U.S. Ends Search for WMD in Iraq

It's offcial....again! Dubya started a war for nothing! Oh, I forgot...it's about the oil stupid.

U.S. ends search for WMD in Iraq
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. inspectors have ended their search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in recent weeks, a U.S. intelligence official told CNN.

The search ended almost two years after President Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, citing concerns that Saddam Hussein was building weapons of mass destruction and may have hidden weapons stockpiles.
Members of the Iraq Survey Group were continuing to examine hundreds of documents and would investigate any new leads, the official said.

Charles A. Duelfer, who headed the Iraq Survey Group's search for WMD in Iraq, has returned to Iraq and is working on his final report, the official said.

In October, Duelfer released a preliminary report finding that in March 2003 -- the United States invaded Iraq on March 19 of that year -- Saddam did not have any WMD stockpiles and had not started any program to produce them.

The Iraq Survey Group report said that Iraq's WMD program was essentially destroyed in 1991 and Saddam ended the country's nuclear program after the 1991 Gulf War.

The report found that Iraq worked hard to cheat on United Nations-imposed sanctions and retain the capability to resume production of weapons of mass destruction at some time in the future. (Full story)
"[Saddam] wanted to end sanctions while preserving the capability to reconstitute his weapons of mass destruction when sanctions were lifted," a summary of the report said.

Many of the military and intelligence personnel, who had been assigned to the weapons search, are now working on counterinsurgency matters, the official said.

Worse Than Fiction

January 7, 2005
OP-ED COLUMNIST
Worse Than Fiction
By PAUL KRUGMAN

I've been thinking of writing a political novel. It will be a bad novel because there won't be any nuance: the villains won't just espouse an ideology I disagree with - they'll be hypocrites, cranks and scoundrels.

In my bad novel, a famous moralist who demanded national outrage over an affair and writes best-selling books about virtue will turn out to be hiding an expensive gambling habit. A talk radio host who advocates harsh penalties for drug violators will turn out to be hiding his own drug addiction.

In my bad novel, crusaders for moral values will be driven by strange obsessions. One senator's diatribe against gay marriage will link it to "man on dog" sex. Another will rant about the dangers of lesbians in high school bathrooms.

In my bad novel, the president will choose as head of homeland security a "good man" who turns out to have been the subject of an arrest warrant, who turned an apartment set aside for rescue workers into his personal love nest and who stalked at least one of his ex-lovers.

In my bad novel, a TV personality who claims to stand up for regular Americans against the elite will pay a large settlement in a sexual harassment case, in which he used his position of power to - on second thought, that story is too embarrassing even for a bad novel.

In my bad novel, apologists for the administration will charge foreign policy critics with anti-Semitism. But they will be silent when a prominent conservative declares that "Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular."

In my bad novel the administration will use the slogan "support the troops" to suppress criticism of its war policy. But it will ignore repeated complaints that the troops lack armor.

The secretary of defense - another "good man," according to the president - won't even bother signing letters to the families of soldiers killed in action.

Last but not least, in my bad novel the president, who portrays himself as the defender of good against evil, will preside over the widespread use of torture.

How did we find ourselves living in a bad novel? It was not ever thus. Hypocrites, cranks and scoundrels have always been with us, on both sides of the aisle. But 9/11 created an environment some liberals summarize with the acronym Iokiyar: it's O.K. if you're a Republican.

The public became unwilling to believe bad things about those who claim to be defending the nation against terrorism. And the hypocrites, cranks and scoundrels of the right, empowered by the public's credulity, have come out in unprecedented force.

Apologists for the administration would like us to forget all about the Kerik affair, but Bernard Kerik perfectly symbolizes the times we live in. Like Rudolph Giuliani and, yes, President Bush, he wasn't a hero of 9/11, but he played one on TV. And like Mr. Giuliani, he was quick to cash in, literally, on his undeserved reputation.

Once the New York newspapers began digging, it became clear that Mr. Kerik is, professionally and personally, a real piece of work. But that's not unusual these days among people who successfully pass themselves off as patriots and defenders of moral values. Mr. Kerik must still be wondering why he, unlike so many others, didn't get away with it.

And Alberto Gonzales must be hoping that senators don't bring up the subject.

The principal objection to making Mr. Gonzales attorney general is that doing so will tell the world that America thinks it's acceptable to torture people. But his confirmation will also be a statement about ethics.

As White House counsel, Mr. Gonzales was charged with vetting Mr. Kerik. He must have realized what kind of man he was dealing with - yet he declared Mr. Kerik fit to oversee homeland security.

Did Mr. Gonzales defer to the wishes of a president who wanted Mr. Kerik anyway, or did he decide that his boss wouldn't want to know? (The Nelson Report, a respected newsletter, reports that Mr. Bush has made it clear to his subordinates that he doesn't want to hear bad news about Iraq.)

Either way, when the Senate confirms Mr. Gonzales, it will mean that Iokiyar remains in effect, that the basic rules of ethics don't apply to people aligned with the ruling party. And reality will continue to be worse than any fiction I could write.


E-mail: krugman@nytimes.com

New Year Message

I felt compelled to say a few things before 2004 signs off and we start a New Year. I think I'll start off with the 'bad' of '04. I've always felt no matter how bad things get, you can usually find a thread of something positive or something to take with you and move forward with. So, here's just a few things that shaped my year.

In October, by brother-in-law Steve finally lost his heroic fight against cancer. I don't know if I fooled myself for months, or just wanted to believe if anyone could beat it, he would. What strikes me now is how he never gave up until the bitter end. He seldom complained about the disease that was ravaging his body. Knowing things might not turn for the good, he continued with experimental treatments, hoping that someday, his fight would be able to benefit someone else down the line. If that isn't a lesson in selflessness, I don't know what is. I miss you bro - and I know one day our paths will cross again in another life.

My sister and niece taught me about strength and courage. Nancy will be the first to say, what choice did I have? Regardless, watching someone you love lose such a battle and being there for them every step of the way takes both attributes. I see Molly, who was 20 years younger than I when I lost my dad hold her composure and move forward. I was amazed by her strength and it serves as a testament to who her dad was.

His passing was literally days before the election. Looking back - another strange time in my life indeed. While all that was going on, I found comfort and a wonderful diversion to what was going on in our lives. It seems a little surreal now. In one moment we fought back tears - the next I was at a rally or doing volunteer work for the Kerry campaign.

Speaking of the election - what the hell were you thinking America?

Living in Columbus meant we had a candidate here just about every other day towards the end. By October 30, Jodi (my best friend) and I had an election to remember. Our first rally in July had us on-stage right behind Kerry as he gave a speech in my neighborhood. I was fortunate to talk with him briefly and
get a signature. When he won the nomination, we attended a rally where Ben Affleck spoke - he truly is hot in person! I was standing at the gate line when Edwards got up on the fencing and had his stomach in my face for a few minutes. I call that my "Monica" moment of the campaign. Suffice it to say, I did get to shake his hand and Kerry's again. I will fondly remember the Zanesville rally in the rain.

The next event, I went solo - I met Teresa. I adore that woman - she's very bright and well spoken. I gave her hug and got her signature. We attended a town hall meeting with Elizabeth. I was struck by her candor and smarts too.

I spent the eve of my 41st birthday with John Edwards at a presidential debate party in downtown Columbus. Another hand shake, but even cooler - on the Kerry site, we were in the main picture in the front row. The day after my birthday we found ourselves in Cleveland at the Vote for Change tour with Bruce.

That led us to private invitation event featuring Kerry and Dana Reeve. Literally, we collectively held back our tears as she spoke of Christopher's passing.

The last rally with Kerry brought us Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuce! WOW! If that wasn't cool, I don't know what was. I have some candid shots of him backstage and he waved at me.

The last two events of the campaign were with Elizabeth at a Mom's for Kerry rally. And, Michael Moore with the Goo Goo Dolls and some other folks. This took place 3 days before the election. I gave Elizabeth a big hug and wished them luck - days later we would find she had breast cancer.

Final stop before election day, Michael Moore. We managed to sang front row seats. The Goo Goo Dolls played, Michael made us laugh and think. I thought for a few moments that this country can turn around.

Kerry brought me hope - I truly supported him and he was my first choice for president. However, we are stuck with a man that has no vision for this country. I'm starting to wonder if I will see full equality in my lifetime. I will continue to voice my thoughts/opinions as he takes our great nation down his path of hell.

Christmas of 2004 began with a blizzard and a power outage. I must admit, that was nerve racking to say the least. As I told my Uncle Bob - watching all those episodes of "Survivor" taught me well. In the end, we are all safe and sound and by the grace of Big Bird, our houses have no damage. Nancy & Molly are still without power, hopefully today is the day!

As bad as that was for us personally, to see the victims of the Tsunami serve as a reminder to how fortunate we are. Everyday as new footage comes out, I'm blown away by the devastation and destruction. I honestly thought Sudan was going to be the story of human tragedy this year. In either case, if you have a dime to send either of these groups of people - please don't wait, people are dying by the hundreds (thousands) and it is our duty in being those fortunate in the human race to help them. It could've been you in their shoes.

Barring any major act of Big Bird, we are headed to Cozumel in a few weeks! I'm so excited. My first cruise AND with Melissa Ferrick if that doesn't rock!

Which leads me to the best person in my life. I thank you for putting up with with my political rants, grumpy moods when I don't get enough sleep and my overall smartass behavior 24/7. Thank you for accepting my flaws - as beautiful as they are! You mean everything to me and I remind myself how 'empty' life would be without you.

Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuah!

And maybe, just maybe, this is our year to start the rest of our lives together. You get the gnome for the garden - but, I really think we should get that white dog from the pound.

I know I've left out bunches of other things - but, my goal wasn't to keep rambling for a change!

To my friends, and family - obviously - I'm there if you need me. To the internet strangers that write and thank me for my web sites, I thank you for taking the time to drop me a line. Your stories can be very inspirational - and they do serve as a reminder as to why I do this in the first place.

To anyone bothering to read this - I wish you the best for 2005. May you and those you love have a safe and healthy New Year.
Cin