Meaning: The quote "There is already a mountain of evidence that Saddam Hussein is gathering weapons for the purpose of using them. And adding additional information is like adding a foot to Mount Everest" is a statement made by Ari Fleischer, who served as the White House Press Secretary under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2003. This quote was part of the Bush administration's justification for the invasion of Iraq in 2003, as they claimed that Saddam Hussein, the then-leader of Iraq, was amassing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and posed a significant threat to the United States and its allies.

The assertion that there was a "mountain of evidence" regarding Saddam Hussein's gathering of weapons was a central part of the Bush administration's argument for military intervention in Iraq. However, the subsequent failure to find WMDs in Iraq after the invasion led to widespread controversy and criticism of the decision to go to war.

Ari Fleischer's comparison of adding additional information to "adding a foot to Mount Everest" implies that the case against Saddam Hussein was already overwhelming and that any further evidence would only serve to reinforce the existing narrative. This rhetoric was used to emphasize the urgency and necessity of taking action against the perceived threat posed by Iraq.

The quote is significant in the context of the Iraq War and the broader debate surrounding the justification for the invasion. It reflects the level of certainty and conviction with which the Bush administration presented its case to the American public and the international community. The use of such a vivid metaphor, comparing the evidence to the monumental scale of Mount Everest, was intended to convey the gravity of the situation and the perceived need for decisive action.

However, in the years following the invasion, the absence of WMDs in Iraq and the failure to substantiate the pre-war claims about Saddam Hussein's weapons program raised serious questions about the accuracy and integrity of the intelligence that had been used to make the case for war. This led to significant scrutiny and criticism of the Bush administration's handling of the situation and the broader implications for the credibility of the United States on the world stage.

The quote also serves as a reminder of the complex and contentious nature of international relations, particularly when it comes to matters of war and peace. It highlights the role of rhetoric and persuasion in shaping public opinion and garnering support for military action, as well as the responsibility of leaders and decision-makers to substantiate their claims with credible evidence.

In conclusion, Ari Fleischer's quote encapsulates the fervor and conviction with which the Bush administration pursued military intervention in Iraq based on the belief that Saddam Hussein was amassing weapons of mass destruction. However, the subsequent failure to find WMDs in Iraq and the controversy that ensued have made the quote emblematic of the broader debate over the justification for the Iraq War and the use of intelligence in shaping foreign policy decisions.