More on Oil For Food

William Safire wrote an op-ed about the Duelfer report. (Can someone explain why this kind of information shows up in op-eds instead of four part investigative reports by "journalists" of the NY Times?) Safire reveals how deeply involved the French were in the corruption and graft of the program and how closely aligned with Chirac some of those people were. The quid pro quo? The French reassured Sadaam that they would block any efforts by American to punish Sadaam and they would work to get the sanctions removed (which they were routinely violating anyway.)

The French response? Sputter, sputter, huff, huff, this is unacceptable! There were US companies involved too you know! (Which is true but beside the point.)

Once sanctions were removed, the French would have ensured that they would never again be implemented. Sadaam, free to revitalize his WMD programs (which he had every intention of doing according to the report) would have then been the primary source of WMD for terrorists, and God only knows what that would have meant for us here in the US. Now I ask you. Does that justify the war in Iraq? If it doesn't, then I suggest to you that you are blind or you cannot allow yourself to admit the truth.

Hat tip to Cori Dauber.