There were a couple of important stories from Thursday that got washed out in the "Is that funny looking old man in glasses really Saddam Hussein?" tsunami:
1. U.S. Troops Raid Afghanistan in Hunt for Al Qaeda
Operation Valiant Strike involves 1000 troops from the Army's 82 Airborne Division scouring for Al Qaeda and Taliban east of Kandahar. It's the largest U.S. military operation since Operation Anaconda one year ago. You may remember Operation Enduring Freedom ... it was the war in Afghanistan the U.S. won 15 months ago.
2. Annan, Blix regret Iraq conflict
Yesterday Hans Blix criticized American "impatience" to go to war and suggested the U.S. wasn't interested in the peaceful disarmament of Iraq. It's the latest in a series of articles that show the U.S. wanted -- and in some cases actively helped -- the UN inspection teams to fail.
In sum, the Bush administration's argument that the invasion of Iraq is about disarming the regime has always been -- and continues to be -- a steaming pile of bullshit. It's always been about overthrowing the Iraqi government.
posted by dackThe arms inspectors were never meant to succeed, most people in Europe that have half a brain could see that months ago. And as for Afghanistan. I read an interesting article from a Pakistani newspaper that basically said "These people that the US are fighting are the same people that beat the Russians, do you really think that when they somehow are now unable to fire rockets on target because they are shooting at Americans?"
People need to remember that the Russian citezens never knew the extent of the carnage in Afghanistan until long after the war. Does the american public really think that they are being told that the war is costing US lives?
Posted by: Stef on March 21, 2003 03:11 AMI agree with Stef, the UN was never meant to succeed. If the Shrub and his clown filled car had their way they never would have gone to the UN but Powell made them go and now look who the fall guy is. The UN is manipulated by the US, when they can, and ridiculed the rest of the time. What baffles me is why the French didn't follow through and force the vote so the world could truly say the US was acting without a legal justification. The US is as guilty as Iraq when it comes to non-compliance with the wishes of the Security Council.
Posted by: Mitch on March 21, 2003 06:45 AMHow about we get a running total of how many Iraqis surrender?
Posted by: Rule#1 on March 21, 2003 07:55 AMIf your child was kidnapped, would you want Hans Blix to be the one to find it? Hold on...... Duck, Incoming scud..... Good thing they don't have scuds.....
I'm confused. Your post today almost made it sound like you are questioning the validity of Iraq having WMD, when I personally asked you days ago and you said he did have them. The Inspector programs have been searching for years and found nothing of consequence. Blame it on who you want, but if he gave up the stuff he has we wouldn't even need inspectors yet alone a war. Blaming the US for this is like blaming the police for going after criminals. If Saddam Hussein wasn't in breach, we would have no 1441 and no action would be needed.
I didn't get a chance to comment on your post yesterday. I was hoping it was sarcasm, but it seemed like you were disappointed we didn't blow everything up. I think you should be happy and supportive of this 'cut the head off' plan, yet I see no praise. I am beginning to think you are just someone who criticizes. Criticism is an easy way to never be wrong cause you never take a stand, you just point out faults in everyone else. I understand you disagree with going to war with Iraq, Afghanistan and Osama, but it seems the real thing that started you down this path was GW. I am not convinced you are anti-war, I think you are just anti-GW.
The San Jose article was a gem.
Once the dust has cleared, Uncle will have to find the WMD. If he can't find any, he'll have to get the CIA to airlift them in. Which shouldn't be a problem.
I'm surprised- and not surprised- that the forged documents didn't become a bigger story. If it wasn't outright fabrication - and it probably wan't because not even American intelligence is stupid enough not to know how to use a French dictionary- it was massive stupidity on the part of the CIA people who fell for it.
It's so bizarre that we've come full circle in American war rationale. It began as "we've got to overthrow Saddam Hussein" and is concluding as "we've got to overthrow Saddam Hussein-- and liberate the Iraqi people!" The WMD and inspections was just a big stupid sideshow.
Posted by: Jake on March 23, 2003 03:14 PM