Leadership Kentucky students wanted to talk about the economy and Iraq when U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell came to their class this morning. The Kentucky Republican brought the class of community and business leaders from around the state back to Sept. 11.Lets assume those planes were loaded with something other than gasoline chemical or biological weapons or nuclear weapons, he said. What happened then would be nothing compared to the devastation that those weapons would cause. What weve got to do is look around and see who has the capabilities and the will to do something like that and at the top of the list is Saddam Hussein. I think that there is a widespread feeling that he has to be dealt with because he will find a way to do us harm at home. McConnell, speaking to the leaders at Western Kentucky Universitys Knicely Center for Economic Development, said he fears Hussein might deal with the terrorist gangs al-Qaida and Hezbollah to harm the United States. Waiting for the next attack is just unacceptable, he said. Kevin Hodge of Louisville asked about allies support. An alliance is about politics, McConnell said. The United States has the most capable military in the world and is fully able to succeed in a campaign against Hussein, even without allies, he said. I will say that those doing the hand-wringing in the Middle East publicly are the same people who in private say, Go get the S.O.B., McConnell said. America should consider whether to use heavy ground forces or strategic special forces and how the aftermath will be handled before going to Iraq, he said. We wouldnt want to take him out and then leave, McConnell said. Many people might question why President Bush is so public about his intentions, but McConnell said nothing is private in this country. Later, Hodge said that he agreed with McConnells assessment. I dont always agree with him, but today I got a good sense that he is doing what he thinks is right, Hodge said of McConnell, who talked first about leaders of conviction versus those of convenience. Mindy Barfield, a Lexington attorney, asked McConnell what the government should be doing to restore the economy. The president and others have talked about the strength of the economy but the markets havent responded, Barfield said. McConnell said much of the economy depends on consumers attitudes. I dont think there is any question, though, that the economy is fundamentally sound, he said. The government is making sure the crooks who need to be in jail will go there and that corporations become more responsible to shareholders, McConnell said. As far as the market is concerned, McConnell said that it still has seen growth over the years. I dont think a reasonable person ought to panic (about the market), he said. What I chose to do is not look at my fund. McConnell said the government cant micromanage the economy. Either you do or you dont have confidence in the future of the American economy, he said. His answer didnt sit well with Barfield. I think the government should be doing more, she said. Lowering interest rates again could be one solution. There needs to be more strong leadership as opposed to sitting around and blindly believing that the markets will work it out, Barfield said. McConnell also answered questions about liability insurance reforms, which led him to talk about tort reforms he has proposed over the years. The legal system is no longer about civil justice it is about extortion, he said of the large punitive damages that are being awarded in courts. Bowling Green attorney Kevin Brooks said he agrees the civil system should be reformed. I think he is right, but sometimes a little strident, on the subject, Brooks said. Barfield, who is a defense attorney in civil cases, agrees that there should be reform. Following McConnells talk, the group of about 40 people was going to hear more about the economy from Bill Brundage, the states commissioner of the New Economy, and hear a panel discussion about economic initiatives. Bowling Green has been touted as a success story, Barfield said. Im interested to find out what has been done. Leadership Kentucky is comprised of community leaders from across the state who meet several times throughout the year. The group talks about things that can help members be better leaders.