U.S. Had Key Role in Iraq Buildup Trade in Chemical Arms Allowed Despite Their Use on Iranians, Kurds High on the Bush administration's list of justifications for war against Iraq are President Saddam Hussein's use of chemical weapons, nuclear and biological programs, and his contacts with international terrorists. What U.S. officials rarely acknowledge is that these offenses date back to a period when Hussein was seen in Washington as a valued ally.

Indeed. Remember a few months back when Bush Sr. made comments about personally hating Sadaam because he gassed his own people? An odd comment to make, since Bush was part of the administration that helped Sadaam do it. Of course, none of this is news. This has all been public knowledge for years. But the establishment media (except for this rare instance) and the Democrats have been curiously silent on this little detail.