Listen you, Bush

That's how, to borrow a phrase from Keith Olbermann, one of "the worst persons in the world" addressed president Bush today.

If ever one needed evidence that Bin Laden's number two is nothing more than an opportunistic manipulator, this is it. The laughable PR picture proves he cares nothing about true religion and probably never has. Murder is more interesting.

Which is exactly why he fits in so nicely with a man like Saddam. In Avigdor Haselkorn's 1999 book "The Continuing Storm" about the Butcher's WMDs, he reminds us of the rhetoric ongoing in 1991 before and during the Gulf War. Remember gas masks? For a short while, people were buying them in America. Why? From page 67:

Moreover, the Iraqis took care to spread rumors that they might use chemical or bacteriological weapons in terrorist attacks around the world. Saddam also threatened terrorism during his meeting with Glaspie (ed- the US Ambassador):

"We know that you can harm us. But we too can harm you. Everyone can cause harm according to their ability and their size. We cannot come all the way to you in the United States, but individual Arabs can reach you".

Al Qaeda sprung up shortly thereafter, along with an attack on America in 1993. A mere coincidence, of course.

THE DEVIL WE KNOW 6/24/06

The New York Times surely can't be accused of chasing presidential brownie points. After divulging state secrets earlier in the week, apparently they'll follow it with a Sunday expose on Saddam (assuming we can trust a Drudge exclusive) that will mention him being reinstalled into power in some sort of deal to quell the insurgency. Did you hear that? It was a collective national jaw drop.

Here's an initial WAG. First, any serious proposal from Bush to consider reintroducing Saddam back into the political process would instantly mean he was ready for the nearest state happy home. He'd have to carry a number of supporters along with him, too, that is if he survived the miilitary fragging.

Second, any serious notion that injecting the dictator back into this mess could actually affect a change on the conditions on the ground means someone believes Saddam still has some influence. The Drudge story says they'll gain leverage over him after he's sentenced to death, but there's a problem--in order for him to be useful in that arena he'd need continuing leverage over the groups they're trying to stop. Otherwise, the Shura Council and others would simply bellow out laughing at such a proposal.

Also, any serious offer would put Saddam squarely into bed with the whole al-Qaeda clan, including the dipstick above babbling in front of the picture of Zarqawi and promoting the Iraq insurgency.

MORE 6/24/06

There are a few must-reads around the net today, one providing a possible explanation as to why it took so long to reveal the 500 WMD shells, which may partially explain this story.

HE'S CONVINCED OF IT 6/25/06

The Times story was less than thrilling after reading Drudge's pre-publication pomp. It sounded almost like Saddam's lawyer was floating a trial balloon. If that was indeed the case the Butcher is either 1) crazy, because he thinks he might have influence, or 2) actually still has influence.