The real importance of the Downing Street Memos

Michael Smith, the London Times reporter responsible for unearthing the DSM(s), says in the L.A. Times today, downplays the 'smoking gun' aspects of the original DSM, but goes on to say that "The real news is the shady April 2002 deal to go to war, the cynical use of the U.N. to provide an excuse, and the secret, illegal air war without the backing of Congress."

Smith avers that he is a former "staunch supporter of the decision to oust Saddam Hussein" but "The six leaked documents I took away with me that night were to change completely my opinion of the decision to go to war and the honesty of Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Bush."