Absolutely agree that Iraq in the '90s was trying to hide/ keep weapons, just differ in the interpretation of what they still possess. The most current assessment from inspectors on the ground this year is that his arsenal is seriously depleted, which of course would be good news for our forces when they go in. The guy, (Sadam), is a POS, but he is not a complete idiot when it comes to self-preservation, he has known for years that he is in our cross-hairs and it is logical that he does not want to disarm. I just differ w/ Bush & Co. that the inspections coupled w/ extreme pressure from our forces massing was doing the job w/ no young American blood spilling. It is not hard to form the opinion that Bush does not want inspections to continue because every report was reducing his argument for attacking NOW, why do that when we are giving his weapons stash an enema, albeit a slightly slower one.
I see this conflict as hugely political, rather than an immediate national security emergency that justifies a first strike war on a country that is not actively battling us, (or anyone else for that matter), AT THIS TIME. It is also a country, evil dictator and all, that was filled with U.N. inspectors getting what by all accounts was unfettered access to all sites in the country. A huge change from the '90s, when inspections were a joke, I'll admit.
I listen very carefully to what our leaders tell us, and question the info. It's my right and obligation as an American. Plenty of Bush's arguments for invading Iraq now do not pass the logic test, IMO.
