Again I ask, "Why no minutes from Bush countering DSM?"

[gulliver]

Bush has said over and over again that the war was a last resort, that he sought peace. But if so, why hasn't anyone in the administration produced minutes of meetings, presidential directives, or even notes of private meetings where Bush says he wants to avoid war unless absolutely necessary? Where are the notes and directives where Bush says he wants the intelligence double-checked and triple-checked to make sure that he was not taking us to war without good reason?

The DSM and many other sources say that Bush was fixated on taking out Saddam early on, even before his presidency. What internal administration documentation, official acts, directives, or orders from the president contradict that? The absence of that evidence speaks volumes. It looks for all the world like when the cameras were off Bush, he wasn't saying or doing anything that resembles due diligence or respect for his war responsibilities.

I think if Bush can't prove he seriously sought alternatives to war with official presidential exercises of power (not just showbiz in front of cameras), he's cooked.

[cthrumatrix]

1. because they are "caught" any contrived memo's would be

scutinized and possible purjury.

[Dr Fate]

2. Ya know- that is a damn good angle!!!

I like! I like!

[CreateMaintain.com]

3. Negotiation is a reality...

If there was anything The Bay of Pigs has taught us; it's that violence is no longer an option.. if we want to Sustain Humanity on this planet, that is.

[doublethink]

4. I would give oh 1000 to 1 odds on you being correct.

I'm sure if any 'minutes' on this from the Bush Administration existed .... well maybe the earthquake earlier was caused by the paper shredders roaring? ... :shrug:

[Old and In the Way]

5. Just one example as to how Bush tried to avoid the war with Iraq

would suffice. Not lipservice in speeches that covered his march to war...real evidence where he tried to head off an offensive invasion. Saddam came clean...he let the inspectors in and they found no WMD. Shouldn't that have been enough to keep the march to war derailed?

Reminds me of Condoleeza Rice telling us that "if we had known that terrorists would use airplanes as bombs, we'd have moved heaven and earth to stop them".

Liars.

[fob]

6. Keep asking gulliver, this is at least the third thread I've seen you

post about this and it just keeps getting to be a better and better question. Have you sent this to Randi Rhodes or Al Franken or anyone else yet?

Deep Throat gave the advice "follow the money". DU Throat says "follow the minutes". Good ideas both.

fob

[gulliver]

7. I got a lot of good feedback from the other postings...

... which I incorporated. I did e-mail one version of it to [e-mail], but I'm not even sure that is a good e-mail address. I guess I should e-mail it to Randi Rhodes and Al Franken. That's a good suggestion. Thanks!