Possible answer to the question of the disposition of Saddam's WMD efforts, the London Telegraph reports Syria is negotiating with Iran to send Iraqi nuclear-weapons scientists to Teheran in order to keep from being the next target of the American war on terror:

Syria's President Bashir al-Asad is in secret negotiations with Iran to secure a safe haven for a group of Iraqi nuclear scientists who were sent to Damascus before last year's war to overthrow Saddam Hussein. ...

A group of about 12 middle-ranking Iraqi nuclear technicians and their families were transported to Syria before the collapse of Saddam's regime. The transfer was arranged under a combined operation by Saddam's now defunct Special Security Organisation and Syrian Military Security, which is headed by Arif Shawqat, the Syrian president's brother-in-law.

The Iraqis, who brought with them CDs crammed with research data on Saddam's nuclear programme, were given new identities, including Syrian citizenship papers and falsified birth, education and health certificates. Since then they have been hidden away at a secret Syrian military installation where they have been conducting research on behalf of their hosts.

Growing political concern in Washington about Syria's undeclared weapons of mass destruction programmes, however, has prompted President Asad to reconsider harbouring the Iraqis.

http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...26/wiran26.xml
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http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/
Saturday sep 24

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"...quemadmodum gladius neminem occidit, occidentis telum est." [...a sword never kills anybody; it's a tool in the killer's hand.]
(from Lucius Annaeus Seneca, "the Younger," circa 4 BC-65 AD

So Syria and Iraq's attempts to beat the system are proof that the United Nations is useless. There are minor and major crimes committed in each of our 50 states every day. Are we thus a failed nation? Certainly not.

In any group, the individual will need to accomodate somewhat in order to build consensus. That is federalism according to our founding fathers. If Syria is engaged in "shady" dealings then the US has many recourses including action in the UN.

However, it's usually not prudent to call someone useless then ask for their help shortly afterwards. This is the quandry our current administration has gotten us in regarding Iraq.

I thought Syria was a temporary member of UN Security Council, whereas US, France, Russia and others are permanent thus more influential members. Bush Sr was able to manuever within the UN to attain his goals. It doesn't seem impossible.

you might have a point.

But they aren't. I'd say at this point that the UN is batting about .100. So, when do we cut bait and let this crew of smelly fish sink?

Catz

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

One that is not corrupt and self interested. Similar to how we need a new President.

Given the corruption of the UN, the last thing we need in the presidency is a UN appeaser (aka Kerry).

Catz

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

It should be revamped by the entire world, not just one man. At least Kerry wants to work to make the UN better, instead of working against it letting it rot as Bush has done. Bush doesn't want a UN of any type. He believes we will be just fine in this world alone, as one nation.

Mike.

Please reference a quote in which Bush endorsed this position. The Bush administration continues to attempt to work through the UN on many issues, including the Sudan.

Recognizing their moral and ethnical bankruptcy isn't the same as functioning without them. The U.S. is prepared to work with the UN when the UN works, and to work without them when they don't.

A position I endorse, frankly. We cannot subjugate our national interests to an entity which is so corrupt.

Catz

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

So then you agree with Mpotters assessment of the Bush administration!!!! You can't get more corrupt then the Asses of evil

Out of curiosity, if this is your assessment of the UN, what would you say is the CIA's batting average?

Considering how much they screwed up with Al Shifa, Saddam's WMD, 9/11, etc...

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Truth is by nature self-evident, as soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear. Gandhi

Heya, baby.

I think the Bush administration's corruption is mild in terms of the global scale of corruption.

Never been a big fan of the federal law enforcement agencies...so I'm the wrong person to ask about the CIA.

Catz
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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

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Hey Sunshine,

How are things going for you? I hope you're okay - I have been watching the reports and I can't get over how bad it is in Florida with the Hurricanes - that's insane! If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

As far as your responses - Fair enough. As far as I'm concerned, the CIA has lost all credibility, and only gained a little back when they got rid of George Tenet.

As far as my personal opinion on the corruption of the UN versus the Bush Administration, the jury is still out for me on that one. I am not going to compare the two until the Oil for Food investigation has completed, and I think you know how I feel about Dubya.

Politics aside- I hope you're alright!

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Truth is by nature self-evident, as soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance that surround it, it shines clear. Gandhi