If in 2003 someone says that Iraq doesn’t have WMD ready to launch in 45 minutes and Tony Blair is lying, is that a ‘Saddam talking point’ that can get the speaker punished for repeating it?
“In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members ... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002
Let's ask what Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice said as well, shall we?
From 2003: Colin Powell Addresses United Nations Security Council On Iraq
Rice Lays Out Case For War In Iraq
Bush Adviser Cites 'Moral' Reasons
August 16, 2002 at 1:00 a.m. EDT
The United States and other nations have little choice but to seek the removal of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice said in an interview broadcast yesterday, citing "a very powerful moral case" for action.
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"This is an evil man who, left to his own devices, will wreak havoc again on his own population, his neighbors and, if he gets weapons of mass destruction and the means to deliver them, on all of us," Rice told the BBC. "There is a very powerful moral case for regime change. We certainly do not have the luxury of doing nothing."
Rice noted that after Sept. 11, the most immediate threat was al Qaeda. But she said Hussein posed a looming threat that could not be ignored. "Clearly, if Saddam Hussein is left in power doing the things that he is doing now, this is a threat that will emerge, and emerge in a very big way."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arch...in-iraq/1cd4e5b7-709a-40c8-90d9-3d376dee16a5/
Your anger over the Iraq War is very justified, but you're pointing your finger at the wrong people. If you read Clinton's quote again, you will see that she is citing "intelligence reports". Maybe anger should be pointed towards the people who prepared and cherry picked those intelligence reports?
I think that search would turn up some other names such as Donald Rumsfeld, Scooter Libby, Paul Wolfowitz, etc...
Hell, it would probably include some of the other names at the bottom of this list as well.
PNAC-----Statement of Principles>>Project for a New American Century>>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_for_the_New_American_CenturyJune 3, 1997 American foreign and defense policy is adrift. Conservatives have criticized the incoherent policies of the Clinton Administration. They have also resisted isolationist impulses from within their own ranks. But conservatives have not confidently advanced a strategic vision of America's role in the world. They have not set forth guiding principles for American foreign policy. They have allowed differences over tactics to obscure potential agreement on strategic objectives. And they have not fought for a defense budget that would maintain American security and advance American interests in the new century.We aim to change this. We aim to make the case and rally support for American global leadership.As the 20th century draws to a close, the United States stands as the world's preeminent power. Having led the West to victory in the Cold War, America faces an opportunity and a challenge: Does the United States have the vision to build upon the achievements of past decades? Does the United States have the resolve to shape a new century favorable to American principles and interests?We are in danger of squandering the opportunity and failing the challenge. We are living off the capital --both the military investments and the foreign policy achievements -- built up by past administrations. Cuts in foreign affairs and defense spending, inattention to the tools of statecraft, and inconstant leadership are making it increasingly difficult to sustain American influence around the world. And the promise of short term commercial benefits threatens to override strategic considerations. As a consequence, we are jeopardizing the nation's ability to meet present threats and to deal with potentially greater challenges that lie ahead.We seem to have forgotten the essential elements of the Reagan Administration's success: a military that is strong and ready to meet both present and future challenges; a foreign policy that boldly and purposefully promotes American principles abroad; and national leadership that accepts the United States' global responsibilities. Of course, the United States must be prudent in how it exercises its power.But we cannot safely avoid the responsibilities of global leadership or the costs that are associated with its exercise. America has a vital role in maintaining peace and security in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If we shirk our responsibilities, we invite challenges to our fundamental interests. The history of the20th century should have taught us that it is important to shape circumstances before crises emerge, and to meet threats before they become dire. The history of this century should have taught us to embrace the cause of American leadership.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.Such a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity may not be fashionable today. But it is necessary if the United States is to build on the successes of this past century and to ensure our security and our greatness in the next.
Elliott Abrams Gary Bauer William J. Bennett Jeb Bush Dick Cheney Eliot A. Cohen Midge Decter Paula Dobriansky Steve Forbes Aaron Friedberg Francis Fukuyama Frank Gaffney Fred C. Ikle Donald Kagan Zalmay Khalilzad I. Lewis Libby Norman Podhoretz Dan Quayle Peter W. Rodman Stephen P. Rosen Henry S. Rowen Donald Rumsfeld Vin Weber George Weigel Paul Wolfowitz
https://www.rrojasdatabank.info/pfpc/PNAC---statement of principles.pdf