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What Bush really said about Iraq -- excerpt from Bush's SOTU (REMINDER)(w. my major points about it)
White House ^ | January 28, 2003 | President George W. Bush

Posted on 07/15/2003 3:05:37 PM PDT by FairOpinion

Here is the one sentence in Bush's SOTU speech, referring to Iraq's seeking uranium from Africa:

"The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."

And here is the section of the speech dealing with Iraq. This should be reprinted on the front pages. Bush gives a lot of good reasons for the war against Saddam, not as the Democrats would have people believe, that we went to war based on that one tiny shred of information.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030128-19.html

"A brutal dictator, with a history of reckless aggression, with ties to terrorism, with great potential wealth, will not be permitted to dominate a vital region and threaten the United States. (Applause.)

Twelve years ago, Saddam Hussein faced the prospect of being the last casualty in a war he had started and lost. To spare himself, he agreed to disarm of all weapons of mass destruction. For the next 12 years, he systematically violated that agreement. He pursued chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, even while inspectors were in his country. Nothing to date has restrained him from his pursuit of these weapons -- not economic sanctions, not isolation from the civilized world, not even cruise missile strikes on his military facilities.

Almost three months ago, the United Nations Security Council gave Saddam Hussein his final chance to disarm. He has shown instead utter contempt for the United Nations, and for the opinion of the world. The 108 U.N. inspectors were sent to conduct -- were not sent to conduct a scavenger hunt for hidden materials across a country the size of California. The job of the inspectors is to verify that Iraq's regime is disarming. It is up to Iraq to show exactly where it is hiding its banned weapons, lay those weapons out for the world to see, and destroy them as directed. Nothing like this has happened.

The United Nations concluded in 1999 that Saddam Hussein had biological weapons sufficient to produce over 25,000 liters of anthrax -- enough doses to kill several million people. He hasn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it.

The United Nations concluded that Saddam Hussein had materials sufficient to produce more than 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin -- enough to subject millions of people to death by respiratory failure. He hadn't accounted for that material. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed it.

Our intelligence officials estimate that Saddam Hussein had the materials to produce as much as 500 tons of sarin, mustard and VX nerve agent. In such quantities, these chemical agents could also kill untold thousands. He's not accounted for these materials. He has given no evidence that he has destroyed them.

U.S. intelligence indicates that Saddam Hussein had upwards of 30,000 munitions capable of delivering chemical agents. Inspectors recently turned up 16 of them -- despite Iraq's recent declaration denying their existence. Saddam Hussein has not accounted for the remaining 29,984 of these prohibited munitions. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed them.

From three Iraqi defectors we know that Iraq, in the late 1990s, had several mobile biological weapons labs. These are designed to produce germ warfare agents, and can be moved from place to a place to evade inspectors. Saddam Hussein has not disclosed these facilities. He's given no evidence that he has destroyed them.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed in the 1990s that Saddam Hussein had an advanced nuclear weapons development program, had a design for a nuclear weapon and was working on five different methods of enriching uranium for a bomb. The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa. Our intelligence sources tell us that he has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes suitable for nuclear weapons production. Saddam Hussein has not credibly explained these activities. He clearly has much to hide.

The dictator of Iraq is not disarming. To the contrary; he is deceiving. From intelligence sources we know, for instance, that thousands of Iraqi security personnel are at work hiding documents and materials from the U.N. inspectors, sanitizing inspection sites and monitoring the inspectors themselves. Iraqi officials accompany the inspectors in order to intimidate witnesses.

Iraq is blocking U-2 surveillance flights requested by the United Nations. Iraqi intelligence officers are posing as the scientists inspectors are supposed to interview. Real scientists have been coached by Iraqi officials on what to say. Intelligence sources indicate that Saddam Hussein has ordered that scientists who cooperate with U.N. inspectors in disarming Iraq will be killed, along with their families.

Year after year, Saddam Hussein has gone to elaborate lengths, spent enormous sums, taken great risks to build and keep weapons of mass destruction. But why? The only possible explanation, the only possible use he could have for those weapons, is to dominate, intimidate, or attack.

With nuclear arms or a full arsenal of chemical and biological weapons, Saddam Hussein could resume his ambitions of conquest in the Middle East and create deadly havoc in that region. And this Congress and the America people must recognize another threat. Evidence from intelligence sources, secret communications, and statements by people now in custody reveal that Saddam Hussein aids and protects terrorists, including members of al Qaeda. Secretly, and without fingerprints, he could provide one of his hidden weapons to terrorists, or help them develop their own.

Before September the 11th, many in the world believed that Saddam Hussein could be contained. But chemical agents, lethal viruses and shadowy terrorist networks are not easily contained. Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known. We will do everything in our power to make sure that that day never comes. (Applause.)

Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike? If this threat is permitted to fully and suddenly emerge, all actions, all words, and all recriminations would come too late. Trusting in the sanity and restraint of Saddam Hussein is not a strategy, and it is not an option. (Applause.)

The dictator who is assembling the world's most dangerous weapons has already used them on whole villages -- leaving thousands of his own citizens dead, blind, or disfigured. Iraqi refugees tell us how forced confessions are obtained -- by torturing children while their parents are made to watch. International human rights groups have catalogued other methods used in the torture chambers of Iraq: electric shock, burning with hot irons, dripping acid on the skin, mutilation with electric drills, cutting out tongues, and rape. If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning. (Applause.)

And tonight I have a message for the brave and oppressed people of Iraq: Your enemy is not surrounding your country -- your enemy is ruling your country. (Applause.) And the day he and his regime are removed from power will be the day of your liberation. (Applause.)

The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. America will not accept a serious and mounting threat to our country, and our friends and our allies. The United States will ask the U.N. Security Council to convene on February the 5th to consider the facts of Iraq's ongoing defiance of the world. Secretary of State Powell will present information and intelligence about Iraqi's legal -- Iraq's illegal weapons programs, its attempt to hide those weapons from inspectors, and its links to terrorist groups.

We will consult. But let there be no misunderstanding: If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people and for the peace of the world, we will lead a coalition to disarm him. (Applause.) "


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: africa; bush; iraq; sotu; uranium
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Two major points here:

1. Bush attackers say and imply that Bush said that Iraq bought uranium from Niger(i.e. transaction took place), when in fact, Bush said Saddam SOUGHT uranium from Africa:

"The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa."

Their "refutation" of Bush's claim, consists of the diplomat asking Nigerian officials if they SOLD Saddam uranium recently. If they did sell him uranium, they wouldn't be stupid enough to admit it, so even if they said no, this is hardly a credible refutation. And even more importantly, Bush's statement that Iraq SOUGHT to buy uranium has NOT been refuted. (UK still stands by their statement), so Bush's statement in the SOTU is FACTUALLY and CONCEPTUALLY WAS CORRECT AT THE TIME HE MADE IT AND IS STILL CORRECT TODAY.

2. The Democrats are hoping everyone has forgotten Bush's SOTU address and nobody will look it up, because they are claiming that we went to war with Iraq based on the one single statement Bush made about Iraq having sought uranium in Africa.

Everyone should read the part of the SOTU I excerpted above, where Bush makes the case for going after Saddam eloquently, where if we take out that one sentence, it wouldn't diminish the case one bit. Also note he cites a LIST of several good reasons for going after Saddam, where the WMD is just one part. (Dems are lying again, when they insist that if we don't find WMD, there was no case against Iraq)

1 posted on 07/15/2003 3:05:38 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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2 posted on 07/15/2003 3:06:47 PM PDT by Support Free Republic (Your support keeps Free Republic going strong!)
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To: Grampa Dave
Ping

I decided to post Bush's statement as a reminder for everyone (including the part of the SOTU speech dealing with Iraq, showing what a small part the statement about uranium was of the case made as a whole.
3 posted on 07/15/2003 3:08:21 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion
What you have said is 100% accurate and to those who are working to undermine and defeat President Bush, it is also 100% irrelevant.

It is such a dismal, but true statement that the Dems do not care about the truth of the statement. What they care about is their ability to convince others that what they are now saying is true.

Perception and deception are the points they live by and unfortunately the media is complicit in this endeavor.

4 posted on 07/15/2003 3:15:32 PM PDT by Michael.SF. (theclintonsarescumtheclintonsarescumtheclintonsarescum)
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To: FairOpinion; MeeknMing; JohnHuang2; Dog Gone; Dog; isthisnickcool; OKSooner; VOA; mhking; ...
I am so glad that you posted this as a separate thread. We all need to keep this thread handy to go on the offensive against the attackers/anti-Bush posters on here!

Thanks!
5 posted on 07/15/2003 3:15:50 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (Bush Cheney '04 - VICTORY IN '04 -- $4 for '04 - www.GeorgeWBush.com/donate/)
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To: PhiKapMom; All
Tom Daschles ugly mug was just on TV saying that he thinks congressional investigations should be extended from intelligence to the President himself!

I think a mass Freepmail to these treasonous DemonCraps is called for and also media outlets. I'm hoppin' mad.

Prairie
6 posted on 07/15/2003 3:26:20 PM PDT by prairiebreeze (I'm a monthly donor to FRee Republic. And proud of it!)
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To: FairOpinion
The Internet will spell the death of the Democrats.

For ages, they've been able to control public opinion via their lackeys in the media.

Now the public has access to the truth.

"Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

7 posted on 07/15/2003 3:33:01 PM PDT by FReepaholic (Freepers, a fierce warlike tribe from FreeRepublic.com)
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To: prairiebreeze
"Tom Daschles ugly mug was just on TV saying that he thinks congressional investigations should be extended from intelligence to the President himself!"

---

As long as we start with Clinton, Madelaine Albright and others and ask them why they refused to accept Bin Laden when he was offered to them and why didn't Clinton hold Sadda responsible in 1998, when Saddam kicked the UN inspectors out of Iraq, in violation of the UN resolution.
8 posted on 07/15/2003 3:36:45 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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To: FairOpinion
"I decided to post Bush's statement as a reminder for everyone (including the part of the SOTU speech dealing with Iraq, showing what a small part the statement about uranium was of the case made as a whole.

Thanks! It MAGNIFIES how absolutely ridiculous Levin's and other Democraps claims are!!!!!! They are so desperate to portray Bush on the level of Bill Clinton and it ain't gonna happen.......LANDMARK LEGAL FOUNDATION LETTER TO SEN. CARL LEVIN - (D)MI

9 posted on 07/15/2003 3:39:34 PM PDT by soozla (FreeRepublic=Cootie Shot against liberalism)
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To: FairOpinion
Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known. We will do everything in our power to make sure that that day never comes. (Applause.)

May God bless you, Mr. President. This American citizen thanks Him for giving us your leadership and courage at this most painful and critical point in our history.

10 posted on 07/15/2003 3:48:57 PM PDT by Right_in_Virginia
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To: PhiKapMom; FairOpinion
"We all need to keep this thread handy to go on the offensive against the attackers/anti-Bush posters on here!"

Yes we do! Thanks for the post, FairOpinion; and thanks for the ping, PhiKapMom

11 posted on 07/15/2003 3:52:50 PM PDT by Right_in_Virginia
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To: FairOpinion
Let me add my voice to those thanking you for posting this. It is absolutely astonishing for those of us who try to deal in facts and reality to run up against the liberal world of "perception" and "feelings." This is a clear cut case of liberals simply making something up and being totally indifferent to the truth. While it would seem like an easy argument for us to make, in fact it is not. The world of make believe is not easy to penetrate, and while I would like to think that the vast majority of people can understand the difference, I'm not so sure sometimes. I don't know that the concepts of truth and facts can sway someone who is not interested in them. That's why this is a particularly frustrating issue -- the facts are not in dispute, but their relative value is. Our biggest enemy is stupidity, the most formidable of them all.
12 posted on 07/15/2003 4:00:22 PM PDT by speedy
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To: tscislaw
...just think -since Al Gore invented the internet - we have him to thank. (hehe)

Seriously, though - you're right - it's a LOT harder for those Dems now!!

13 posted on 07/15/2003 4:04:58 PM PDT by MasonGal
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To: PhiKapMom
The free people of Iraq, not tied to the former regime, know very well why we went in there and they are very grateful, despite what the RATs and their press sycophants would have us believe.
14 posted on 07/15/2003 4:06:41 PM PDT by BOBTHENAILER (Rats are showing all the symptoms of severe radiation poisoning)
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To: soozla
If you're a Mark Levin fan you can listen to his show live on wabcradio.com right now from 7:00 to 9:00 pm eastern time.
15 posted on 07/15/2003 4:09:36 PM PDT by freeperfromnj
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To: PhiKapMom
The next time dems repeat Bush's "16 words", have them count the words in THEIR quote of them. Their version is 10.............they leave off the first 5 which accurately attribute the info to the British. Bush did not lie.
16 posted on 07/15/2003 4:17:46 PM PDT by Carolinamom
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To: prairiebreeze
Yes, prairie, and you have no doubt realized that the new DNC talking point word is "pattern" as in pattern of deception. They are trying desperatly to convince people that this non-smoking gun dud of a non-issue is a tip of the iceberg sort of thing. It is so disgusting I can hardly stand it.
17 posted on 07/15/2003 4:24:45 PM PDT by Bahbah
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To: FairOpinion
Thanks for posting this as separate thread!
18 posted on 07/15/2003 4:35:52 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Please invest 17 cents a day/5$ per month in Free Republic as a monthly supporter.)
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To: FairOpinion
Thanks for posting that.
The Demoncrat smear machine is going full-tilt..but getting a bit out of control. Graham has actually called for the impeachment of Bush. ROFL! Even most Dems think that is way over the top.

I really believe this is going to backfire on the Dems. You can't just manufacture a huge overblown attack over such a tiny little issue and not expect the hot air to go out of it eventually.

The administration, Republicans and conservatives in the media should have no problem turning this nonsense back on the Democrats and Bush haters..and show them for the disingenuous smear mongers they really are.

19 posted on 07/15/2003 4:44:12 PM PDT by Jorge
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To: Right_in_Virginia
"Imagine those 19 hijackers with other weapons and other plans -- this time armed by Saddam Hussein. It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known. We will do everything in our power to make sure that that day never comes. (Applause.) "

"May God bless you, Mr. President. This American citizen thanks Him for giving us your leadership and courage at this most painful and critical point in our history."

====

And compare that with the Democrats who are more interested in foiling Bush's actions to defend us, than they are of thwarting the terrorists and murdering dictators with WMD who wish to obliterate us.

20 posted on 07/15/2003 4:55:27 PM PDT by FairOpinion
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