Logically Challenged

Let me try to understand this:

1. The UN Security Council lays out very specific conditions in Resolution 1441 that Iraq must FULLY COMPLY with or be held in material breach of the resolution:

"failure by Iraq at any time to comply with, and cooperate fully in the implementation of, this resolution shall constitute a further material breach of Iraq's obligations."

2. Hans Blix issues a report which states in no uncertain terms that Iraq is not anywhere near full compliance with the resolution after sixty days of inspections.

3. The Minneapolis Star Tribune's editorial board looks as these two events and reaches the conclusion that this proves that the inspection process is working and we should give it more time?!?!

Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix was blunt Monday in his assessment of Iraq: It "appears not to have come to a genuine acceptance -- not even today -- of the disarmament, which was demanded of it and which it needs to carry out to win the confidence of the world and to live in peace."

The world knew this, of course, but it was oddly reassuring to hear Blix say it. He's making no excuses for Saddam Hussein, and that is good to know. It suggests the world can have faith in the inspections regime if not in Iraq, and that giving the inspectors the time they need to complete their task would be a wise investment.

They're "reassured" that Blix says that Iraq is not accepting the disarmament required of it? This is supposed to give us confidence that with just a little more time for the inspectors everything will be just peachy?

We've played this game with Iraq for twelve years. Twelve friggin' years. Finally pushed by Bush's threats of action the UN says enough is enough. This is it. End of the road. Last chance.

Sixty days later we learn that Iraq has once again not lived up to the conditions required of it. And the Strib says "How about more time?" No specification on how much more time. Just more time.

I wish the editorial board just had the honesty to admit the truth. They will never approve of the Bush administration taking military action against Iraq no matter what the circumstances are. The inspections are just a delaying tactic that they hope will drag on long enough until it is impossible either politically or militarily for Bush to act. Although it is hard to discern there is a method to their apparent madness.