Think Progress

Defense Department Disavows Santorum’s WMD Claims

By Judd on Jun 21st, 2006 at 10:42 pm

Defense Department Disavows Santorum’s WMD Claims»

Today, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) held a press conference and announced “we have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.” Santorum and Hoekstra are hyping a document that describes degraded, pre-1991 munitions that were already acknowledged by the White House’s Iraq Survey Group and dismissed.

Fox News’ Jim Angle contacted the Defense Department who quickly disavowed Santorum and Hoekstra’s claims. A Defense Department official told Angle flatly that the munitions hyped by Santorum and Hoekstra are “not the WMD’s for which this country went to war.”

Fox’s Alan Colmes broke the news to Santorum. Watch it:

Transcript:

COLMES: Congressman, Senator, it’s Alan Colmes. Senator, the Iraq Survey Group — let me go to the Duelfer Report — says that Iraq did not have the weapons our intelligence believed were there. And Jim Angle reported this for Fox News quotes a defense official who says these were pre-1991 weapons that could not have been fired as designed because they already been degraded. And the official went on to say these are not the WMD’s this country and the rest of the world believed Iraq had and not the WMD’s for which this country went to war. So the chest beating at this Republicans are doing tonight thinking this is a justification is not confirmed by the defense department.

SANTORUM: I’d like to know who that is. The fact of the matter is, I’ll wait and see what the actual Defense Department formally says or more important what the administration formally says.

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297 Responses to “Defense Department Disavows Santorum’s WMD Claims”


  1. stew Says:

    ali muhammad aszerajan el aheed farted the other day and it was relly stinky. This is proof positive that wmd have been found. There were people who could not stay in the same room.


  2. just noticing Says:

    Sanitarium’s face is extremely asymmetrical, symbolizing his twisted actions vs. what he says he stands for.


  3. ][ RIGHT ][ Says:

    Deny, deny, deny and then deny some more.

    I did not have ______ relations with that _______nor do I remember_______ .


  4. Badmoodman Says:

    Santorum being busted publically is like catching the supermodel with spinach in her teeth, the traffic court judge with toilet paper stuck to his shoe, or finding a cell phone in the urinal. Some things just feel right.


  5. Say What?! Says:

    un-f’in believable!!

    How do supposedly intelligent people follow these nuts.

    Someone please push the forward button.


  6. MrBlueSky Says:

    COOL! You know that, when even the PENTAGON denies your claims, that yer goose is COOKED! All Hail (future) Sen. Bob Casey! I doubt even Karl Rove can save yer butt now!


  7. cynicalgirl Says:

    Fret not, we’re only going to have to put up with that idiot for another 6 months.


  8. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Cool, while they’re doing that maybe they should get ALL the soldiers the helmet upgrade kits they need.

    The cost of the kit is only 99 dollars for the Navy\Air Force kit, and 71 dollars for the Marine kit.

    Buying one of these kits will rush a helmet upgrade kit straight to a GI in the field. These kits make the helmet capable of withstanding a much greater blast, increase the likelyhood of deflecting a bullet, and KEEP the helmet itself from smashing against the soldiers heads due to a large shock event.

    Regardless of whether you support the war or not this site, set up by Cher, is saving young Americans NOW.

    OPERATION HELMET

    These upgrade kits have ALREADY saved many lives.

    The troops will be coming home soon, we all know this. Lets bring as many of them home as possible.

    Skip a night out at the bar or do give up some other minor luxury, just once, and the helmet upgrade kit you buy, just may be the next one that saves someones life.


  9. For Truth Says:

    The very last frame of the video shows a great view of Santorum. Thats the first time I have seen him talk, seems like an ass.


  10. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    And if you don’t have a hundred bucks to give, get off this blog and get a job.


  11. Carol Says:

    I saw the Senator’s presentation. I look forward to the absence of his presence in the U. S. Senate.


  12. Carol Says:

    I saw the Senator’s presentation. I look forward to the absence of his presence in the U. S. Senate.


  13. Carol Says:

    I look forward to the Senator’s absence in the Senate next year.


  14. The Agonist Says:

    WMD Found In Iraq!…

    Well, at least that is what Rick Santorum and Captain’s Quarters want you to think. And it is all based on a *.pdf (signed by John Negroponte, of course) that says this:
    * Since 2003 Coalition forces have recovered approximately 500 weapons munitions…


  15. Marie Says:

    Sanatorium is a jackass.


  16. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    This link will take you directly to the checkout form.

    You can even pay with PAYPAL!!! They also take VISA, MC etc, and Checks.

    But do it now.

    HELP A SOLDIER COME BACK HOME ALIVE

    Please guys, trolls, liberals, everyone. Just break down and buy ONE soldier a chance at coming back home to tell his story.

    Do it now, cause God knows Congress doesn’t give a crap about them.


  17. Bush Bites Says:

    Santorum would have to improve to become an idiot.


  18. Len Says:

    Little Ricky has driven a stake through the heart of what little was left of his political career.

    We soon will not have Rick Santorum to push around anymore! (Thank the gods!)


  19. Zookeeper Says:

    Look at those faces:

    Santorum still doesn’t realize he was already leaving the Senate in disgrace in November, and now it’s so much worse.
    Hoekstra has just realized he’s thrown in with an inadequate weinie, and he’ll be spending more time with the family in the fall.
    Colmes is just giddy — I think — it’s hard to tell.

    I just love public meltdowns of those who so richly deserve it.


  20. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    They’re too busy passing flag burning and gay marriage bills to give a crap whether the young men they sent off into hell come home with their brains intact or not.


  21. Juan C Says:

    CAPTION CONTEST!!!
    My god, what is that thing on the far left frame?


  22. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    The republicans Gimp.


  23. Sven Says:

    Only now does he want to wait for the “official report from the Pentagon and most importantly the WhiteHouse”?

    uh huh…

    Don’t worry… we won’t be holding our collective breath for an apology over yet another LIE.

    shame
    Choose one Santorum:

    Noun
    S: (n) shame (a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt)
    S: (n) shame, disgrace, ignominy (a state of dishonor) “one mistake brought shame to all his family”; “suffered the ignominy of being sent to prison”
    S: (n) pity, shame (an unfortunate development) “it’s a pity he couldn’t do it”
    Verb
    S: (v) dishonor, disgrace, dishonour, attaint, shame (bring shame or dishonor upon) “he dishonored his family by committing a serious crime”
    S: (v) shame (compel through a sense of shame) “She shamed him into making amends”
    S: (v) shame (cause to be ashamed)
    S: (v) shame (surpass or beat by a wide margin)


  24. Pete Says:

    Let’s see, Two Senators read from a declassified document on the record, and you guys all have hard-ons about an unknown source at the Pentagon unwilling to go on the record by name and you call Santorum’s assertions crap? Get real.

    Let this Pentagon source come forward, otherwise the declassified document trumps all of your spin.


  25. Juan C Says:

    I’ll wait and see what the actual Defense Department formally says or more important what the administration formally says

    Then wait with your mouth shut.


  26. Steve53 Says:

    I’m surprised the Administration,working with part of the military,haven’t managed to plant some “evidence” of a WMD program.
    It may happen yet.


  27. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Uh Pete?

    I hate to burst your bubble, but..

    Do you think if anyone had found any real Weapons of Mass Destruction, that the White House would be out squawking about it while every news channel in the world is broadcasting from the rooftops?

    Get a grip dude.

    You’re still in trouble.

    Now shut up and go buy a soldier a helmet upgrade kit.


  28. Zookeeper Says:

    Caption:

    Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with, um, me…


  29. Juan C Says:

    and you call Santorum’s assertions crap?

    Comment by Pete
    Oh, no. That would mean that your farts and bad breadth is another kind of “degraded” WMD.


  30. Juan C Says:

    #28 and #29
    I cant stop laughing.


  31. Pete Says:

    Uhhh clubber I hate to burst YOUR bubble, but the weapons found were prohibited under relevant resolutions. Your ship is sinking and November is fast approaching.

    Get over it. WMD is WMD.


  32. Zookeeper Says:

    Let this Pentagon source come forward, otherwise the declassified document trumps all of your spin.
    Comment by Pete

    I detect an off-year flop sweat, with just a hint of whinyness.


  33. Juan C Says:

    The caption of the actual photo, in yellow passing letters: Serial Killer (s). I might add.
    Now, that is a good caption.


  34. Pete Says:

    I detect an off-year flop sweat, with just a hint of whinyness.

    Comment by Zookeeper

    Let’s not bring the DNC talking points into this discussion mmmk?


  35. Juan C Says:

    WMD is WMD.

    Comment by Pete
    Insightful. You must be lecturing in MIT, I guess.


  36. BizzyBlog.com » MORE WMD Findings Revealed (Adding to Richard Miniter’s October 2005 List) Says:

    […] UPDATE 3: Think Progress reports that “A Defense Department official told (Fox News’s Jim) Angle flatly that the munitions hyped by Santorum and Hoekstra are “not the WMDs for which this country went to war.” […]


  37. dr nobody Says:

    1 santorum = 6 years


  38. Zookeeper Says:

    WMD is WMD.
    Comment by Pete

    Pete,

    Degraded WMD are degraded WMD. Degraded, defunct, denied…Now, run along.


  39. Michael Says:

    Since when is the Defense Department an expert on WMDs?


  40. Zookeeper Says:

    Let’s not bring the DNC talking points into this discussion mmmk?
    Comment by Pete

    Weak, damn that’s weak. Dismissed.


  41. dave Says:

    From FOX’s website:

    Offering the official administration response to FOX News, a senior Defense Department official pointed out that the chemical weapons were not in useable conditions.

    “This does not reflect a capacity that was built up after 1991,” the official said, adding the munitions “are not the WMDs this country and the rest of the world believed Iraq had, and not the WMDs for which this country went to war.”

    http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,200499,00.html


  42. instawanker Says:

    The best source on this is the Duelfer report from 2005 addendum.

    “ISG assesses that Iraq and Coalition Forces will
    continue to discover small numbers of degraded
    chemical weapons, which the former Regime mislaid
    or improperly destroyed prior to 1991. ISG believes
    the bulk of these weapons were likely abandoned,
    forgotten and lost during the Iran-Iraq war because
    tens of thousands of CW munitions were forward
    deployed along frequently and rapidly shifting battlefronts.
    • All but two of the chemical weapons discovered
    since OIF were found in southern Iraq where the
    majority of CW munitions were used against Iran in
    the Iran-Iraq war.”

    So what we have here is 2 wankers coming on 1 year after this report, and repeating what the report already said and predicted.


  43. Pete Says:

    Weak, damn that’s weak. Dismissed.

    Comment by Zookeeper

    Oh well, if you say so.


  44. Zookeeper Says:

    #42 - Ouch, that’s gonna leave a mark. :-D


  45. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    WMD is WMD.
    Comment by Pete

    Oh yea.

    We’re all sitting here at home just sweating a Mustard Gas attack.


  46. Prospero Says:

    The MSM as well as the Busheviks have ignored an especially significant point regarding chemical weapons: THEY HAVE A SHELF LIFE. The stuff degrades over time so that eventually it becomes no more than toxic waste. You would not want to consume it, but the material is no longer a weapon. I heard this discussed just once some years ago on C-SPAN. All the chemical wapons from the 80’s and early 90’s that we “knew they had” has long since degraded. A while back our troops encountered one such mortar shell that was used as a (failed) IED. That was another incident that was trumpeted by the wingnuts as “proof” and, at the time, the shelf life issue was again ignored.


  47. Pete Says:

    Degraded WMD are degraded WMD. Degraded, defunct, denied…Now, run along.

    Comment by Zookeeper

    At the time those WMD’s were produced and hidden, they were required by law to be declared and destroyed.

    Degradation is irrelevant.

    Try again.


  48. Juan C Says:

    WMD. Weapons that are capable of a high order of destruction and/or of being used in such a manner as to destroy large numbers of people.
    Well, how about high cholesterol, tobacco and TV?


  49. Pete Says:

    We’re all sitting here at home just sweating a Mustard Gas attack.

    Comment by CLUBBER WORFEUS

    Ask the Japanese if there’s any wisdom in “sweating” a mustard gas attack.

    How quickly the left forgets.


  50. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Like I said Pete, when the Mustard Gas attack comes, we’ll call you and tell you to hold your breath.

    Cool?


  51. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Ask the Japanese if there’s any wisdom in “sweating” a mustard gas attack.

    How quickly the left forgets.

    Comment by Pete — June 21, 2006 @ 11:42 pm

    Oh yea. That was a major disaster.

    How many million were wiped out again?


  52. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    What?

    It didn’t kill a millions?

    Not even 1 million?

    Oh.

    Well how many thousands then?

    :|


  53. instawanker Says:


    Ask the Japanese if there’s any wisdom in “sweating” a mustard gas attack. How quickly the left forgets.

    How moronic the right can be. The Japanese attack was sarin, not mustard gas.


    At the time those WMD’s were produced and hidden, they were required by law to be declared and destroyed. Degradation is irrelevant.

    Moron, these were pre-1991 at which time Iraq was not under the resolution.

    And thats not what the Duelfer report said. They said that some old degraded shells had been found, probably left over from the Iran-Iraq war. Probably more of the same. These were not the WMDs that the iSG was looking for


  54. Juan C Says:

    At the time those WMD’s were produced and hidden, they were required by law to be declared and destroyed

    Comment by Pete

    I guess you didnt protest when US sold them to Hussein, right? And, as you are so fond of law, was that selling under the law?

    Degradation is irrelevant.
    If that was true, radioactive elements on Earth would not have allowed the development of life. Please, you were doing fine.


  55. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    See Pete, in order for it to classify as Weapons of MASS destruction, then it needs to kill MASSES of people.

    Not 30.


  56. DenverOasis Says:

    my goodness santorum’s an idiot


  57. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    I guess if they found a real big Anvil, like on the Road Runner cartoons you’d guys would label it as a WMD, right?


  58. Tracy Says:

    All of Iraq’s WMDs were destroyed….remember.


  59. Houdini's Ghost Says:

    Santorum seems to discover a new way to piss me off every day. I’m so glad I found a great way to relieve the tension: kick him in the face.


  60. JPark Says:

    You are an idiot Jihadi.


  61. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Thats pretty good Houdinis Ghost.


  62. fed up Says:

    #4

    What the hell does that have to do with the subject. Can you trolls at least focus and stay on point.


  63. Paul Says:

    >>All of Iraq’s WMDs were destroyed….remember.

    Yes, they were. See the link to the Iraq survey group above. These were forgotten, defunct shells.


  64. Zookeeper Says:

    #61 - Stupid dial-up. I’ll look at it tomorrow at work.


  65. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Look, if they can’t push a button and hit us with it in 20 minutes, its NOT WMD.


  66. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Hey PETE, GUESS WHAT???

    I found some WMD too!

    They’re in North Korea, and they got your name on them.

    Now go get em tiger.


  67. WantsOut Says:

    The actual defense department? As opposed to the fake one that fox calls up? Yeah.


  68. JollyRoger Says:

    Good old “Rapture Rick.” We may not know where he lives, but we know for sure what lengths he’ll go to to hand on to his “K-Street Servant” position.


  69. Russ Tenebrae Says:

    Two words for ya Pete:
    Word #1: INERT
    Word #2: 1988


  70. pellinore Says:

    what a couple of dipshits. Ditto for Pete, mostly because I don’t like his tone.


  71. Drew Mackenzie Says:

    Thought for the day:

    When someone asks you if you’re better off that you were four years ago, it’s entirely a post-9/11 question.


  72. Juan C Says:

    #69 jajajajaja.


  73. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    No I’m serious Pete.

    I found some REAL WMD in North Korea.

    THARS NUKES IN THEM THAR HILLS BOY!!!!

    So come on. What are you tough talking John Wayne shoot from the hip cowboys gonna do to protect us from the WMD????

    Thats ALL you ever talk about, so you’re gonna go get them, right????

    I’m waiting.


  74. For Truth Says:

    Pete, as long as we are following the law…..


  75. katy Says:

    where was hannity during this exchange? what was he saying?
    i read on another thread that he was all excited (wink wink) about this…


  76. gringo Says:

    Pete,

    Don’t pretend that you are a bigger asshole than you actually are.

    WMD means weapon of mass destruction.
    A shell with which you cannot kill large number of people, by logic, cannot be
    WMD. A shell that is not usable as a weapon of mass destruction, by logic, is not a weapon of mass destruction.

    Get it?

    These shells are not WMDs because they are old, useless items containing degraded material that is simply not lethal enough to kill large number of people, or any number of people for that matter.

    And noone in the Bush administration told us in 2002 that we would have to invade Iraq to find Iraq’s old degraded chemical shells that they produced
    during the 80s and then they forgot. All right?

    They claimed that we had to invade Iraq because they had a new, effective, deployable chemical, biological arsenal and an active nuclear program and all of that posed a huge threat to the US.
    Which was hogwash.


  77. Pete Says:

    gringo

    At the time these weapons were produced, they were required to have been declared and destroyed. UNDERSTAND. Or are you the asshole who’s actually the stupid one?

    Ask Japan if a sarin shell’s contents are dangerous.

    And I’m sorry to tell you guys, Sarin and mustard gas is a prhibited weapon of mass destruction and was listed under UN resolutions are weapons Iraq was not to be in posession of.

    Holy shit. Mustard gas isn’t a WMD. You guys really need to go to school.


  78. Lora Says:

    For the record, I was in Japan, when the sarin gas attacks occurred on five subway cars. Twelve or thirteen people died, but hundreds more still suffer from the after-effects–some of them seriously so (ie. completely bedridden). It is said that just covering one’s mouth and nose with a damp hankerchief or face towel can prevent the worst effects.


  79. FLAVIUS `WORFEUS Says:

    Pete would be excited if they found slingshots.


  80. August Says:

    pete, you sound like a smug bastard. maybe you should go to Iraq and show us the wmd’s and stop hating people you’ve never met. so much hate fostered towards somebody is never a good thing. my advice is that you should stop watching Fox news, go to a bar and get at some sloppy hooker-sex, cause we know how you right-wingers love wierd sex … maybe go see a donkey show in mexico, you can do that easily now that Bush has NAFTA.

    seriously, we’ve shitted on this region of the world long enough, don’t you think?


  81. thebob Says:

    Pete,
    I am a Democrat because I want smart people running shit. Your fox news mentality demonstrates that you are obviously not among the smart people. And yes, the lower case is deliberate. Lying slime like fox does not deserve the extra effort required to use the Shift key. I at least gave your name that courtesy.


  82. FLAVIUS `WORFEUS Says:

    Lora. I am not belittling the deaths or suffering of anyone. I am however SCOFFING at the ridiculous comparison by PissPot Pete here, who thinks that the Japan subway attacks somehow equate to “Weapons of Mass Destruction”.

    I could kill more people with my PickUp Truck and a bottle of Jack.

    100 people does not a “Masses” make.


  83. Charles Says:

    How the hell does Alan Colmes collect a Fox News paycheck and still sleep at night?


  84. Pete Says:

    There’s way more smug tone here and it sure isn’t me.

    All the evidence of attempts to secure WMD is documented with UNMOVIC and the IAEA.

    “It is obvious that there is an attempt here, based on the whole history of this operation since 1991, to protect whatever remains of his capacity to produce weapons of mass destruction, the missiles to deliver them, and the feed stocks necessary to produce them.”

    Bill Clinton 1998

    Keep up the Hussein apologetics guys.


  85. Pete Says:

    Pete,
    I am a Democrat because I want smart people running shit.

    Comment by thebob

    Well, you must be disappointed a lot. If you guys are so smart, why do you keep losing. Kinda qualifies the intellect of the DNC don’t ya think?


  86. August Says:

    Eurasia, Eastasia does it matter who we’re at war with? just keep the fear coming, it keeps me in line and stops my thoughtcrime in its tracks.


  87. muzzle toff Says:

    ahem…..Rick San-o-tarium perhaps?
    Maybe he needs one?


  88. August Says:

    and Democrats or Republicans, don’t matter. I think America can agree that corporations have hi-jacked the government, and the government let them do it. Corporations run the GOP, Bankers run the Dems. what we need is not bi-partisan politics, but tri-partisan, or even multi-partisan politics. Anybody who buys into the whole left/right ethos is a fool. We are all working men, we all get screwed by the same-old governmental body.


  89. August Says:

    btw the only way to win back America is finance reform.


  90. thebob Says:

    Pete,
    Just like fox is not news, “kinda” is not a word. You are so good at proving my point.


  91. FLAVIUS `WORFEUS Says:

    How the hell does Alan Colmes collect a Fox News paycheck and still sleep at night?

    Comment by Charles — June 22, 2006 @ 12:47 am

    Actually he doesn’t sleep. He’s dead.

    The blood was drained from his body a long time ago, and his brain and Spinal System removed.

    Then his frame was propped up with a broomstick shoved up his rump, and Sean Hannity sticks his hand in a hole drilled in the back of his skull, from where he works his mouth, and rolls his eyes around.

    Fox felt he would seem more “lifelike” this way, and appear to have more of a spine then when he was alive.


  92. FLAVIUS `WORFEUS Says:

    Keep up the Hussein apologetics guys.

    Comment by PissPot Pete — June 22, 2006 @ 12:48 am

    No one is apologizing for Hussein you dimwit.

    We’re just not as afraid of a bunch of dusty old leaky shell casings as you big, bad republicans apparently are.


  93. nellieh Says:

    I believe Santorum is just doing what he does to preserve his 97th ranking in he Senate. But I also believe living in Ohio I have the distinction of having two ranked in the bottom ten. And they don’t usually say stupid things like Santorum. However DeWines NSA proposal is a humdinger. It is to permit NSA to spy without FISA. For 45 days. Then if they tell Congress its OK. Or some stupid bullshit like that. Soon as he gets off the abortion kick and off the porch to run with the big dogs he falls on his ass. If we don’t have two of the lamest Senators this side of Oklahoma and north of Mississippi and Alabama I don’t know who does.


  94. Plunderbund » No WMDs in Iraq: They FELL For It! Says:

    […] Here is Santorum getting punked on Fox News by Alan Colmes (ht Think Progress): […]


  95. Lora Says:

    #85 Flavius,
    I didn’t think you were belitting the deaths and suffering of the victims of the sarin attack on the Tokyo subways. I merely wanted to set the record straight, as I was in Tokyo when it happened and am very familiar with the details. I was trying to take a neutral position.


  96. t-mac Says:

    August,

    I’m buying what you’re selling. ( And I mean that is the most complimentary way!) It’s all about the $$$ !!!

    t-mac


  97. Jay Randal Says:

    Sen. Santorum is a certified GOP lunatic and whoever supports or defends him as well!


  98. Pete Says:

    Pete,
    Just like fox is not news, “kinda” is not a word. You are so good at proving my point.

    Comment by thebob

    It’s always the failed-arguer who points to grammar. You can resume your mental slumber now.

    BTW. Keep the rhetoric up. November’s looking really good if this is the best you guys can muster. Fox news? Holy shit. Every other media outlet is picking this up too, are they all in on the Fox News conspiracy?

    I love reading the comments here, it’s very comforting.


  99. David Says:

    Why do Democrats continue to even vote on say the Iraq Resolution put forth by the GOP why didn’t they ALL abstain? It’s a non-binding vote anyway right?
    Furthermore, why don’t ALL the Democrats just simply refuse to opine on ANY Fox News
    programming?
    I will assure you if they ALL did such a thing it would not only bring major attention to the
    GOP tactics but to the Fox News blatant bias as well.
    My last point is after 911 Mr. Bush had the WHOLE world and the WHOLE of the USA
    behind him now the World holds us in great disdain and the electorate in America is more
    against as a majority almost all of the issues the President now espouses. So WHY can’t
    we rationally BLAME him now for all the grave issues facing this nation?


  100. Cyra Brown Says:

    So Rick has thrown down the ‘gauntlet’, has he? Loftily expecting BushCo to appear before him, with the ‘evidence’ to contradict his assertions? And he is even willing to wait for the response, but it had better be a ‘formal’ one! Dick Cheney is gonna slap the lips right off of his face for this one. Whoa.


  101. Above the Clouds Says:

    The shells had “To Saddam–Compliments of Ronald Reagan” stenciled on the side.


  102. Josh Says:

    Why do Democrats continue to even vote on say the Iraq Resolution put forth by the GOP why didn’t they ALL abstain? It’s a non-binding vote anyway right?
    Furthermore, why don’t ALL the Democrats just simply refuse to opine on ANY Fox News
    programming?
    I will assure you if they ALL did such a thing it would not only bring major attention to the
    GOP tactics but to the Fox News blatant bias as well.
    My last point is after 911 Mr. Bush had the WHOLE world and the WHOLE of the USA
    behind him now the World holds us in great disdain and the electorate in America is more
    against as a majority almost all of the issues the President now espouses. So WHY can’t
    we rationally BLAME him now for all the grave issues facing this nation?


  103. KJ Lovell Says:

    No doubt also signed by Donnie Rumsfailed. I wonder why scrotorum is rerunning the old GOP fake out WMD stuff now. I thought his focus was on Guns, Gays and God - but in GOP land it is never too late to do a fake news story on the fake news station FAUX news.

    Watching the RETHUGlicans selfdestruct is at least entertaining.


  104. Paige Says:

    Sean Hannity, did today with this ‘The WMD have been found and Bush/the GOP are no vindicated’ nonsense what Fox News does to live and breathe. It’s a perfect example of the methods that they employ on a daily basis.

    Fox News Executives, hosts and reporters have this philosophy and mission statement when it comes to reporting/covering the news:

    * Even if we think it’s bullshit and even if we KNOW that it’s bullshit, we will throw it out there anyway to our viewers because we know damn well how dumb and gullible most of them really are and that they are willing to believe us without a doubt or question in their minds. So, we know that our lies and deceptions will be seen/heard as completely truthful and factual and will be perpetuated to all with whom they associate and used against those who disagree.

    We will employ all means necessary to brand Democrats and any critic of this administration or ourselves for that matter, as un-American and as people that will destroy this country while branding this administration and their (our) supporters as true, patriotic Americans and the only thing standing between them (us) and tyranny.

    We care less about our reputation as serious journalists, or as an establishment with any level of integrity or respect than we do our desire and ability to brainwash as many gullible people and those who can’t think for themselves as often as possible. The conservatives who can actually see through and recognize what we are doing and identify it as intense fabrication and pure propoganda, will still appreciate and encourage what we are doing. They insist and expect that we press forward with our mission and the tactics we use, nonetheless.

    So, in the long run, we achieve our mission-to make our audience firmly believe and assert that everything the Bush Administration and the Republicans do is good and right and everything the Democrats do is bad and wrong. If anyone at Fox News strays from this mission, they will be terminated immediately.*

    The new slogan Fox News has been using as of late?

    “FOX NEWS: THE NETWORK AMERICA TRUSTS”


  105. Cog Says:

    Rallying cry the last 3 years: “There are no WMDs in Iraq”.

    Scratch that, new motto: “There are no post-1991 WMDs in Iraq.”

    Please. A small Ricin program was found shortly after the war along with 2 shells containing nerve agent. I might have to consult Kos or Atrios, but those are WMDs. Not as much as Powerll claimed, but enough to sink the “No WMDs” canard promoted endlessly by those “searching for the truth”.

    What is the next grand anti-war lie to fall? The fact that WMDs were the lone rationale given to remove Saddam’s regieme? Surely that meme can stand the test of time under the usual intense scrutiny from the avowedly conservative media.

    And please, let the Defense Department speak for itself instead of massaging a quote into a regurgitated Kos talking point.


  106. August Says:

    post by T-Mac

    August,

    I’m buying what you’re selling. ( And I mean that is the most complimentary way!) It’s all about the $$$ !!!

    I’m selling lemonade, good-old grandstand american-made lemonade. taste it … go ahead … it tastes like freedom. now buy some or i’ll scare the WMD’s out of you!!!!!


  107. August Says:

    WMDeeeez Nuuuuts!!!!


  108. FLAVIUS `WORFEUS Says:

    Like I said earlier nimrod.

    We found the weapons of mass destruction.

    They’re in North Korea.


  109. Nigel Elliott Says:

    Does Apple Computer Inc. pay this site to post clip only in the QuickTime format? Shame since 95% of computers users use a Windows-PC. Thank God for dual-formats at Crooks and Liars. I think Think Progress should offer full disclosure about your preference for QuickTime.


  110. Njorl Says:

    “Holy shit. Mustard gas isn’t a WMD. You guys really need to go to school.”
    -Pete

    According to my colleague who worked at Ft. Dietrick, mustard gas is not a WMD. In fact, no chemical weapons are WMDs. Most biological weapons are not even WMDs. Only nuclear, and human-human contagious lethal biological weapons are WMDs. Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are classified together as NBCs.

    Is this nitpicking? Sure, but not nearly as ridiculous as your nitpicking, Pete.

    A shell which was loaded with a chemical that degrades no longer has that chemical in it when it degrades. The lifetime of these weapons is months once the progenitor chemicals are loaded into the shells. The weapons in question were not lethal even at the beginning of the first gulf war.

    You argue that they were required to destroy them. In every meaningful way, they were destroyed before the demand was even made. By loading the chemicals into the shells, and letting them age beyond the point of usefulness, they were destroyed.


  111. August Says:

    I’m also selling my copies of 1984 — FOR BURNING!!!!


  112. Chowbug Says:

    How would Americans behave if told: 50,000 troops will be stationed in permanent bases around Chicago and Houston? We’re saving them so well that 40,000 civilians have been killed in three years? How many people died on 911? Who attacked us? So make sure and get your magnetic bumper ribbon for the car encouraging our young resourseful people can breathe in depleted uranium dust while dodging bombs and bullets as we occupy a people. Americans would not stand one day of occupation without violent resistence. “China has overthrown our government ,lets give them a few more years, or else you know the north might attack the south again.


  113. Pete Says:

    According to my colleague who worked at Ft. Dietrick, mustard gas is not a WMD. In fact, no chemical weapons are WMDs. Most biological weapons are not even WMDs. Only nuclear, and human-human contagious lethal biological weapons are WMDs. Nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are classified together as NBCs.

    Comment by Njorl — June 22, 2006

    Those weapons programs were included in the UNMOVIC report of declarations made by Iraq on it’s prohibited weapons programs.

    I don’t give a rip what your colleague says, all that matters is what UNMOVIC and the IAEA says.


  114. Njorl Says:

    ‘The shells had “To Saddam–Compliments of Ronald Reagan” stenciled on the side.’

    Comment by Above the Clouds — June 22, 2006 @ 1:40 am

    That is a popular misconception. While the US sold Iraq the chemicals required to eliminate evidence that a chemical attack took place, it was not the US that sold him the materials to make the weapons. It was France and Germany (multinationals based in those countries, really) that actually sold Saddam the chemicals and equipment. They were supposedly selling him the means to manufacture pesticide, but everyone knew what was going on.


  115. August Says:

    ‘The shells had “To Saddam–Compliments of Ronald Reagan” stenciled on the side.’

    Comment by Above the Clouds — June 22, 2006 @ 1:40 am

    HAHAHA!!!! I LOVE THAT I LUUUV IT!


  116. yeranalyst Says:

    Pete, I thought you were a RNC paid Rovian troll. You know the pimply assed young republicans you find on campuses all over the country trying to work their way up the Republican food chain. They hire these guys to spew idiotic Republican made up talking points and blather. You however, don’t seem to quite fill the profile you’re not quite smooth enough or bright enough. Maybe there is a dearth of smarmy self hating latent homosexuals to recruit from and the RNC is taking a page from military recruiting efforts and are enlisting the mentally retarded.


  117. Njorl Says:

    “I don’t give a rip what your colleague says, all that matters is what UNMOVIC and the IAEA says.

    Comment by Pete”

    Please then. What do they say, and how do the weapons found demonstrate a violation of anything? If you go down the road of niggling technical stupidity to prove your point, you can’t leave anything out. State the agreements that were violated, the manner of the violation and demonstrate that no possible mitigating factors excuse the violations. Generalities such as “He had to declare and destroy his WMDs” are not adequate.

    We who have sanity on our side (the damn things were no longer weapons, let alone WMDs) do not need to do this. We can simply see that they were no longer weapons at all. We can see that no one who wants a WMD capacity would hide their weapons in a manner that renders them USELESS! But you who do not value common sense or sanity, but only value the letter of the law must demonstrate that you have an airtight case citing all pertainant law in an exhaustive manner.

    Please, go right ahead.


  118. Ahmad Chalabi Says:

    Told ya, bitches. I wasn’t lying…

    -


  119. boc Says:

    Hoekstra actually impressed me once, the Sunday he spoke against Hayden’s nomination.

    “Bottom line, I do believe he’s the wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time…we should not have a military person, leading a civilian agency, at this time.”

    Describing possibility of DoD taking over Intelligence, he said that the danger “…is that the military has a very different perspecitive on the world.”

    Well what do you know! Now there’s TWO different perspectives on the world, Rick!!!

    If he’s looking shocked or chagrined, I don’t see it on his face.

    Mr. Sanitorinsanium’s, I could read.

    What’s Hoekstra thinking…


  120. August Says:

    “You know the pimply assed young republicans you find on campuses all over the country trying to work their way up the Republican food chain.”
    Comment by yeranalyst

    Seriously, where can I sign up for THAT job?


  121. Oliver Willis » He’s The Least Popular Senator For A Reason Says:

    […] Why? There are a lot of reasons. But part of it is because he pulls stupid crap like this. Today, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) held a press conference and announced “we have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.” Santorum and Hoekstra are hyping a document that describes degraded, pre-1991 munitions that were already acknowledged by the White House’s Iraq Survey Group and dismissed. […]


  122. August Says:

    “all that matters is what UNMOVIC and the IAEA says.”
    comment by pete

    hehehe. look who has the last laugh now … looks like you all need to brush up on your UNMOVIC, huh?
    thought so. git’r'dun pete.


  123. boc Says:

    to #124

    I just agreed that Hayden was a bad choice, but that’s my batting average. 0-for all appointments.


  124. August Says:

    Q:What was the Bush administration’s reason for invading Iraq?
    A: they found heiroglyphs of WMD on the pyramid ruins.


  125. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Does Apple Computer Inc. pay this site to post clip only in the QuickTime format? Shame since 95% of computers users use a Windows-PC. Thank God for dual-formats at Crooks and Liars. I think Think Progress should offer full disclosure about your preference for QuickTime.

    Comment by Nigel Elliott — June 22, 2006 @ 2:15 am

    Nigel

    Its all good buddy.

    Quicktime is a free plugin like Macromedia Flash Player. Its no biggie. Just download it for free and run the install and bada boom bada bing, you’re done.


  126. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Seriously, where can I sign up for THAT job?

    Comment by August — June 22, 2006 @ 2:39 am

    Try http://www.spankmee.com


  127. August Says:

    “www.spankmee.com”
    posted by CLUBBER WORFEUS

    LOL, no wait ROFLOL!



  128. Arne Langsetmo Says:

    KJ Lovell:

    I wonder why scrotorum is rerunning the old GOP fake out WMD stuff now. I thought his focus was on Guns, Gays and God - but in GOP land it is never too late to do a fake news story…

    Ummm, he’s almost 20 points down in the polls. Hope that answers your question. That, and the fact that he’s a certified lunatic….

    Cheers,


  129. mike Says:

    What’s with this Pete guy? There is no questionable WMDs here.

    Even if these BS weapons were active they simply do not threaten the United States in any shape or form and never did.

    Sounds like desperation to me. I remember the bio lab illustrations they used to sell us this nightmare invasion.

    They were supposed to be proof of chemical weapons. What a bunch of crap. It’s all been a pack of lies.

    Pete you either have your brain attached to the Republican Matrix or you just get off being the center of attention. Which is it?


  130. August Says:

    ‘It’s all been a pack of lies.’
    posted by mike

    hey, you’re a Phil Collins fan, huh?


  131. stantheman Says:

    Over here in Europe I see that CNN are still scrolling this story as if it was breaking news. A day late and a dollar short as usual.


  132. August Says:

    you keep you general euro-nastiness out of this, okay.


  133. nova silverpill Says:

    Hey, CLUBBER WORFEUS.

    Aren’t you supposed to be Nigerian and want my bank account #?


  134. stantheman Says:

    I’m strictly red, white and blue. Just over here yelling “Soccer” in crowded German football stadiums.


  135. CLUBBER WORFEUS Says:

    Hey, CLUBBER WORFEUS.

    Aren’t you supposed to be Nigerian and want my bank account #?

    Comment by nova silverpill — June 22, 2006 @ 3:55 am

    In truth I ask was there a question in there?

    If so, what pray tell is its meaning?


  136. Dave in IL Says:

    Santorum and Faux News - if that isn’t dumb and dumber, I do not know what is. 500 nonfunctional chemical munitions from the Iran-Iraq war is not news. Santorum is desperate to defuse some of the anger over the Iraq war so he can make his sinking Senate campaign competitive. 2508 US soldiers have died for this nonsense, 20000 have been wounded, it has cost over 400 billion dollars, and the bin Laden is sipping tea in his cave cheering our stupidity.


  137. August Says:

    ‘I’m strictly red, white and blue. Just over here yelling “Soccer” in crowded German football stadiums. ‘
    posted by stantheman

    I’m just kidding, man. but seriously, soccer is un-american and you should know better. :)


  138. stantheman Says:

    I’m just kidding, man. but seriously, soccer is un-american and you should know better. :)

    Comment by August — June 22, 2006 @ 4:16 am

    S’OK, August, I, hopefully, detected the irony/humorous/playful nature of your response. I also yell “Cricket” in baseball stadiums (especially Arlington) on July 4th. Must go. The Hoffbrauhouse is calling. LOL


  139. TGC Says:

    Nevermind the fact that the document came from the DOD.

    Regardless, it still blows the liberal “they didn’t have any” mantra to hell.


  140. aeskylos Says:

    Santorum is the biggest laugh in Washington. I guess the Congress needs a Pagliacci but this guy’s greed and hunger are so obvious that he’s becoming an icon for the seven sins. Why are all these “chritians” politicians such rats?


  141. ivan carter Says:

    typically, with the case of the far right, their misleading claims have done more damage as intended, than any subsequent revelations (which tend to receive a fraction of the press) that they were misleading in the first place does to the original misleaders. (on the other hand, when it comes to democrats, this is often reversed, because of the great republican spin machine — so imagine how effective they are when they actually catch the democrats in a mistake — and the propensity of the media with respect to democrats.)

    sometimes things can be boiled down to their simplest elements. this is one of those things.

    if this above trend were not true, the far right, instead of dominating the national debate, would be recognized as just that, i.e., “the far right,” — and close to the bottom of the bell curve instead of being represented by a large portion of our current Congress, the current White House, and now three and very likely 4 of the current Supreme Court Justices.

    the reason is also simple: this is their motus operandi. to spin, distort, find things with which to attack democrats, liberals, moderates, and anybody else they want to lable as “left wing,” the media, mislead by rhetoric that appeals to our worst emotions and biases…manufacture facts or simply blatantly mislead..

    when “mistakes” such as these are effectively turned around on the far right wing, they will cease to have the almost national debate defining (shifting) effect that they have, and will more aptly serve to define the far right wing. (which will then in turn engage this tactic less often or egregiously, and thus manipulate less, but if they don’t it will harm more than help)

    therefore, what needs to be done, in THIS and EVERY instance, is turn the misleading statement, into a bigger story, than the impact of the statement itself.

    this is not done, because democrats often assume facts speak for themselves. but to most of America, they don’t, because most of America hears competing claims, or what it “wants to hear,” constant rhetoric, and because the initial impact of the story tends to be far more potent, and often spun more significantly in the news (which is another reason why the “manipulation” itself has to become the story. then the fact that santorum, for example, tried to manipulate becomes the lead potent story).

    this manufactured claim to try and manipulate or mislead the public, by taking what were long recognized stockpiles of old, no longer viable gas agents, and try to sell it to the public that this is what seeking to remove WMD via active military engagement with Iraq was all about, needs to be constantly blogged and commented on outside of predominantly liberal or democratic sites, emailed, and telephoned to the media, over and over and over and over and over, until the story that Rick Santorum either doesn’t understand what the Iraq and WMD question was all about, or was purposefully trying to manipulate the public, becomes a BIGGER story than the gosh awful story that Iraq had some old sarin/mustard gas stockpiles from before the gulf war well over a decade ago.

    by the way anonymous liberal. this not only negates the “wash, repeat, rinse” cycle that has led to the political domination of America this millenium, it turns it into a weapon against them.

    as for that fox channel that reported on this, see this short piece on their “no spin” spinmeister, saying some absolutely incredible things….


  142. ivan carter Says:

    and lets throw in three pieces on the seminal issues of our day, that journalists are poorly covering. particularly ironic, given the content of the middle piece

    http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/ 2006/ 06/ secrecy-and-security.html

    http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/ 2006/ 05/ imprisoning-journalists.html

    http://www.pressthenews.com/specter-nsa1.htm


  143. Mitch Says:

    I am moving to Pennsylvania on Sunday - looking forward to voting that imbecile Santorum out of office!

    To me, Santorum represents precisely what sucks about America. I won’t patronize you with the details, since I am sure we all agree on them, but America mostly doesn’t suck, and its people like Santorum that remind us again of Plato’s cautions about democratic states.


  144. Suburban Guerrilla » WMDs Found, I Swear It Says:

    […] The Defense Department says no. Permalink| […]


  145. Bruce Gorton Says:

    Pete

    These were degraded shells found mostly along an old war front. Now if France was told to get rid of all of its chemical weapons, would the unexploded gas shells from WWI count?

    Further, if Saddam had WMD’s in working condition when America invaded why didn’t Saddam use them?

    Further, if something is degraded to the point where it isn’t usable doesn’t that mean it is basically for all intents and purposes destroyed?


  146. DR Says:

    Pete:

    1. If all mustard and sarin munitions are illegal the world around, then the US is in direct violation of international law. The US holds the largest active stockpiles of both. Would that imply that the rest of the world is justified in launching a pre-emptive attack on the US?

    2. We were sold a bill of goods not on old stockpiles of weapons, but on active, ongoing production of WMDs. Remember the vial of baby powder (or whatever it was) and the bad drawings of so-called “mobile weapons labs”? The fact that to this day you’re still trying to justify that one would be funny if it weren’t so sad.

    3. The US is, and there’s no way to argue around this, is direct violation of international law, including the Nuremberg code which was WRITTEN MAINLY BY THE US ITSELF. So stop referring to UN resolutions and international law as if you cared an iota about it. The US doesn’t give a d**n about international law and the Bush crime family has repeatedly said so.

    Pete: go F yourself (as your dear leader Cheney would say)…


  147. Shemp Says:

    Dude, when you get punked by Alan Colmes fer crissakes, you might as well end it now and slit your wrists in the tub. Sheesh!


  148. purvis ames Says:

    #145
    A case in point about wingnut media strategy. A few weeks ago a regular NY Post columnist, Taheri, published a report that all Jews in Iran were going to be required to wear identifying clothing. The story originated with Mossad agent Conrad Black’s New Post, was picked up by the Jerusalem Post, and subsequently promulgated by Taheri and the Wiesenthal Institute. It was debunked almost immediately. Did the NY Post print a retraction? Did Taheri apologize for his disinformation? Two days later, the Post published a whole raft of outraged letters to the editor calling for the destruction of Iran due to their heinous behavior toward Jews. Santorum is doing exactly the same thing - floating a completely false story and eagerly awaiting the rabid response of his constituents.


  149. Curlew Says:

    What an ignorant fool Senator Sanctimoron is…..he says he’ll wait to hear what the Defense Department says “or more importantly what the Administration” says.

    RICK you ignorant homophobe….the Defense Department IS the Administration. The Secretary of Defense works for Bush….All agencies of the Federal government and their respective Secretaries ARE the Administration.

    This is just one more example of why Sanctimoron needs to be retired on November 7. Only 137 more days until he’s an official has-been.


  150. Maria in Pgh Says:

    I can’t stand that anti-choice, lisping, Alito-loving wuss Bob Casey, but Lil Ricky has finally done the impossible — he’s got me endorsing BOB CASEY — and for that, I hate him even more.


  151. whalerider55 Says:

    “… I’d like to know who that Defense Department employee is…” so’s I can get his whisltblowin’ ass out on the street ASAP.

    calling Santorum a moron is to insult morons.


  152. dlet Says:

    I agree with all of these right-wing *ahem* intellectuals here. Iraq should have been invaded because it had chemical weapons it was required to destroy in a set amount of time. Following that logic though we could be introuble.


  153. penywise Says:

    What a dumbass liar. This stupid son-of-a-bithc is 18 points behind and all this coiffed queer does is tell another GOP lie. Hurry up November ‘06! We cannot stomach this much longer.


  154. FROZEN SCANDAL MAN Says:

    WMD is WMD.
    Comment by Pete

    Pete must have missed the Moussaoi trial.
    Planes are WMD Pete. Yes, Airports around the world, right out in the open, tens of thousands of WMD.


  155. Repeat the Lie Santorum Says:

    The point isn’t that the lie he spoke of WMDs being discovered was said, it’s that he put the lie out there. He did his job because whenever one of these guys says anything, FOX, talk radio, right wing rags will run with it and do their best to present it as fact and force it ont he public. It doesn’t matter that it was a lie, just that he got the cryptic message out to the GOP Zombies to march in lock step to.


  156. Santorumtart Says:

    Boy, that hail mary pass by Rick BOMBED! Try again. Better yet, don’t.. They’ll try any lie to win.


  157. unbelievable Says:

    This is further proof that the far right does no research, and does not understand that others will.

    I mean, what a complete pair of dumbasses to put their reputations further on the line by making this public claim without first talking to someone in the know who could verify or deny their claims. And these guys are on the same party.

    Laughing-stocks, both of them for their Chicken Little Act 2006. I hope it’s the end of tehir careers. People this desperate should never have an ounce of authority.


  158. Marty Says:

    Tricky Ricky is already 18 points down in his Senate race. After this propaganda PR stunt, he’ll drop another 10. What an asshole.


  159. nym@alias.net Says:

    these bait and switch republicants are pulling out the last straws now… next they’ll be throwing out a bestiality insinuation - from man-dog no less.


  160. MiddleMan Says:

    Comment on 163: Wait, making comments with no research is not a far right only mentally deficient symptom, especially when you take Hillary into consideration. She’s now saying we should go back to a 55 mile per hour speed limit to save gas! As the infamous “Rev.” Jim Jones said, “Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.” The 55 mph speed did nothing but frustrate people. Saving gas means forcing auto companies to make more fuel efficient cars, get rid of the fake anti-pollution equipment, and let cars run correctly at about 70 to 100 mpg.

    As far as WMD is concerned, what idiot thought the U.S. should ever become a ‘first-strike’ nation? Where have all our values gone? Human lives lost on both sides, just in case. Reminds me of “Minority Report” where you go to jail for something you might do in the future. It’s a bad precident to set, and a bad president who set it.


  161. Bark of the MoonBatâ„¢ » Blog Archive » Something ain’t right! Says:

    […] As Combs, and the Duelfer Report, point out, the shells our Senator mentioned were from pre-1991 (that would be before the first Gulf War) and that the Hussein government had apparently destroyed their stockpiles of chemical weapons (save for five hundred or so shells that they forgot, never maintained and, therefore, could not use). The Duelfer Report also concludes that Iraqi government did not undertake efforts to reconsitute their WMD programs once they were dismantled. Our President’s Department of Defense even dismissed the significance of Senator Santorum’s press release. […]


  162. Armchair Generalist Says:

    Pennsylvania’s Shame…

    Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) surpasses any Asshat designation I could possibly award. It is with shame that I have to consider him a native Pennsylvanian. Of course, maybe I can consider him a former PA resident, since other people live…


  163. Marie Says:

    DD disavows WMD claim - no matter - Santorum was on Imus this morning, holding fast to his claim that vestiges of 15 year old chemicals were the missing WMDs.


  164. unbelievable Says:

    Wait, making comments with no research is not a far right only mentally deficient symptom, especially when you take Hillary into consideration.
    Comment by MiddleMan — June 22, 2006 @ 9:19 am

    An exception does not invalidate the rule, as nothing is 100%. Though I did not say that the left was exempt. Take the 9/11 Conspiracy Theories that several far-left folks jumped on without discrimination or consideration..

    This thread is about the actions of the far-right and my commentary was in direct response to that context. It was not meant to be an absolute. I forget that the right doesn’t get that the left speaks in shades of grey.


  165. mystic Says:

    Pete, the dems keep winning but end up losing because you guys keep stealing elections. Losers always resort to dirty underhand tactics when they are desperate, and I find these last throes of desperation on the part of sanatorum actually enjoyable. I love seeing him squirm, grovel and tremor as his forked tongue croaks into oblivion. And the worst thing of all is that he can’t do anymore what he was always best at: bash queers; Oh boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo. Continue grovelling and squirming, sanatorum; Your straight-(pun intended) jacket’s on its way.


  166. Roger_Roger Says:

    It is very sad that the repugs use the Iraq war for political gain. At least our Democrats don’t use Iraq for political gain. Oh wait…. Pot calling the kettle black once again.

    Just face it, both parties are huge pieces of crap. Both will use any success or failure to trump there position and boost political support. This story isn’t surprising. What is surprising is watching you morons act like this is the first time either party ever has used questionable information out of Iraq for political gain.


  167. Snarkley Says:

    Just another attempt by George’s propaganda network to give those in the Red(neck) states something to hang their hat on. They no that the headline “WMD’s Found” will suffice for Billy Bob and his wife/cousin Lurleen.


  168. q Says:

    OK, so let’s do the cost benefit here. over 2,500 servicemen killed and who knows how many civilians, burgeoning civil war for 500 old WMD’s. Hey, that sounds like a good deal! Five brave Americans who did what their civilian leadership asked for each inoperable piece of WMD found. What a deal!


  169. big dave from queens Says:

    It’s a test balloon. Have the 1 senator who DEFINITELY will be defeated in Nov. try out this lie. If people buy it or his #s move upwards others will follow. If not, then republicans can simply say that it was just 1 senator claiming this + that senator lost his election.


  170. Akkam’s Razor Says:

    […] The last embarassing bit was his recycling of a years-old report of our discovery in Iraq of buried and degraded 25+ year old mustard and nerve gas, left over from the Iran-Iraq War, no doubt delivered via Donald Rumsfeld and stamped with "Made-in-the-USA".  These reports have been throroughly discredited by everyone and their grandmother, but to a member of the legislature, especially one is trouble in an election year, anything looks like a lifeline.  You know it's bad when both FOXNEWS and the Department of Defense discredits you. […]


  171. Ken Daves Says:

    santorum’s rebuttal tells it all. Republicans and far too many democrats just get the stories covered the way that they want and create doubt by playing the “wait and see” game. They know that the media, once hannity takes over, will ensure a completely different reality.

    Even if they don’t convince the entire public that there really were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, the doubt about it is really all they need.

    They plan on stealing the next election, and the proof is in the way they are creating enough doubt on the major points where they’ve been proven wrong time and again, that they can justify the lying numbers which again will almost definitely be out of sync with exit polls. Unless, of course, they can do away with exit polls.

    They’ve alr