"Then what distinguishes you from the "Bush lied about WMDs crowd?"
I think I don't understand your question. It makes no sense to me. There was specific evidence from many different trusted sources about the existence of weapons and weapons programs. For the life of me, I can't see a connection between these two things.
The best I can figure is that you're suggesting that this woman bears some similarity to Clinton, Gore, Kerry, etc., people who said there were weapons but refused to lift a finger to do anything. But somehow I don't think that's what you mean.
Trusted by whom? Certainly there are many that would just as easily discount your trusted sources as you've discounted the author...and do so with equivalent conjectures.
There are many good and satisfying reasons to give the writer at least tacit credibility if for no other reason than she has a measure of public exposure to be mindful of.