re: Rationale
Funny about that... too bad Bush and Blair didn't give the same rationale. (or was that your point in posting the speech?)
They could have, with more concrete evidence than Powell's Powerpoint Parade at the UN. Then no one would give a rodent's behind about the presence or absence of bio/chem weapons, or missles with too long a range, and the apparent victory would be unquestioned.
But they didn't, and it isn't.