Another Saddam lie exposed

US Navy Captain Scott Speicher's plane was shot down on the first day of Operation Desert Storm, the US-led campaign to free Kuwait, in 1991. Since Capt Speicher's remains were never found, he was classified as missing in action. The Pentagon has now confirmed that his plane crashed in western Iraq, he was dead on impact (or soon thereafter), and was buried by local tribesmen. This was always the most likely scenario.

Here are some of the posts from National Review's The Corner about his likely fate --

Thursday, April 24, 2003

This Man's Poor Family [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Possible evidence that Scott Speicher was in an Iraqi jail.

Saturday, March 22, 2003

Scott Speicher [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

A special unit has been formed by the Defense department and intel to go into Iraq and search for MIA/possible POW Capt. Michael Scott Speicher. Earlier this month, there were unconfirmed intelligence reports that he was alive and moved into Baghdad.

Other Pow News [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Sen. Bill Nelson was talking about Scott Speicher (POW from Gulf War) on Monday, citing classified reports saying he is alive. We've heard this in the last month and I don't know that it is anything new.

Sunday, April 13, 2003

Wow [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

CNN is reporting that six POWs have been found alive, now in Marine custody.

Unfortunately, there are seven missing (and then Scott Speicher).

Monday, December 15, 2003

Scott Speicher: Grain-of-Salt Update [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Saddam claims he never knew what happened to Capt. Speicher, who was shot down in the Gulf War and never found, says he was not an Iraqi prisoner.

No Credible New Reasons For Hope [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Rowan Scarborough reports that the fate of downed Gulf War (I) Navy pilot Scott Speicher looks grim. A classfied report—previously suggested to include some new evidence that he may be alive—calls the source for previous optimism a "born liar."

Like the WMD evidence which formed the basis of the Iraq war, the admitting of a dead end came after the war started. The purpose had been served by that point.