so, it's official now

[bishop]

big surprise here

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. inspectors have ended their search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in recent weeks, a U.S. intelligence official told CNN. The search ended almost two years after President Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, citing concerns that Saddam Hussein was building weapons of mass destruction and may have hidden weapons stockpiles.

not that it really matters of course.

let's trace the lines of bullshit we were fed:

Simply stated, there is no doubt that Saddam Hussein now has weapons of mass destruction. Dick Cheney August 26, 2002 If we wait for the danger to become clear, it could be too late. Sen. Joseph Biden D-Del., September 4, 2002 Right now, Iraq is expanding and improving facilities that were used for the production of biological weapons. George W. Bush September 12, 2002 If he declares he has none, then we will know that Saddam Hussein is once again misleading the world. Ari Fleischer December 2, 2002 We know for a fact that there are weapons there. Ari Fleischer January 9, 2003 Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent. George W. Bush January 28, 2003 We know that Saddam Hussein is determined to keep his weapons of mass destruction, is determined to make more. Colin Powell February 5, 2003 Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, February 5, 2003 We have sources that tell us that Saddam Hussein recently authorized Iraqi field commanders to use chemical weapons -- the very weapons the dictator tells us he does not have. George Bush February 8, 2003 So has the strategic decision been made to disarm Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction by the leadership in Baghdad? I think our judgment has to be clearly not. Colin Powell March 8, 2003 Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised. George Bush March 18, 2003 We are asked to accept Saddam decided to destroy those weapons. I say that such a claim is palpably absurd. Tony Blair, Prime Minister 18 March, 2003 Well, there is no question that we have evidence and information that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical particularly . . . all this will be made clear in the course of the operation, for whatever duration it takes. Ari Fleisher March 21, 2003 There is no doubt that the regime of Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction. As this operation continues, those weapons will be identified, found, along with the people who have produced them and who guard them. Gen. Tommy Franks March 22, 2003 I have no doubt we're going to find big stores of weapons of mass destruction. Kenneth Adelman, Defense Policy Board , March 23, 2003 One of our top objectives is to find and destroy the WMD. There are a number of sites. Pentagon Spokeswoman Victoria Clark March 22, 2003 We know where they are. They are in the area around Tikrit and Baghdad. Donald Rumsfeld March 30, 2003 Saddam's removal is necessary to eradicate the threat from his weapons of mass destruction Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary 2 April, 2003 Obviously the administration intends to publicize all the weapons of mass destruction U.S. forces find -- and there will be plenty. Neocon scholar Robert Kagan April 9, 2003 I think you have always heard, and you continue to hear from officials, a measure of high confidence that, indeed, the weapons of mass destruction will be found. Ari Fleischer April 10, 2003 We are learning more as we interrogate or have discussions with Iraqi scientists and people within the Iraqi structure, that perhaps he destroyed some, perhaps he dispersed some. And so we will find them. George Bush April 24, 2003 Before people crow about the absence of weapons of mass destruction, I suggest they wait a bit. Tony Blair 28 April, 2003 There are people who in large measure have information that we need . . . so that we can track down the weapons of mass destruction in that country. Donald Rumsfeld April 25, 2003 We'll find them. It'll be a matter of time to do so. George Bush May 3, 2003 I am confident that we will find evidence that makes it clear he had weapons of mass destruction. Colin Powell May 4, 2003 I never believed that we'd just tumble over weapons of mass destruction in that country. Donald Rumsfeld May 4, 2003 I'm not surprised if we begin to uncover the weapons program of Saddam Hussein -- because he had a weapons program. George W. Bush May 6, 2003 U.S. officials never expected that "we were going to open garages and find" weapons of mass destruction. Condoleeza Rice May 12, 2003 I just don't know whether it was all destroyed years ago -- I mean, there's no question that there were chemical weapons years ago -- whether they were destroyed right before the war, (or) whether they're still hidden. Maj. Gen. David Petraeus, Commander 101st Airborne May 13, 2003 Before the war, there's no doubt in my mind that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, biological and chemical. I expected them to be found. I still expect them to be found. Gen. Michael Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps May 21, 2003 Given time, given the number of prisoners now that we're interrogating, I'm confident that we're going to find weapons of mass destruction. Gen. Richard Myers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff May 26, 2003 They may have had time to destroy them, and I don't know the answer. Donald Rumsfeld May 27, 2003 For bureaucratic reasons, we settled on one issue, weapons of mass destruction (as justification for invading Iraq) because it was the one reason everyone could agree on. Paul Wolfowitz May 28, 2003

[Pooeypants]

BBC source

[Osborn F Enready]

Gosh, nobody could have predicted this..... or could they? ROFLMAO

[BloodEagle]

perhaps the US was mis fead information by Iraq in an attempt to creat international unrest? and lack of faith in the US government?

[Milton Bradley]

Quote by: BloodEagle perhaps the US was mis fead information by Iraq in an attempt to creat international unrest? and lack of faith in the US government?

Perhaps the U.S. government is a conglomeration of fascist, wannabe dictators who feel it is their God goven right to decide what is best for the entire population of Earth.

[RickSp]

The claims about WMD started in 1998 (!) three years before 9/11. In a letter to President Clinton a group of New American Centurians including Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Richard L. Armitage, John Bolton, Elliott Abrams among others warned that it was essential that the US attack Iraq because of Saddam's WMDs.

Such uncertainty will, by itself, have a seriously destabilizing effect on the entire Middle East. It hardly needs to be added that if Saddam does acquire the capability to deliver weapons of mass destruction, as he is almost certain to do if we continue along the present course, the safety of American troops in the region, of our friends and allies like Israel and the moderate Arab states, and a significant portion of the world’s supply of oil will all be put at hazard. As you have rightly declared, Mr. President, the security of the world in the first part of the 21st century will be determined largely by how we handle this threat. Given the magnitude of the threat, the current policy, which depends for its success upon the steadfastness of our coalition partners and upon the cooperation of Saddam Hussein, is dangerously inadequate. The only acceptable strategy is one that eliminates the possibility that Iraq will be able to use or threaten to use weapons of mass destruction. In the near term, this means a willingness to undertake military action as diplomacy is clearly failing. In the long term, it means removing Saddam Hussein and his regime from power. That now needs to become the aim of American foreign policy.

PNAC letter to President Clinton

And if we are considering the neo-cons' greatest hits, here is Ken Adelman's Cakewalk In Iraq.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: BloodEagle perhaps the US was mis fead information by Iraq in an attempt to creat international unrest? and lack of faith in the US government?

mmm, a conspiracy against the US...oh you might be onto something there...

Got any sources to support that?

[Dieval]

Quote by: Pooeypants mmm, a conspiracy against the US...oh you might be onto something there... Got any sources to support that?

I bet he could produce as many sources for that as for any other conspiracy theories.. :p

[RickSp]

Quote by: Dieval I bet he could produce as many sources for that as for any other conspiracy theories.. :p

There is no conspiracy. The Project for the New American Century laid out their plan for a "unipolar" world, which is to say US domination, for all to see in 2000 in their REBUILDING AMERICA’S DEFENSES, Strategy, Forces and Resources For a New Century .

Some have called it the neo-con, "Mein Kampf". I will not call it that because the hysterical charge "you are comparing Bush to Hitler" gets so damn tiresome. I would call it merely the "neo-con smoking gun."

They had been calling for an attack on Iraq since 1998 in their letter to Clinton. A "unipolar world" is what they are after with themselves in the control. 9/11 was a useful excuse. The "Global War on Terror" is just a smokescreen. They said what they wanted to do and so far they have done a lot. The only hold-up so far is that reality intruded on the "cakewalk."

Read their words. It is all laid out in black and white. And the red of the blood spilled in their illegal and immoral war.

[Dieval]

Quote by: RickSp There is no conspiracy. The Project for the New American Century laid out their plan for a "unipolar" world, which is to say US domination, for all to see in 2000 in their REBUILDING AMERICA’S DEFENSES, Strategy, Forces and Resources For a New Century . Some have called it the neo-con, "Mein Kampf". I will not call it that because the hysterical charge "you are comparing Bush to Hitler" gets so damn tiresome. I would call it merely the "neo-con smoking gun." They had been calling for an attack on Iraq since 1998 in their letter to Clinton. A "unipolar world" is what they are after with themselves in the control. 9/11 was a useful excuse. The "Global War on Terror" is just a smokescreen. They said what they wanted to do and so far they have done a lot. The only hold-up so far is that reality intruded on the "cakewalk." Read their words. It is all laid out in black and white. And the red of the blood spilled in their illegal and immoral war.

You sure are reading an awful big conspiracy theory into this.. ROFL

Wait, I was mistaken..this isn't funny...it isn't even good...look what their website says about the group -

Quote by: website Our aim is to remind Americans of these lessons and to draw their consequences for today. Here are four consequences: • we need to increase defense spending significantly if we are to carry out our global responsibilities today and modernize our armed forces for the future; • we need to strengthen our ties to democratic allies and to challenge regimes hostile to our interests and values; • we need to promote the cause of political and economic freedom abroad; • we need to accept responsibility for America's unique role in preserving and extending an international order friendly to our security, our prosperity, and our principles.

How dare they try to help this country and the world!!! :rolleyes:

[RickSp]

Quote by: Dieval How dare they try to help this country and the world!!! :rolleyes:

They spread "democracy" by JDAM and M1 tank, by torture and by indefinate confinement without charge or trial. (Is that your idea of helping the country and the world?)

And guess what? It doesn't work. Their cakewalks are quagmires and the WMDs they have been squawking about since at least 1998 are fictional. They are the basest form of imperialsts. Empire and freedom never got along well together.

[bishop]

heh.. not to mention the mighty success that the raids in fallujah and mosul were. i remember the debate quite well - do you dieval? one of us thought that it would only embolden the insurrectionists, the other thought that it would teach them their place and force defeat upon them.

maybe we can score more points with death squads, eh?

i can't say i'm surprised by today's news, but wow did it add some zest to the bullshit we've been sniffing for years now.

[Dieval]

Quote by: RickSp They spread "democracy" by JDAM and M1 tank, by torture and by indefinate confinement without charge or trial. (Is that your idea of helping the country and the world?) And guess what? It doesn't work. Their cakewalks are quagmires and the WMDs they have been squawking about since at least 1998 are fictional. They are the basest form of imperialsts. Empire and freedom never got along well together.

Yes, you're right..I guess it's best to not have weapons to fight our enemies with...the bad guys obviously don't have them, right? :rolleyes:

[Dieval]

Quote by: bishop heh.. not to mention the mighty success that the raids in fallujah and mosul were. i remember the debate quite well - do you dieval? one of us thought that it would only embolden the insurrectionists, the other thought that it would teach them their place and force defeat upon them. maybe we can score more points with death squads, eh? i can't say i'm surprised by today's news, but wow did it add some zest to the bullshit we've been sniffing for years now.

Yes and I remember how Iraq now has ~1200 less insurgents/terrorists now...heh, go figure... :p

[The Dunedan]

At the risk of breaking the "No One Liners" rule, I submit the following formula, which was related to me by a Marine friend just returned from Iraq:

Probable Enemy Kills = X
Confirmed Kills = A
Livestock Killed = B
Bottles of Beer Consumed = C

X = 3(A) + 2(B) + 5(C)

Therefore: Confirmed Kills ( 3 ) Multiplied by 3 ( 9 ) plus Camels Killed ( 3 ) Multiplied by two ( 6 ) plus Bottles of Beer Consumed ( 5 ) Multiplied by 5 ( 25 ) EQUALS Probable Kills ( 40 ).


In other words I don't trust that number, and neither does my friend.

[Zeebadee]

Quote by: Dieval Yes and I remember how Iraq now has ~1200 less insurgents/terrorists now...heh, go figure... :p

Go figure this then: The U.S. has about 1357 less GI's now. And YOU bear some of the responsibility for that fact because you support this asinine war. Perhaps you ought to remember that also. You gonna give us another "heh"??

[bishop]

i think there was a count of the number of insurgents in iraq.. 1,200 is a drop of piss in a bucket. not only that, but you also have to realize that new recruits could very well be joining up every single day. i.e. new recruits could easily replace the ones we killed.

i think we thought that a numerical war would lead us to victory in vietnam too. :rolleyes:

[Dieval]

Quote by: Zeebadee Go figure this then: The U.S. has about 1357 less GI's now. And YOU bear some of the responsibility for that fact because you support this asinine war. Perhaps you ought to remember that also. You gonna give us another "heh"??

Yes, you're right, it's all my fault that we went to war and our soldiers died. Saddam lieing, stealing, and breaking his cease fire agreements had nothing to do with it at all... :rolleyes:

[Dieval]

Quote by: The Dunedan At the risk of breaking the "No One Liners" rule, I submit the following formula, which was related to me by a Marine friend just returned from Iraq: Probable Enemy Kills = X Confirmed Kills = A Livestock Killed = B Bottles of Beer Consumed = C X = 3(A) + 2(B) + 5(C) Therefore: Confirmed Kills ( 3 ) Multiplied by 3 ( 9 ) plus Camels Killed ( 3 ) Multiplied by two ( 6 ) plus Bottles of Beer Consumed ( 5 ) Multiplied by 5 ( 25 ) EQUALS Probable Kills ( 40 ). In other words I don't trust that number, and neither does my friend.

At the risk of breaking the one liner rule as well, I can say that your formula added absolutley nothing to the thread. Thanks for posting.

[Dieval]

Quote by: bishop i think there was a count of the number of insurgents in iraq.. 1,200 is a drop of piss in a bucket. not only that, but you also have to realize that new recruits could very well be joining up every single day. i.e. new recruits could easily replace the ones we killed. i think we thought that a numerical war would lead us to victory in vietnam too. :rolleyes:

I guess we should have just let them rule over the civilians in fullujah and impose there oppressive sadistic ways...there was another thread that had a link to an article about the people of fullujah being threatened and killed and many other sadistic and cruel things by the insurgents...but I guess that really doesn't matter to anyone, except maybe the people that lived there, eh?