Weapons of Media Destruction

On Hardball, Chris Matthews hosted Tim Russert in a very interesting discussion about the whole WMD "debacle". Russert pointed out that everyone believed that Saddam had WMD in March of 2002. John Kerry himself gave a speech on the floor of the senate emphatically stating such. Former President Clinton wondered aloud after the 2002 invasion why people were suddenly denying it.

In their search for a "gotcha" moment, I think a lot of people are missing the point. In the history of international conflict, it is typical to have unclear data about a foe. Open and clear communication is only between friendly countries, ones that mean no harm to each other. So bad information is just the nature of the ball game. Just ask Clinton about his mistaken bombing of an aspirin factory in the Sudan. Further, when confronting a potential danger, there are always going to be two sides of the story. Were there people who said that Saddam had nothing? Yes, but there were many more who said otherwise.

At the very bottom of the issue, you have to ask yourself if it really matters whether the threat is true or not. On one hand, the foe has the weapons and the danger is clear. On the other hand, the foe wants you to think he has the weapons and the danger is the example it gives others.

Now, we run the risk of the story of the boy who cried wolf. The point is that wolves are still dangerous. Waiting to get absolute proof of a threat is impossible and tantamount to just giving up. Being too cautious in the face of danger can get you killed.

To anyone in the Sudan upset at us for blowing up their aspirin factory or anyone who think we lied about WMD, my response would be thus: "If you have a history of trying to harm the United States or its citizens, we will assume the worst about any risk you pose. Our suggestion is that you not be our foe." I'm not saying that you go around and force every country to explain themselves. This is only applicable when a country appears to pose a major threat to you, i.e., Saddam and, in Clinton's case, the Sudan.

As Little Bill told English Bob when he put him on the wagon out of town "You know Bob, if I see you again, I'm just going to start shooting and figure it was self-defense".