I'm glad I am not the only one who thinks it was a mistake. Too bad Bush will be long gone while we will still be fighting and losing American soldiers to a pointless war based on questionable "intelligence" (I use the term incredibly loosely here).

Bush started something that he will not be able to finish, and his own party is starting to realize what a mess his leadership has gotten this country into.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Breaking ranks with the White House and his Republican leaders in Congress, Rep. Doug Bereuter of Nebraska has said in a letter to constituents the U.S. military action in Iraq was a mistake.

The Iraq war was a "costly mess" with no quick way out, wrote Bereuter, vice chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and a senior member of the House International Relations Committee.

"I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action especially without a broad and engaged international coalition," he said in the letter dated Aug. 6.

Republican leaders in Congress have supported President Bush (news - web sites)'s decision to invade Iraq on grounds that it had weapons of mass destruction that posed a danger to the United States. No stockpiles of such weapons have been found.


But Bereuter, who has resigned his seat in the House of Representatives to become president of the Asia Foundation, expressed dismay over the decision to go to war.


"The cost in casualties is already large and growing, and the immediate and long-term financial costs are incredible," he wrote, reflecting on his 2002 vote in favor of a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq.


"Our country's reputation around the world has never been lower and our alliances are weakened," he added.


"Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world."


The White House had no comment on the letter.


Link to article

About time...

The CNN article on this subject lists another quote that wasn't in the yahoo news version I originally posted above:

Bereuter was particularly critical of the pre-war intelligence, which described an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. But no such weapons have been found since the U.S.-led invasion.

Bereuter voted in support of an October 2002 resolution authorizing the use of force in Iraq, but he said that vote was based on what he had been told about the WMD threat from Iraq.

"Left unresolved for now is whether intelligence was intentionally misconstrued to justify military action," Bereuter said.

After 26 years on Capitol Hill, Bereuter is retiring next month, and will become the president of Asia Foundation.

CNN Link

Ouch, I wonder how many others in his party are thinking the same thing but just not willing to ruin their careers by coming out and saying it?

realising you're wrong does nothing. Doing something about the fact you were wrong does something. Right now, nothings getting better.

I agree completely. The problem is, at this point, anything that he does do will be little dog-and-pony-show stuff to fulfill his image in the polls. (At least, that's how it will appear to me, because he has been poll chasing for as long as I've been aware.) He will do almost anything, I am convinced, to get votes, including deception and lying to make himself look better. He accuses Kerry of being a flip flop? Well, that's better than being a flat-out liar.

I'm not one of those people who will blame anything and everything under the sun on Bush. That's just ignorant. But, I am a person who cried when I watched the end of the DNC because of my pent up frustration and (sometimes) utter disgust at how our nation is being run.

Yes Babs, yes it does. 100%!!

Something that president Bush obviously never thought of, considering now he's screwed the country up so royally with this little 'mistake', he's probably more than happy to step aside and let someone else deal with his sh**.

nah, i don't know. wouldn't you think that it was worth it? America played the hero this time and really saved Iraq from dictatorship. The terrorists are going down one by one.

I personally think Bush is the bigger body gaurd for America than Kerry.
besides, isn't this Kerry in an anti-war rally? Anti-war, anti-guns, anti-protection?

There are some 3rd wrold countries out there that i think the great 8 countries should pay attention to and get them going.

feel free to prove me wrong, not a bad idea to ruin my day...

Wrong Wrong Wrong!

Is it me? Hahaha....or is it you?!

Fluffy, I can read, the guy is wrong and so are you. I don't care that he is republican, he's wrong.

I am the real Mc coy. Why does that bother you?!

Well, your little darling Kerry is losing this race. Just heard on the news that people are swayed now toward Bush because of the facts coming out about Kerry's service.

I guess you will be hard to live with now.

Hey, Fluffy ... took up a collection and got a big boat together and we're sending it your way. You're all going to be shipped out; you and all those european thinkers are goin' to europe!

P.S. When it sails by your house _jump!

No matter the absence, there are still a few things a girl can count on to remain the same, eh??


I have a lot of political reading to do here, you guys have been very busy....

And now that you figure out that a republican disagrees you are now saying he's wrong, what a joke...You were so sure that he was a democrat...Don't you see how silly you make yourself look when you do stuff like that?

It is blowing up in bushs face and you can't stand it can you...

Mr Bunny,
I dont think Babs will EVER admit ANYTHING negative about Bush even if she witnessed it with her own eyes.
it seems to her, and others like her, we are all on hallucenogens and are messed up in the head and fabricate evidence from our bums, becuase no way would good ol bush do that.
when it comes to people like that, I have learned, you just cant make them see. maybe its a genetic defect, or maybe its just plain hypocrisy and brainwashing.

quote: "Sacrifices make heroes" - me

isn't it true?

sacrifices: President Bushes "resolvable" mistakes(we got out of the Great Depression, this is only minor)
America's Heroism: lead Iraq from dictatorship/ in process of smelting terrorists = Respect for America

here, here!!!

who gives a sh** what either of them did in the 60s/70s, i think their political records are a hell of allot more important, as an outsider looking in, it seems to be that all Kerry has going for him is his 4 months in vietnam, and his great armchair quaterbacking skills:)

I dont have the time to pick apart each one of those quotes or the context in which they were given versus the context which you have presented them. Your list of EVERYONE important is not really everyone important nor is it in context of the discusion at hand. Quotes from 6 years ago when less was known about saddams wmd program dont count for much and the more recent quotes don't change the bottom line that it was bush who pushed for the liberation of iraq based on wmd claims shortly after 9/11.

So yes it is within reason to blame Bush for pushing for a poorly planned war based on poor intelligence.

No one is denying that saddam was a bad man or he did have wmd at one point in the past. He did, and he used them in the past on his own citizens, no one is denying that.

The bottom line is that the weapons inspectors found no wmd, nor any trace of wmd. Biological/nuclear/chemical weapons are not something that can be produced without a great deal of effort on many peoples behalf, leaving trace evidence that can be found regardless of how well a lab is cleaned up.

The inspectors found none, and said so much. They said they needed more time to find out whether he had wmd or not. That was cut short and they weren't able to finish their inspections.

We went in based on flawed evidence and intelligence, as the congressman said; it was a mistake. "Left unresolved for now is whether intelligence was intentionally misconstrued to justify military action,"

Of course it will be some time before that will be known, and I am certain that paper shredders are working around the clock trying to hide any evidence of that type of intention on behalf of the president...

You guys are soooooo easy.

Fluffybunny, Permanent kid....What do these names sound like? With names like these and the thoughts they conjure up, how in the world do you expect to win a war?

These names sound like dems. Fluffybunny, you smoose over points and just say what you want....Oh, and the reason I brought up boat was in reply to your insistence on my enlistment. I'm not trying to get rid of you, although, you are trying to suppress my voice. Be forewarned: Fluffy won't hear any side but his own.

Permakid....I figured out your name a long time ago....I didn't want to be crass.

....hey, THE BOAT IS LEAVING. ..................all aboard.

so now your resorting to making fun of their names????????????????????????

How intelligent?

Am sure Babs will strike fear into the hearts of the enemy.

In fact we should fly you to pakistan with a sign saying "BABS" in bold letters attached to you.

Osama would come running.

oops thats right we're in Iraq just now c..cos thats where osama is??? or is it??

Why have we attcked iraq again??

Fluffy...You misconstrue things I post because you are so desperate for rebuttal. Who was it.... nightbird, I think.... said something like the dems being out in 'left field'. You got it!

I know this was a republican speaking and I knew when I read it....so what! There you go making up stuff again. You are like a psychic vampire too Fluffy...always keeping the other person busy...sucking the life out of them with nonsensical BS.

Remember that boat is leaving... repeat... IS LEAVING!

Hope you guys packed enough clothes...'Fluffy and Permakid country' is a long way off from Europe. "Here comes the Kerry-Euro Boat".

I heard that Kerry flew in a French hair stylist to style his hair for a stunt or sport he was undertaking for the common folk. Now that's a real common-man connection; we 'all' fly in French hair stylists before a shoot.

I bet Bush never flew in a French hair stylist.

Oh scissor...you hide behind that Irag and Osama BS.

I am not even going to dignify that with a response.

Address and argue the credibility and merits of the topic people, sans all the personal comments and sarcastic quips, or there will be warnings issued and the thread will be closed.

For those who are going out of the country....read this. I know that Fluffy will be traveling soon to France. Some travel tips. This is serious.

From: FOX NEWS

here

Fluffy...When I was talking about the dems, I meant you and the dems in our country...not the republican speaking in your article. Sorry, if that wasn't clear...when I read back over it, I see I wasn't clear. But you certainly don't have to say I'm lying.... or missed something when I read your article.

You are really quick to jump...which makes me suspicious.

Fluffys last post, the paragraph below the first quote that he put in his post. I think that is what is great about this forum. You have folks who dont agree with each other and give reasons why, links etc. Which make u think about your opinion and theres. Having a open mind is a great thing imo and not just one sided. Just because u are a republican or democrat doesnt mean that u always have to support what either party decides. Because lets face it, none of them are right all the time and we are humans who make mistakes. I was proud of Bush when everyone was in complete awww , disgust, and disbelief when 911 happened. I thought he handled himself well and when America really needed a leader. He stepped up to the plate. I supported the invasion of the country Al-Queda( you know what country i am talking about, not gona even attempt to butcher the name bye my bad spelling ) ruled in. I didnt support the Iraq war. I thought that we should of made sure that wmd's were there and should of had more support from the world. I think that we went in there gun ho and didnt put much thought into the aftermathe of the invasion. That is why imo we have lost so many American lives there and coalition soldiers lives. But that is said and done with now. We just have to focus on finishing the job, whenever that will be. Then getting our soldiers home. I pray everyday for there safe return and for God to watch over them over there. Anyways, keep up the good posts folks. I enjoy reading them.

Fox News

Whoaoo..., a little to much paranoia.I read the mesage in the article :" the world isnt safe for us, the honest americans.Dont leave your country or you will be killed or kipnaped or worse. outside is ugly. Keep inside, and be a good and obedient citizen. the goverment will protec you. All Hail Bush"

Fluffy, of course those quotes could be taken out of context ( i can't be bothered trying to find the context of each, but hey i'll concede at least a few of them are probably dodgy)

my point was to demonstrate that everyone has always believed that Saddam is developing WMDs (as well as being in constant violation of UN resolutions 1441, a resolution that promised action, the UN offered more sanctions with France promising to veto any military action (lets also ignore the attempted aquisition of uranium, as well as the receipts for a new long range delivery system from north korea as well as the findings of al samoud devlivery systems)



If this isn't a scary thought...

Why would Saddam want medium raneg missiles?

(with a theoretical range of 1200km its well in range of Israel)

i think the problem is that the media don't seem to be covering any of the UN findings etc
its really quite obvious that Saddam was up to something:)

So does that information add up to the claims that Iraq was 45 minutes away from launching wmd? Does it add up to the need to go in when we did? I am not being sarcastic by asking that question. I haven't seen any information that settles those questions.

I do understand what you are saying, my concern is that there is a difference between understanding that saddam was a very disgusting horribly bad guy who was breaking the un sanctions and "we need to invade now".

It is the timing of the invasion that I am concerned with, and the fact that it is taking away resources from the fight to catch osama and the rest of al-queda...

When I read through the data I see, I still have a hard time understanding the urgency of invading iraq, and taking away resources from the fight to get al-queda in afghanastan. In my opinion alqueda seems to be the immediate priority, not saddam.

btw, thank you very much for working to come up with the information that you do, it is appreciated.

how are they taking away resources from getting Al Queda?
there is no 'Al Queda' army any more, there are no massed concentrations of Al Queda members any more, the ones that had existed were slaughtered in afghanistan, or are rotting away in Cuba, so such a huge military presence is not needed. Now its up to intelligence agencies world wide.

Blair should have been kicked in the nuts for saying the whole 45 minutes thing, however that doesn't really take away from what was at the time considered a cause of concern (for many other reasons).