(Edward) Kennedy Says Case for Iraq War Was Fraud (Another idiotic Kennedy speaks!)

Yahoooooo Via AP ^ | 9/18/03

[areafiftyone]

BOSTON - The case for going to war against Iraq (news - web sites) was a fraud "made up in Texas" to give Republicans a political boost, Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record) said Thursday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Kennedy also said the Bush administration has failed to account for nearly half of the $4 billion the war is costing each month. He said he believes much of the unaccounted-for money is being used to bribe foreign leaders to send in troops.

He called the Bush administration's current Iraq policy "adrift."

The Massachusetts Democrat expressed doubts about how serious a threat Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) posed to the United States in its battle against terrorism. He said administration officials relied on "distortion, misrepresentation, a selection of intelligence" to justify their case for war.

"There was no imminent threat. This was made up in Texas, announced in January to the Republican leadership that war was going to take place and was going to be good politically. This whole thing was a fraud," Kennedy said.

Kennedy said a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office (news - web sites) showed that only about $2.5 billion of the $4 billion being spent monthly on the war can be accounted for by the Bush administration.

"My belief is this money is being shuffled all around to these political leaders in all parts of the world, bribing them to send in troops," he said.

Of the $87 billion in new money requested by President Bush (news - web sites) for the war, Kennedy said the administration should be required to report back to the Congress to account for the spending.

"We want to support our troops because they didn't make the decision to go there ... but I don't think it should be open-ended. We ought to have a benchmark where the administration has to come back and give us a report," he added.

Kennedy said the focus on Iraq has drawn the nation's attention away from more direct threats, including al-Qaida, instability in Afghanistan (news - web sites) or the nuclear ambitions of North Korea (news - web sites).

"I think all of those pose a threat to the security of the people of Massachusetts much more than the threat from Iraq," Kennedy said. "Terror has been put on the sidelines for the last 12 months."

[ElkGroveDan]

Hey quit bashing Kennedy. You just want Bustamante to win.

[Shermy]

He said he believes much of the unaccounted-for money is being used to bribe foreign leaders to send in troops.

Isn't the criticism Bush didn't offer a big enough bribe to Chirac a Democratic talking point this year?

[SpinyNorman]

He called the Bush administration's current Iraq policy "adrift."

That's what they said about his Oldsmobile at Chappaquiddick, before it sank with Mary Jo Kopechne!

I think he is back on the hootch.

[areafiftyone]

Yup I like blowfishes! Good eatin! ;-)

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."

-- Ted Kennedy, September 27, 2002

Hypocrisy, double-speak, and back-peddaling abound on the Left wing.

[Huck]

There was no imminent threat.

There's that word again.

[MEG33]

Wish he'd take a swim in the ocean off the Virginia coast right now.

[Protagoras]

What were the reasons for war with Iraq again?

[anoldafvet]

He never left the hootch. Looks like he needs to up his senility meds.

[muleskinner]

More useless spewage from yet another Great White Whale.

[areafiftyone]

Ummm he can't remember - he still has water in his ears!

[dirtbiker]

"I think all of those pose a threat to the security of the people of Massachusetts much more than the threat from Iraq," Kennedy said.

(burp)"Where's my Scotch?"

I wonder if this bloated drunk can detail where, on a month-to-month basis, where the $70 billion a month that is spent on "education" in this country is going? Besides, didn't he WRITE the education spending bill?

[Thor_Hammar]

Isn't Uncle Teddy's given name something like Edward Moron Kennedy?

[xp38]

I wonder if he'll get invited to the White House to watch movies and bill signing ceremonies again.

[Wright is right!]

The Dissociated Press is actually doing the right a FAVOR by publishing such looniness. They THINK this is great ammunition against the GOP, but Teddy is now SO far off the deep end that even the ordinary Joe Sixpack is going to think this is rubbish. The AP would do better for its side by refraining from giving this guy the platform. Makes Art Bell look like a librarian.

Michael

[Protagoras]

Ummm he can't remember

Can you remember? If so, please enlighten me.

[cwb]

Speaking of un-accounted money, isn't he the chief bag-man for the Big-Dig that has been draining millions from taxpayers for years?

[eyespysomething]

[Protagoras]

Besides, didn't he WRITE the education spending bill?

You mean the one Bush supported and signed?

[PISANO]

"There was no imminent threat.

And Sen. 'off shore drillin' Kennedy what was the IMMINENT threat presented by KOSOVO??? Hmmmm? A question that NO MEDIA culprit will ever ask him!!

[VeniVidiVici]

I really just think it's inbreeding.

[Gritty]

One thing you can say about Teddy Kennedy is he is luckier than his cousin, Michael Skakel.

Instead of murdering his dates with golf clubs, he drowns them in Oldsmobiles and gets caught right away instead of thirty years later - and so he gets away with it!

[eyespysomething]

President Bush: Monday "Moment of Truth" for World on Iraq

Snip

We've had a really good discussion. We've been doing a lot of phone talking and it was good to get together and to visit and to talk. And we concluded that tomorrow is a moment of truth for the world. Many nations have voiced a commitment to peace and security. And now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way, by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein.

The dictator of Iraq and his weapons of mass destruction are a threat to the security of free nations. He is a danger to his neighbors. He's a sponsor of terrorism. He's an obstacle to progress in the Middle East. For decades he has been the cruel, cruel oppressor of the Iraq people.

On this very day 15 years ago, Saddam Hussein launched a chemical weapons attack on the Iraqi village of Halabja. With a single order the Iraqi regime killed thousands of men and women and children, without mercy or without shame. Saddam Hussein has proven he is capable of any crime. We must not permit his crimes to reach across the world.

Saddam Hussein has a history of mass murder. He possesses the weapons of mass murder. He agrees -- he agreed to disarm Iraq of these weapons as a condition for ending the Gulf War over a decade ago. The United Nations Security Council, in Resolution 1441, has declared Iraq in material breach of its longstanding obligations, demanding once again Iraq's full and immediate disarmament, and promised serious consequences if the regime refused to comply. That resolution was passed unanimously and its logic is inescapable; the Iraqi regime will disarm itself, or the Iraqi regime will be disarmed by force. And the regime has not disarmed itself.

Action to remove the threat from Iraq would also allow the Iraqi people to build a better future for their society. And Iraq's liberation would be the beginning, not the end, of our commitment to its people. We will supply humanitarian relief, bring economic sanctions to a swift close, and work for the long-term recovery of Iraq's economy. We'll make sure that Iraq's natural resources are used for the benefit of their owners, the Iraqi people.

Iraq has the potential to be a great nation. Iraq's people are skilled and educated. We'll push as quickly as possible for an Iraqi interim authority to draw upon the talents of Iraq's people to rebuild their nation. We're committed to the goal of a unified Iraq, with democratic institutions of which members of all ethnic and religious groups are treated with dignity and respect.

To achieve this vision, we will work closely with the international community, including the United Nations and our coalition partners. If military force is required, we'll quickly seek new Security Council resolutions to encourage broad participation in the process of helping the Iraqi people to build a free Iraq.

Crucial days lie ahead for the world. I want to thank the leaders here today, and many others, for stepping forward and taking leadership, and showing their resolve in the cause of peace and the cause of security

[Weimdog]

"Whence the anger? It begins of course with the "stolen" election of 2000 and the perception of Bush's illegitimacy. But that is only half the story. An illegitimate President winning a stolen election would be tolerable if he were just a figurehead, a placeholder, the kind of weak, moderate Republican that Democrats (and indeed many Republicans) thought George Bush would be, judging from his undistinguished record and tepid 2000 campaign. Bush's great crime is that he is the illegitimate President who became consequential — revolutionizing American foreign policy, reshaping economic policy and dominating the political scene ever since his emergence as the post-9/11 war President."

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030922-485769,00.html

[Protagoras]

Oh.

None of that works for me so far. I was told this guy was a threat to ME. So far it looks like that was BS. No other reason matters to me.

[eyespysomething]

From The State of the Union Address:
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/iraq/20030128-23.html

Our nation and the world must learn the lessons of the Korean Peninsula and not allow an even greater threat to rise up in Iraq. 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.)

[Protagoras]

If Saddam Hussein does not fully disarm, for the safety of our people

This is the only reason I care about and it's looking less likely all the time.

BTW, I don't care about rhetoric from speechs, save the space. If you can't answer just skip it.

[eyespysomething]

I'm looking where he said you were under threat, but can't find it. ;-)

What he said was the stability of the region was threatened (it was), the people were threatened (they were) and Hussein could easily supply WMD to terrorists (he would have) who could use them on us (they would/will)

He also said we couldn't trust Hussein (we can't) and we couldn't wait until the threat was imminent (we can't).

[onedoug]

You're so right. Bush has been nothing but gracious to him, and gets kicked in the teeth for it.

[eyespysomething]

[gaspar]

The porcine coward, who in 1980 sent former Senator Tunney to deal with the KGB and warn the Kremlin that Ronald Reagan was a dangerous man, once again shows that he is a treasonous coward.

Regardless of what FR might think of John F. Kennedy, he was at least a man, not a eunuch like his brother.

[Diogenesis]

========= Tikrit =========

BREAKING:

In Tikrit, Iraq, AMERICAN HEROES deliver medical care
to FREED Iraqis. The Bedouin children have never seen a doctor.
Kennedy-Democrats prefer that it remained that way, along with torture prisons, gassing of Halabja, etc.

---

[eyespysomething]

Do you not think that Saddam Hussein, with weapons he was supposed to have gotten rid of during 12 years of sanctions, was a threat to the world (of which we are a member)?

[Spok]

I thought he was busy trying to spring the royal nephew from jail??

[SAMWolf]

So much for "Politics ends at the waters edge while our troops are in harms way".

Oh, that's right, that only applies to Republicans when the President is a Democrat.

[woofie]

Was that the bridge to the 21st century?

[eyespysomething]

ha ha ha ha ha






** sigh ** yes

[wilmington2]

YOu are right it's the positive that should be stressed. Kennedy is just mad someone is dipping in his pork barrel; means he can't buy as many votes...a pork deficit.He cares about his own leftist agenda, the security of the country be damned.

[punster]

It is truly amazing what expertise Teddy 'BOOZE' Kennedy was able to find in a bottle.

[pankot]

How'd he get his head out of a bottle long enough to speak?

[doug from upland]

Scary choices, on that you can bank
To not face them, your Lord you can thank
Would you rather be stuck
On a bridge in Ted's truck
Or a closet with Congressman Frank?

[Bella]

Hate to say this, but, our president hasn't looked too happy last two days..something's up...let's just keep our eyes opened..

[Protagoras]

What he said was the stability of the region was threatened (it was),

Not a case for war from my perspective. Fighting for stablity of a region is preposterous. My rights are not violated because some region of the world far far away is unstable. Instability has always and will always be around.

the people were threatened (they were)

What people? Not me. Not our citizens here at home. The government of this country is supposed to defend the rights of ITS citizens, not the people of the world.

and Hussein could easily supply WMD to terrorists (he would have)

Shall we attack everyone who we suspect might supply weapons to enemies? If so you better learn Russian and a whole bunch of other languages so you can fight there.

who could use them on us (they would/will)

UMMMM, so far,,,no weapons.

He also said we couldn't trust Hussein (we can't)

Noooo? Ya think? Like we trust the French leaders? And the Chinese? And the Germans? And the Russians? Shall we go on?

and we couldn't wait until the threat was imminent (we can't).

If there was a threat at all it hasn't been exposed, much less become imminent.

I signed on to this war because I trusted him when he said he was defending against a threat to us. I'm still waiting for that to become evident.

[dogbyte12]

Only 1 thing in there is a provable or not fact. I am curious on this. If we can not account for $1.5 billion of the $4 billion a month we are spending, I want to know why. Kennedy is claiming the CBO can't find the money.

It kinda staggering if true that 37.5% of the money we are spending for is unacounted for in every month.

I can see how one can lose $1.5 billion over multiple departments in an entire national budget, but $1.5 billion out of $4 billion is not acceptable. I hope this isn't true. If it is, we do need answers.

[Wolverine]

Nevermind...The Department of Education can't find THE MISSING $27,000,000,000 either..

[mickeylee]

Blowfish preparing for Isabel

[dirtbiker]

You mean the one Bush supported and signed?

Considering that we are talking about "the bloated one" making moronic comments about the President, demanding something from Bush that wouldn't even enter his pickled mind, WHAT THE HELL DOES YOUR COMMENT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING? Kennedy's "edukashun" bill spends 8-10 times/month what the war in Iraq is, REGARDLESS OF WHO SIGNED IT!!!!! (BTW, do you think for one second that Bubba would have turned it down?)

[randita]

Bush is probably sighing with relief that he invited Kennedy to the WH for a private viewing of 13 Days and let him write the education bill. Heaven only knows what Kennedy would have said if Bush hadn't been so accomodating. < /sarcasm >