Software Developer's Review of Iraq ....... Saddam Hussein poses an 'imminent threat' to the American people.
Version 1.0 - Saddam Hussein is an imminent threat Version 1.01 - Saddam Hussein is a gathering threat Version 1.02 - Saddam Hussein poses a real and dangerous threat Version 1.1 - The smoking gun will be a mushroom cloud Version 1.2 - We can't afford to wait Version 1.3 - We never said imminent Version 1.3.1 - OK, maybe we did say it once or twice Version 1.4 - We should have been more precise
Saddam Hussein is ready to use weapons of mass destruction.
Version 2.1 - Saddam has weapons of mass destruction Version 2.2 - Saddam has nuclear weapons Version 2.3 - Saddam has biological agents he's never accounted for Version 2.3.1 - The trailers are mobile labs for producing chemical weapons Version 2.3.2 - Unmanned aircraft are ready to spread Saddam's biological weapons Version 2.4 - Saddam's going to make more of all these weapons Version 2.5 - We all know where the weapons are Version 2.5.1 - Well, Saddam has used weapons of mass destruction Version 2.5.2 - Iraq is a big country. We'll find the weapons eventually. Version 2.5.3 - Saddam had weapons of mass destruction programs Version 2.5.4 - Saddam had "weapons of mass destruction program related activities" Version 2.5.5 - David Kay? Who's David Kay? Version 2.6 - It's not about misleading the American people - Saddam Hussein is gone and that's the most important thing
The intelligence is clear.
Version 3.0 - We based our statements on our available intelligence Version 3.1 - Saddam tried to buy uranium ore in Niger Version 3.1.2 - Well, that was what the British told us Version 3.1.3 - Did we tell you about Joe Wilson's wife? Version 3.1.4 - Do you know a good lawyer? Version 3.2 - The intelligence is absolutely clear Version 3.2.1 - Intelligence is never 100 percent certain Version 3.2.2 - We didn't manipulate the intelligence Version 3.3 - There was no consensus within the intelligence community Version 3.3.1 - We saw the same intelligence the last Administration did
Saddam Hussein has deep ties to al Qaeda.
Version 4.0 - Saddam has long-standing ties to al Qaeda Version 4.0.1 - You can't distinguish between Saddam and al Qaeda Version 4.0.2 - There is an al Qaeda terrorist network in Iraq Version 4.0.3 - Saddam has provided al Qaeda with chemical and biological weapons training. Version 4.0.4 - Saddam will give his weapons to al Qaeda Version 4.0.5 - Colin Powell: I have not seen smoking-gun, concrete evidence about the connection [between al Qaeda and Iraq] Version 4.0.6 - Vice President Cheney: I still believe there's a connection. Version 4.0.7 - CIA Director George Tenet: I told Dick not to say that.
The United Nations just can't handle this.
Version 5.0 - The UN had 12 years to deal with this Version 5.1 - We don't trust the UN to handle this Version 5.1.1 - We don't need the UN's help Version 5.1.2 - The UN should play a vital, but not central role Version 5.1.3 - You there, UN, tell Ayatollah Sistani that elections aren't possible Version 5.1.4 - UN, please oversee the election process Version 5.1.5 - Pretty please? We'll pay our dues The war in Iraq won't hurt our efforts in Afghanistan or the hunt for Bin Laden. Version 6.0 - Iraq won't affect our hunt for bin Laden Version 6.1 - Assets have been moved from Afghanistan to Iraq Version 6.1.1 - Assets are being returned to Afghanistan Version 6.2 - We're mounting a spring offensive against bin Laden Version 6.2.1 - We'll catch bin Laden this year Version 6.2.2 - We hope to catch bin Laden this year Version 6.3 - Even if we catch bin Laden, the threat will still exist.
Mission accomplished.
Version 7.0 - We won't need hundreds of thousands of troops - that's wildly off the mark Version 7.1 - Mission accomplished Version 7.1.1 - We'll stay as long as needed and not one day more Version 7.1.2 - The troops will be home in six months Version 7.1.3 - The Iraqi Army will provide security Version 7.1.4 - Where's the Iraqi Army? Version 7.1.5 - We've disbanded the Iraqi Army Version 7.1.3 - The troops will stay a year and be replaced Version 7.2 - We're training the Iraqi army - Iraqification will work Version 7.2.1 - We don't need any more American troops Version 7.2.2 - Well, maybe we do Version 7.2.3 - We're keeping 30,000 more troops on active duty than were authorized Version 7.2.4 - We don't know if this increase in troops is a spike or a plateau Version 7.2.5 - We're establishing stop loss so troops can't leave Version 7.2.6 - The Army is planning multi-year rotations
The cost to the American taxpayer.
Version 8.0 - Economic advisor Larry Lindsey: The war will cost $200 billion Version 8.0.1 - President Bush: You're fired! Version 8.1 - The war will pay for itself very quickly Version 8.1.1 - Iraqi oil revenue will pay for reconstruction Version 8.2 - Our allies will help us Version 8.3 - We'll pay for the war through supplementals Version 8.3.1 - Congress wouldn't let us put it in the budget Version 8.3.2 - Can we please have $87 billion? Version 8.3.3 - Well, we really can't calculate what it will cost. Version 8.3.4 - Well, maybe we can - $50 billion may be on the low side Version 8.3.5 - Ask us after November 2.
Democracy comes to Iraq.
Version 9.0 - We will be greeted as liberators Version 9.0.1 - We'll establish democracy in Iraq Version 9.1 We'll turn this back to the Iraqis quickly Version 9.1.1 - President Chalabi will be welcomed with open arms Version 9.1.2 - Well, not so fast - we're prohibiting political parties Version 9.2 - We have the November 15 agreement - it's unchangeable Version 9.2.1 - We will appoint a small governing council Version 9.2.2 - Well, maybe a larger one Version 9.3 - We don't favor elections Version 9.3.1 - Caucuses work in Iowa, why not Iraq? Version 9.3.2 - OK fine, we'll have elections Version 9.4 - We can't return sovereignty until there is a constitution Version 9.4.1 - Nevermind, we'll turn over sovereignty first Version 9.4.2 - We need to return this to the Iraqis - How about June 30? Version 9.4.3 - We're still focused on elections - the ones on November 2
The bottom line.
Version 10.0 - Trust us. We know what we're doing |