Catching up on some old business:

We posted a set of quotes from Bush's mid-term politicking in October and November 2002, focusing on his claims that Iraq had WMD's and ties to al Qaeda (here and here). But for some reason we skipped his speech of 7 October 2002. That was the "big one" in terms of laying out the reasons for (eventually) going to war against Iraq. Reading it now, it's clear there was a lot of emphasis in the wrong places (to put it charitably). Here, for instance, are some of the more notable comments Bush made on that day: (emphasis added)

Members of the Congress of both political parties, and members of the United Nations Security Council, agree that Saddam Hussein is a threat to peace and must disarm. We agree that the Iraqi dictator must not be permitted to threaten America and the world with horrible poisons and diseases and gases and atomic weapons.

Many Americans have raised legitimate questions: about the nature of the threat; about the urgency of action -- why be concerned now; about the link between Iraq developing weapons of terror, and the wider war on terror.

By its past and present actions, by its technological capabilities, by the merciless nature of its regime, Iraq is unique. As a former chief weapons inspector of the U.N. has said, "The fundamental problem with Iraq remains the nature of the regime, itself. Saddam Hussein is a homicidal dictator who is addicted to weapons of mass destruction."

Some ask how urgent this danger is to America and the world. The danger is already significant, and it only grows worse with time. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons today -- and we do -- does it make any sense for the world to wait to confront him as he grows even stronger and develops even more dangerous weapons?

... surveillance photos reveal that the regime is rebuilding facilities that it had used to produce chemical and biological weapons.

We've also discovered through intelligence that Iraq has a growing fleet of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used to disperse chemical or biological weapons across broad areas. We're concerned that Iraq is exploring ways of using these UAVS for missions targeting the United States.

We've learned that Iraq has trained al Qaeda members in bomb-making and poisons and deadly gases.

Many people have asked how close Saddam Hussein is to developing a nuclear weapon. Well, we don't know exactly, and that's the problem.

The evidence indicates that Iraq is reconstituting its nuclear weapons program.   ...   . Iraq has attempted to purchase high-strength aluminum tubes and other equipment needed for gas centrifuges, which are used to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons.

Understanding the threats of our time, knowing the designs and deceptions of the Iraqi regime, we have every reason to assume the worst, and we have an urgent duty to prevent the worst from occurring.

After eleven years during which we have tried containment, sanctions, inspections, even selected military action, the end result is that Saddam Hussein still has chemical and biological weapons and is increasing his capabilities to make more. And he is moving ever closer to developing a nuclear weapon.

The time for denying, deceiving, and delaying has come to an end.

We could wait and hope that Saddam does not give weapons to terrorists, or develop a nuclear weapon to blackmail the world. But I'm convinced that is a hope against all evidence.

Some worry that a change of leadership in Iraq could create instability and make the situation worse. The situation could hardly get worse, for world security and for the people of Iraq.

I have asked Congress to authorize the use of America's military, if it proves necessary, to enforce U.N. Security Council demands. Approving this resolution does not mean that military action is imminent or unavoidable.

DEPARTMENT OF COINCIDENCES: Just after finishing this post, we went to the New York Times and to read Krugman's latest. He also refers to the October 7 speech.

posted by Quiddity at 6/24/2003 04:55:00 AM