My wife yesterday quoted a survey that said 60 percent of US citizens are against military action in Iraq, which is her opinion as well. Today I've seen two more such surveys quoted which indicate the opposite. One indicates 70 percent in favor, another with 56 percent in favor with 9 percent unsure. I'm not so unsure, but I would sort of like a little more indication of two things:

1. An ironclad, clear connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda. Osama Bin Laden seemed to indicate (if the most recent tape truly IS of the tall, bearded nut-job) that he doesn't really have any love for Saddam. Does this necessarily indicate he doesn't enjoy some support from Iraq?


2. Some chemical, biological or nuclear weapons in-hand. Of course Saddam is hiding this stuff. Anecdotal reports of mysterious stuff being hidden, buried or otherwise shuffled around ahead of the inspectors abound. But couldn't we just find ONE nickel-bag of anthrax or something?

A couple of days ago I heard the recently-defected head of Saddam's nuclear program on the radio saying that once we get into Iraq, we will find the weapons, the mass graves, and all the things the inspectors are not uncovering. He said at that point that those who are counseling more time will be shamed. I hope so. Perhaps the fact that we HAVE no s'moking gun" indicates the fundamental problem with the inspection process. We will never find one because the process is flawed, and favors continued dodging and weaving from Saddam.

All predictions are that this particular war will be short, and once the end becomes clear to Saddam, he will flee, and/or his underlings will finally turn against him. I hope so.