[CaptRon]

Hawkish civilians, in and out of the government, have been suggesting that Saddam Hussein's elite Republican Guard will throw up its arms in surrender. No serious person believes that.

I consider myself pretty serious and I believe it.

[BillCompton]

I consider myself pretty serious...

I think he means "important" persons rather than "earnest" persons.

Relax! I'm just busting your chops. Don't take yourself so seriously!
By the way, if you are an important person, mea culpa.

[xm177e2]

I consider myself pretty serious and I believe it.

We might have to kill a few of them first, but I would be surprised if most didn't surrender.