I'm not yet convinced he's decided to go without U.N. acquiescence, even though I think it is political death for him if he doesn't attack now. Then, like the French, the Germans and Iraq, you haven't been listening.
Those countries, as well as I, have indeed been listening. The problem is that is all they (or I) have had to do is listen. After a certain point more words, however cleverly phrased, don't help. Only action will change this equation, and while the President has used many words (all of them containing caveats like "if necessary" or "if Saddam fails to take advantage of this last chance"), he has not demonstrated his will with action. They think the President is bluffing. Why do you think they've hardened their position recently?
We've all listened as he's continued to allow himself to be strung along, as he's acquiesced to delay after delay, as he's been handed unexpected defeats diplomatically (Turkey).
I don't know if he's bluffing or not -- I wouldn't presume to know his mind -- but I do know that from his opponent's standpoint he looks like he's bluffing. And that encourages them to harden their positions and dare him to action that they think he's not prepared to take.