# WMD FOUND! Woooohooooooooo! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 17, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616 "2004-05-17T15:42:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/61 "2004-05-18T14:15:35Z")
> [@Finagle](#): > > I suspect the following is not an unbiased source, and I don’t find it compelling, but it belies your claim that the search has been bone dry. > > [Loading...](http://www.insightmag.com/news/2004/05/11/World/Investigative.Reportsaddams.Wmd.Have.Been.Found-670120.shtml) Actually, that link _affirms_ my belief that it’s nothing but bone dry. When your smoking gun is some off the shelf remote control plane held together duct tape, believe it or not, it makes your case look rather pathetic. I bet they think if they say “UAV”, it’ll conjure up some image of an ultra high tech predator drone, and we’ll all get really scared and give them carte blanche to do what ever they have to do. Lucky we demand more. As for the rest of that “may have” and “suspected to have” riddled link, I don’t see one instance pointed out where there has been factual evidence of _existence_ of WMD. Feel free to point it out if I missed it. > [@](#): > > I’m beginning to lean towards accepting the theory that people have so much invested in the WMDs \* not \* existing that they will discount any evidence to the contrary – a form of intellectual dishonesty comparable to that of which they are accusing the administration. We’ll the admin can start by providing some, um…you know, evidence. As far as WMD not existing, well, there’s nothing I’d love more at the moment then for us to find a big 'ol pile of nukes. At least it would give this war some legitimacy. ---
**Author:** ![633squadron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/ee59a6/32.png) [@633squadron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/633squadron)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/62 "2004-05-18T16:38:34Z")
Gotta get this off my chest, even if somebody else mentioned it: Is _anybody else_ suspicious that we discovered some evidence of WMD _just at the moment_ that things are heading towards the nether regions in a small container? And 2 other rants: [ol] [li]Don’t go on and on about the media “not raising a ruckus about Iraqi/Moslem/terrorist torture, etc.” We expect that from people who seem to have lost all sense of reality. That’s not _news_. What is shameful is that _we’re_ doing it, and lying about it, and canning the people who let it happen.[/li][li]Don’t go on and on about how heroes/medal-winners/etc serving our country in Iraq don’t make the news, while torturers and the like do. Again, medal winners are not news. I honor them, and for that reason I am irate that some stupid intel types and our neo-con wacko administration has dragged our military into a quagmire and stained it with evil behavior.[/li][/ol] What I can’t figure out is why the Republicans don’t have the common sense to fire Rumsfeld’s butt all the way from here to Baghdad. If he were a VP in a modern corporation and feces like this happened under his watch, he’d show up Monday morning to find his personal effects sitting on the curb. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/63 "2004-05-18T16:53:15Z")
> [@633squadron](#): > > Gotta get this off my chest, even if somebody else mentioned it: > > Is _anybody else_ suspicious that we discovered some evidence of WMD _just at the moment_ that things are heading towards the nether regions in a small container? Yes. I for one wouldn’t be surprised if they sat on the info for a little while, and released the news when it might knock something else out of the news. Incidentally, since bad things in the news have quieted down a bit, I noticed Rummy saying we need to take our time and send this off to the lab to have it properly analyzed. No problem there, but why do I have a feeling they’ll save that one for a rainy day? I could see it taking anywhere from 1 week to several months to properly analyze it, depending on the current state of affairs. Man I’m so pissed at these guys for putting me so close to the tinfoil zone. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/64 "2004-05-18T17:12:34Z")
Don’t forget, **Eater** , that when you fold the hat, the folds _must_ be parallel with magnetic north, otherwise the blockage of telepathic rays may be compromised. Analysis, hmmmm? I would have expected that sarin would be on the short list of things that can be pretty much analyzed on the spot. My understanding is that the real question is whether or not the sarin component was recently manufactured, or was degraded over time. Which would talk to the issue of whether or not it was part of Saddam’s massive stockpile of such weapons, which are located somewhere north, east, west and south of Baghdad. If I were to guess, I would guess it was a leftover bit of nastiness, shunted to a warehouse only to fall into the hands of whoever-the-hell. I suspect that we much overestimate the Iraqi military in terms of inventory control. One, several, or hundreds of such rounds dating from the Iran-Iraq war wouldn’t surprise me in the least. These guys are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. The time lag is most likely not intended for a later surprise. The news is already out. The guys on right-wing radio are having a field day with this, proof positive, smoking gun, The Leader was right again! In a few weeks, they can quietly release the test results showing that it was an ancient POS, and no one will notice. They’ve already got all the advantage out of this they are likely to, nobody reads the retractions. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/65 "2004-05-18T17:32:06Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Yes. I for one wouldn’t be surprised if they sat on the info for a little while, and released the news when it might knock something else out of the news. Incidentally, since bad things in the news have quieted down a bit, I noticed Rummy saying we need to take our time and send this off to the lab to have it properly analyzed. No problem there, but why do I have a feeling they’ll save that one for a rainy day? I could see it taking anywhere from 1 week to several months to properly analyze it, depending on the current state of affairs. > > Man I’m so pissed at these guys for putting me so close to the tinfoil zone. [07-08-2003](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=3675527&highlight=june#post3675527) \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \*: **"The Bushies may just be playing out enough rope to let a few people hang themselves. Or perhaps they have evidence they can’t release because it would compromise an ongoing operation or something."** _Originally posted by SimonX_:\*\*"\*\*This is something that I’ve voiced before. I just couldn’t decide when would be the optimal time for finding the banned weapons. March maybe? Or perhaps June? But no later. Much sooner and you risk having the public’s attention span peak too soon. I mean if there is a big stink about not finding them and then voila! there they are, it’ll really make the Bush Admin look like the vindicated victim as well as the victor. Can’t beat that combo with a stick. Rove is a smarty-pants, ya know. I think it’s smart of the Rove team to push the issue away from the threat to the US to the banned WMD. Banned WMD can be found. A hypothetical threat, well… **"** Of course, I was discussing more than what has come to pass. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/66 "2004-05-18T17:35:36Z")
Well said, **Elucidator**. I wouldn’t expect much downplay from the you know who administration either. I wasn’t aware that tinfoil hats came in so many different styles. 😃 Be warned, the link seems to be one big ass image instead of smaller ones. [http://www.deviantart.com/view/7018335/](http://www.deviantart.com/view/7018335/) ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/67 "2004-05-18T17:53:49Z")
More on the Shell. [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120268,00.html](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,120268,00.html) > [@](#): > > NEW YORK — Tests of the artillery shell that detonated in Iraq on Saturday have confirmed that it did in fact contain an estimated three or four liters of the deadly sarin (search) nerve agent, Defense officials told Fox News Tuesday. > [@](#): > > The artillery shell was left as a roadside bomb, the U.S. military said Monday. Two U.S. soldiers were treated for minor exposure to the nerve agent when the 155-mm shell exploded before it could be rendered inoperable. Three liters is about > [@](#): > > The soldiers displayed “classic” symptoms of sarin exposure — most notably dilated pupils and nausea, officials said. The symptoms ran their course fairly quickly, however, and as of Tuesday, the two had returned to duty. I thought “classic” symptoms ususally included death. I know people that would huff this shit for fun. ---
**Author:** ![High\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8797f3/32.png) [@High\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/High_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/68 "2004-05-18T17:55:09Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Ahem, (sic). > > Sam Damn. Good catch. I feel quite the retard. Proof read…proof read…proof read… ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/69 "2004-05-18T19:01:02Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > BUSHLIED!IT’SACONSPIRACY!IT’SACOVERUP!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED!BUSHLIED! Really? Bush lied? Damn. I guess all these people lied as well: “Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime… He presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so consistently prone to miscalculation… And now he is is calculating America’s response to his continued deceit and his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction… So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real…” - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Jan. 23. 2003 “One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line.” - President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998 “If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.” - President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998 “Iraq is a long way from [here], but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face.” - Madeline Albright, Feb 18, 1998 “He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has ten times since 1983.” - Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998 “[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions (including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by Iraq’s refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs.” - Letter to President Clinton, signed by Sens. Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, and others Oct. 9, 1998 “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process.” - Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec. 16, 1998 “Hussein has… chosen to spend his money on building weapons of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies.” - Madeline Albright, Clinton Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999 “There is no doubt that… Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological, chemical and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the United States and our allies.” - Letter to President Bush, Signed by Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL,) and others, December 5, 2001 “We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandated of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.” - Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept. 19, 2002 “We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.” - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 “Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” - Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 “We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” - Sen. Ted “Swimmer” Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002 “The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is seeking nuclear weapons…” - Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct. 3, 2002 “I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force-- if necessary-- to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.” - Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA), Oct. 9, 2002 “There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have nuclear weapons within the next five years… We also should remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has made in development of weapons of mass destruction.” - Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV), Oct 10, 2002 “He has systematically violated, over the course of the past 11 years, every significant UN resolution that has demanded that he disarm and destroy his chemical and biological weapons, and any nuclear capacity. This he has refused to do” Rep. - Henry Waxman (D, CA), Oct. 10, 2002 “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members … It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons.” - Sen. Hillary “Hypocrite” Clinton (D, NY), Oct 10, 2002 “We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of mass destruction.” - Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec. 8, 2002 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/70 "2004-05-18T19:09:49Z")
Had Clinton invaded Iraq in the same flimsy reasons Bush did, I’d be calling for his head instead. “Bush” and “the admin” are simply variables. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/71 "2004-05-18T19:13:57Z")
Bill Clinton invaded Iraq? Maddy Allbright presented the UN with a slide show of accusations, which turned out to be the Towering Inferno of blazing bullshit? Hilary Clinton ignored a last-ditch peace offering from Saddam? Henry Waxman stood before Congress and delivered a State of the Union address liberally larded with bullpucky? It is a fine point of contention whether the Admin’s failings result from incompetence or mendacity. The subtlety of the argument escapes me, as well as its relevence. ---
**Author:** ![New\_Iskander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/db5fbb/32.png) [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/72 "2004-05-18T20:07:11Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Had Clinton invaded Iraq in the same flimsy reasons Bush did, I’d be calling for his head instead. It’s like saying, “I’m not a bigot, I’m an idiot!” ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/73 "2004-05-18T20:31:49Z")
> [@New Iskander](#): > > It’s like saying, “I’m not a bigot, I’m an idiot!” Simply put, I don’t understand what you are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![New\_Iskander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/db5fbb/32.png) [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/74 "2004-05-18T22:50:08Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > Simply put, I don’t understand what you are talking about. If you denounce POTUS actions simply because he’s not of your Party you are a hypocrite; if you denounce POTUS actions simply because you don’t understand them you are an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/75 "2004-05-18T23:51:07Z")
Can’t he be both? Discuss. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/76 "2004-05-19T00:09:54Z")
> [@New Iskander](#): > > If you denounce POTUS actions simply because he’s not of your Party you are a hypocrite; if you denounce POTUS actions simply because you don’t understand them you are an idiot. Where’s the “I denounce POTUS actions because they’re fuckin’ stupid” option? ---
**Author:** ![New\_Iskander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/db5fbb/32.png) [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/77 "2004-05-19T00:10:21Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Can’t he be both? Discuss. Hit and run comments must be your [specialty](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4824005&postcount=247)? ---
**Author:** ![New\_Iskander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/db5fbb/32.png) [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/78 "2004-05-19T00:26:33Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Where’s the “I denounce POTUS actions because they’re fuckin’ stupid” option? Well, here comes another detail-obsessed perfectionist. [Give every scumbag a fair deal](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4713016&postcount=73), that’s what Democracy is all about, right?. ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/79 "2004-05-19T00:41:59Z")
> [@New Iskander](#): > > Well, here comes another detail-obsessed perfectionist. [Give every scumbag a fair deal](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=4713016&postcount=73), that’s what Democracy is all about, right?. Anyone know what this person is on about? ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616/80 "2004-05-19T01:13:24Z")
> [@chula](#): > > Anyone know what this person is on about? Not a single entity in the known universe knows. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wmd-found-woooohooooooooo/245616.md?page=5)