White House Lied About Iraq Nuclear Programs

An anonymous reader writes "This New York Times article reports that in 2002, the Bush Administration's assertions that Saddam Hussein was rebuilding his nuclear weapons program were based on evidence that was doubted by the government's foremost nuclear security experts. Specifically, aluminum tubes most likely meant for small artillery rockets were interpreted by the administration as parts for uranium centrifuges." In a nutshell: while Bush, Cheney, Rice and Rumsfeld were announcing to the American public that these tubes were slam-dunk evidence of Iraq's nuclear ambitions, they already knew that there was completely overwhelming evidence that the tubes were just for artillery rockets (as Iraq said) and that the tubes were totally unsuitable for use in centrifuges.

Whaaaa?

[acxr is wasted]

Politicians? Lying??

Bullshit.

I'm not listening!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

Also, Kerry's a flip-flopper. Also, in the debate he said he never used the word "lie" to describe what Bush did, but he actually did use it. And those National Guard documents that CBS News showed were faked.

We know what's important.

Sincerely,

Fox News
MSNBC News
Most Bush Supporters

Only on Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

Would calling Saddam a dictator that killed people get you modded down as flamebait.

Re:Contempt of Congress

[bahwi]

It doesn't affect the President anymore, unless he slept with one of the female nuclear scientists.

Re:Lied is a bit strong

[Anonymous Coward]

Bush said this in response to a question about why he was shrugging off CIA intelligence that said Iraq was going to hell in a handbasket with a JATO strapped to it.

"The CIA laid out several scenarios that said life could be lousy, life could be OK, life could be better, and they were just guessing as to what the conditions might be like."

JUST GUESSING?!?!?! The CIA, the agency that said that there was NO DOUBT there were WMDs and NBCs in Iraq, are now just GUESSING?!?!

That's funny.

All the Bushies are yammering on about how Saddam would have ended the world if we didnt take over Iraq... all while Iran and North Korea DO have nuclear weapons and are itching to try one out.

Just guessing... well I'm just guessing that Bush won't be in office for long.

Re:irrefutable evidence

[wankledot]

Haliburton found them and resold them to someone... probably Israel.

Re:No Surprise

[NoMoreNicksLeft]

Oceania has always been at war with East Iraqistan. It has always been allies with EurArabia.

Oceania has always been at war with EurArabia. It has always been allies with East Iraqistan.

You may be crimethinking without even knowing it comrade. Please report to the Ministry of Homeland Security.

Re:Whaaaa?

[edalytical]

Bullshit

We should coin a new term: Bushshit.

Re:Whaaaa?

[An. (Coward)]

Why do you hate America? *duck* ;)

Re:Burden of proof

[Anonymous Coward]

"You sick fuck, I will pray you get run over by a car tomorrow. Although, any form of painful death would suffice."

I'm John Kerry, and I approve this message.

Re:COULD

[hankaholic]

...except that they were different specs than what were used in prior centrifuge designs used by Iraqi scientists.

The tubes were stated as COULD be used for nuclear weapons.

And your computer as stated COULD be used for large-scale distribution of child pornography. Perhaps some men in black should take it away and lock you up -- in your own words, "I, for one, would rather NOT take that chance."

Max Headroom

[freejung]

"Great thing about politicians, though, you can always tell when they're lying: their lips move."

Re:irrefutable evidence

[Anonymous Coward]

"Speaking to a group of Wyoming Republicans in September, Vice President Dick Cheney said the United States now had "irrefutable evidence" - thousands of tubes made of high-strength aluminum, tubes that the Bush administration said were destined for clandestine Iraqi uranium centrifuges, before some were seized at the behest of the United States."

So where are those tubes now Dick?

up our asses.

A license plate I saw...

[pschmied]

BU__ SH__!

-Peter

Re:Whaaaa?

[Anonymous Coward]

actually, the un never claimed that iraq didnt have wmd's. they said that as far as they knew, iraq did have and probably still did have wmd's. the whole issue with the un was how to solve the problem. iraq DID have wmd's. they didnt account for them. they lied and deceived about what happened to them and weren't honest about what they were currently doing in regards to other wmd's. so, its either believe saddam hussein, a known liar, who was actively attempting to deceive the un and the weapons inspectors or use force to find out what the truth really was.

Re:Explaining that 45%

[bullitB]

Essentially all those arguments could be applied to Kerry supporters if/when some silly story breaks.

Conservative Attacks: "It was from a news source that is, in fact a corporation, thus they had a monetary incentive to make this story. And those who love money love Bush."

Patterns of Birth: "I've heard my mom and dad ridicule Bush when they watch the news all the time. I love my parents, they must be right."

One-Issue Paramount: "Sure, Kerry couldn't choose between soup and salad at an all-you-can-eat buffet, but at least he'll (keep abortion legal / get rid of some of those rich-centric tax cuts / not be Bush)."

Shared Beliefs: "I haven't been saved by Jesus, my president shouldn't have been either."*

Shared Geography: "He's not from the south. Southerners are all racists. Duh."

Rambo Syndrome: Alright, I'll give you that one. There is nothing Rambo-like about Kerry.

* This is, BTW, the most compelling argument I've seen against Bush thus far. As an Atheist, that much God-stuff in the White House is scary shit. But then...Kerry has done nothing to suggest he's any different.

Re:Contempt of Congress

[bitspotter]

Or any of them, for that matter...

Re:Whaaaa?

[fatman22]

Absolutely correct, we don't. Why should we? The rest of you have had a couple millenia to shape the world into something you could feel safe with and you didn't do it. Now it's our turn. Save your comments until we're finished, you may actually like the job we do.

Re:Whaaaa?

[hobo2k]

If you care so much about global opinion why are you trashing this fine international coalition that our heroic president has formed. What do you say to Tony Blair? What do you say to Poland? Poland! Why does everybody forget that we were supported by Poland!

Re:Burden of proof

[ahodgson]

But, North Korea isn't sitting on 10% of the world's known oil reserves, and neighbours to a good chunk of the rest.

Now, Iran, they look like better targets.

Re: Whaaaa?

[Black Parrot]

> It has been proven many times: The American people don't mind violence, even extreme violence, but the moment you do something sexual, the American public will call for your head on a pike.

Like flashing a tit at the Superbowl. Oh, the humanity!

Why Do The Facts Hate Bush?

[MooseByte]

"screams "I'm a Democrat, I hate Republicans!" to me."

I know. Reality is SO freakin' biased. Why do the facts hate Bush and his followers? Why oh why? There should be a law!

The scary thing is that at this rate I could actually see one being created:

The RightThink Homeland Defense Act - "Because only a terrorist would question the President's motives!"

slashdot.org = moveon.org

[lowkster]

Is this slashdot.org or moveon.org? I think if Bush pushed for the government to move to open source, some slashdotters would probably explode.

Re:I see Slashdot is the new Fox News

[imkonen]

Wow..that sooper sekrit plan to...let me see if I can follow this...get their supporters to vote on election day?!?!?! What will those wacky Republicans think of next?

Re:irrefutable evidence

[JeffGB]

The tubes are now on eBay [ebay.com].

Re:Contempt of Congress

[Karma Farmer]

And for impersonally killing thousands of people, in cold blood, with millions of witnesses, and being caught grinning into the camera, he may well be re-elected. Superb

That's not a grin. It's a smirk. Totally different thing.

Re:i always thought it was right to invade iraq

[bigdreamer]

so to war with iraq we go, to begin the the process of fixing the middle east. because september 11th shows that the middle east will export its problems to us, so it is our responsibility to fix the middle east, whether we deserve it or not."

You're right. Absolutely right. Every time a terrorist group with members in countries all over the world plans to bomb us, we should fix a few of the countries that may or may not have been involved. Because the USA's job is to fix countries that might be a threat to us in the future and turn these nations into carbon-copies of us. It's the American way, after all. [wikipedia.org]

Re:Damned if they did, damned if they didn't.

[Anonymous Coward]

Anyone else want to boycott Slashdot subscriptions?

That's like asking someone to boycott a penis grater.

Re:Damned if they did, damned if they didn't.

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, and Michael, the little personal spin you decided to tack on the end of that submission -- I'll never buy a Slashdot subscription thanks to that. I come here to get the facts, not your personal anti-Bush agenda.

Oh yeah, cause I'll bet you were right on the verge of buying that subscription too...

Anyone else want to boycott Slashdot subscriptions?

Yeah, and I'm boycotting Chinese Airlines this year on account of the way their treating Tibet. In fact, now that I think about it I guess I've been boycotting them my whole life. Ha, take that China! :-P

I'm sick and tired

[bigberk]

Gosh darnit, I am so sick and tired of the liberal media twisting and spinning all the news into some sort of Conservative conspiracy story. I wasn't too thrilled watching that PBS commie Jim Lehrer moderate the presidential debate, either. Jesus, if you're not going to place your faith in God and the * elected * president's office, and trust that the men in the closed meetings know a bit more than you or I know, that what are you going to place your faith? Bush and Cheney are smarter, and probably more honest than 75% of the bleeding heart liberal whiners that keep wrecking my day. I hope you all go back to your gay bars and stay the hell away from my ballot boxes.

Re:Anti-Republican != Democrat

[Anonymous Coward]

It's time to get rid of both of our main parties.

Revolution! :-D

Re:Damned if they did, damned if they didn't.

[Anonymous Coward]

I'll never buy a Slashdot subscription thanks to that. I come here to get the facts, not your personal anti-Bush agenda.

You come to Slashdot to get the facts?

No wonder you're dumb enough to be a republican and support Bush.

Re:Burden of proof

[Viking Coder]

If something is binary, weapons or no weapons, it can be proved one way or the other.

Phew! That's a relief!

So, does God exist? I'm glad I finally found someone who pointed out that the existance of God is binary, and therefore is provable one way or the other!

Well, don't keep us waiting! Which is it?!

</sarcasm>

You idiot. I can't prove that there is no Loch Ness Monster. I can't prove that Santa Claus doesn't exist. I can't prove that a blue monkey doesn't control your thoughts. I can't prove that aliens DID NOT LAND IN IOWA LAST NIGHT AND MOVE A SLEEPING COW ONE FOOT TO THE LEFT, IN DEFIANCE OF ALL LOGIC!

You can't prove a negative like that.

Or, to use your "W00t!" lingo against you: PWN3D!

Now I get it...

[alexynr]

That's what the whole "nukular" thing was for... He can just come out now and say: "Nuclear? I never said anything about nuclear weapons..."

Re:My opinion on that Superbowl halftime show..

[fucksl4shd0t]

What's sexual about a tit? It's used for feeding babies. Do you get a boner looking at a fork, a knife, a plate, or a spoon?

What is so sexual and offensive about a tit?

Re:My opinion on that Superbowl halftime show..

[kgbspy]

I found the whole halftime "tit show" disappointing

Disappointed that they didn't show both tits?

Re:My opinion on that Superbowl halftime show..

[fafalone]

Do you get a boner looking at a fork, a knife, a plate, or a spoon? Especially when I see someone wrap their fingers around a spoon, take it into their mouth, and swallow some creamy white stuff.

Go slow on the Kool-aid

[bstadil]

Let me guess you believe in the bible as well. Must be hard to be so gullible

Re:lying == lying

[Doc Ruby]

I think "Flamebait" is a bit strong.

Re:For Fuck Sake...

[dubl-u]

What about the 4 Al-Quaida related attacks [...]? Wow. Bush is kickin' ass and taking names.

Yes! Great question! Given that Al Qaeda is such a danger, why did we pull resources from a country where they were to invade one where they weren't? I'm not against a little ass-kicking, but with 6 billion asses out there, I think we should prioritize a little.

No need to RTFA. Consider the source. NYT. LOL!

[Anonymous Coward]

In other news, the National Enquirer reports... Forget it. Next article please.

Bush Felled by Diet Coke

[raam]

How John Kerry could make Shrub look Stupid and win the female vote, all with a Diet Coke...

(Kerry steps to the podium, tranquilizers eating away at the patrician's stiffness...he's feeling good. He looks out on the crowd and gets higher. He begins to speak...)

My fellow Americans, we were sent to Iraq because George Bush was sure that Saddam Hussein was going to use aluminum tubes to go nucular on us. Our best national security advisors were...(incredulous...err, no, no)...DARN SURE they didn't have any nukes, let alone aluminum tubes that would magically make them some. Now I've got an aluminum tube right here (raises diet coke), and the only thing magically nucular about it is the taste (cracks, sips, and wins). Coek is happy. Kerry wins. America prospers. Goddam fucking stupid moron out of white house.

Re:Whaaaa?

[NanoGator]

"The UN, and everybody else (save Britain) were screaming that there was no evidence, and that going to war is wrong. Did the Americans even try to listen? Of course not. Afterall, only American voices count."

Why is it a case of Americans not listening, as opposed to the other side not providing a compelling argument? Yeesh. Americans are arrogant, so insightful.

Whatever. I'm going to give you a couple of things to think about:

1.) The country was divided on the issue. One half said invade, the other half said "No, wait." Or have we forgotten all the protests we faced?

2.) What information were they privvy to that we weren't? Why were they 'right' when nobody really knew, or were they just on the correct side?

Re:Whaaaa?

[tarunthegreat2]

Remember the decision makers of the US dont do what most americans want them to do.

And you want to impose this lovely system on the rest of savages?

Re:My opinion on that Superbowl halftime show..

[bytesmythe]

The evolution of the modern human breast seems to have began with the development of walking upright. Before this development, the primary attribute on which potential mates were judged was the buttocks.

So, essentially you're saying Sir Mix-a-Lot is some sort of sub-human [ihug.co.nz]? Sounds about right...

Re:My opinion on that Superbowl halftime show..

[Cus]

there were 2 shown - the other just happened to be called 'Justin' and was standing next to Janet at the time.

Re:Whaaaa?

[BlackHawk-666]

I've seen the shape the US wants us in and that shape is obese. By the time you guys are finished "shaping" your country your're all going to look like Marlon Brando on a bad day.

Re:Whaaaa?

[mikael]

There's nothing wrong with Europe. IThe problem is that Brussels gives the appearance to be some sort of early retirement club for MP's who have given up on national politics, and just want to pass legislation without actually consulting anyone.

Re:Whaaaa?

[Anonymous Coward]

A joke that I heard in the pub in Australia:

"John Howard (Australian PM) is so far up George W Bush's arse that he can see Tony Blair's shoes"

Re:Whaaaa?

[Mycroft_VIII]

Our estimates of the weapons Saddam was supposed to have were based on several things. Unfortunately one of those things were our reciepts.

Mycroft

VOTE UKIP!!!

[RKloti]

FACT: If we leave the EU, all British trains will run on time. And the tickets will be free. And everyone will have a legrest.

FACT: If we leave the EU, all mail will be on time. And stamps will cost half as much. And they'll have the queen's head on them again.

FACT: If we leave the EU, Britons will pay 120% less taxes than today. Poor people will no longer need to pay taxes, and we will remove the tax burden from the middle class will ceasing to punish the rich for their productivity. And everyone will get three times as much social support money, we will increase pensions by 400% AND we will pay off the national debt.

FACT: If we leave the EU, we will triple the British literacy rate to almost 300%. There will be no more school violence, all the teachers will be paid well and the NUT will be banned. We will also ensure that students are no longer taught all those embarrassing things about puberty, either.

FACT: If we leave the EU, Britons won't need banks because they won't need to pay bills anymore. With all the money saved from the Great Satan in Brussels, every Briton will be able to have a private castle in Leeds and a fleet of luxury cars that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger envious.

White House Lied, & other things which aren't

[RexDevious]

Post something when the White House says something true. There's a limited amount of space on Slashdot. Let's not waste it on things that are blindingly obvious already.

Besides "White House Lied", here are some other events we no longer need to be informed of:

"Geeks Claim Computers are Cool"
"Florida hit by Hurricane"
"Windows is vulnerable to a virus"
"Chicks: Puppies are cute"
"Scientists: Rain is wet"
"Geeks: Sex is fun, rare"
"Violence in Israel today"
"Leno makes a Lewinsky joke"
"Study confirms: British can't cook"
"Industry panics over P2P again"
"Linux Market Share Grows"
"New Tech Standard Proposed"
"American Tech Workers Not Better Off Under Bush"
"Ja Rule's success baffles Beatles fans"
"Reality TV show embarrases humans, animals"
"Technology will be improved in 5 years"
"Concensus eludes Slashdot Posters again"
"Wesley Crusher is cooler than you thought"
"Sun Microsystems is less cool than you thought"
"SCO, RIAA, DRM, DMCA, Diebold sucked again today"
"Privacy Threatened"
"Electricity, Internet, High IQ's: useful"

Re:Burden of proof

[Viking Coder]

I don't object to the belief that we can do a reasonable job one way or the other. What pissed me off was your pretend logic:

"If something is binary, weapons or no weapons, it can be proved one way or the other."

'Cause that just ain't so.

Oh and see the other responder who brilliantly retorted on the issues of nessy, santy, monkey, and E.T.

It is extremely difficult to prove a negative, that was my entire point. You glibly indicated that it was just as easy to prove a negative as a positive, and you're wrong. Admitting it is the first step, dude.

Oh and by the way, you can't go back in time. Don't make me PWN3D you again, 'cause then it will be a whole big thing, and you'll look dumber and dumber and dumber. Get out while you can, dude.

of course, UN Sanctions banned those rockets...

[chopper749]

but well just ignore that. If they weren't for nuclear use, then we should have left Hussein alone.

Re:dear sir

[LittleLebowskiUrbanA]

Yes, ALL Americans are stupid and know so little about the world. Thankfully, we have video game addicted Europeans to help us along with foreign policy.