CIA and Plame seek written assurances over DOJ NOT TO PROSECUTE Plame:

Senior Democrats seek assurances, final leak investigation report
Larisa Alexandrovna

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The ranking member on the House Permanent Committee on Select Intelligence along with other senior Democrats issued a letter today requesting that special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald submit a final and public report on his two-year investigation into the outing of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson.

The letter, released to RAW STORY, requests “assurance that, upon completion” of the investigation “[Fitzgerald] will submit a final public report to Congress of all indictments, convictions, and any decisions not to prosecute.” Normally, special prosecutors are required to submit a report to the U.S. Attorney General. Fitzgerald's Grand Jury expires Oct. 28.

Signed by Jane Harman (D-CA), John Conyers (D-Michigan), Tom Lantos (D-CA) and Rush Holt (D-NJ), the letter expresses concern about any possible appearance of political influence and for possible acquiescence of legal authorities given the high level status of those under investigation.

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There's also the possibility that Fitzgeral's just going through the motions.

I shudder to think that he could come out with a "Nothing to see here, move along, now!" statement.

Will THAT be the time for the Pitchforks and Torches parades?

-T

David, I hope you're wrong about "the Judy Miller part of this story appears to be done." Because, if one carries that premise to a logical conclusion, that COULD mean that the faked Niger documents, which I believe ignited this imbroglio, are "done" too.

maybe returning to testify before the grand jury over and over again is Rove's sysiphusian punishment.

Another little reminder about Richard Cohen's credibility -- he wrote a column "What Price Service?" (I think in April 2001)

In that piece, after years of bashing the Clintonistas, Cohen declared about official Washington:

"Washington is so clean it's boring. The rogues are gone, and politics has become a sort of priesthood."

Times reporter in leak probe to be given award next Tuesday

New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who was jailed 85 days for refusing to reveal the source who disclosed the identity of undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson, is slated to receive a First Amendment Award Tuesday, RAW STORY has learned.

The award is being presented by the Society of Professional Journalists at a conference in Las Vegas. The Society is made up of some 1,100 independent writers.

Miller will speak to participants of the 2005 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference at 8:15 a.m. Oct. 18.
---------------
This is the crazy-ass world we live in. Lies and cover-ups earn rewards.

#6 -- Saladin, I mentioned that SPJ prize to Miller yesterday and noted that no one commented...

I feel so down. No one reads my posts. ;-)

I do read your posts! I notice that quite a few posted articles are repeats of earlier ones, I think it may be due to people scanning quickly in an effort to catch up, I am guilty of that myself! Giving miller an award is simply mind-boggling. I was fully expecting bush to win the Nobel Peace prize as well!

Re: Fizgerald & Miller:
She may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, Miller's position and actions are defensible. Her belief in protecting one's source could not be overridden by what she believed to be an improper legal fuling against her, but could be by permission granted by the source. That permission, however, could not be sought by her, as that would constitute implicit pressure by her upon her source to allow her to release the protected info. It had to wait for him to contact her personally in a way she felt was not coerced.

Re: Miers, Rove, & Fitzgerald:
I like that reading of the situation by the radio caller. I think it stands a 50-50 chance of coming true.

Re: That's how Washington works:
If Mr. Cohen wishes to state that that sort of thing happens all the time (revealing of otherwise secret CIA agent's identity), let's have him regurgitate prior occurances. If he wishes to use the "open secret" description of her identity proferred earlier this Summer by the Bushistas, does someone else's use of the term to describe Bush's backslid alcoholism this year have merit?

Midwesterner, I like how he avoids the fact that it was not just the outing of a single agent, but an entire undercover operation. What an idiot.

Indict Bush!!! 22 American soldiers have been killed this week.

American Soldiers

2,212 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan for Bush's evil lies.

Thanks Don, Alan and capt. Ten Years After and Alvin Lee. Saved the link, thanks again. We would all so love to change the world. It was good to hear Carter say it so boldly - that Bush stole the 2000 election through the partisan manipulation of the Supreme court.

David, heard you again on Diane Rehm Show. Glad to see she uses you as a regular. The Miller, MyEars, Fitzgerald link is very real. For the betterment of the nation, it would be worth 120 million to investigate the complete schemes of Karl Rove. He spoke to Miller and probably to MyEars. You answered a caller about the possibility that Bush was covering his future with placements to the bench. Because of his criminal acts against mankind, the appeals court ruling that Roberts handed down in April, and an uncertain future, I thought the caller was on target.

Let Miller enjoy her award for 15 minutes. I am sure her tenure at the Times is at its end. Happy Halloween Judy, its Trick or Treat time for you.

When Fitzgerald hands out indictments it will be trick or treat time for MyEars as well. During the Cinton investigations it was ruled that executive privelage did not protect the president. Lets find out what she knew of the forged documents and the outing of Plame.

Micki I love to read your posts.

Saladin I read you prior post about the fact that the entire NukeOp was compromised as well. The fact that the CIA is involved and may not want to cause further damage may be why this has received to little attention.

On one hand we have Negroponte and Porter Goss who would love to pull the rug over this messy situation.

On the other hand we have senior intelligence officials that are very pissed off and are now releasing stories like the one about Bush ignoring the intel on what might happen after we attacked Iraq.

And the middle leg, Scott McClellan telling Helen Thomas that she is a subversive and doesn't believe the war on terror is being fought in Iraq.

Another secret agent's identity has been exposed!
New actor to play James Bond announced

geof01, here is my concern, who's watching the nukes now? Anybody? And how does larry franklin and the AIPAC spy scandal tie in with this? I am certain there is a connection. bushco knew exactly what they were doing when they spilled the beans on Plame, and what sort of domino effect that would have on the whole operation she was working with. So now, if any nukes go missing and create the dreaded "mushroom cloud" over some American city, who will they blame? Iran? Korea? Syria? A stolen nuke would be nearly impossible to trace. This is a potentially disastrous situation, and miller is in the middle of it.

Saladin,

I geuss that would be the recent Nobel laueate, Mohamed El Baradi and the IAEA.

Relax everyone! Thus spake General Rove's legal beagle, a truly reliable source:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald on Friday told President George W. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, that he has yet to decide whether he will bring charges over the leak of a covert CIA operative's identity, Rove's lawyer said.

"The special counsel has not advised Mr. Rove that he is a target of the investigation and affirmed that he has made no decision concerning charges," Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, said. "The special counsel has indicated that he does not anticipate the need for Mr. Rove's further cooperation."

Re: Richard Cohen

It's mind boggling that Mr. Cohen would suggest Patrick Fitzgerald leave Washington and head back to Chicago to fight "Real Crime" like outing a CIA agent for spite isn't? But yet in an August 2005 article he mentions the failure in Iraq. Amazing!

Iraq is coming apart and America will leave Iraq -- not in success but in failure.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/15/AR2005081501149.html

David,
I listened to the Diane Rehm's show and I appreciate your statements. I especially appreciate the statement about the program cuts to the poor and middle class while the rich keep getting the benefits. What the leadership is doing to average citizen in the country is a disgrace.
There are kids in their 2o's who are making more in dividends then my husband and I make for a family of five.
There are CEO's that are making more money than they can use in 10 lifetimes but still feel a need to stick the consumer and the employee and demand tax cuts to boot.
This is not a healthy economy. If the wealthy don't have a sense that they are part of the problem and must become part of the solution then they need to move over while the workers of this nation rebuild our country.

I'm wondering if it'd be too much trouble to add a "David Corn" appearenc shedule, so we know when and where to appreciate your views "off the cuff" as it were...

-T

Saladin, with Bush's polls tumbling like jack-n-jill he would love to see that scenario play out. The one thing in his polls where he still rules is in keeping us safe. If the suitcase nuke existed outside of a James Bond plot you can bet it would be detonated to his advantage.

The Ruskis still have 2500 nukes on hair trigger alert, and so do we, with a practicing alcoholic holding the controls.

For 65 years and 7 generations, our country has held us hostage to nuclear catastrophe. Yet everyone has a ribbon supporting the troops and continued war and madness.

Occasionally a pink ribbon will be seen. Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer kill more women in America than any other cause. I am almost certain that this means more than Iraq casualties and terrorism.

God Bless America. Why would he?

Like I said, if the wealthy don't want to be part of the solution they need to get out of the way while the workers rebuild America.
On Crooks and Liars we have Bush's attempt at driving in a nail on habitat for humanity. David Letterman made a top ten list to go with it. Who the hell doesn't know how to hold a hammer.

David Letterman's Top Ten: "I had a Hammer"

Haji, Fitzgerald is not going through the motions. We know this guy pretty well in Illinois. He is not political and not corruptible. He pursues cases aggressively but does not color outside the lines in order to make his case. He doesn't grandstand for the media--when he holds a press conference he just makes factual statements and refuses to get drawn into personal issues. He does not appear to be the least bit interested in a political career. And he has no social life whatsoever.

I'd also like to address the idea that Fitzgerald's pursuit of Miller was "excessive" as many have suggested. Reporters do not have and have never had any special rights in regard to obstruction of justice, whatever they or you might believe. They don't have to give up their sources, but if they don't, they can be sent to jail. That's the way it works. And how could it work any other way. I'm a journalist--I'm writing and you're reading it--so EVERYONE IS A JOURNALIST. What's the criteria for journalism? Does a journalist have to work for a print publication? How big a circulation does a reporter need in order to be protected? There is no sensible way to define who's a journalist and who isn't anymore (if there ever was).

Just for the sake of argument, let's pretend that reporters had a right to obstruct justice by refusing to reveal sources. That still wouldn't excuse Miller's refusal in this case. She was not merely the recipient of information, she was a material witness to a federal crime. If she had been interviewing a person who like to shoot people, and that person pulled out a gun and shot someone during the interview, she would not have the right to refuse to testify as to what she saw. The Plame leak was not a case of someone telling her about a crime they had committed. The discussion WAS THE CRIME.

Robert, that's what I thought, but if that is the case, why do we have covert agents doing the IAEA's job? I just don't trust ANYTHING they say anymore. It seems WW111 is upon us, whether we like it or not. They will get what they want, one way or another. They have been working towards this for way too long to give up now. This statement I read somewhere, "the crazies in reagan's basement have taken over the asylum" really rings true!
geof01, the farther he slides in the polls, the more worried I feel!

That's right, Iraq is on the path to democracy. Just a few glitches here and there. Anyway, who needs electricity?
----------

Baghdad Blackout Caused by Sabotage

Insurgents sabotaged power lines to the capital Friday evening, knocking out electricity across the greater Baghdad area and plunging it into darkness on the eve of the country's key vote on a new constitution.

Mahmoud al-Saaedi, an Electricity Ministry spokesman, said power lines were sabotaged between the northern towns of Kirkuk and Beiji leading to the Baghdad region.

He did not specify how insurgents damaged the lines, but militants in the past have used bombs to hit infrastructure.

Iraqi and U.S. forces have clamped down with intensive security measures to prevent insurgent attacks on voters Saturday.

Al-Saaedi had earlier said "technical problems" were to blame for the blackout and that there was no sign of sabotage.

The lights went out soon after sundown, when Muslims break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan, at around 6 p.m. Power was still off more than two hours later, ahead of the start of the 10 p.m. curfew.

Baghdad's skyline was black except for pinpoints of light from private generators. The blackout appeared to have affected much of Baghdad province, an area of 2,250 square miles.

"This has affected large areas of the central Iraq and other large surrounding regions," he told The Associated Press. "Our crews are working on fixing them and the problem could be solved soon and the power will be back gradually."

The frequent power outages that hit Baghdad and other parts of Iraq are a constant cause of complaints. Friday night's blackout, however, hit an area larger than most.

From:MSN Spaces
'Credit' and 'Thanks' go to Mike Malloy (of Air America) and the Mike Malloy Show. This blog entry is based on one of his old broadcasts.
Vic Blazier

5 Easy Orwellian Steps to Totalitarianism

Step 1: "Big Brother Loves You" - Bush always opens his magic shows with a cheesy 'thank you' to the carefully screened and hand-picked sympathetic audience before him. It makes him seem human, compassionate, and caring. Examples: "I wanna thank the firefighters...", "We must thank our men and women in uniform for their sacrifices".

Step 2: "Standby for an Important Message from the Ministry of Truth" - This is the part where fear and terror are instilled. He uses deliberately vague, but terrifying adjectives to describe the dangers America faces. This portion of the sermon is designed to remind the sheep of what can happen if they don't toe the line.

Step 3: "Oceania Has Always Been at War with East Asia. War is Peace" - After establishing the vague threat (Step 2), he must convince the fuzzy flock that only permanent war can defeat the invisible enemy. There will be no peace, unless we stay at war with them. This is also the section of the speech where, if you listen carefully, he might even have a go at persuading the listener that they must give up freedoms in order to obtain safety and security.

Step 4: "You Gotta Hate the Resistance" - Now that us grass eaters will do anything for any amount of security, we must give his Administration the power to do whatever they want -all for the good of America, of course. Anyone who resists this notion is tied to the enemy somehow. Subtle attempts are made at associating the Democrats and the antiwar movement with not caring about Homeland safety and security, which you are supposed to be outraged about.

Step 5: "We Love Big Brother" - Every speech must end on a positive, hopeful note. The people are whipped into a patriotic, flag-waving fervor using carefully chosen and emotion triggering terms which yield vivid imagery.

#22 Jeanne, that was funneeeee! I don't watch Letterman like I used to years ago, but he's still a riot!

David, thank you for questioning Cohen's agenda and his lame attempt to excuse such obviously criminal behavior.

But again I ask what is up with you attempting to lighten Fitzgerald's case against Miller? Come on, three judges looked at Fitzgerald's evidence and determined Judy should come clean, that she was "obstructing justice". They all knew that she had been released from her source, they knew this was not an issue of her protecting that source.

When you stated "Whatever damage Fitzgerald has done to Journalism-if any- the Judy Miller part of this story seems to be done". How can you possibly even consider that Fitzgerald had done any damage to Journalism when Judy has done such a good job of that herself. Journalist are not omnipotent if you have not noticed. They do come to the table with agenda's , have you noticed ? Fitzgerald was holding Miller in civil contempt based on not just his determination, three other judges came to the same conclusion.

Then you go on to say "But Fitzgerald's excesses in chasing Miller (if they were excesses) should not be turned into a free pass for Rove or anyone else who might be indicted".

Fitzgerald's excesses??? his excesses?? Just like the New York Times in regard to Miller, Are you unable (just like the Times) to truely consider after three judges, plus Fitzgerald determined Judy was breaking the law, by not releasing her source, after she had been released. I can not believe you would even consider these EXCESSES by Fitzgerald.

Listen I am not into hammering Judy for pleasure, unless of course she continues to insist claiming she was "fucking right". She was not right. She was terribly, terribly wrong. She has not only harmed your profession, her reporting played a very serious role in the death of tens of thousands of people. This should not be taken lightly by her, the NYT's, or any other journalist. I know, that you know, that you folks have a serious responsibility to report the truth and facts to the best of your ability. Judy failed to uphold journalistic standards to inform the public, based on facts, she failed miserably. She needs to accept responiblity for the part she played.

But I again challenge you to apply the same standards to Judy's case that you would apply to any politician or citizen, that the grand jury had determined that they needed to come clean, that they were "obstructing justice".

I sincerely hope and pray that Fitzgerald can deliver the truth. The people of this country and around the world need to know that justice can prevail.

We need to know, now more than ever before in my life time, that our justice system can rise above politics and shed light on the facts. And that those who are responsible for the leak, and hopefully for the false Niger document, will be held accountable.

Earlier today I saw a petition/letter that David Frum or Bill Kristol had put together to send to President Bush having to do with the Miers nomination. I could not find it again. Does anyone know anything about this?

WTF, Over! Commentary from a guy who fought in a war started by guys who refused to fight in a war

I just finished reading Vic Blazier's blog, he's very funny and worth some attention. He would probably appreciate comments.

Kathleen, I am waiting anxiously to find out what is in those 8 redacted pages Fitzgerald has in his possession. They certainly changed the judges mind. I wonder, why all the secrecy? And why the hell is no one questioning ledeen??

# 6 Micki I am sorry I missed your attempt to alert us to the Miller award. Folks should get that list of journalist and make sure we never read their reports. I am so tired of the inaccurate mantra "Judy was protecting her source". Do these folks not read, she was released over a year ago.

Again facts do not matter to these journalist.

The american public should create an award for Judy ....The..."YOU WERE FUCKING WRONG" award. Cindy Sheehan could hand it to her

Eggman (#23)

I'll take your word on the integrity of Fitzgerald. It is just that my Trust-O'-Meter sure hasn't been too accurate, and there's precious little opportunity to calibrate it!

-T

Saladin, let us just hope that Ledeen is on Fitzgerald's list.

Did you know that when Ledeen was working on his Ph.D, he spent a great deal of time in Italy studying the documents of the Italian fascist. He has certainly incorporated some of the "fascist philosophy" into his thinking and the policy's he recommends. I am sure you have done some reading about this guy, he is one of the most dangerous radicals operating in this administration.

Rove is (or was) Bush's Brain...Ledeen is Rove's brain, at least in regard to the middle east.

Ledeen was here at Ohio University a few years ago for a "Peace Conference", I have no idea why he was here,he certainly is not for peace. He sat on a panel with Leon Fuerth, I have forgottten the guy on the left's name. Of course Ledeen was representing the radical right side of the issue.

I was able to ask Ledeen some direct questions. The first question was...Why does Israel continue to refuse to sign the Non-proliferation treaty, and demand that other nations abide by the treaty ,while Israel has stockpiled massive amounts of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons?.....I also asked him why the U.s. had vetoed (4 times that I am aware of )sending in UN International Observers into the Israeli/Palestinian conflict?

Guess what his answer was? "you don't like Israel do you"? (when one ask logical rational questions...oh how I am tired of the anti-semite card being played, when one asks logical, rational questions about this conflict or Israel's weapons stance)... I quickly responded with "please do not put words in my mouth that are not true, and please answer my questions".

At that time the moderator interrupted and said we were out of time.HMMMMM how convenient.

Ledeen had made statements during his presentation that were the most radical, elitist, dangerous, comments I have ever heard out of anyone. He went on and on about "creative destruction" and the wisdom of using our military strength to pre-emptivley invade other countries. I was stunned.

I believe he is one of the most dangerous people in our country.

I can only wish Judy stays around in Vegas another week; it would certainly be fun to have her around for our taunting pleasures. BTW: if you are into Vegas and interested in seeing it overrun with freaks and heads and thousands of jam band friends and followers, Halloween weekend will be the time to go. The band lineups are incredible, performances run from 11 AM until 6 AM each day beginning Friday... with special events going off all over town at differnet venues.

Hajji,
The one thing I like about Fitzgerald is that there are no leaks. That means he runs a tight ship but it also means he isn't political. He doesn't care if Cheney and Rove and Bush and Libby are twisting in the wind. He has no agenda other than his job.

Jeanne,

You're right about the lack o' leaks!

Here's the first story of Tamiflu resistance". Looks like 1 in 60 so far? Does this represent a mutation of the virus already? I guess Roache is gonna have to go back to the drawing board!
___________
Tamiflu Resistance Shows Up Vietnam Bird Flu Patient (Update1)

Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- Resistance to Roche Holding AG's Tamiflu antiviral appeared in one bird flu patient in Vietnam, according to a report out today in the journal Nature.

The avian influenza virus isolated from an infected 14- year-old girl did not respond Tamiflu in a laboratory test, said the report from medical researchers in Hanoi. The lab test was performed in February, and the girl was treated and discharged in March.

The U.S. and other countries are stockpiling Tamiflu to prepare for a feared outbreak of bird flu that might spread quickly from person-to-person. At least 117 cases of bird flu have been reported in people and 60 people have died from the disease, all in Southeast Asia. Most of the cases result from contact with infected fowl, and the virus hasn't mutated into a version can spread among people.

_________

Saladin's right! Don't put your faith in medicine, do what you can to build up your resistance. Get Healthy!

Now WHERE's that Pizza delivery menu?

mmmmm EXTRA extra cheese!

-T

Kathleen, I agree, ledeen is a psycho and self-admitted facist. And it's true that whenever anyone dares to question Israel the anti-semite card comes into play. It's absolutely ridiculous. Why they think they have the right to play the nuclear hand while denying it to the rest of their neighbors I will never know. But they are masters of propaganda, if they say "Islamist Terrorist" the whole world jumps, even though they are the only country in the middle east that has WMD's!

Not only do we posters read our posts there are literally thousands of hits on the Corn blog from people who do not comment but they do read.

Good reason to always be on our best communication behavior.

I have noticed an alarming trend from some of the regulars: clips without a link or address are cool but gives little support to the source.

I like to read the whole article and as good as some clips are, the source is important and necessary to see the context.

Examnple: post #17, I would have to dig into Reuters or Google the text to find the original article.

If we are going to reference stuff let's include an address and or link. I am sure the others that read the board will enjoy reading the source as much or more than the clip.

capt

It is my understanding that the prosecutor may avoid hearing from a particular person if that person is the main focus on an indictment. Ledeen may be the major focus of the investigation. A person cannot be called before a Grand Jury and be asked questions that may incriminate themselves. I believe that Ledeen will be the only person indicted. If there are two persons indicted, my hope would be Bush or Cheney. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Ledeen is in Iraq to oversee the elections and will not be back until October 28.

Sorry Capt, I used to include a link to my excerpts, but since I get almost no comments regarding the things I post I don't usually bother anymore. If anyone wants the source, just let me know.

capt -- please excuse me! When did you become the blog proctor, BTW.

Laying in the weeds, are ya?

For the record;

* Bush and his agents have violated 18 USC - 371 , conspiring to defraud the United States.

This law is not limited to efforts by conspirators to steal property or unlawfully seeking pecuniary gain from the government of the United States. Case law regarding the interpretation of this statute is quite clear . This law has been violated when at least two people conspire to interfere with or obstruct a lawful function of the federal government by

a) engaging in misrepresentation or chicanery and/or

b) by making wrongful use of a governmental instrumentality ......

Bush and his agents have sought to interfere or obstruct with the following legitimate functions of government.

a) The intelligence gathering capacity of agencies of the United States have been subverted by the unlawful creation and conduct of rogue intelligence cells -operating without statutory authority or Congressional oversight - within the White House , The Office of Vice President , the Department of Defence,the National Security Council and the State Department. These extra-legal "spy shops" were created for the express purpose of polluting the US intelligence stream with a series of well planned hoaxes designed to implement the geostrategic interests of a foreign power and provide a financial windfall commercial interests in the oil and armaments industry.

b) Government's most important function, providing for the common defense of the people of the United States, was obstructed by the diversion of funds ,military assets, and man power diverted to a military campaign that stemmed from misrepresentation ,chicanery, and the wrongful use of several governmental instrumentalities on the part of Bush and his agents. For example , funds earmarked for emergency disaster preparedness and the reconstruction of levees surrounding the City of New Orleans were diverted to Iraq resulting in the near destruction of the City of New Orleans.

To further this conspiracy or prevent exposure of the underlying crime , 18 USC -371, Bush and his agents engaged in the following criminal acts.

1) making false and misleading statements to Congress

2) mishandling classified information

3) making false statements to FBI investigators

4) leaking classified information to individuals lacking the required security clearance to acquire such information 5) committing perjury before a federal grand jury

5) Engaging in the concealment and destruction of evidence relevant to a federal probe authorized by the Justice Department at the request of the CIA .

6) illegally using assets and employees of the United States to intimidate potential witnesses who had the means ,stature and likely inclination to expose the Bush administrations repeated violations of 18 USC-371 , a conspiracy to defraud the United States.

7) illegally obstructing a duly authorized investigation of a standing Committee of the US Senate in a successful attempt to pressure that committee to issue a final report to the US Congress that exonerated the illegal governmental activities of Bush and his agents, as outlined in 18 USC-371 .

8) improperly providing conspirators pay raises ,promotions, and other emoluments ,some funneled through illegal covert slush funds, in order to a) to reward conspirators and b) secure their silence if this conspiracy to defraud the United States became subject of either a Congressional or Judicial inquiry.

See http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm00923.htm

Hajji #35, thanks for the backup! People need to know how very important it is to strenghten the immune system, especially because of the constant assault it receives on a daily basis. Think about the CODEX and why they would force that upon us.

Saladin, I didn't comment earlier today about your posting re The National Park *Loyalty Oath*...but I found it astounding! Thank you.

I was able to find the source in a flash! So, I didn't bother to ask.

Me, too. Found it right off.

http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=598

"...a bit too clever... But I noted that I did think that it would be interesting to see Miers questioned at her confirmation hearings by senators regarding the leak case."

Well, no shit, huh?

"A bit too clever"? What's that supposed to mean? A bit too clever, but you also noted that (...tapdancetapdancetapdance...) "it would be interesting"...

In other words, you agreed with her.

Jesus, Corn, you're exceptional to the point of actually making a living eyeballing these scum.

"When you're gonna shoot, shoot".

WOW, point out something to help everybody and I get snarked?

You can always do as you please but a little link, address or URL could help the tens of thousands of people that read the board.

I am not picking on anybody just trying to improve our message.

If you think people are not reading your posts you are wrong.

We all post some very good information, it only makes sense that we do our best. If your best does not include where you got your clip some people might think you are putting your name on someone elses words.

On a good day this board gets as much as a hundred thousand hits. You do the math on that one. How many readers do you think will take the time to research your clips to ferret out the source?

Just sayin'

capt

micki, it's cool, I figure people read what they find of interest, same with me. It isn't necessary to comment on every little thing, poor David would have his bandwidth overwhelmed if we did! I am just happy to be able to come here and find kindred souls who have a wealth of information to share, even if I don't agree with all of it. That is what makes us interesting people. And a special thanks to Capt. Hajji, and Gerald, I love your dedication to truth. Actually, that goes for all lovers of truth. In the year I have spent hanging out on this blog I have learned more about what is real than in my whole life of reading and watching the MSM! So thank you everyone, and David, who provides such an open and uncensored forum.

Why an exotic fruit is the world's only weapon against bird flu

By Jeremy Laurance, Health Editor
Published: 15 October 2005

A rare herb grown in China used to flavour duck dishes and treat infants for colic is at the centre of a worldwide search for a cure for avian flu.

Star anise, the unusual fruit of a small oriental tree, is sold in supermarkets in the UK to consumers seeking its pungent, liquorice-like flavour.

But the herb has a vital function as the source of shikimic acid from which the drug Tamiflu is made, the only defence the world currently has against the threatened flu pandemic.

Tamiflu cannot prevent infection with avian flu but it can reduce its severity. In the absence of an effective vaccine - which has not yet been developed - it is all that stands between the world and what could become a modern plague.

Yesterday it emerged that a shortage of star anise is one of the key reasons why countries including Britain cannot obtain enough Tamiflu to protect their populations. European Union ministers met yesterday to discuss measures to reduce contact between wild birds and poultry to curb its spread.

It is harvested by local farmers between March and May, purified and the shikimic acid extracted at the start of a 10-stage manufacturing process which takes a year.

Only star anise grown in the four provinces of China is suitable for manufacture into Tamiflu and 90 per cent of the harvest is already used by Roche.

The company has faced demands to relax the patent on the drug to allow other manufacturers to produce it.

*****end of clip*****

Interesting stuff about Tamiflu. The potential pandemic looms on the horizon and Roche wants to protect their patent?

A clear message about what is important to the corporations, profit. Profit is more important than our health or our lives. We need to change that, big time!

capt

Terror tip for rich

E-mails warned bigs of city attack

By ALISON GENDAR
DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF

The city's rich and well-connected were tipped off to last week's subway terror threat days before average New Yorkers, the Daily News has learned.

At least two E-mails revealing the purported plot were sent to a select crowd of business and arts executives early last week by New Yorkers who claimed to have close connections to Homeland Security and other federal officials, authorities said.

The NYPD confirmed that it learned of the E-mails on Oct. 3 - three days before Mayor Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and the FBI went public with the threat.

"I have just received a most disturbing call from one of my oldest friends from growing up in Washington," one E-mail began. "He called with a very specific caution to not enter or use the New York City subway system from Oct. 7 through 10th."

A second E-mail sounded a similar ominous tone: "As some of you know my father works for Homeland Security, at a very high position and receives security briefings on a daily basis.

"The only information that I can pass on is that everyone should at all costs not ride the subway for the next two weeks in major areas of NYC."

One of the E-mails was dated Oct. 3 with a 6:05 p.m. time stamp, about 90 minutes before Bloomberg was fully briefed on the threat, a police source said.

*****end of clip*****

Do the rich and elite have no shame?

"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." ~ George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

capt

White House jitters as Rove faces grand jury

Top Bush aide warned he could face indictment
Charges in CIA leak case could come next week

Jamie Wilson in Washington
Saturday October 15, 2005
The Guardian

President George Bush's chief political adviser, Karl Rove, yesterday made his fourth appearance before a grand jury in what was billed as a final attempt to convince federal prosecutors he did nothing illegal in the CIA leak case that is gripping Washington.

Mr Rove spent more than four hours facing questions from a special counsel investigating the leak two years ago of the name of a covert CIA operative.

Before he gave evidence prosecutors had warned Mr Bush's most trusted aide that there was no guarantee he would not be indicted over the matter. Charges could be brought as early as next week, with the White House said to be racked by uncertainty. Prosecutors said they have not decided whether Mr Rove should be charged, according to his lawyer.

Lewis "Scooter" Libby, vice president Dick Cheney's chief of staff, is also said to be in the firing line of special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald's investigation.

Mr Fitzgerald was expected to press Mr Rove to explain any inconsistencies between his previous testimony and the statements of other witnesses. Zachary Carter, a former US attorney in New York, told Reuters that any time an official testifies multiple times "there's always the risk that they may be perceived as having testified inconsistently".

Two years ago the White House categorically denied that either Mr Rove or Mr Libby had been involved, with the president promising to fire anybody who was found to have leaked.

"They are important members of our White House team. And that's why I spoke with them, so that I could come back to you and say they were not involved," spokesman Scott McClellan told the White House press corps on October 7 2003. But since reporters have identified Mr Rove and Mr Libby as their sources the White House line has changed to an equally categorical "no comment".

"The Rove thing has become enormously distracting," one adviser to the White House told the Washington Post.

*****end of clip*****

Rovegate from across the pond.

capt

You've lost that loving feeling ... Bush quavers at his political nadir

By Michael Gawenda
Herald Correspondent in Washington
October 15, 2005

The real message of the controversy over Miers is conservatives of all stripes no longer trust Bush. He has not delivered: not on his promise to the small-government conservatives to cut the size of government; not on his promise to his business backers to reform social security and build an "ownership society", and not on his promise to social conservatives to seize the opportunity to remake the Supreme Court along conservative lines for decades to come.

The attacks on Miers from conservative intellectuals including George Will and Bill Kristol and Charles Krauthammer, attacks full of bile, are really attacks on the President.

When Mr Bush said "trust me, she is a good conservative," the response from The Wall Street Journal, the conservative movement's house journal, was the Miers appointment was all about cronyism and incompetence.

His poll numbers are terrible: an NBC poll put his approval rating at 39 per cent, the lowest of his presidency, and only 28 per cent of Americans believe he is taking the country in the right direction.

After Katrina, and despite eight trips to the hurricane devastated region, he has only a 2 per cent approval rating among black Americans.

For the neo-conservatives such as Krauthammer and Kristol the struggle for a democratic Iraq was a great dream. But instead of focusing on Iraq's constitutional referendum that will take place today, they have led the charge against the nomination.

Even the neo-conservatives it seems, who believe the administration has mishandled the aftermath of the war in Iraq, are deserting Mr Bush. No wonder George Bush this week looked like a man who has not been sleeping all that well lately.

*****end of clip*****

An interesting piece from down under.

capt

White House Asks Judges to Vouch for Miers

By DEB RIECHMANN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Stunned by conservative opposition to Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, President Bush next week will bring in former justices from her home state of Texas to trumpet her qualifications for the nation's highest court.

The event is part of an administration effort to refine its push for Miers after its initial strategy failed to quiet opposition from members of the president's own party.

The Republican critics, who suggest Bush passed over candidates with long records of conservative rulings from the bench, say that if the White House strategy continues to amount to a "trust me" message, they'll continue to grumble.

*****end of clip*****

HA! So Bunnypants KNOWS some "good old boy" judges from Texas have more credibility than he does?

A sad but true commentary on the integrity of this misadministration.

Maybe we can have these "judges" weigh in on gun ownership, deficit spending and bigger government?

capt

Lipitor or Generic? Billion-Dollar Battle Looms

By ALEX BERENSON

Published: October 15, 2005

The Lipitor war is about to begin.

Starting next June, insurers and government agencies will have the opportunity to save billions of dollars by moving patients from Lipitor, a cholesterol-lowering drug by Pfizer that is the world's top-selling medication, to an inexpensive generic version of Zocor, a similar but less potent drug now made by Merck.

Some insurers are already planning ways to move patients from Lipitor to generic cholesterol drugs after Zocor loses its patent protection. But Pfizer, which plans to use marketing muscle and clinical data to fight that migration, says that Lipitor has unique benefits and is worth a premium price, especially for patients at high risk of heart attacks.

Both medicines belong to a class of drugs known as statins, which are the nation's best-selling medications, with almost 150 million prescriptions expected to be filled this year at a cost of $16 billion. The insurers, and some cardiologists, say that switching patients from Lipitor to generic Zocor will be a safe way to cut costs in an era of skyrocketing pharmaceutical prices.

In many cases, they say, patients who now take the most commonly prescribed dosage of Lipitor - 10 milligrams daily - can reduce their cholesterol just as much with Zocor. Lipitor costs $2 or more a day, while generic Zocor will probably cost 35 cents or less.

"If I was taking a statin, I'd want to take the cheapest one, as long as I get to the goal that I wanted to get to," said Dr. Scott Grundy, a researcher who has consulted for both Merck and Pfizer. Dr. Grundy led a federal panel that in 2001 wrote guidelines for treating people with high cholesterol.

But other doctors and epidemiologists say that Lipitor may be the best drug for many patients. "It would not be good medicine to go to a cheaper medicine that has less efficacy in our high-risk patients," said Dr. Robert Vogel, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland, who has been paid by Pfizer to help conduct a clinical trial of Lipitor.

Pfizer says it will fiercely defend Lipitor. "By taking any dose of Lipitor, you will reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event faster and to a greater degree than you will with any other medicine," said J. Patrick Kelly, Pfizer's president of United States pharmaceuticals. The fight over Lipitor involves a collision of fundamental forces in American health care. Spending on prescription drugs has jumped from $40 billion in 1990 to almost $250 billion this year, and continues to rise faster than overall inflation. But while many Americans say they believe that prescription drugs cost too much, they rarely want to accept generic medicines for themselves instead of more expensive drugs that may be only marginally better - especially since insurers or government agencies pay nearly 70 percent of all drug costs.

*****end of clip*****

What kind of a government or medical industry is more concerned with the mountain of money that can be made before they concern themselves with the health of the people?

capt

How to constitute a civil war

By Pepe Escobar

Iraqis desperately need security, electricity, water, food rations, health care, education, jobs. Instead they get a referendum on a constitution few of Iraq's theoretical 15.7 million voters have debated and fewer still have even seen. Why? Because the occupying power said so. So forget about the real priorities needed to make life liveable. No constitution will be able to rule over a battlefield.

*****end of clip*****

Another good article from Pepe.

capt

Another good one from the good Dr. Krugman. He manages to lambaste Judith Miller, Dana Milbank, and a lot of other reporters/commentators without actually naming any of them.

Milbank recently spent an entire column tallying the Shrub's every blink and lip-lick. He could have saved his readers some time by simply presenting his column in tabular form. I pictured him rewinding and fast-forwarding his video player while furiously clicking away with one of those little hand-held click-counters that Japanese reporters are so fond of. One blink, two blinks, three blinks, four . . .

Ah, such is the state our beloved 4th Estate.

Bush administration lackeys at the CIA cover up bush's incompetence in capturing or killing the actual person who is responsible for attacking the US on September 11th!!!!


"Osama was there, we were aware he was there, and we were doing everything in our power to capture, kill him, and destroy his forces," says Bernsten, who was the leader of a secret CIA paramilitary unit pursuing bin Laden.
http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=25&sid=593756

Remember what Bush-the-draft-dodger said!!!!


The president called his opponent's allegation "the worst kind of Monday-morning quarterbacking." Bush asserted that U.S. commanders on the ground did not know if bin Laden was at the mountain hideaway along the Afghan border.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8853000/site/newsweek/

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Planet, Inc.

Corporations and people make money during crises, such as war, corporate corruption, etc. Corporations are benefiting themselves against the common good. Privatization takes from the public trust and gives to corporations and influential people. Our lives will be at the mercy of these corporations and the powerful money people. The powerbrokers are interested in private ownership for everything on this planet, such as water, air, land, forests, etc. You will have to pay the corporation for everything.

Corporations want mindless consumers and advertising attempts to control the mindless consumer. Corporations are not good apostles they are predators. Shareholders want money and not corporate apostles. Corporations advertise a way of life and not a product.

Corporations encourage tax cuts, tax havens, and avoidance of taxes. Every part of our planet will be parceled to corporations.

You cannot patent life and yet, the Supreme Court ruled that you can patent life. Life, today, is a utility to be patented by corporations and research companies, such as cloning and gene alterations. Moral issues are of no concern to corporations.

The Federal Drug Administration goes along with corporations regardless of the research findings. Corporate ownership will broadcast anything and everything they want whether or not the information or research is factual for people and their health. Corporations want profits and not health.

Religion and a Civil Society

Rove Pressed On Conflicts, Source Says

Questions Said to Focus On Differing Accounts

By Carol D. Leonnig and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, October 15, 2005; A01

The grand jury investigating the CIA leak case pressed White House senior adviser Karl Rove yesterday to more fully explain his conversations with reporters about CIA operative Valerie Plame, including discrepancies between his testimony and the account provided by a key witness in the investigation, according to a source familiar with Rove's account.

His story has changed from the earliest days, when he told reporters he had nothing to do with the leak of Plame's name. Since then, Rove has testified that he discussed Plame in passing with two reporters, including Robert D. Novak, whose July 14, 2003, syndicated column first publicly identified Plame as a CIA operative married to former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV.

The source close to Rove would not provide details of yesterday's exchange, other than to say the grand jury was very interested in discrepancies in testimony. Rove initially did not tell federal agents about his conversations with Cooper. In an earlier grand jury appearance, he testified that the purpose of their conversation was welfare reform, not Wilson or Plame.

But Cooper testified that he did not recall discussing welfare reform at all. He said he had detailed notes on their discussion about Wilson and Rove's passing reference to Wilson's wife.

There is also a mystery about a once-missing e-mail. The e-mail -- from Rove to a White House colleague -- shows Rove discussing his conversation with Cooper and saying he waved the reporter off Wilson's allegations. It did not surface until earlier this year, well after the investigation was in full swing.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who in 2003 denied any White House involvement in the leak, has refused comment for several months.

Libby, who, like Rove, has testified to discussing Plame without using her name or disclosing her CIA status, also appears to be another main focus of the probe.

Wilson's campaign caught the attention of Vice President Cheney's office nearly two months before Plame was unmasked, according to senior administration officials. Cheney's aides pressed the CIA for information about Wilson.

Instead, the lawyers, who based their opinions on the kinds of questions Fitzgerald is asking and not on firsthand knowledge, think the special prosecutor may be headed in a different direction. They said Fitzgerald could be trying to establish that a group of White House officials violated the Espionage Act, which prohibits the disclosure of classified material, or that they engaged in a conspiracy to discredit Wilson in part by identifying Plame.

Another possibility, the lawyers say, is that Fitzgerald could charge Rove or others with perjury or providing false testimony before the grand jury. This is a popular avenue for prosecutors in white-collar criminal cases.

While other aides describe a nervous and unsettled White House, Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. said that the president's advisers are going about their business and trying to ignore the controversy.

*****end of clip*****

"Andrew H. Card Jr. said that the president's advisers are going about their business and trying to ignore the controversy"

They ought to try the "business as usual" BS while their guy is being impeached. More than anything I gained a huge amount of respect for Clinton as he continued to actually do the people's business.

capt

Thanks Capt!@#$ Y'all wouldn't know what for, but he does. *tips hat*
Ya know I owe ya a beer, right? You say when.

Terrorist laws to lock up objectors

By Marian Wilkinson, David Marr and Joseph Kerr
October 15, 2005

Supporting the insurgency in Iraq, Afghanistan or any country where Australian troops are deployed could carry a penalty of seven years' jail under the Prime Minister's new terrorism laws.

The changes also allow for control orders of unlimited duration, secret preventive detention, the monitoring of lawyers, and life imprisonment for funding terrorist organisations.

The draft legislation, disclosed by by Greens yesterday, details the far-reaching security regime proposed by John Howard for "very dangerous and difficult and threatening circumstances" in the wake of the London bombings.

New sedition offences will put big constraints on anti-war protests, familiar since the Vietnam era, and come down hard on those advocating violence against any religious, national or political group.

Those charged with sedition can argue they were acting "in good faith" but it is unclear how the courts will interpret this.

The bill sets out new federal police powers to detain terrorist suspects for up to 24 hours, and up to 48 hours with the approval of a judge or magistrate. Suspects will get access to a lawyer to challenge the detention order in a court or complain of maltreatment.

Police do not need to give suspects or their lawyers reasons for the detentions and can monitor lawyers. All conversations lawyers have with their clients must be in English or translated into English for the police. Police are prohibited from questioning the detainees but that ban does not apply to ASIO officers

*****end of clip*****

It is not just the American "Patriot Act" that makes me concerned, it is happening in other "western" governments.

Anti-war (pro-peace) is being called sedition AGAIN. Kind of gives new meaning to: "You're either with us or with the terrorists" eh?

Seems like the terrorists have won if they managed to prod our governments to take away our freedom.

capt

Alan,

T'wernt nuttin' brother.

capt

The pay's lousy, but the slop is free

Oct 15, 2005

By David Phinney

WASHINGTON - Jing Soliman left his family in the Philippines for what sounded like a sure thing - a job as a warehouse worker at Camp Anaconda in Iraq.

His new employer, Prime Projects International (PPI) of Dubai, is a major, but low-profile, subcontractor to Halliburton's multi-billion-dollar deal with the Pentagon to provide support services to US forces.

But Soliman wouldn't be making anything near the salaries - starting at US$80,000 per year and often topping US$100,000 - that Halliburton's engineering and construction unit Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) pays to the truck drivers, construction workers, office workers, and other laborers it recruits from the United States.

Instead, the 35-year-old father of two anticipated US$615 a month, including overtime. For a 40-hour work week, that would be $3-4 an hour. But for the 12-hour day, seven-day week that Soliman says was standard for him and many contract employees in Iraq, he actually earned $1.56 an hour.

Called "third country nationals" (TCNs) in contractors' parlance, these laborers hail largely from impoverished Asian countries such as the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan, as well as from Turkey and countries in the Middle East.

Once in Iraq, TCNs earn monthly salaries between US$200 and US$1,000 as truck drivers, construction workers, carpenters, warehousemen, laundry workers, cooks, accountants, beauticians, and similar blue-collar jobs.

*****end of clip*****

How much do you want to bet we "taxpayers" are really paying full till for these low-cost labor forces just some "go between" at some "go between" company is charging the difference as "administration" cost.

capt

Romania bird flu is lethal strain

The bird flu virus detected in Romania is the same lethal strain which struck in Asia.

Confirmation came following tests at the Veterinary Laboratory Agency in Weybridge in the UK.

The H5N1 strain has caused heavy losses of livestock in south-east Asia since 2003 and more than 60 human deaths.

Although its human victims contracted the disease from contact with birds, there are fears a mutant form of the virus may start passing between humans.

The WHO has warned thousands could die in a global pandemic if this happens.

*****end of clip*****

Not good news by a long shot.

capt

UW-Madison News Release--Flu virus drug/pandemic

FLU VIRUS REPORTED TO RESIST DRUG ENVISIONED FOR PANDEMIC

MADISON - An avian influenza virus isolated from an infected Vietnamese girl has been determined to be resistant to the drug oseltamivir, the compound better known by its trade name Tamiflu, and the drug officials hope will serve as the front line of defense for a feared influenza pandemic.

Scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working with colleagues in Vietnam and Japan, report in a brief communication in next week’≥ edition (Oct. 20, 2005) of the journal Nature that a young girl, provided with a prophylactic dose of the drug after experiencing mild influenza symptoms, developed a strain of the virus that was highly resistant to the drug.

The finding suggests that health officials - now stockpiling millions of doses of the drug to forestall a global outbreak of influenza and buy time to develop and mass produce a vaccine - should also consider other options, according to Yoshihiro Kawaoka, an international authority on influenza and the senior author of the Nature paper.

If avian influenza does emerge and becomes infectious from human to human - and nearly all experts agree that will happen at some point in the future - an outbreak similar to the 1918 influenza pandemic could occur. That pandemic killed as many as 50 million people, more than died on all the battlefields of World War I. Scientists and vaccine manufacturers would be in a race against time to produce enough doses to forestall disaster. Drugs like Tamiflu, used in combination with quarantine, would be intended to slow the spread of the disease until a vaccine is produced.

*****end of clip*****

"If avian influenza does emerge and becomes infectious from human to human - and nearly all experts agree that will happen at some point in the future "

I am personally not scared a bit by terrorists but this reminds me that our wars cannot kill as many, or as fast as a pandemic that "nearly all experts agree that will happen."

capt

Good News For The Medical Marijuana Movement: pot Proliferates Brain Cells And Boosts Mood

Most drugs of abuse decrease the generation of new neurons in the brain, but the effects of marijuana on this process, called neurogenesis, had not been clear. In a paper appearing online on October 13 in advance of print publication of the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Xia Zhang and colleagues from University of Saskatchewan show that a potent and synthetic cannabinoid promotes neurogenesis. This drug also exerts anti-anxiety and antidepressant-like effects.

The researchers suggest that there is a positive correlation between increased adult neurogenesis and modified behavior following chronic cannabinoid treatment. These data expand the existing knowledge about the positive roles cannabinoids and their receptors play in brain processing and medicine. Moreover, cannabinoids are perhaps the only illicit drug that can enhance adult neurogenesis and subsequently modify behavior.

*****end of clip*****

Darn, now I have the munchies! HA!

capt

capt.

Duuuude...

Troops don't support the Constitution

Money for Nothing

US Practices

We should not have been in Iraq in the first place!!!!!

DeLay Turns Legal Woes Into Fund-Raising Ploy

By JOHN SOLOMON
Oct 15, 2005, 03:57

Stung by his recent indictment in Texas, Tom Delay is trying to turn his legal woes into a financial boon for his re-election. The former House majority leader is using his congressional campaign to distribute to voters derogatory information about the prosecutor who brought the charges against him and to solicit donations for his re-election.

"Help Tom fight back," reads one of the solicitations on the http://www.TomDelay.com Web site that voters are being directed to as part of an Internet-based campaign funded by DeLay's re-election committee.

Contributors, voters and others who sign up can get regular e-mails and an electronic "toolkit" from DeLay's campaign with the latest disparaging information his legal team has dug up on Texas prosecutor Ronnie Earle.

"Join thousands of conservatives across the country in the fight against liberal DA Ronnie Earle," recipients are told.

Recipients are offered a full dossier about the Democratic prosecutor and his "baseless political indictment" with subjects like:

*****end of clip*****

Watch the indictments create a new war chest for the slug. He is still holding the bag for NASA.

capt

Capt,

My brother's starting Chemo/Radiation next week. I'm going to Californication you think they'll fill a script there, from an SC doctor, for a Kentucky patient?

-T

Probably not, but weeds WILL grow...

The circus comes to town

Everyone loves a circus, right?

Capt,

The WORST thing is DeLay's going public with TV ads for this crap. I wonder what's gonna happen when EVERY indicted person goes starts paying for TV to pollute the Jury Pool?

-T

The Failed Presidency

Hajji,

Just wear your I'm from South Carolina, and I own a shirt! shirt, they will understand. (kidding)

capt

From: Counterpunch
The Two-Headed Monster

By Werther, (the pen name of a Northern Virginia-based defense analyst.)

A glance at the pages of The Congressional Record for 6 October 2005 reveals this response from the Democrats' chief foreign policy spokesman and one of Capitol Hill's most sententiously tedious windbags, Senator Joseph Biden.

Mr. BIDEN. "Mr. President, today, in his speech to the National Endowment for Democracy, President Bush gave a vivid and, I believe, compelling description of the threat to America and to freedom from radical Islamic fundamentalism. He made, in my view, a powerful case for what is at stake for every American.
"Simply put, the radical fundamentalists seek to kill our citizens in great numbers, to disrupt our economy, and to reshape the international order. They would take the world backwards, replacing freedom with fear and hope with hatred. If they were to acquire a nuclear weapon, the threat they would pose to America would be literally existential.

Senator Biden goes on to criticize the administration on the usual counts: not enough progress in training Iraqis, not enough "engagement" with our allies, not enough electricity production, and so forth. But for all this carping about the consequences of invading Iraq, he fails to criticize the premises that created justification for the attack in the first place.

For it was the fantasy of imposing democracy at bayonet point, of "defeating the enemies of freedom and progress," that was the ideological cover for the invasion of Iraq. The first three paragraphs of Senator Biden's statement are fully equal to the worst balderdash of Richard Perle or Kenneth Adelman.

Senator Biden makes a revealing slip when he says later, ". . . once we decided to focus on Iraq, we went to war too soon. We went without the rest of the world, and we went under false premises."

What does "too soon" mean? Does he mean that, once Osama bin Laden would have been dispatched in Afghanistan, it would have been OK to invade Iraq? But the premises still would have been false. Would he have waited until Colin Powell harangued the Security Council into submission? The premises, as Hans Blix and Mohammed El Baradei could have attested, would still be false.
-------------
WTF are they thinking?? At this moment in time I wonder why the dems are STILL supporting this f**ked-up war! micki addressed the lack of info. 2 years ago, which I felt was pure BS, they had at least as much info as we the people did, and we knew it was a crock. But today, they do not have that excuse. after bush's speech they had the perfect opportunity to rip into him about the DSM, and the fake Niger document, just to mention a few things that make it obvious they have done nothing but lie all this time to get the war they were determined to have. This speech by biden plays us all for fools and proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that any opposition party we thought we had is dead and buried. They make me sick. I wish I had Geralds faith, that way I could feel better knowing they were all going straight to hell!!

The Iraq War

Is anyone more stupid than Bush?

Do you ever reflect and wonder that if Bush really had a brain how much more dangerous he would be?

Yes Gerald, the people that support him and the dems that aren't screaming at the top of their lungs against him!

Saladin,

I fear it is all marketing these days. It would make corporate sense. When the wheels are coming off the GOP hand-basket Kennedy announces he will not support Hillary and Biden above?

I still believe there is only one party, politicians. I say throw 'em all out of office.

capt

Focus on these truisms

1.American elections are rigged.

2. Bush is an endless liar.

3. America has many questionable clerics, laypersons, and politicians.

4. America is dominated with corrupt and greedy lobbyists who have control over her politicians.

5. Martial law will be declared prior to the 2008 elections.

6. The 2008 elections will be suspended.

7. Bush will never leave the WH until he meets his Final Judge.

P.S. Europeans believe that Bush is a murderer and a war criminal.

Capt. a big AMEN to that! I can't wait for the 2008 selection, let's see, who will it be? kerry or clinton? God help us all.

David, et al: It seems like the WH press corps has turned sour on the press secretary. David, could you shed some light on what is happening? Is McClellan's credibility shot after the blanket denials re: Plame? What are your MSM buddies saying about the WH and the ritualized press conferences? Are they FINALLY tired of the robotic non-responses coming from the WH? Re: yesterday's press conference, I can't believe Helen Thomas doesn't know the difference between preemptive war and preventive war. Here is the nasty press conference from yesterday: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/10/20051013-2.html

Hurricane Bush

We keep hearing about Katrina and Rita as level 5 hurricanes. Yes these hurricanes will affect 6 or 7 states but a Hurricane Bush is a level 10 and this hurricane effects 50 states. Since I am a very kind person, I will not add the other 50 or so countries that have been affected by Hurricane Bush. Hurricane Bush has been a total disaster and causing total destruction and devastation to our planet. We can also add some hot air to this hurricane and global warming is also affecting our planet. Hurricane Bush has been a hot air and a heavy wind hurricane for nearly five years.

I would vote for an Al Gore-John Kerry ticket.

I read the OFFICIAL total of dead troops in Iraq is 2083, and these should be considered leverage against Iraq according to "Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), a presumed scourge of the Bush administration, who argues that a subtle threat to pull out U.S. troops would be the inducement ­ or sub rosa extortion ­ to get the Iraqi politicians to settle their differences and ultimately defeat the insurgency."
Quote taken from Werther's "Two Headed Monster."
---------------
What a disgrace all these politicians are.

Inflation skyrockets after hurricanes

Boston area hit hard as energy costs spike

By Robert Gavin, Globe Staff
October 15, 2005

Consumer prices surged last month at the fastest rate in 25 years, driven by energy cost spikes that followed the devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes.

The consumer price index, a widely used measure of inflation, jumped 1.2 percent from August, led by an 18 percent jump in gasoline prices, the biggest monthly increase since 1980, the Labor Department said yesterday. Over the past year, consumer prices nationally have risen 4.7 percent, the fastest rate of inflation since 1991.

Inflation is putting an even tighter squeeze on Greater Boston consumers. Overall prices here are up 4.9 percent from a year ago. Boston gasoline prices jumped 69 percent in the past year, compared to 55 percent nationally, while the cost of heating fuels and utilities rose 24 percent, compared to 13 percent in the United States.

Besides measuring inflation at the retail level, the consumer price gauge is typically used to index cost-of-living increases in labor contracts and government benefits. The Social Security Administration said the recent quickening pace of inflation means benefits will rise 4.1 percent next year, or, $21 billion, the biggest cost-of-living adjustment since 1991.

*****end of clip*****

Here is a little MSM message manipulation: Inflation spikes because of the hurricane not because of the failed fiscal policies of the administration, out of control deficit spending or cost of the illegal war.

This is what passes for news? Tis lies, lies and damned lies. SSDD

capt

Nazi America

Here are the fourteen characteristics that are necessary for a fascist nation. America currently possesses all fourteen characteristics.
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
5. Rampant sexism
6. A controlled mass media
7. Obsession with national security
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
9. Power of corporations protected
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
14. Fraudulent elections

There should be no doubt in anyway in the people’≥ minds that America is a fascist nation. Rapidly the self-implosion and destruction of America are starting to take hold. America is no longer America but she is now called Nazi America.

Assessing the President

There are generals and church people who say that George W. Bush was chosen to be president by God. I cannot prove or disprove what people are saying. So, I offer you my assessment with some trepidation.

George W. Bush and his regime have been an experiment in mendacity with the American people. His disciples claim that he is the messianic messenger but his message has obfuscated the American people. His character lacks the probity to be a leader and his actions are more reflective of a nefarious person. George W. Bush expects Americans and the media to obsequious to what he says because he says it.

Before I accept the hyperbole that George W. Bush was chosen by God to be president and that God speaks to him, he must possess the virtues of my God which are humility, love, mercy, and patience. Personally, Mr. Bush does not possess any of these virtues. I see him more as a controlling, punitive, and vengeful person, totally lacking in compassion.

George W. Bush displays a depraved indifference toward the killing of living human beings.

Corporations and Persons

I watched Television Ontario (TVO). The program title was "The Corporation - The Pathology of Commerce." The program mentioned that the Supreme Court ruled that a corporation is a person than surely a person is a person. The program highlighted a checklist for mental disorders. Since a corporation can be considered a person, the mental disorder checklist can be applied.

Here is the checklist.
1. Callousness toward people
2. Impersonal relationships with people
3. Disregard for the safety of others
4. Deceitfulness
5. Incapacity to experience guilt
6. Failure to comply toward social norms to benefit people

From the checklist corporations displayed a psychopathic mental disorder. If we use the same checklist for our two highest leaders, then we would have to conclude that george w. bush and dick chaney display the same mental disorder. It would be my perception that the above two men are unfit to be president and vice-president, respectively. They hold too much power for men who have a possible mental disorder.

Corporations and Persons

I watched Television Ontario (TVO). The program title was "The Corporation - The Pathology of Commerce." The program mentioned that the Supreme Court ruled that a corporation is a person than surely a person is a person. The program highlighted a checklist for mental disorders. Since a corporation can be considered a person, the mental disorder checklist can be applied.

Here is the checklist.
1. Callousness toward people
2. Impersonal relationships with people
3. Disregard for the safety of others
4. Deceitfulness
5. Incapacity to experience guilt
6. Failure to comply toward social norms to benefit people

From the checklist corporations displayed a psychopathic mental disorder. If we use the same checklist for our two highest leaders, then we would have to conclude that george w. bush and dick chaney display the same mental disorder. It would be my perception that the above two men are unfit to be president and vice-president, respectively. They hold too much power for men who have a possible mental disorder.

And to think I was worried about GOPhers falling on their swords to save the WH, I should have remembered there are plenty from the GOP wing of the DNC willing and able to help those they claim to oppose.

I swore I would not fall for it again but my hope blinds my good sense. *sigh*

capt

Capt, you know we are in bad trouble when even progressive writers are slamming the left! And they deserve every bit of slamming they get.

"George W. Bush displays a depraved indifference toward the killing of living human beings"

My greatest fear is that Bush and the others are not indifferent, I fear they relish the head count. Many years ago the death count measured the "success" of the (mis)leaders. More dead equals more power.

Take one dry drunk Andover cheerleader and encourage delusions of power and military to send to war and you will always have a head count. That is what warmongers live for.

capt

George Bush goes to a primary school to talk about the war. After his talk he offers question time. One little boy puts up his hand and George asks him what his name is.

"Billy".

"And what is your question, Billy?"

"I have 3 questions.

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

And third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

Just then the bell rings for recess. George Bush informs the kiddies that they will continue after recess.

When they resume George says, "OK, where were we? Oh that's right ---question time. Who has a question?"

A different little boy puts up his hand. George points him out and asks him what his name is. "Steve"

"And what is your question, Steve?"

"I have 5 questions.

First, why did the USA invade Iraq without the support of the UN?

Second, why are you President when Al Gore got more votes?

Third, whatever happened to Osama Bin Laden?

Fourth, why did the recess bell go 20 minutes early?

And fifth, what happened to Billy?"

Group Internal memos show oil companies limited refineries to drive up prices

12 Oct 2005

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR) today exposed internal oil company memos that show how the industry intentionally reduced domestic refining capacity to drive up profits, RAW STORY has learned.

The three internal memos from Mobil, Chevron and Texaco illustrate how the oil juggernauts reduced refining capacity and drove independent refiners out of business in an effort to increase prices. The highly confidential memos reveal a nationwide effort by American Petroleum Institute, the lobbying and research arm of the oil industry, to encourage major refiners to close their refineries in the mid-1990s.

"Large oil companies have for a decade artificially shorted the gasoline market to drive up prices," said FTCR president Jamie Court, who successfully fought to keep Shell Oil from needlessly closing its Bakersfield, California refinery this year. "Oil companies know they can make more money by making less gasoline. Katrina should be a wakeup call to America that the refiners profit widely when they keep the system running on empty."

"It's now obvious to most Americans that we have a refinery shortage," said petroleum consultant Tim Hamilton, who authored a recent report about oil company price gouging for FTCR. "To point to the environmental laws as the cause simply misses the fact that it was the major oil companies, not the environmental groups, that used the regulatory process to create artificial shortages and limit competition."

*****end of clip*****

The story has links to the memo’≥. Now this kind of thing really drives me nuts.

AAARRRGGGHHH!

capt

Indict Ledeen
From Antiwar.com

Roger L. Simon has a problem with my call for Fitzgerald to indict Michael "P-2" Ledeen as a conspirator in the forging of the Niger uranium documents. He complains in a post called, "Reactionaries on Parade (Left Wing Dvision [sic])":

"Without any evidence other than a posting on Wikipedia (wow... there's an unimpeachable source), someone named Scott Horton of the soi-disant Anti-War Blog is calling for the indictment of Michael Ledeen for the Niger yellowcake forgeries. If I were Michael, I'd take this nitwit to court. Were this the UK, I'd bet my house Mr. Horton would be paying for Ledeen's next vacation in Tahiti. But perhaps the looser US libel laws shield infants like Horton from this kind of action."

Here is the deal Mr. Simon:

First of all, I am not a leftist. Secondly, the sources for the quotes of former CIA and DIA agent Philip Giraldi were my interviews of him, as indicated in the correctly transcribed entry on the Wikipedia page, and which I provided the mp3 link for. Fourth, I am happy that the US is no longer part of the British Empire.

As far as Ledeen and the Niger uranium forgeries, Giraldi explained in the interviews that the "couple of CIA agents" were paid in foreign accounts and that Fitzgerald had "already found the money trail." Ledeen's connections to the Office of Special Plans and Sismi are well documented, he attended a number of meetings in Italy with Harold Rhode, who "practically lived out of (Iranian spy) Ahmad Chalabi's office," Manucher Ghorbanifar and guilty Israeli spy Larry Franklin, around the time the Italians began passing on the (already debunked) story back to the US.
--------------
larry franklin was also involved with these meetings. This whole thing is tied together by Israeli spies, why is everyone so terrified to just admit that??

SHUT UP, whatever happened to Billy? I enjoyed the question time.

Soon we will all ask the question! What happened to Gerald, Saladin, capt, Jeanne, micki, kathleen, Pandemoniac, Alan, geo01, Hajji, WTF, corky (although corky has been silent! Maybe bush got to corky already?), plus so many other names that I cannot remember. Where have all the patriots gone? To some unknown torture chamber, I suppose?