I remember the incubator stories and the promises made and broken from the first Gulf War. I suspect that lieing to supports ones own ends is a Bush Family trait. It goes all the way from The savings and loan scandals right down to forging perscriptions. I have to look into the other things Carol mentioned. I am not aware of the Niger/Iraq connection. I am aware that the French sold the Iraqia breader reactors and technology for enriching Uranium. I am also aware the Germans sold the Iraqis the msachinery and raw materials to make long range cannon barrels and other similar tubes. Saddly I am also familiar with the notion an American was instumental in some weapons designs the Iraqis were interested in.

In one of the rare moments that I agree with Little Hawk politically, the names and labels are misleading. In fact they mean nothing.

We have over here a government that has become so polarized that the republicans will vote against anything proposed by the democrats and vice versa, no matter how worth, only to make the other party look bad.

There aren't enough brave souls in government willing to stand on their own and speak out.

Here is a new direction to debate. It is highly accepted that Hussein used Gas and Bio weapons on his own people. He has done so against ethnic Kurds in the north and Iranians to the East. He has used selected starvation and torture of political dissenters long before Gulf 1 to control his ethnic and opposition populations.

The UN seemed un willing to react to this dilema in any meaningful way beyond sactions. Syria was either uncaring or a silent ally ( I ignored the chance to say "Silent Ali"). Jordan and Iran may be too evenly matched with Iraq to venture against them militarily. Is it right morally to stand back and let this man do as he has done to his own people? Or should some Big Stck, The US or anyone for that matter, go to Iraq and spank the Guy?

Mean while I'll chase down the stuff Carol mentioned.

Don