Bev and Jerry - That's an interesting scenario, but it leaves out the war...so I don't think it would fit well with Bush's plans at all. It's like when they had those 2 A-bombs in 1945, which they had spent an incredible amount of money on developing... Well, gee, they just had to use 'em somewhere, and justify the effort, see? Even though Japan was already basically helpless, and was seeking a negotiated settlement with the USA through Russia...even though it was Russia's attack in the last few days of the war on Japan's forces in Manchuria (NOT the A-bombs) that convinced the Japanese it was no use to continue resisting any longer...

There is nothing more compelling than having all the best weaponry in place, ready to fire off all guns...why it's downright irrestible....and then not do it? I don't think so. Think of the lucrative resupply contracts that would be lost to the guys who make cruise missiles alone! This is why I think your scenario is unlikely. Of course, they could always save the stuff for Iran, I suppose, and use Iraq and Afghanistan as staging areas. There's too many of those Ayatollahs to ALL run away...so Iran is a safe bet for a nice high tech war if Saddam does the dirtiest, sneakiest thing possible and skedaddles before the attack.

This is not about "helping" the Iraqui people, guys. If you believe it is, then maybe you believe Hitler was saving the World from an international conspiracy of Jews, Communists, and homosexual wife-beaters too.

If I were Saddam, though, I would give your plan serious consideration, cos from HIS point of view it sounds like a very good plan indeed! And it would royally screw up the works for Mr Bush's propaganda machine.

America needs an unrepentant and defiant Saddam. He is a dream come true for the brass hats. He's even got a little dark mustache. What a guy, eh? Gotta love it.

By the way, I think you will find that the ordinary Iraqui hates the American government and military to the very bone by now. So does the ordinary Saudi. If they were in any position whatsoever to fight America on even terms, you would find that out soon enough. As it is, they have to live in humiliation and bitterness, as does much of the 3rd World, and wait for the Empire to fall through its own corruption and blindness.

- LH