Hmm. However, the memos in quite a few places also show very real concerns on the part of the British and US governments about adequate preparation for the biological and chemical weapons that they thought the Iraqis possessed. Reading the documents, it becomes apparent that both governments did honestly believe that Saddam possessed such weapons; not surprising as many Iraqis, even in the military, did so, and Saddam wanted to convince surrounding nations that he did.

So I think it becomes extremely difficult to actually sustain the "lying" accusation that one hears so much of, aftering reading the memos. It is possible to believe that they were wrong, certainly, or that they viewed the data in a way as to confirm their own preconceptions.

As for not fully preparing for the aftermath, I refuse to blame any American for that. In my opinion, ANY plan would have met a similar fate. To not admit this is hubris of the worst sort.

Things are going as well as could be hoped in Iraq and BETTER than could be expected in the Middle East. I know that's driving Democrats crazy but those are the facts.

Many reasons were given for the war. The case was made in Congress and in the U.N. YOUR elected officials actually AUTHORIZED the President to take action. Now they change their mind? How politically convenient. Kooks focus on ONE- WMD. Please remove tin-foil hat now.
The U.N. failed as an organization, with countries holding veto power deeply implicated in VIOLATING U.N. sanctions with Saddam (FOR MONEY) Thereby supporting HIS war crimes.

You have all been brainwashed by Move-On. Please remove your craniums from the collective left-wing posterior. This Downing Memo proves nothing, and actually emphasizes the hysteria on the left. Just look at Howie Dean- Yeearrrggghhhhhh!

Does the Left not remember the caterwauling that went up from sea to shining sea in response the Bush phrase ?Axis of Evil? in the 2002 State of the Union address? If it is remembered, what is the big deal

"Developing a paranoid theory and promoting it to the very edge of national respectability takes ideological self-confidence. It takes a critical mass of citizens with extreme views and the time and energy to obsess about them. It takes a promotional infrastructure and the discipline to settle on a story line, desseminate and stick to it."

"Developing a paranoid theory and promoting it..."..."It takes a promotional infrastructure...."...."settle on a story line, desseminate and stick to it"....

Gee Mr. Kinsley... That sounds like the "Project for a New American Century".. They achived "critical mass" (of support for invading Iraq) By desseminating lies. (and sticking to it)

Oh What A Tangled (and contemptible) Web They Weaved

It is not about the right or the left or republicans or democrats or the word fixed or terrorism.

It is about the responsibilty of the Presidency
itself.

How many "mistakes" is the President allowed?

I don't care who is in office, whether that person is a Republican or a Democrat, I hold the President and Commander-in-Chief of the military responsible for his actions and the actions of his/her staff, administration, and underlings.

It is his JOB to know what is going on, to make absolutely sure his data is correct, and that the United States Constitution as well as the law of the land and the world body, with which we are a member, are upheld.

After years of investigations and millions of tax payer dollars spent, They accused Bill Clinton of getting a blow job in the oval office.HE said it the accusation was mistaken.However they did hearings found out he indeed did lie and HE was held accountable.

George W. Bush has had at least 8 people, who were on the inside, come forward disclosing that Bush is lying about several things that are impeachable offenses. HE says they are mistaken. So, HE is not held accountable.

George W. Bush has had valid document after valid document surface indicating his intentions in relation to and his financial relationship with, the Middle east. HE says they are mistaken. So, HE is not held accountable!

He said we bombed Iraq, because of WMD. When none were found, he said we are there because Iraq is in bed with Bin Laden. When that was proven incorrect, he said we are there to "liberate the people", to promote Democracy. That is not manifesting, most women can't even leave their homes, because of the instability of the country's security. HE is mistaken, but HE is not being held accountable.

He said major combat was over, and more soldiers and innocent Iraqi's die now than ever. HE was mistaken. But, HE is not being held accountable.

Daily accounts surface of prisoner abuse and misconduct by our military(last week American ex-military-personel-now contractors came forward to disclose they were abused when falsely arrested). The Commander-in-Chief is not being held accountable!

So, I ask every thinking person on this website, how many mistakes is the President of the United States and Commander-in-Chief allowed not to be accountable for?

This is the question I want every person, no matter what party you are affiliated with, to ask yourself and most importantly to ask your representatives.

If a CEO conducted business like Bush does, he would bankrupt his company, just like Bush did with several companies he headed and just like he has done to our country! And that CEO would be held accountable. So, why isn't the current President of the United States being held accountable?

James my friend you're not alone. The Right I Spy Word Game "So-Called" just doesn't fool anyone anymore. People died. This isn't a game, this is real life with real consequences. At a cost dear to our hearts. I don't hate Bush or anyone in his administration. But the time has come for accountablity. Game over.

best wishes marie

Don't you just hate it when the left hand doesn't know what the far left hand is doing?

I say "so-called" because 1) there is no memo with that title of which I'm aware and 2) given that the PM lives on Downing St., one presumes there are thousands of memos written there.