Had the United States not invaded Iraq in 2003, that 550 metric tons of yellow cake would have remained physically within Saddam's sphere of influence. Again, perhaps that would not bother some, but in light of 9/11, it bothered many Americans, including President Bush.

Yellow cake is a very dangerous substance, which can be converted to WMD with the right equipment and technology.

To believe that Saddam Hussein lacked the ability or motivation to acquire and perfect the equipment for production of nuclear WMD is, in my opinion, foolhardy and naive.

Those who believe that presence of IAEA inspectors assured that the yellow cake was controlled and adequately protected from diversion can explore the facts:

Those who wish to explore the facts further should Goggle "IAEA effectiveness in Iraq" to glean more information, which includes, in part, the following report from the Nuclear Control Institute (http://www.nci.org/new/iraq-ib.htm):