To: brian1501 who wrote (204611 ) 10/1/2004 12:39:23 PM From: tejek Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 1572768 There is nothing simplistic about the notion that Osama attacked us, not Saddam. In fact, it requires some complexity to recognize that Saddam Hussein does not equal Osama. Actually it's the other way around. It's very easy to see that Osama attacked us, but not Saddam (at least in the same way, he shot at our planes regularly). To use this notion alone is a mentality that could have passed on 9/10, but not after 9/11. Post-9/11 we need to take care of threats before they fully materialize. I think I heard Bush mention this once or twice, but he did not drive the point home and let Kerry get away with his simplistic comparison. On 9/10/2001; on 9/11/2001; on 9/12/2001; in 2002 and in 2003, I never once thought Saddam poised a threat to the territorial US. I didn't believe it when the Bush, Cheney and Rummie machine said he did and I don't believe it when you say it. And the facts to date support my conclusion. And now, what you need to do is figure out why you believe otherwise. You have little if any basis for your argument. So why the conclusion?It boils down to would it have been better to deal with NK before they had nukes? Yes. Same thing with Iraq. NK is controlled by China. China has had a taste of capitalism. Its seen what 'communism' did to Russia. It does not want a nuclear war. It will not let NK act up. You need to ignore DR's spin. Thinking the sanctions were going to stay in place is living in a fantasy land. Kerry's plan to deal with it would have been "more of the same" UN crap, which would have resulted in nothing happening to Saddam, and he would be free to continue his weapons programs on corrupt oil for food money. This so called "UN crap" had Saddam firmly in its grip. Saddam was building palaces, not WMDs. Lighten up!Saying "Osama attacked us and Saddam did not" is comparing apples and oranges. That's exactly right........they are "apples and oranges". They are not the same at all and should not be treated in the same way.After all, did Bosnia attack us? Kosovo? There are more things in the mix than a direct attack. There is the argument that the breakup of Yugoslavia threatened the stability of Europe and our allies. I think that was justification; others may disagree. However, I do not see Iraq and Kosovo as being analogous. ted