W's claim of Saddam's "ties with terrorists." . . . Say what?

[skip fox]

What does W. mean by "ties" and why don't reporters try to pin him down?

If by "ties" we mean lines of communication, hell the US has mainatined "ties" even with countries with whom we were at war at the time--back channel ties with Japan, Germany, etc.

We have "ties" currently with North Korea, Lybia, Syria, etc. (Does that mean we "support" North Korea &c.?)

There is a spectrum here:

1. Contacts/Communication
2. Friendly and Moderately Useful Relations
3. Encouragement toward Terrorist Activities
4. Aid/Collaboration/Support in Planning and Executing Terrorist Operations

Just WHICH does W. mean? (Pin him down, reporters; don't let him get away with this lazy thinking and obscuring language.)

And while we're on the subject, just what kind of "SUPPORT" did Saddam give Hamas? (this is the other ol' horse trotted out on this subject). He gave the famlies of Palestinian suicide bombers $30,000. Is this "supporting terrorism"? The families just lost a child AND their homes (due to Isreal's Draconian measures of destroying the families' homes). In this (accurate) light, Saddam's $30,000 DOES NOT ENCOURAGE more suicide bombers (and that's what "supports terrorism" implies), it simply alleviates a portion of the families' suffering.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not pro-Saddam or Hamas. I'm simply looking directly at the situation and at the administration's language.

[skip fox]

1. As a matter of fact, I've not heard ONE PUNDIT counter the "supports Hama"

claim. Where has critica thinking gone in the press corps?

[CaTeacher]

2. You are so right--

giving money to the families of suicide bombers was actually a kindness. I think if Saddam actually goes to trial for anything--this should be a mitigating factor--it shows that he is a compassionate person.

We should be explaining this to everyone!

[skip fox]

3. I wouldn't so much use the compassionate side of Saddam, but

the administration's callous manipulation of context through language.

(The Compassionate Saddam tact will turn people off before they listen. Even what I've noted is a tough sell, no matter how accurate. Seems the American public would rather chew than think "out of the box," though this is what they claim they do.)

[frylock]

4. saddam's ties with terrorists..

[CaTeacher]

5. that should be captioned

"The REAL terrorists". Hamas are freedom fighters not terrorists. We should not let them get away with lies.