According to Associated Press reports, Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation of evidence was greeted with skepticism from Iraqi officials, which, though not surprising, is still worth considering.
Powell's presentation, which included tapes of conversations, satellite photographs and statements from informants, made up his "irrefutable and undeniable" evidence that Saddam Hussein is concealing weapons of mass destruction.
Though "irrefutable and undeniable," Iraqi officials didn't have much difficulty denying the evidence - and that alone may prompt healthy skepticism from Americans.
"What we heard today was for the general public and mainly the uninformed, in order to influence their opinion and to commit the aggression on Iraq," Lt. Gen. Amer al-Saadi, a presidential adviser, told reporters.
Al-Saadi suggested that tapes Powell presented as monitored Iraqi conversations were fabricated, that defector informants were unreliable, and that satellite photographs "proved nothing."
Certainly, one must expect that a country fearful of attack and up to no good would deny such allegations, but Americans must not be quick to judge based on evidence that is so easily refutable.
With continued skepticism from Russia, France, China and other council members, resulting in a continued push for diplomacy, the case has yet to be proven to others.
With the burden of proof in the hands of the potential aggressor, the United States can't be too cautious in presenting its case.
Powell's efforts are remarkable and commendable, but to sway the American public to support military action, Powell needs to present a "smoking gun." Otherwise, his reports will continue to be greeted with skepticism.
Is Colin Powell a liar? That's not likely. Are Iraqi officials being perfectly honest? That's not likely, either.
But it is the job of the American people to demand more of a government that so wishes to take military action.
There is nothing wrong with asking for more information.
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