This cluster-fsck in Iraq doesn't boil down to one statement. A great book, recommended by Colin Powell as the most accurate, is Richard Clarke's "Against All Enemies."

There's probably no-one truly objective on the subject, as politics are entwined in every aspect... but Clarke worked under four administrations. Tenet's book sheds light on the subject as well.

So where's the proof that they lied? Quote the text.

Out of curiosity, how would you describe the Iraq adventure? Is there anything good that can be said about it? I met a man from Kirkuk 2 days ago - family scattered around the globe, and says he can't go home, or he will be dead in a week. The country is in ruins.

I very much doubt you'll get a useful answer. As you can see the person is hung up on a black/white/pedantic point of the use of the word lie up top. He won't be satisfied by anything less than absolutes.

While some were truly evil, I tend to believe that Bush wanted to believe it enough that he convinced himself of it. The human mind is a subject of its own.