Does anyone seriously think Washington would go to war if it really expected American casualties -- the only ones that count -- in the tens of thousands in a matter of weeks or months?
I think this is just to get people pumped up, play up what a vicious character this Saddam is. Get the adrenaline pumping so that people aren't going to listen anymore -- and I guess the 'best' is a mix of fear, loathing and bravado.
Things appear to have gotten to the point that the French cannot now cave in at the UN, (can they?). The Russians might hang firm. And the Chinese might just throw in their lot with 'old Europe'. So there's a need to get the American public really worked up.
Did the Powell spin on ObL work?