Flashback: Bush* Addresses the Nation-- Saddam must leave in 48 Hrs.

[qanda]

President Says Saddam Hussein Must Leave Iraq Within 48 Hours
Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation
The Cross Hall
March 17, 2003
8:01 P.M. EST


(snip)

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.

The danger is clear: using chemical, biological or, one day, nuclear weapons, obtained with the help of Iraq, the terrorists could fulfill their stated ambitions and kill thousands or hundreds of thousands of innocent people in our country, or any other.

The United States and other nations did nothing to deserve or invite this threat. But we will do everything to defeat it. Instead of drifting along toward tragedy, we will set a course toward safety. Before the day of horror can come, before it is too late to act, this danger will be removed.

The United States of America has the sovereign authority to use force in assuring its own national security. That duty falls to me, as Commander-in-Chief, by the oath I have sworn, by the oath I will keep.

Recognizing the threat to our country, the United States Congress voted overwhelmingly last year to support the use of force against Iraq. 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. One reason the U.N. was founded after the second world war was to confront aggressive dictators, actively and early, before they can attack the innocent and destroy the peace.

(more)
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/03/20030317-7.html

Reading this makes me mad all over again. Knowing that we have been lied to so much and yet this administration has the nerve to celebrate the one year anniversary of their illegal invasion.

I hope that in reading this, you will rediscover how necessary it is for us to defeat this evil regime. And please join me in wishing that on January 18, 2005 Bush* will be given a 48 hour notice to vacate John Kerry's new home.

[Tim4319]

1. I second that!

[htuttle]

2. I have a video capture of Lester Holt doing the big 'countdown' on MSNBC

He's counting down to the end of the 48 hour 'deadline' with the help of a huge digital clock. The atmosphere was much like New Year's Eve as he built the tension to the moment that the clock hit zero. 5...4...3...2...1...

They had live cameras on the Baghdad skyline split screen with the clock. They seemed to want you to wish something would happen when it hit zero -- bombs going off like fireworks on the Baghdad skyline, or something like that.

As it was, I don't think the attack actually started until a few hours later, and Lester seemed a bit disappointed that the war didn't start on cue.

All in all, the footage reminds me of the ignorance and naivette of America on the one hand, and it's absolute depravity on the other.

[FlashHarry]

3. A year earlier, he said, "Fuck Saddam; we're taking him out."

The quote was reported by a Time Magazine reporter traveling on Air Force One. That 48 hours thing was just a ruse--as was the entire casus belli. The neocons have been gunning for Iraq since just after the first war. See Wolfowitz's "new world order" paper, written in '92 or '93, I think.

[Sticky]

4. And who know what would have happened

had Richard Perl not been the liason here:

Reports Saddam tried to make last minute deal

Reporter: Leigh Sales
LINDA MOTTRAM: There are reports today that Saddam Hussein tried to broker a last-minute deal with the United States to avoid war.

The offer was made through an intermediary who met with top Pentagon adviser, Richard Perle, in London. But the US rejected the offer.

North America Correspondent, Leigh Sales, reports.

LEIGH SALES: American intelligence officials say these sorts of overtures from Iraq were made frequently through foreign governments, covert operatives and independent third parties.

What was different about this one, though, was that it came as American forces were right about to pour into Iraq, and it went straight to the ears of Richard Perle, one of the Bush administration's most pivotal advisers.

At a meeting in London, a Lebanese American businessman named Imad Hage made Mr Perle an offer from the Chief of the Iraqi Intelligence Service.

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2003/s984187.htm

This is very sad, if true.

[Rex]

5. And yet they impeached Clinton over lying about a BLOW JOB!

I cannot wait to say 'President Kerry'. Hopefully we will gain back the Senate as well.