So, Tom, you think that if you misstate what I said enough times, so that I get sick of it and give up, you've won the debate? Not hardly.

It's a simple fact that over 70% of Americans believe, incorrectly and without the slightest shred of real reason, that Saddam Hussein was directly connected to the attacks of September 11th. Why? Where did such a wrong-headed notion come from?

I've offered an explanation for the phenomenon and backed it up with examples taken from Bush's own public statements. Nor am I the only one to point out the deliberate pattern of linkage between Iraq and 9/11 in the statements from Bush and his minions. You want to focus on surface deniability, go ahead. I've never said that the tactic didn't provide deniability, in fact I've pointed out that the technique provides cover--that's the point of using a technique like this, for gawdsake. Unlike you, though, I'm focusing on substance, not form.

You've offered no explanation for why so many people have been fooled, nothing but braying. That's a concession that you have no better explanation.

I am sick of it, so if you want to grasp at that as some kind of win, feel free. But you know better, and you're capable of better. This hasn't been your finest hour.