"or that democrats will get ANY mileage out of the issue."

Yeah, I suppose this settles what this issue is about for you...

"No, the confiscation of WMD is a classified endeavor. The military is not a free-for-all. There are laws and protocol being used to process information. It does not all get divulged to the news channels as they go. There are no reporters embedded with the CIA folks or the military units involved in WMD identification, confiscation and removal."

This falls under the Yeti files: The lack of evidence for the existence of X only signifies that X is 'secret'...

"This allows Bush unprecedented control of the process and the flow of information."

Yes, This is sort of my point. The flow of 'information' has been entirely controlled by the authorities in place. Much of their 'evidence' boils down to "Trust Us" and "Because we say so"

"Because it is still a VERY dangerous process and letting the Saddam loyalists (who still exist in considerable numbers) know (via the blabbing media)"

And I suppose our media should shut up and say only what it is told to say? Do you have an alternative in mind?

And where are these mythical Saddam Loyalists of which you speak... Hanging out with the Yeti in those underground caves full of nuke materials you prophesised?

"The bottom line for Bush is the advice of Karl Rove - who is surely suggesting Bush first let the left and the other nations hang themselves on the impressions being cast that we have been unsuccessful in the quest for WMD."

Its not the hanging of the left I worry about, its the hanging of America I worry about.

"Rove is a student of The Art of War...and this approach is obvious to those who are looking for it."

I see, the bald stupidity of this whole thing is really just a clever ploy. Excellent.

"But be my guest...join Don in the outraged, infuriated corner and demand Bush's head on a pike...but don't be the loudest or the fastest critic."

Gee thanks, Tech-1. I'll do that.

Davin L.