# Were you convinced? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 6, 2003, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103 "2003-02-06T01:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stccrd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8797f3/32.png) [@Stccrd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stccrd)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/1 "2003-02-06T01:52:40Z")
Colin Powell, in front of the UN Security Council, laid the groundwork, and much more regarding the situation with Iraq. If you weren’t able to see it, here is a link to the [speech](http://www.msnbc.com/news/869007.asp). So, was he convincing? ---
**Author:** ![monica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a183cd/32.png) [@monica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monica)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/2 "2003-02-06T02:04:04Z")
Well, I watched it in my AP European History class today. Unfortuneatly, no one was being quiet and I didn’t have a good view of the TV. However, I did notice that Powell seemed rather hesitant when saying some parts of his speech. Did anyone else notice this? ---
**Author:** ![clayton\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@clayton\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clayton_e)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/3 "2003-02-06T04:19:03Z")
I wasn’t convinced, although I think the Iraqi delegate only hurt his cause by later saying that he was amazed that there was thoughts that they had used chemical weapons against their own people. _COUGH_ _KURDS_ _COUGH_ ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/4 "2003-02-06T06:13:16Z")
I wasn’t convinced. A month ago, I felt more certain that Saddam had to be taken out at all costs. Much of what I’ve read in the interim has caused my feelings to moderate. My vote would be to let the inspectors complete their task and render a final report to the UN. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/5 "2003-02-06T06:33:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by monica \* > \*\*Well, I watched it in my AP European History class today. Unfortuneatly, no one was being quiet and I didn’t have a good view of the TV. > > That’s different from my classes. > > However, I did notice that Powell seemed rather hesitant when saying some parts of his speech. Did anyone else notice this? \*\* Actually, he was using a sort of ‘UN cadence’. They all sound like that–it’s to make it easier for the translators. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/6 "2003-02-06T06:49:51Z")
**No, I need someone to hit me over the head with a 2x4!** [ul]😃 [sup]In case you didn’t guess, that was an unqualified **YES**.[/sup][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/7 "2003-02-06T09:08:41Z")
I wasn’t convinced by the transcript but it’s not like my opinion is gonna change anything. ---
**Author:** ![Felonious\_Mink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Felonious\_Mink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Felonious_Mink)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/8 "2003-02-06T14:46:13Z")
I wasn’t convinced at all, but sadly where Bush goes, the Blairites will surely follow. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/9 "2003-02-06T14:53:59Z")
Considering he didn’t reveal everything he knew, I think what he did reveal was pretty damaging. But then, I was convinced before hand. And as for letting the inspectors do their job…they are. It is Saddam Hussein who is [not](http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/11/08/resolution.text/) > [@](#): > > Decides that, in order to begin to comply with its disarmament obligations, in addition to submitting the required biannual declarations, the Government of Iraq shall provide to UNMOVIC, the IAEA, and the Council, not later than 30 days from the date of this resolution, a currently accurate, full, and complete declaration of all aspects of its programmes to develop chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, and other delivery systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and dispersal systems designed for use on aircraft, including any holdings and precise locations of such weapons, components, sub-components, stocks of agents, and related material and equipment, the locations and work of its research, development and production facilities, as well as all other chemical, biological, and nuclear programmes, including any which it claims are for purposes not related to weapon production or material ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/10 "2003-02-06T14:55:41Z")
I was convinced. I listened to the report on CNN satellite radio. Powell did not seem hesitant to me during the speech. There were a couple of times where he seemed to pause but I can’t imagine having to give a report of that length with out a pause or two to collect your thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Trob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Trob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trob)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/11 "2003-02-06T15:05:46Z")
Yes ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/12 "2003-02-06T16:24:06Z")
I was convinced that Saddam is a Really Bad Guy. Actually, I went into yesterday already believing that. I was not convinced, however, that laying waste to Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq is the answer. If the U.S. does that, it will only breed more resentment toward the U.S. and a resulting massive influx of recruits for al Qaeda. Thanks, Bush, for giving my two young children a world of insecurity to grow up in. It really boils my blood that Bush is making a big deal about Saddam’s links to al Qaeda, when there are 3-4 other countries with stronger ties to these terrortists. What’s the bug up his butt regarding Iraq anyway? (As if we didn’t already know the answer to THAT …) ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/13 "2003-02-06T19:51:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiff \* > \*\*laying waste to Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq \*\* The same fears were expressed before Desert Storm and of course it did not happen. Being in support of getting rid of Saddam does not necessitate being in support of _laying waste_ to any part of Iraq. > [@](#): > > **Thanks, Bush, for giving my two young children a world of insecurity to grow up in.** I understand your concern for your children’s future. I do not however understand why your statement isn’t: “Thanks, Bush and Saddam…” (plus a few other characters, such as…er…bin Laden.) > [@](#): > > **It really boils my blood that Bush is making a big deal about Saddam’s links to al Qaeda, when there are 3-4 other countries with stronger ties to these terrortists.** He is trying to build support and sending a message to those 3/4 countries that supporting al Qaeda isn’t a good idea. If you are dealing with a bunch of bullies, taking out the biggest bully discourages the others. But why does this rise to the point it boils your blood? Surely, you are not advocating taking action against those countries. > [@](#): > > **What’s the bug up his butt regarding Iraq anyway? (As if we didn’t already know the answer to THAT …)** It isn’t oil, if that is your idea. We could have done that in 1991 or undermined OPEC by doing away with the embargo on Iraq. Why are you not suspicious of France, who has strong oil ties to Iraq at present? ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-convinced/153103/14 "2003-02-06T20:40:30Z")
I don’t doubt for a minute that Sadam is a dangerous, cruel madman. However, I would have thought with the billions and billions of dollars thrown at the CIA and military spy technology over the years that Powell could have whipped up a better PowerPoint program than this! Was I convinced - not really…but he did create enough doubt that even the most dubious countries should really feel obligated to take a serious look at what is going on in Iraq. They will find something in Iraq eventually, but the UN presentation certainly wasn’t a slamdunk.