Answers for Rob Bernard About WMD
Rob had a few questions for those who are concerned about the US not finding WMD in Iraq yet. I'll leap to a conclusion this might have been a rebuttal to my questions from Thursday. I'll take a stab:

1. Would you concede that Iraq had WMD before Gulf War I?

Obviously yes.:

2. Would you concede that a large number of these weapons were unaccounted for when the inspectors left in '98?

Unaccounted based on UN inspectors, yes. Whether this was true or not, this was the paper accounting.

3. What do you suggest Iraq did with those weapons? Do you really think Iraq destroyed them and just decided not to show us just to be petulant?

These are the possibilities:

1. Iraq overstated its WMD program before 1991, therefore the 1998 accounting was overstated.


2. The accounting of WMD materials in 1998 was wrong, for reasons other than listed in #1.


3. Iraq destroyed its WMD at some point. Could have been anytime after 1998 right up to now.


4. Iraq transferred its WMD to another country or terrorist group.


5. The WMD were looted in the chaos following the fall of the Regime and could be anywhere.


6. The WMD are still hidden somewhere in Iraq.

Rob’s questions confirm the problem of revisionism that has gripped the Bush Administration and its supporters. Bush made the claim that Iraq possessed WMD. He claimed that his administration had clear and certain evidence that Iraq possessed these weapons. Possession of WMD was the tantamount threat to the USA, US interests, and US allies that was made as the basis for going to war. What is becoming more clear is that the only evidence Bush had was circumstantial, at best.

Current efforts at find WMD in Iraq support two conclusions. One is that the US did not have any firm knowledge of where the WMD were located. Also, the low priority of the search indicates that now the unguarded existence of those weapons must not be a threat, because no actual weapons currently exist. This is where the lie/exaggeration/manipulation arises. Bush used the imminent threat of WMD as the focal point for going to war. We were under a threat, and had to defend ourselves. He claimed such, but it is clear now that were we not under such a threat. We may find some WMD, and we will surely find evidence of a WMD Program. Having a program is not an imminent threat to the US. If it were we would have declared war on half a dozen other unfriendly nations. Bush could have just used bad judgment, which will be his defense. The CIA will undoubtedly be the scapegoat, but may end up being Brutus in the end. Bush may have relied on faith-based intelligence. This possible lapse in judgment is a factor and action that a President should not shirk from. He should take it beg forgiveness. He should suffer the defeat at the next election. If Bush did knowingly put forth this threat of WMD without any reliable support, then I have to wonder if anyone can say lying about the reasons for going to war is not an impeachable offense, but lying about a blowjob is. Bush still might get lucky. He might find a bunker full of chemical weapons that could have been used on the US military. If he does, then everyone, including me will have cake on their face. Short of that type of find, I will personally remain angry. I trusted that Bush would not lie about WMD. I assumed Iraq still had a significant cache left. If Bush or anyone in his administration knew before hand that this was not the case, Nixon will begin to look like a light weight.

A crime beyond words
Well, Peter found a few words to use for his column. Is this fire and brimstone week at the Church of Bronson? Peter's false leap in this column is right from the CCV's fascist in chief, Phil Burress. Peter claims pornography causes or leads to "kiddie porn." This is totally unsubstantiated, and completely false. Peter brings out this old and trite propaganda:

Porn peddlers who get filthy rich on it often get away with the myth that "it's a victimless crime."

Peter, "kiddie porn" is horrible. Those are messing with it should be locked up for a long time. Those producing it should be locked up for good. Using the victims of kiddie porn as your tools in your puritanical crusade against pornography is sickening to me. Peter, if you want to attack the scum who abuse children, I will applaud you. If you want to exploit those children's victim hood for an unrelated cause, I condemn your callousness, as well as your closed minded moralizing. If you can't find the words, Peter, I think you should refrain from writing.

Unguarded WMD?
If there are still weapons of mass destruction or the components needed for making them lying around in a bunker someone isn't that rather dangerous? Couldn't someone just walk away with them? Maybe they already have. Isn't that sort of a problem? Isn't that our worst nightmare? Could Hamas have chemical weapons as I type? Hasn't the war increased the danger of WMD? Well, not if Saddam has destroyed them, and not if they were mostly all destroyed by the inspectors in 1998 and before. But WMD are really meaningless, right??? We don't have to fear any terrorists getting hold of them now. We don't need every qualified inspector from around the world to help comb the country as fast as possible, thus preventing anyone stealing the WMD. Those are not fears we should have. We should just sit back, relax, and wait for the dividends to role in.

Imax Theater at Levee closes
Is the Newport Levee not strong enough for big attractions? Is it just a nice mall? I have yet to set foot in the place. All reports are that it is a wonderful place to go, but how much is now empty there? Will the ShadowBox Cabaret be able to survive?

Animal linked to monkeypox went to Edgewood school
If there wasn't any panic before, I bet there is now. I hope the pediatricians are willing to work overtime this weekend.

Dog Day Afternoon
A reader sends a request via email.

I am writing to you in hopes to gain more exposure in helping out a local
dog who needs a good home. She is eight years old, so the local rescue places will not consider her as a candidate; apparently in the dog world she is considered a senior! Her owner passed away last month and the owner's son and I are now taking care of her, though it's a challenge. We live in a small apartment with two cats and two kids, and the dog is not adapting well to the environment.....

A dog needs a good home. Here is another site on the pooch down on its luck. Email the current caretaker here.

Controversy won't deter cast of 'Corpus Christi'
The most perplexing element of this situation is that the play is being performed at a church. A religious group is protesting the play. A Church group is protesting another church. Has that happened before? I am sure it has happened at some point in the past, but a picket line outside another place of worship protesting their rights to use their church as they see fit. This would make a great SNL skit.

City art gallery cited for alcohol violations
Was the Enquirer scooped by City Beat? Read Greg Flannery's latest Porkopolis column and decide for yourself.

Possible Monkeypox Found In Greater Cincinnati
Please do not jump to conclusions. The odds that these are really cases of Monkeypox are on the surface very unlikely. I hope tonight's local news doesn't make this into a panic inducing ratings bonanza. I know, I know, they will. There is not a local TV news produces who would not give their firstborn in exchange for the number one rated news team. I can just picture the teaser...."Monkeypox in Cincinnati? Are You Going to Die? Find out tonight at 11."

President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat
Above is a link to President Bush's speech from right here in Cincinnati. The link is from the White House, so I doubt anyone will doubt the source. This quote is one that gets my goat:

Some ask how urgent this danger is to America and the world. The danger is already significant, and it only grows worse with time. If we know Saddam Hussein has dangerous weapons today -- and we do -- does it make any sense for the world to wait to confront him as he grows even stronger and develops even more dangerous weapons?

The bold emphasis was added. First, I will not play semantics and say "dangerous weapons" does not necessarily mean WMD. The paragraph in the speech directly before this ends on a quote with the words "weapons of mass destruction." To me, that is what he meant. In the speech over all it is clear he was trying to communicate that Iraq possessed WMD, not that they just had a WMD program. If that is the case, then the questions are rather obvious:

1. If the Bush Administration knew Saddam Hussein had WMD, then how did they know it, yet not know where to find them after the war?


2. If the reader has answered #1 above with something to the effect of "they were destroyed by Saddam" or "they are still hidden" or "they were moved to Syria," then I agree those are possible, but so is the fact that they could had been destroyed before the war.


3. If Bush knew these weapons existed, ready to be used, then why is that not a bigger priority for the administration?


4. If those weapons existed then they could be in the hands of people trying to sell them. Was that not something the war was trying to prevent?


5. If you assume the intelligence on WMD was either weak or faulty or selectively filtered, then why would Bush make such a speech? My answer here is where the lie/exaggeration comes into to play as a means to manipulate public and even Congressional opinion.

The jury is still out on the WMD issue, but my concern is that people are being led into believing that the ends justify the means. Winning without honor is just losing by another name. If anyone can read the whole speech and not believe Bush did not state Iraq possessed WMD, then I will eat my hat. In lieu of not wearing a hat, I will eat my least favorite dinner for a week. Will this issue continue to gain attention? I shall continue to watch, but I do not expect truth to see much light in Bush's America.

The strategically ambiguous George W. Bush
It depends on what the meaning of "is" is, or rather in this case on the meaning of "weapons" of mass destructions vs. "weapons programs." This clear distinction is the basis of Bush's exaggeration/lie about evidence of WMD in Iraq. I hate to once again bring out a cliché, but if Bill Clinton had done this, the right-wingers would be calling him a murder of around 200 US military service members. Bush gets a pass from his flock. The media is starting to come around on this point, but will they keep up the pressure? This is more than enough for any President to be pushed out of office, but that is in terms of a non-media saturated culture. This is enough for him to lose next year. Will the media allow it to be used by the Democrats? I wonder how the beast will handle it. I have hope, but having been a sap on WMD before makes me übercynical on the media having balls.

Chris Anderson comments on Light Rail in Cincinnati. Well, it is really commuter rail using existing track. The idea is interesting, but Chris raises one big issue: the location of the track lacks population within ½ mile. Chris states that this is an important factor in establishing ridership. If people can't walk to the train stops, they are less likely to use it, and ½ mile is the conventional wisdom limit.

Run Jerry Run!
This is just sad. I wonder if the people behind Forest Gump know they have stolen a line from the movie? Quit Jerry Quit? Is that better?

IF YOU WANT the typical fundamentalist's screed on art questioning religion, then Bronson's your man. I myself am tired of responding to his drivel. Does Peter have a deal with the Corpus Christi producers? He raises a stink and they sell more tickets. Hell, I hope they made such a deal. The more people that see this, the more likely it is quality plays will be performed here. What I really have to wonder about Bronson: has he even seen the play? If not, then why is he trusting the propaganda of others? Come on Peter, buy a ticket for yourself and see what all of the fuss is about. My guess is that he might even enjoy himself. He will feel guilty about it, but hey, he can always become a Catholic and then feel guilty all the time.

'Shame the Devil': Hal McKinney and the shooting at Junker's Tavern
An ingaging column from Kathy Y. Wilson of City Beat. Kathy gives a thickly rich taste of Hal McKinny the "Northside Vigilante." Kathy paints McKinny as an honest man with a crystal focus against crime in his neighborhood. He comes across a little sad, and very creepy. I want to say he is obsessed, but Kathy's tone is a relaxed one, and she seemed to be a bit impressed. I think she expected him to be the devil, but instead pulled the curtain to find just a man, flawed yet credibly wise. The bulletproof vest would have been to much for me to handle, even more than having guns lying around a house with 6 year old kid. Needing a vest is not the kind of life I would want, and not want to be around. Kathy gets extra credit for courage in that regard.

Two indicted in Clifton 'mini riot'
The Ruby family is made for a TV movie. Being a Cincinnati restaurant magnet does not mean you are free from scandal. First Mrs. Ruby has a run in with the law, now the son. Brandon's case will undoubtedly get a fair share of scrutiny from those who think his family name might get him a slap on the wrist. That scrutiny includes me, but also I suspect includes some individuals in the boycott. Will Mike Allen push for jail time? Brandon was released on his own recognizance, which is an interesting occurrence. I would have guessed that 2 felony charges might warrant some kind of financial bond. Surprises happen, so he could walk free, or get hard time in state prison. You have to ask yourself one question: when does Mike Allen go up for reelection?

Neoliberal at Your Service
Tom Friedman's column today puts forth a good definition of "neoliberalism":

Neoliberals believe in a muscular foreign policy and a credible defense budget, but also a prudent fiscal policy that balances taxes, deficit reduction and government services.

What I find lacking is the stance a neoliberal would take on social issues. Is a neoliberal closer to Bill Clinton and the DLC on social issues? If that is the case, I am not a neoliberal. Otherwise, that definition fits me fairly well. Throw in a very liberal social freedom belief system and I am hooked, otherwise I have to qualify it with yet another subsection. One of to do items is compiling a listing and a chart on micro political ideologies. This little project is not high on my priorities, but I guess I can label Mr. Friedman without much flack.

My latest Polstate.com post is up.

OH: Springer Creates Exploratory Committee
Talk show host Jerry Springer has announced the formation of an exploratory campaign committee for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican George Voinovich of Ohio. Full Post

Yes, it would appear Jerry is going to run. This is great for bloggers, comedians, news junkies, and professional journalists. It may not be good for the Democrats. Jerry has three positives: money, name recognition, and an untapped constituency.

Commandments removed amid protests
Next day's update on this debacle. The Post reports a total of 35 where "arrested," but according to one protestor none of those arrested were put in hand cuffs or put in jail. Prosecutors were alleged to be determining today whether the protestors would be charged with any crimes. I expect no charges to be filed. The county prosecutor would be toast if he tries for reelection after putting local preachers in jail for trying to enact a theocracy. Small town justice at its best, well, worst.

Dear Diary: These blog readers hang on my every thought
A nice piece on local bloggers. If you read this you might find one blog missing. Well, if I had responded to Lance a bit quicker, I might have been mentioned. He caught me while I was on vacation, and I was late in responding. Oh, well. I got the Enquirer mention last week, so I guess I can let Lance spread the wealth around a bit. (cough, cough)