Quote:
Originally Posted by Honus
I disagree on both counts, although I admit that it is all a matter of degree.
If Cheney had said, "We believe in fact that Saddam Hussein came from another planet to enslave the human race." Would you still say that I have no basis for saying that his statement was preposterous? Or that the interviewer should say, "Really?"
I am saying that Cheney's statement about nukes falls pretty close to that category. I was certain at the time that it was false. Maybe I got lucky that the facts ultimately supported me, but I don't think it was ever a close call. Nuclear weapons? Preposterous.
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I think it is a matter of degree. Your conclusion of "preposterous" is not based upon any shred of fact. There was no investigation that you could possibly cite, at the time, that would support your conclusion of "preposterous". Sure, you may have had an inkling that such a country could never have proceeded on a path to nuclear weapons, but it wouldn't allow you to challenge a sitting vice-president.
I suppose Russert could have commented with "really?" if he was listening to Cheney. That would not have been a definitive challenge...........only a question.