The problem seems to be in the interpretation of the following:

"Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD. But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy. The NSC had no patience with the UN route, and no enthusiasm for publishing material on the Iraqi regime's record. There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action."

Specifically the phrase "the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy."

On MSMBC's Hardball last night, two of Mr. Matthews guests were Mr. Kay, a former UN inspector and Mr. Wooten (?) who was the head of the CIA under the Clinton Admin.

They did not seem to think that it was anything important and that it was not a "smoking gun".

Mr Wooten pointed out that the while the American use of the term "were being fixed" meant that the books were being coked, the British uasge is somewhat different. Kay agreed.

As they never clarified the statement, perhaps some of our British members could offer an explaination?

troll