To the Editor:

As many people know, the likes of Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry among others are saying that President Bush lied to the American people about Iraq, specifically referring to the fact

that no weapons of mass destruction were found. The purpose of this letter is not necessarily to defend President Bush but to point out that apparently these people seem to have short memories (how convenient) – no, they really don’t have short memories – they just hope the American people do.

I want to list several statements by various individuals to prove this point. They are as follows:

“There is no doubt that … Saddam Hussein has invigorated his weapons programs. Reports indicate that biological and nuclear programs continue apace and may be back to pre-Gulf War status. In addition, Saddam continues to redefine delivery systems and is doubtless using the cover of a licit missile program to develop longer-range missiles that will threaten the U.S. and our allies.” Letter to President Bush – signed by Bob Graham, D-Florida, and others, Dec. 5, 2001.

“We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant and threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building weapons of mass destruction and the means of delivering them.” Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan, Sept. 19, 2002.

“We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout the country.” Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.

“Iraq’s search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power.” Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002.

“We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction.” Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, Sept. 27, 2002.

“I will be voting to give the President of the United states the authority to use force – if necessary – to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security.” Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, Oct. 9, 2002.

These are just a few of the quotes by these. This gives you a sampling of what they were saying. Now some of these people would probably try to claim that their comments were based on the same intelligence reports given to President Bush, which now we all know turned out to be incorrect.

The above quotes were made after President Bush had taken office. However, let’s look at some quotes made during the Clinton administration.

“One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles to deliver them. That is our bottom line.” President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998.

“If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program.” President Clinton, Feb. 17, 1998.

In summary, I guess the intelligence reporting during the Clinton years was no better than during the Bush years. Yet, isn’t it amazing how these ultra left wing liberals want to blame President Bush for taking us to war unnecessarily (according to them). That’s why these politicians are demonstrating the ultimate in deception and hypocrisy in America.

I’m just trying to report the facts. I’ll let you decide.

Adney Taylor