Sad & stupid -- IF it's true

UPI is reporting that a U.S. Marine of Lebanese descent has told a Saudi newspaper that Saddam Hussein was captured a day earlier than the official story given-- after a fierce gun battle!

IF -- and it is a qualified IF until Ex-Sgt. Nadim Abou Rabeh's story can be checked out -- this is true, it would be exceptionally sad and stupid.

But count us as skeptical for the moment because:

(1) Nadim Abou Rabeh is listed as an "ex" sergeant. That's an odd designation, even for the foreign press.

(2) We wouldn't bet the farm on anything appearing in the Saudi press.

It's just possible that there's a public relations counter-offensive taking place designed to take the luster off the U.S. victory in Iraq, perhaps quelling the fledgling "rise to democracy" movement in the Middle East.

It's also possible that the sergeant's story is true. If so, there will be much more to talk about.