"In fact, there's generally lots of potential options, each with their own probability ofoutcome and their own cost."

True, and the option of combat, to achieve what 14 years of other options had failed , and had no chance of being successful in the future, seems like a good example.


"Once again, who, beside yourself and similar HW apologists, thought that a "state of war" existed?"

The Iraqis, from all their actions.


"when you do not believe the UN reports?"

You did not answer this... You can't use the reports to support your own points if you do not allow me to use them to support mine.