"It's now clear that the Iraq war was the mother of all bait-and-switch operations. Mr. Bush and his officials portrayed the invasion of Iraq as an urgent response to an imminent threat, and used war fever to win the midterm election. Then they insisted that the costs of occupation and reconstruction would be minimal, and used the initial glow of battlefield victory to push through yet another round of irresponsible tax cuts.
"Now almost half the Army's combat strength is bogged down in a country that wasn't linked to Al Qaeda and apparently didn't have weapons of mass destruction, and Mr. Bush tells us that he needs another $87 billion, right away. It gives me no pleasure to say this, but I (like many others) told you so."
-Paul Krugman
Two years later, still many unanswered questions about the 9/11 hijackers.
Must read: 'if Americans believed the Iraq war made them safer, there'd be little debate' on the budget request.
MORE NEWS:
* War budget request still uncertain. Pentagon reports forces are strained in Iraq.
* 'President Bush refuses to risk his political popularity with the same aggression that he risks the country's economic stability and international credibility.'
* Interesting: Annan wants to expand the Security Council.
* Questions emerge on the Pakistani commitment to fighting the Taliban.
* Howard Kurtz, on why Dean is being hammered about comments about Israel (and more Kurtz on George Clooney, the cameraman.)
* Justice Dept. still fuzzy on defining 'terrorist suspect.'
* Hahahahahaha NO.
* Will gerrymandering spread past Texas?
* Arnie's problem with women.
* Like cigarette advertising and drug dealers, AOL now targeting kids.
