"But you're right Amos. Even the most recent studies by Garfield, estimate approximately 350,000 child deaths through 2000. And while most of these deaths are associated with sanctions, not all of them can be laid at the door of the UN."

Amos, using the under 5 mortality numbers UNICEF found in a 1999 survey and birth rates from the CIA fact book, you get numbers that suggest Garfield's estimates are very conservative. The mortality rates for women in childbirth were up dramatically during the same years, too. I'm in shock. I can't comprehend the numbers.

This suggests that sanctions, at least when you're up against someone as insensitive to the suffering of his people as Saddam, are not a useful alternative to war. Their main victims are the innocent, those least able to defend themselves. These children died while Saddam got fatter and built more palaces. So much for resolving our differences with peaceful means.

I'm sick with grief over this. I take back what I said. I realize most people here are only following their conscience in regard to the photos. I do think some people are only in it for political gain, many of the loudest voices do want us to think things are as bad as possible to make them, but I don't believe, I never believed any of you were that way. I still don't believe these photos should be made public without the permission of the families, but I apologize for the way I said the things I said.

Now I can only hope the Iraqis get the finest prosecuting attorney available for Saddam. Most of you won't agree, but I put all these deaths at his door.