QUASIMODO:

War Without Evidence (Richard Cohen, September 10, 2002, The Washington Post)

I have always thought there is a plausible case for going to war against Iraq. But the more I hear from the administration -- the more it exaggerates its case and turns a potential threat against the region into an imminent one against Peoria, Ill. -- the more I have to wonder if such a case exists. From everything I know, Cheney and Rice are taking a worst-case scenario further than the facts warrant. [...]

Iraq must be dealt with. But the trap must be closed methodically. Bring back the arms inspectors. Vacuum the country. If Saddam agrees, fine. If he doesn't, then war becomes his choice -- and the world will understand.

But by its warnings without evidence, by its penchant for unilateralism and by its initial disregard for Congress, the Bush administration is sowing seeds of doubt. The palpable urgency of this administration to go to war is, at this moment, just downright inexplicable. It either is failing to make its case or, worse, has no case to make. I'm ready for war -- but just tell me again why.

Mr. Cohen has joined Maureen Dowd in expressing the view that it is not sufficient that they know that Saddam should be deposed; it is also necessary for the administration to explain it to them in such a way that they agree. This is profoundly odd. They seem to believe that foreign policy should function like the old Groucho Marx game show, You Bet Your Life, where contestants won cash if they spoke the secret word. Mr. Cohen and Ms Dowd too seem to require that some magic verbal formula be enunciated before they'll even acknowledge that they themselves are right and that there's a case for war against Iraq. One wonders if they'll enjoy the consolation prize they may get if the word is never uttered. Posted by Orrin Judd at September 11, 2002 4:14 PM