:: NEWS COCKTAIL aka BlahBlahBlog ::
"Everything is being compressed into tiny tablets. You take a little pill of news every day - 23 minutes - and that's supposed to be enough." -Walter Cronkite, RE TV news. The Web has changed that for many, however, and here is an extra dose for your daily news cocktail. This prescription tends to include surveillance and now war-related links, along with the occasional pop culture junk and whatever else seizes my attention as I scan online news sites.:: 2.25.2003 ::
:: Saddam on Saddam ::
From CBS News:
Saddam On Exile: 'We Will Die Here'
Dan Rather's exclusive interview with Saddam Hussein has already been widely quoted in the media, even before being aired (which it will on 60 Minutes II on Wednesday, 9 pm EST). Hussein said a number of things, including: he will die before going into exile; he has no connection with Osama bin Laden; and, as you may have heard, that he challenges Bush to a debate.
CBSNews.com has posted excerpts from the interview (the link above). Here's one:
Rather: What is the most important thing you want the American people to understand at this important juncture of history?
Saddam: First, that you tell them that Iraqi people are not the enemy of the American people. If the American people want to know more through dialogue through television screens, I am ready to dialogue with Bush, with Mr. Bush, the president of the United States, and to appear together before the television. And I would say what I have to say, what I have to say about the American policy and he can say things about the Iraqi policy and let that be on television in a just and fair way.
Rather: Are you speaking of a debate? Yes, a debate. This is new. You are saying that you are willing, you are suggesting, you are urging a debate with President Bush on television?
Saddam: Yes, that's it. We are not asking for a contest with weapons. All I'm asking is to appear before the American people and other people in a direct discussion in a conversation between me and Mr. Bush that's broadcast by television.
This is an opportunity for him, if he is really convinced about his position, about preparations for war, or any other means, to convince the whole world about the reasons that justifies war. And it's opportunity for us to tell the world about our reasons to want to live in peace.
Rather: This is not a joke?
Saddam: Not at all. I'm not joking. This is because of my respect for the American public opinion. Conducting a dialogue could bring peace. Why not go and have a debate?
posted by me
:: 6:17:00 PM [+] ::
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