Live on C-Span - House Armed Services Committee hears from former UN Weapons Inspectors

[agrace]

For the past half hour or so I have been watching two former UN weapons inspectors testify before the House Armed Services Committee live on C-Span. Is anyone else watching this? They are without a doubt making President Bush's case for him. They have stated unequivocally that time is not on our side, that if they held congressional voting cards (a question put to them by a Republican congressman from VA) that they would vote to invade, that Scott Ritter is a liar (quote - "if he isn't lying now, he was certainly lying years ago"), referencing his past statements before Congress. They stated disdainfully that Scott Ritter has no way of knowing ANYTHING past 1998.

They are emphatic, deadly serious and urgent in their answers to questions put forward by Republicans and Democrats alike. One thanked them a few minutes ago for appearing before them and speaking so candidly and "quite frankly, scaring us to death." It's still going on (unless it concluded within the last couple minutes). I did a search and found nothing about it - please direct me if I missed comments already made.

[Parley Baer]

Just had a thought. Could Scott Ritter still be doing "inspections" work??? After all he is in Iraq. That would account for the flip-flop. Maybe we should wait and see how this thing plays out but keep our eyes wide open and our backs to the wall. Parley

[agrace]

Talking about Scott Ritter again re what he has said to CNN about Saddam not having nuclear weapons program. They're contradicting his statements on CNN now regarding components needed and levels of such they knew he had acquired 4 years ago.

[Freemyland]

But if he drew the hand any lower, it would be up Ritter's . . . Uh, oh yeah.

[agrace]

Scared me also, if I had ANY doubts about unilateral action before today, they've been sufficiently dispelled.

[Peach]

Excellent post; it's still going on at 6:10 p.m. Thank you for the heads up.

[Peach]

A former UN inspector, Dr. Spitzle (sp?) who is an elderly, experienced gentleman, just said he could think of one scenario that Saddam could easily employ that would kill 1 million people.

[not-alone]

good post and thank you

[agrace]

Yes, they are both quite impressive, and now that I have watched more, I see that they are BOTH former chief weapons inspectors, Spretzel apparently succeeded Kay. They are talking about unconventional warfare now, very scary stuff.

Is it me or are the Dems there acting unusually reasonable and suitably concerned rather than dismissive and/or attacking the inspectors? Then again, what can they say in the face of such testimony. It will be quite interesting to see the House vote after material like this. I'm also intensely anxious to hear Bush's speech to the UN on Thurs.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

"I remember joey biden, the pompous rather stupid dem senator really putting Scott down...saying "you DON't RIDE in LIMOS and make policy....you are out of line making such comments" or words to that effect. Scott was mocked by biden and a few others and you could see the anger boiling within Scott's self.

I also remember being angry at Biden during his put down of Ritter. Biden said something about Ritter making assumptions, "that were beyond his pay grade"-an incredibly nasty remark from an incredibly nasty man.

[Gumption]

Good post. Not vanity at all.

My favorite part was the Dem (a blonde female) from California saying that China, Russia, and FRANCE are simply "appeasers" of saddam, and on thurs. Pres. Bush should call them out to his "woodshed". She also said Pres. Bush made it clear after 9-11 how to find out who our friends and enemies are, and now we need to find out who is "with us" and who isn't.

I stood up in front of the T.V. and applauded her comments.

[Peach]

The Dems do seem quite subdued, perhaps they are finally getting it - this isn't politics - it's American lives that depend on their decisions. I'm going to be glued to my set when President Bush addresses the UN on Thursday. It's sounding like Saddam will be given another chance to accept weapons inspections,which will be a waste of time, IMO.

[agrace]

I stood with my mouth open as she spoke. Couldn't believe it. Another good comment, just now -

Some congressman (I'm just listening from the kitchen as I start dinner) - "So you're saying that the President was aware of the six months issue (regarding obtaining nuclear weapons) when he made the statement in August?"

Kay - "Yes sir. We have not been quiet about it."

If this hearing doesn't have a huge impact, I don't know what will. Still going on, a few more congressman have questions yet to ask.

[Gumption]

Dem (a blonde female) from California

Her name is Ellen Tauscher (for the record).

[Freakazoid]

Are you sure that was a dem? Sounds like Mary Bono (R).

[Gumption]

Yup, I couldn't believe it myself.

I also liked the one question from a Republican (male) who asked simply "is Scott Ritter crazy?" I laughed my ass off.

The answer from David Kay was basically YES.

[LisaFab]

Thanks for the heads-up. Yes, the Dems are looking quite ill - NOT because they are frightened for their country, but because they know they'll have to back the President.

[Gumption]

It's all over. It will be replayed at 8:55 tonight. All 3.5 hours of it.

Everyone should watch!

[PhilDragoo]

RITTER-BIDEN FOLLIES: AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 1998

Ritter's Condemnation

"I fought in the [Gulf] war. Americans died in the war. I was told by my government in April 1991, in a UN Security Council resolution the United States sponsored, that Iraq was going to disarm. ... I've poured my heart and soul into disarming Iraq, and this means I was wasting my time. It means we lost the Gulf War. ... The whole world should be shamed by this."

Scott Ritter, ex-chief UN inspector tracking down Iraqi arms, in a Washington Post interview published Aug. 27, 1998--a day after he resigned to protest US efforts to interfere with planned inspections.

Biden's Wisdom ...

"[I]n terms of whether the secretary of state has no more to consider than you do as the arms inspector-you didn't get in, 'Didn't get my job done; get me in! ... Scott Ritter, I'm ready to go!' That's not how it works. ... I respectfully suggest, Scott-Major-I respectfully suggest they have responsibilities slightly above your pay grade ... to decide whether to take the nation to war. That's a real tough decision. That's why they get paid the big bucks. That's why they get the limos and you don't. ... Their job is a hell of a lot more complicated than yours."

Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), in a Sept. 3, 1998, Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, held to examine Ritter's charges about Administration duplicity.

[agrace]

Thanks for YOUR heads up, and a bump for it too. Definitely a must-see.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I respectfully suggest, Scott-Major-I respectfully suggest they have responsibilities slightly above your pay grade ... to decide whether to take the nation to war.

I saw something pass between Biden and Ritter at that moment, almost as though something evil in Biden went across that room and bit him. It was one ugly moment.