"Unscom was like crack cocaine for the CIA."

Ex-Inspector Says CIA Missed Disarray in Iraqi Arms Program

What is a program activity?

I suspect that Maureen's questions are on the minds of many.

Riding the Crazy Train

"... the jury is still out ..."

Did he just say that? Prove the negative?

Powell Voices Doubts About Iraqi Weapons

Rattle wrote: "Thomas Friedman is on a roll with his 'War of Ideas' series of articles. Every one has been short, to the point, and smack full of great insight. This one is no different.

In this one, Friedman focuses on the Dems and Iraq. Here is a taste:"

My hope is that Iowa will embolden the Blair Democrats to shuck off their intimidation, by Mr. Bush and Mr. Dean, and press their case. It is the only way to build a national consensus for what's going to be a long cold-war-like struggle to strengthen the forces of moderation and weaken the forces of violent intolerance within the Arab-Muslim world — which is what the real war on terrorism is about.

If you watched the New Hampshire debate, you saw clear evidence of this next comment with Wesley Clark:

Mr. Bush's lightning victory in Iraq intimidated those who favored the war but had reservations about the Bush approach. And then, when things started to go sour in Iraq, Mr. Dean's outspoken opposition to the war -- and the eager reception it received from some Democratic activists -- got those Democrats who did vote for the war tied into pretzels, trying to simultaneously justify their war vote and distance themselves from it.

One of the panelists asked him to explain an editorial he wrote for The Times of London, an excerpt from which seemed to have Clark praising Bush for a job well done. Clark's response suggested he felt his position was logically consistent, but he was struggling to explain it succinctly to the public.

War of Ideas, Part 5

Included here is the full text of Vice President Dick Cheney's remarks on January 14. A few excerpts are included below, not as a substitute for reading it, but rather to convince you to do so. (I think the tone of the Chronicle story was rather distorted, as compared to the full transcript of the talk.)

Don Rumsfeld and I first met in the 1960s ... Don thought I was a detached academic type, and I thought he was a brash young politician. We were both on to something. (Laughter.)

... Terrorists were at war with our country long before 2001. And for many years, they were the ones on the offensive.

... We must do everything in our power to keep terrorists from gaining weapons of mass destruction. This urgent responsibility has required, above all, a shift in America's national security strategy.

There are certain moments in history when the gravest threats reveal themselves. And in those moments, the response of our government must be swift, and it must be right. ... The use of military force is, for the United States, always the last option in defending ourselves and our interests. But sometimes the last resort must be taken.

... Americans can be grateful every day for the skillful and daring service of our nation's intelligence professionals.

... By its very nature, freedom must be chosen ... but all who choose the path ... will have the friendship and support of the United States of America.

We cannot know every turn that lies ahead. Yet we can be certain that by the strength and character of this country, and by the rightness of our cause, we will prevail.

... [on immigration:] We think this is the right way to go. We expect it will generate a significant debate, as it should. These are important issues. They're controversial. And they're never easy for us to deal with as a government. But we think the issue needs to be addressed ...

... [on peace in the Middle East:] Arafat was in the White House and the West Wing more often than any foreign leader during the eight years of the Clinton administration. Bill Clinton did everything he could to try to put together a settlement and came fairly close. In the final analysis, Arafat refused to say yes.

Vice President Cheney's Remarks to the Los Angeles World Affairs Council

But last week three new reports cast further doubt on the administration's reckless rush to invade Iraq.

The Sunday New York Times reflects on the troublesome events of the past week. Of the "three reports" referenced above, I've already logged the Barton Gellman article from the Washington Post. The other two will follow shortly.

Of the editors, one might ask, "why only three?" For example, there is no mention of Colin Powell's recent statements.

The Faulty Weapons Estimates

The step was described by some military officials as a sign that the administration might have lowered its sights and no longer expected to uncover the caches of chemical and biological weapons that the White House cited as a principal reason for going to war last March.

US Withdraws Weapons Hunters From Iraq

A review of available evidence, including some not known to coalition investigators and some they have not made public, portrays a nonconventional arms establishment that was far less capable than US analysts judged before the war.

Iraq's Arsenal Was Only on Paper

Freedom, prosperity and peace are not separate principles, or separable policy goals. Each reinforces the other, so serving any one requires an integrated policy that serves all three. The challenges are many, for the world is full of trouble. But it is also full of opportunities, and we are resolved to seize every one of them.

Colin Powell has published this op-ed in the New Years Day edition of the New York Times.

What We Will Do in 2004

"You're right. Let's go see Return of the King."