Georgia10 has created a new website to highlight the Downing Street Memo. You can visit it at: downingstreetmemo.com. I have cribbed and edited a portion of the site, and I reproduce it below. It makes for a good contrast between the truth the memo reveals and the bullshit the Bush administration told us before the war. You should email this link to all your wingnut friends and relatives.
July 23, 2002 Words of the Bush Administration
leading up to War in Iraq
[FROM THE MEMO]
“There was a perceptible shift in attitude. Military action was now seen as inevitable. Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD.”
“No decisions had been taken, but he thought the most likely timing in US minds for military action to begin was January, with the timeline beginning 30 days before the US Congressional elections.”
[COMPARE TO]
“We are doing everything we can to avoid war in Iraq. But if Saddam Hussein does not disarm peacefully, he will be disarmed by force”
– George Bush, Radio Address Mar. 8, 2003
“I think that that presumes there’s some kind of imminent war plan. As I said, I have no Timetable.”
– George Bush, Aug. 10, 2002 while golfing
:::FLIP:::
“But the intelligence and facts were being fixed around the policy”
“Bush wanted to remove Saddam, through military action, justified by the conjunction of terrorism and WMD”
[COMPARE TO]
“Intelligence gathered by this and other governments leaves no doubt that the Iraq regime continues to possess and conceal some of the most lethal weapons ever devised. This regime has already used weapons of mass destruction against Iraq’s neighbors and against Iraq’s people.
The regime has a history of reckless aggression in the Middle East. It has a deep hatred of America and our friends. And it has aided, trained and harbored terrorists, including operatives of al Qaeda.”
– George Bush, Mar. 17, 2003, the War begins
[FROM THE MEMO]
“The NSC had no patience with the UN route, and no enthusiasm for publishing material on the Iraqi regime’s record.”
[COMPARE TO]
“America tried to work with the United Nations to address this threat because we wanted to resolve the issue peacefully. We believe in the mission of the United Nations.”
– George Bush,Mar. 17, 2003, the War begins
[FROM THE MEMO]
“There was little discussion in Washington of the aftermath after military action.”
[RESULT?]
1600+ US Soldiers Dead
12,300+ Wounded
Iraqi casualties 20,000 – ?????
– CBC, May 9, 2005, Casualties in Iraq War
[FROM THE MEMO]
“Bush had made up his mind to take military action, even if the timing was not yet decided. But the case was thin. Saddam was not threatening his neighbours, and his WMD capability was less than that of Libya, North Korea or Iran.”
[COMPARE TO]
“The President has made no decisions about what the next step will be. Clearly, we will continue to talk to the United Nations about the inspection process.”
– Ari Fleischer, Oct. 12, 2002, White House press briefing
“This is about disarmament and this is a final opportunity for Saddam Hussein to disarm. If he chooses not to do so peacefully, then the United States is prepared to act, with our friends, to do so by force. And we will do so forcefully and swiftly and decisively, as the President has outlined. But the President continues to seek a peaceful resolution. War is a last resort.”
– Scott McClellan, Nov. 12, 2002, White House press briefing
[FROM THE MEMO]
“He cautioned that many in the US did not think it worth going down the ultimatum route.” (of UN resolutions).
[COMPARE TO]
“And now they must demonstrate that commitment to peace and security in the only effective way, by supporting the immediate and unconditional disarmament of Saddam Hussein.
The dictator of Iraq and his weapons of mass destruction are a threat to the security of free nations. He is a danger to his neighbors. He’s a sponsor of terrorism. He’s an obstacle to progress in the Middle East.”
– George Bush, Mar. 16, 2003, in the Azores
