[Professor S]

I just read some excerpts from the Dan Rather interview of Saddam Hussein that airs tonight, and damned if it wasn't one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

1) When asked if Saddam will destroy the UN banned missiles found recently, Saddam said they had no missiles that defied UN regultaions.

Well lets see, Hans Blix found them, tested them, and they exceed the UN regulated limits, but of course thats just heresay to Saddam.

2) When asked if he would burn his oil fields and destroy his dams if the US attacked, he said, AND I QUOTE "Iraq does not burn its wealth or destroy its dams."

I seem to remember Iraq doing just the opposite during the Gulf war... but I'm sure anything over one month ago Saddam can't remember. After all, he gassed his own people in 1988, but also said he would never harm them either.

3) Saddam said he has respect for the American people and their opinion.

I guess all of those nationally sponsored papers calling our culture and people the Great Satan were all just good natured ribbing.

How anyone can believe a word that comes out of his mouth or any of his supporters mouth boggles the mind. He bold face lies at every turn. He has used the media and peace loving countries to his advantage and made this entire world political battle, just that... a POLITICAL BATTLE among the west. Iraq seems to be on the fringe of the situation now, when he should be the main worry. The world instead of worrying about 1,000 tons of missing WMD, banned artllery shells that carry the WMD, the missiles that exceed UN regulations, are worrying about how much power they feel the US has over them. It has become a game of one upmanship, instead of the serious business that is truly at issue here.

Saddam is laughing at all of us, and just waiting for everything to hopefully blow over. This is why I like G.W. There are a lot of politicians who would worry about opinion polls and protests by those who either don't know or don't care how dangerous Iraq is and could be to his region and beyond. he has stuck to his guns, and I admire him for that.