis and everything is great in spite of what you hear

[sincere look]

7. we're gonna give them a new constitution, democracy, and all that good stuff

8. did he say 66 billion dollars?

 

THEME

THE FRONTLINES OF FREEDOM

 

Jeff...do you honestly believe that I don't want people to post here??

I was talking to Dark Rhino at 4:30am over 1 1/2 days ago. I couldn't sleep...there was almost zero traffic on the BBS, and ...low and behold,,,there's a super old timer posting who we rarely see. In my own dorky way, I said, hey Dark Rhino...let's talk some basketball...and I'd like to see some posts from you this year.

Dark Rhino did post in the GARM about 15 minutes after our exchange, and I talked basketball with him. I enjoyed it, and I like to believe he did, too. It was late; we couldn't sleep...OK??

If my challenging old timers to post in the GARM this year annoys you so much, just understand...it is *NOT* a challenge. I sincerely want to talk basketball with old-timers and new... It is fun ...

4:30 in the morning seeking out a basketball conversation with an old-timer.

my bad.