Quote of the Day

Actually, it was many days ago; but it still is relevant:

Bush Sought ‘Way’ To Invade Iraq?
Jan. 11, 2004

During the campaign, candidate Bush had criticized the Clinton-Gore Administration for being too interventionist: "If we don't stop extending our troops all around the world in nation-building missions, then we're going to have a serious problem coming down the road. And I'm going to prevent that."

This refers to the 2000 campaign, obviously.  Yet in the very first meeting of the National Security Council -- on February 1, 2001 -- one of the topics discussed was "Plan for Post-Saddam Iraq."  As far as I know, the details of that plan have not been released to the general public.  Even so, the article cited above makes note of part of the plan:

He obtained one Pentagon document, dated March 5, 2001, and entitled "Foreign Suitors for Iraqi Oilfield contracts," which includes a map of potential areas for exploration.

“It talks about contractors around the world from, you know, 30-40 countries. And which ones have what intentions,” says Suskind. “On oil in Iraq.”

Four years later, all Mr. Bush can talk about is how we are spreading freedom around the world.  More freedom for "foreign suitors," at least.