Facts Force (Columbus Dispatch) Writer to Concede Error in Endorsing War

[farmbo]

http://www.dispatch.com/features-story.php?story=dispatch/2004/10/17/20041017-C1-00.html
<snip>
Over time, and through the prism of a presidential campaign, my view about the necessity and wisdom of this war has shifted. Certainly the deaths of more than 1,000 U.S. troops and 15,000 Iraqis and the expenditure of billions have influenced the flip-flop. But it goes beyond that. Betrayal is at the root of my sin.

Above all else, we must be able to trust our political leaders to tell us the truth and to do what’s right. It is very probable that President Bush was misled by faulty intelligence into believing Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and was working with al-Qaida. But those bases for war have been disproved, and Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney should cease the rhetorical ruse that Iraq posed an immediate threat to U.S. security.
<snip>

Iraq is an awful mess. I wish I had known when I wrote that column 20 months ago what I know now. I wish the president had, too. He might have waited. Containing Saddam, in retrospect, was a better option than a war with no foreseeable end.
<snip>

Joe Hallett is Dispatch senior editor. He is part of the Editorial Board which will determine the Dispatch's presidential endorsement, probably in next Sunday's paper. He has personally interviewed both Bush and Kerry, in-depth, over the past few weeks.

Could there be a history- making Dispatch endorsement of Mr Kerry in the making?

[Maeve]

1. What has it been...80 years or so...since the Dispatch endorsed a Dem?

The Other Paper suggested this might happen back this summer....

We can hope, but I still doubt it.

[Bullshot]

2. If that happens, I'll look for pigs with wings.

The family that owns the Columbus Dispatch have sided with Republicans on everything. I've said they'd endorse a Hitler/Stalin ticket if they ran as Republicans.

[Skittles]

3. too little, too late

go to hell

[Maccagirl]

4. Exactly

I stopped my subscription to the Columbus Discharge in 1992 and there is no reason for me to support them with my money again. Too little, too late indeed.

[Catt03]

5. Probably a set up

give you a little this week; hit you in the face next week.

[Raster]

6. Oh woe is us... if we'd only known what we know now... blah, blah, blah.

"Iraq is an awful mess. I wish I had known when I wrote that column 20 months ago what I know now. I wish the president had, too. He might have waited."

No, no, no! That's the problem. The pResident DID KNOW well before the invasion, before 9/11, even before he took office, that invading Iraq would be illegal, immoral and probably a disaster of epic proportions. $hrubco bet against very bad odds, and lost. Big time. And this time you don't get the pussy-assed excuse that you just didn't know. You do know. What are you going to do about it?

on edit: comma-itis

[argyl]

7. Bush "misled" by faulty intelligence? Wouldn't that be Congress?

They cover Smirk's ass as well as Rove himself.